Encouraged.

After my error today I am once again encouraged by this poster. 

Heading North

The Gig at the Fleece had gone well. Not a huge audience but certainly a very appreciative one. Nigel  served a very welcome breakfast in preparation for what was going to be a long day in the saddle.   This was day twenty one of the tour. The coming of age!    I had booked the bikes into Vale Cyles, Evesham.   Once more our rides needed the attentions of an expert.   Should you need any help with your bike in Evesham then Vale Cycles is the one.   After the stunt riding of the previous day RD's bike and trailer was in need of a new tyre and more spokes. The good old Norco, veteran of a number of long distance trips, required some tweaking on the front brakes and in addition a new wing mirror.   The latter being essential on some of the roads we peddle  down.    We took time out to do admin in the local coffee house. Unfortunately, despite two attempts, the Regal Coffee bar were unable to produce an Americano which was up to the standard expected by the artiste.   This was not a good start to a day.  As Mr. Durrant's full time domestique I felt I had failed to meet his requirements here.   Slight change of plan developed. We are going to make our way to Meriden to rendezvous with David Cox,  chairman of CTC the national cycling charity.   Why Meriden? There are two reasons. Firstly it is the centre of England and 70 miles from the coast. Secondly it is the site of the memorial to cyclists who gave their lives whilst fighting in the first and second world wars.   This diversion would add some miles to our route for the day but it would be a worthwhile tribute to the fallen especially in the hundredth year since the commencement of hostilities in the  First World War.        On returning to Vale Cycles the news was not good.   Although the bikes were ready to roll it has become clear that the rear wheel on Richard's bike was not really up to the demands of the journey and we could well have trouble later on the tour.    This did nothing to lift our spirits.    With extra miles to cover we set off towards our early afternoon meeting.    The undulating landscape gave us enough of a challenge to remind ourselves that this tour was no easy ride.    The navigation was not easy and without too much trouble I managed to lose contact at one stage with my co rider.    Following a brief discussion on the telephone and a quick turnaround we were reunited.   All was not well in the camp.   We rolled on to take a well earned lunch just short of Tanworth in Arden.   The pub grub at Ullenhall was served together with restaurant prices! Had we had our legs lifted again?  I fear so.  We pushed on as we were late for our meeting.  Patient David Cox was there at the memorial in Meriden when we finally arrived shortly before 16.00        It was a pleasure to meet with David and for the tour to link with CTC.    In my capacity as tour manager I now took on the position of interviewer in the short film the ever versatile Richard shot of David.  I am thinking of applying for the vacancy created by the resignation of Jeremy Paxman at the BBC.   Richard whipped his guitar out but sadly too much traffic noise prevented a proper
performance.   Handshakes all round and off we went to our destination for the night at Stoke Golding, a further 15 miles to the north side of Nuneaton.  We passed through the town last year on the End to End.    For most of the tour some of my time has been used, or wasted  you might say,  looking for various items belonging to our leader.   Today the boot was on the other foot.  Having taken a short break on a bench whilst approaching Nuneaton I rather stupidly left my telephone behind. It was not until riding into the town that I realised the phone was not with me.   We called the telephone and it rang.  I arranged for a taxi to take me back to the bench when RD received a call from a gentleman who had found my mobile and agreed to drive it to us.  How kind is that? What is more he would not take anything for his time and trouble.   I have donated the money I offered to the Big C fund.  I think the maestro is quietly pleased that he has discovered a chink in my personal organisation.   Oh how the mighty have fallen.  Thirty more minutes riding and we made it to Stoke Golding.  Steve, our host, came out to lead us back to Ashby Boat Company.   We would be staying in a lock keepers cottage for the next three nights.  Idealic setting. We were pleased to be there. Legs all in and backsides sore.  Shower and then back on our bikes to the village for a curry at the Mango Tree. Very tasty and boy were we ready for it. 

Big C Total

The total for Big C climbed by £76 last night. 

Total now £1,460.94

Many thanks again. 

Sean and Richard 

The Fleece Concert.

Post Crash

John and the Artiste

Evesham for the Evening.

It was time to head north. We had hoped to get away by 08.00 but as usual there was a delay as R got himself and his possessions together.   We said our goodbyes to Matt and Andrea at the farm at 08.45.  What an oasis this place had been. Thank you to everybody there for such a great welcome.  Thanks too to Chris also staying at the farm  who is going to be making a donation to the Big C.   A great piece of news as we set off on our fifty mile trip.  It was going to be a long day as there would be a concert at the Fleece Inn. I planned to the route to stay off all the major roads  as much as possible.   Our progress to Cricklade was swift and we rode  through Driffield and on to Ampney St. Peter where we called in for a coffee with our regular long distance cycling friends, John and Debbie.   Picked  up some mail that I had forwarded there. Mr. D could not resist the temptation and raised the small matter of the bearded lady singer from Eurovision.   I think it was so he could hear my views just once more.   I was pleased that John concurred with me. Many thanks to Debbie for leaving us some cake which we enjoyed later down the route. We could not stop too long as there was a small matter of peddling to do.   Lunch at Northleach.  The maestro made the mistake of saying how easy the afternoon ride was going to be.    Famous last words. No sooner had we remounted the bikes and pulled out of the village when one of Richard's trailer stands got caught in vegetation on the side of the uphill path and it jackknifed the bike and threw Richard into the verge of nettles and brambles.  I heard the cry for help from behind and ran back.  It did not look good with Richard lying in the hedge with the bike on top of him.  There was no funny side to this. I always worry when Richard falls off, about his hands.   The show must go on. Unfortunately I am in no position to take over on the playing front.  I got him up and there was, as usual, a good few sentences which were made up of a series of swear words!  We got the bike up to the top of the hill and checked for damage. Certainly the balance of the bike had gone. There was also a small rupture in the rear tyre.     Richard also noticed his helmet was missing.    Not at the crash site so it could only be at the pub we had stopped for lunch in.     Trailer off Richard retraced his path.  A policemen  stopped to speak to me whilst I waited and enquired if I was ok.  He also wanted to know if I was the owner of the helmet in the road at the bottom of the hill.    After a short delay we set off again a little worse for wear.  At another stop I just had to get off the bike for a lie down. Is my age catching up on me. The Cotswold villages were delightful.  Broadway was a real honeypot site. A short afternoon pit stop. The legs were going.    With 52 miles on the clock we pulled into the Fleece Inn just after 16.30 but not before I was nearly taken out by a white van.    Straight to work in the barn alongside this beautiful 17th century pub.    An intimate space.   We set up in time to rehearse and then take dinner.  The show started at 20.00   It goes without saying that the audience loved the range of music and there were many cyclists there too. There was even another Richard Durrant. The world is not ready for two of them!     A good number came up to chat at the end of the show. Spoke with Hannah Genders who is doing the end to end this summer with a friend.  Good luck and safe riding.   Packed up and adjourned to the bar with a group of concert goers. Great chats and fun.  A then to bed. The artiste bowed but not broken.