Day 4 – 100 miles and almost out of the West Country!

It’s a 100 miler. It’s taken a few days, and a less hilly terrain, and a few rogue miles whilst lost, but I’ve done it!

Today’s update will be a bit rushed because I bumped into an old friend at the pub where I’m staying – see pictures.

I slept in Bridgwater where I met some very friendly Americans from Colorado who are also LEJOGing. Dan and his friend have booked every night in a hotel in stark contrast to me who books at 5pm that day! Great to meet them and I wish them well for their travels. Later on a team of supported Lejoggers were seeking their hotel in Bristol. There is definitely a LEJOG hierarchy and I couldn’t help saying “Oh, you are doing it supported”. Oops.

The day started on the very flat Somerset Levels and I was soon in Glastonbury. No time to waste and I jetted on to Welles. In Welles – if you are a lady over 35 and are not carrying a yoga mat – I think they ask you to leave. Then the Mendip Hills. You may not have heard of these West Country Hills – but my legs have. The climb reached a very steep 17% at which point I pushed the bike for a couple of hundred metres.

From the Mendips- the journey wound its way through some beautiful countryside towards Bristol. After toasting my success at not getting lost in another large conurbation – I got lost in Bristol. It was school closing time and I ended up going back and forward in front of one school three times. Not a good look. After escaping Bristol (with its quite sharp urban hill)- it was a race to the outskirts of Gloucester along a canal and some nice flats with the wind behind.

Our pub is just south of Gloucester – the last part of the South West. Tomorrow the journey moves to the West Midlands and more gentle landscapes. Big smiley face.

Also – thanks so much for your support – both sponsorship and personal. The sponsorship level is now over three thousand pounds – that’s all thanks to you. The personal support has also been a touching and restorative balm after an 8 to 10 hour day in the saddle. Thank you.

Thanks also to Sarah for driving a long way to come and meet me. She made my day. Even bigger smiley face.

4 responses to “Day 4 – 100 miles and almost out of the West Country!”

  1. Evening Dan,
    Loving the daily blog and the photos. So pleased Sarah able to find you after your mammoth ride today! Well done. Hope the cheese and port were good!
    With love
    Tricia and Geoff xx

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    1. The local cheeses were delicious thank you Tricia. One of the benefits of the ride is that Ill burn up almost anything I eat. Lovely to see Sarah too.

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  2. Richard Waterlow avatar
    Richard Waterlow

    Dan excellent work completing the South West of England (including in the rain) and also on the social side making new friends down there. Am slightly concerned that “LEJOG” sounds like a 1980s French sports fashion brand. Strength and honour. Rick

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    1. Thank you Richard. The kindness and response of everyone Ive met so far has been fantastic. The best yet are tonight’s B&B hosts. Not sure there is a lot of strength or honour on this bike ride yet – but Ill try. LEJOGon sir.

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