DAY 9: Ludlow campsite to Bristol (125k of lots of rain and hills)

Firstly, I have to mention Sam's epic splat yesterday; he bounced back up very quickly but left a massive dent in his helmet! All ok today - just another one of us soldiering on. 

Some slept well in the rainy tents next to the mooing cows, some less so. The rest came back fresh from the Travelodge and we all got packed up and ready to go with great send offs from Ruth and Mike, Eric and Marl, and Nick. We very sadly had to say goodbye to Kate after 9 days of absolute selfless support, love, cooking, driving, massages and laughs. We are so pleased you have been such a big part of our journey Kate - thank you from all of us!

 

We rolled out of Ludlow and through lovely green lanes of flatness through Kidderminster and on to breakfast in Leominster. After much needed coffee, porridge and stories from GH, we set off for a long 55k stint before lunch. 

                            

This little stretch was absolutely beautiful but as the hills started to rise the rain started to fall. It poured. Jacket on. Jacket off. Jacket on again. We got drenched and the legs were really working to get us up some of the biggest hills yet. 

Meanwhile GH got another flat and only pictures can tell that story... 

  

Back on the route, we were cranking up the gears, weaving left and right, deep breathing and puffing out our lungs, to eventually conquer over 4k of an endless last hill which made eyes water and bodies bleed - apart from the Dans and Sams of the world. But even Damien and the pink ladies made it (via a few nettle bushes and grease fights). 

Everyone sucked it up through Hereford, into the Wye Valley and on to lunch in pretty Colford. When we arrived we were soaked to the skin and pretty exhausted but were welcomed and looked after by the girls in Scoff's Coffee House who managed an order of over 14 paninis and sausage rolls plus coffees and teas.    

                        

The afternoon was supposed to be easy with only 37k to battle but it was still a challenge rolling over the contours of the West Country and South Wales. The views made up for the pain though and it felt quite momentous to cross Chepstow Bridge and then the Severn bridge! GH is happy now we're on the same latitude as London. Apparently everything else is north! 

                        

Eventually we peddled in to our hotel car park to sweaty hugs from all, plus Sophia who's come to take over support crew duties (welcome and thank you!) and also Josh Witts - surprise guest for the evening!

Meanwhile in Stamford, Tom's 87yr old Nana, Peggy, has been busy spreading the word and fundraising where she lives by making her own sponsorship form and pinning it to the noticeboard. She's collected £180 so far and prints out the blog everyday to show everyone! Mr Windsor would be proud of all this community spirit. 

Right. Signing off for tonight as there's a very serious discussion about what route we're taking tomorrow, the number of hills we need to prepare for and the various breakfast / food schedules. 

Tomorrow looks good for hitting out £30k target! Let's do it folks. 

Day 9 done. 3/4 of the UK and 750miles out of 1000 done!