Jim's Holidays: August 2021

Friday I meet Pete at Hyde Park Corner where the army seem to be practicing for the expected summer riots. Swords drawn. An excellent use of taxpayers money. Anyway we negotiate this and safely reach Paddington which after a bit of bike storage shenanigans reach Swansea safely and cycle to Mumbles to meet Chris albeit a little late. After coffee at Mumbles pier Chris takes us up the steepest hill on the Gower (or so we think at the time) and after a lot of ups and downs we reach home but only after a detour to the pub for an excellent Thai curry and pints. A warm welcome from Amanda and Ryan awaits and after another couple of beers I sleep soundly in the hammock. Saturday is a little drizzly but after a great breakfast from Chris we cycle north up and over the valleys, en route Chris has his very first puncture, as in lifetime not just this ride, which Pete and I can't quite believe but it's sorted out quickly and we don't suffer another. We stop for coffee at Ammanford and whilst dithering about whether to have lunch our minds are made up by the skies opening and so we sit snugly in the restaurant warm and cosy. The sun is out when we leave for another up and down ride, which I struggle with as digesting a large burger and chips, with a sting in the tail that Chris treats us to ("just a little tickler") on the Gower by taking us up and over Three Crosses. After a couple of well earned pints and peanuts down on the coast we arrive home to be fed another excellent Thai curry. Tonight I'm on the airbed. Sunday it's drizzly and after our regulation large breakfast, thanks Chris, we head south into driving rain and wind. Again I'm struggling as digesting food. Must remember to have little and often in future - or avoid hills. We reach Rhossili to take our snaps and dry to dry out a little in a cafe with a wonderful view up the beach. As the weather is poor and time is short, considering those hills, we ditch the idea of a swim at Port Eynon and head for Swansea. Chris leaves us on the top of the Gower and Pete and I meander up and down steep hills before reaching Swansea Bay seafront cycle path where Pete dips his toes in the Welsh waters. Then it's a quick jaunt to the railway station, cycle to Hyde Park Corner where Pete and I part and back home proper for me for a well earned, and needed, hot bath. A great trip. West Wales next time...?

The gospel according to Strava...

Day 1. 31.69 miles in 2:51:55 hours climbing 1,792 ft - plus another 8 from home to Paddington

Day 2: 40.35 miles in 3:29:06 hours climbing 2,828 ft

Day 3: 36.46 miles in 3:10:54 hours climbing 2,342ft - plus another 9 from Paddington to home.

So 124 miles over the 3 days climbing about 7,000 feet which is just about going from sea level up Snowdon. Twice.