The good weather didn't last long as a drizzle moved in and we found ourselves having to negotiate some fast but slippy roads. We headed towards Monmouth passing Tintern Abbey and some spectacular views after an hour the drizzle stopped and we were able to shed the waterproofs.
After a steady first couple of hours we got to Monmouth which was followed by a stiff climb and then seemed to spend ages just going up and down an undulating route.
Lunch came after 60 miles and as is traditional now the heavens opened about 20 minutes before we arrived just to ensure we got damp.
Having had lunch we thought it would be a simple matter of knocking off the remaining 30 odd miles and then hit the hotel early. How wrong we were, after about 20 mins one of our group punctured and having sorted that as we moved off another snapped his chain. After a bit of mobile signal roulette we managed to sort out the support to come and fix him, so we left him in the middle of nowhere and rode on.
The next 20 miles seemed to go up and up punctuated by some sharp descents however the descents seemed to be on muddy, sloppy roads so we never made the progress we wanted to.
After what seemed like an age we rolled into Shrewsbury and to our hotel where we were met by Cathy, Mark's wife, who had driven up to give us a mid trip massage.
Tonight's hotel is very pleasant but the steak left Mark unimpressed.
Tomorrow we are promised a flatter ride to Preston, but then they did say today would be a gentle rolling ride.!
Today's stats 94 miles 6100ft climbing
Onwards and upwards!
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