Sore thighs, sore calves, sore hands, numb fingers, sore backs, sore shoulders........ sore bums ! Four days in, another 74 miles and EVERYTHING seems to be aching, throughout the group.

But a smashing day, which started a little cloudy in Chepstow, after saying goodbye to Elizabeth, and gradually got brighter and brighter, until we were cycling in hot sun for the last few hours.

A gentle run down to Monmouth before a beautiful ride up and through the ‘Golden Valley’. As the sun came out the wide sweeping valley became even more lovely.

(Bob, Ray and Jon still managed to fit in some shopping and a visit to a museum in Monmouth !)

Unfortunately though we had to leave the Golden Valley and track north, while unfortunately the rivers were tending to run East to West. So up and down, up and down, up and down, up and down. The downs were brilliant, the ups were long and hard. One climb must have been over five miles long ! Trouble is the climbs tended to take about ten times as long as the downhills !

We kept Shaun busy by having three main stops today, as we tried to get our ‘refuelling’ right. It seemed to work better.

Finally we sped down our last descent into the village of Clun and the Youth Hostel there. Unique and old worldy. No wi-fi, no TV, but delightful and peaceful.

Just one mile from the hostel though, Ray broke his chain, but still managed to freewheel down the hill into clun. Resident mechanic, Davy Brown soon had the chain mended.

Thoughts from the guys :-

Ray – B&B bliss at Chepstow. Cloths washed and dried, and they smelt like heaven. Early morning riding down the Wye Valley – WOW, emotional. Clun Youth Hostel is how it used to be, basic but beautiful in the heart of the countryside, especially in this amazing evening sunlight.

Martyn - The sounds of Wales....... sheep bleating, buzzards screeching, birds singing, the rattle of bicycle gears changing, tractor engines roaring. Its the sounds which have stood out to me today, mainly because most of the day has been spent looking down at the road as we struggled up the hills.

Davy – Beautiful day riding through the Golden Valley and Shropshire hills. Everything aches, legs, heads, neck, back and bum. But great encouragement from everyone. A third of the way there and still going !!

Jon – Another great days cycling, the beautiful hills and valleys of the Welsh countryside stretched before us, allowing us to explore the dainty and colourful villages we never knew existed. The hottest weather and the biggest hills were as usual left until last, leaving us with patchy sunburn and thighs like Victoria Pendleton. Roll on Thursday !!

Roger – The use of a Heineken bar towel helps soothes the part of the body that other bar towels can’t reach. Bob’s 20 mins toilet stop in a local’s home – Classic !!!!

Jon – Another great days cycling, the beautiful hills and valleys of the Welsh countryside stretched before us, allowing us to explore the dainty and colourful villages we never knew existed. The hottest weather and the biggest hills were as usual left until last, leaving us with patchy sunburn and thighs like Victoria Pendleton. Roll on Thursday !!

Roger – The use of a Heineken bar towel helps soothes the part of the body that other bar towels can’t reach. Bob’s 20 mins toilet stop in a local’s home – Classic !!!!