BURKEYS END 2 END : Day 12: Over the Bridge

Gloucester to Street: 82.02 miles

Time Spent Cycling: 7 hours 14 minutes

Average Speed: 11.3mph

The morning's ride was what yesterday's ride should have been but wasn't, in that it was a flat route along a canal towpath or river. In this case it was the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal which we followed for the first 15 miles or so of today's route. Again, the fact that this route is on the National Cycle Network is a sham. Only about half of it is fit for touring cycles and as such we found ourselves going through rutted tracks only 4 inches or so wide or along paths made with 1inch stones. Although the National Cycle Network is a brilliant idea, it's in need of major investment and if the government is serious about green transport then it should happen, it shouldn't be left to Sustrans to try their best to maintain and create routes based on charitable donations.

We exited the canal at Slimbridge and headed towards Bristol along some of the best roads we'd cycled on so far. There wasn't much, if any traffic at all on the flat roads which run close by the Bristol Chanel and we even had a tailwind for a change! We took a lunch break in a petrol station cafe in Avonmouth and had use of a full bus lane on the downhill stretch of the A4 which runs under the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The cycle route continued on the other side of the A4 so we pulled over and attempted to cross the A4. Ten minutes later we were still there, waiting to cross. Eventually a gap appeared and we made a dash for it and minutes later we were over the River Avon.

We made a decision to abandon the favoured cycle route of my End 2 End book which takes in the Ashton Estate and goes a bit 'round the houses' and instead get on the A370 for a more direct South-Westerley route. Once on the A370 there was no way back, it was like a motorway and we couldn't get off it quick enough. The cycle route crossed the A370 after a couple of miles but it was via a bridge to which there was no access to from the A370. In a desperate bid to get back on the route we stopped under the bridge in question and I checked to see if it was possible to clamber up the grass banking and lift the bikes over the railings and back onto the cycle route. I reckoned we could do it so Rob stationed himself on the bridge and I carried the bikes up the verge inbetween the nettles and the saplings which entangled the wheels and handlebars. Ella and Georgia carried up the panniers and eventually we made it. It was hard graft but worth it in order to get off that road and back on the End 2 End route. The only casualty was my Union Jack flag which was snapped in the scramble over the railings. I put my blue electrical tape to good use and repaired it. My flag was my lucky charm, along with a yellow golf tee I had carried in my pocket since John O'Groats which I used to reset my bike computer at the JOG Marker Post. Both items I intended on getting to Lands End by hook or by crook.

It was 2.30pm and we had already done 50 odd miles when I text home to Joanne and told her that today should be a breeze. I stated that we should have time to get into Wells to have a look at the cathedral and also take some time out in Glastonbury and still make it to our YHA in Street in good time. How foolish am I? I hadn't factored in the fact that we had still to get over the Mendips (a range of hills, not a euphemism for the trots!) and before long, wouldn't you know it, we were off and pushing our bikes up about 2 miles of huge ascents in searing heat on the hottest day of the year. It was painful progress and at the summit we rode the plateau hoping for a breathtaking descent into the city of Wells. We weren't to be disappointed and a top speed of 40.3 miles per hour was the highest we recorded on the End 2 End to date.

We were tired, hot and anxious to just get to the end of today's ride and omitted cycling into Wells to save a few miles and a bit of time. The cathedral, one of England's finest, will have to wait for another time. We did, however, venture off-route and took in Glastonbury High Street where we took a cafe break. We went in an 'eco-cafe' at first but walked out when we realised they didn't actually serve any drinks with sugar in them! There are times when a cyclists needs a sugary drink to avoid bonking - there's that word again!

It was getting late when we rolled into our YHA in Street, probably not helped by us going the wrong way when trying to find the place! It is in the sticks somewhat so we ordered a taxi to take us back to the town and the all-important pub. Another long day on the bike had come to an end, we were getting tired but we were getting closer.