Friday, April 2, 2010

Thursday 01 April 2010 Wargrave - Long Wittenham

Thursday 01 April 2010 Wargrave - Long Wittenham 45km

It's starting to look like 45km is the best we can do and at the moment it is.  We're both still sniffly and chesty and probably if my Mum saw us she would suggest we stay warm and indoors.  One thing we did today was manage to get the average speed up to 12kph as there were a few less muddy trails.

We left the White Hart in Wargrave after been fed the world's biggest breakfast.  The hospitality shown to us by our Maltese hosts was wonderful.  After yesterdays cold and wet slog we both, still feeling a bit crook, cautiously looked out the window to be surprised by bright sunshine.  Still a bit cold but 2-3 deg warmer than yesterday, which meant it was twice as warm :)

Put a bit of oil on the chains this morning, the bikes are a mess but still riding well.

We had a late start as breakfast started at 8am and we dragged our feet to get ready so we hit the road just before 1000.  On our way we came back to the Thames near Reading.

Lots of people living in canal boats




Canal boats...they looked a bit feral but I could think of worse places to hang out.  We met some other cyclists going the other way today, it's always nice to stop and chat.  One block was on some 12 Rugby tour which we think means he rides for 12 days watching a game of rugby each day.....he was madder than us.  Another two blokes were doing the same route as us but the other way and were having an easy day as they had a big night at the pub they stayed at last night :)  Not like us, I've learnt my limit is two pints of ale.


Passed by Caversham Lock

It would be very peaceful touring by canal boat, might have to put that on the list of things to do.


They put little slots so you can walk your bikes up the stairs



The stairs were hard but we were greeted by this at the top, a view of Caversham



A nice view near Stoke Row

While we were cycling through a little village I cant remember the name of, the weather started to turn....quickly.  We stopped to put our wet gear on, or at least zip it up and then next then there is sleet falling on us and an arctic wind.  yah!!  This is good, so we rug up and bravely face the wind.  We hardly rode 500m and it stopped.  Weird but we were glad it stopped.

Look I cant say it often enough, if your going to ride in cold and wet weather then get yourself a cheap plastic showercap and whack it on your helmet.  Sandy is horrified that I walk into shops with my showercapped helmet on but I wear it pride, it's the mark of a practical cycle tourist.



If you look closely you'll see a pheasant...it might pay to click on the photo to see it fullsize :)



Lunch stop at Wallingford



We are following these route markers



An earthen wall around the park we had lunch kept the bad guys out for the Saxons and it must still work as we made it through unscathed.



Sandy planning the next leg of our trip....actually she was feeling pretty bad so I think she was looking for the next bed.



Rode through Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell and the thatched roofs were amazing.  This trip has been a torrent of wonderful scenery

The plan was to try and get to Oxford today even though we both knew that we our current rate of travel that would be a big day that neither of us was up to.  After struggling up a hill in first gear poor Sandy's health was going the other way so we decided the next accommodation we see will do us for the day.  We rode through Little Wittenham which didnt even have a pub then a few km further on we got to Long Wittenham and saw a B&B so we pulled in.  A chap came out and I asked "Any chance of a room for two cold and weary cyclists?"  He hesitated and then his wife poked her head out and said "Yes", "Oh OK then Yes" he said.  I thought the site of two oddly dressed and wheezing cyclists might have had him a little worried but it turned out that they are headed to France tomorrow and he thought I said "two nights" to his "How many nights?" enquiry.

All's well, our bikes are snuggled up in their shed and we have a nice room albeit with twin beds (it was the only one they had available).  At least the bikes can snuggle.

1 comment:

Kylie Cole said...

Chris and I are really enjoying the blog well done Gary it's great reading and Chris was impressed with the shower cap but agrees with Sandy should come off at shops. He also thinks that you need to increase your pint intake to be a true ozzy tourist!