Week 3
Monday 18 to Sunday 24 June 2007 (Bristol to Barrow-in-Furness)
Day 16 - Monday 18/6/07 - Bristol to Swansea - Estimated miles: 80
It was John W (more of whom later in the tour) that I have to thank for pointing out that he thought there was a cycle route over one of the Severn Bridge crossings. I’d assumed that, as they were both motorways, I would have to take the long road up to Gloucester. A good 50 miles saved at a stroke! So Week 3 (re-equipped with full luggage) begins on the A38 and a bit of white road to Junction 1 of the M48. After a 3 mile bridge, it’s the A48 from Chepstow to the second Newport of the tour and another branch. Continuing along a quick looking A38 I will then need to navigate Wales’ capital and hopefully say hello to the good people of Cardiff. Depending on how I feel, it’s either the A48 or a neighbouring white road alternative all the way to Bridgend. Yet more A48 before I think I’ll chance my arm with the A483 dual carriageway into Swansea where I am once again picked up by family and chauffered to the final camp site base (in Carmarthen) where I rest for the night.
Day 17 - Tuesday 19/6/07 - Swansea to Haverfordwest - Estimated miles: 65
The main benefit from the Severn Bridge short cut is felt today as I will be cycling approximately 35 miles less than originally planned to arrive at Haverfordwest. I’ll begin from Swansea with the A483/A484 to Llanelli and then mainly the B4309 to Carmarthen. I don’t like the look of the next 8 miles to St Clears but I think my legs will tell me that the A40 is the shortest and therefore the best way to Haverfordwest.
Day 18 - Wednesday 20/6/07 - Haverfordwest to Aberystwyth - Estimated miles: 65
It’s the B4329 through Mynyd Preseli and then the A487 through Cardigan and all the way up to Aberystwyth. Sounds simple doesn’t it! My last night on a camp site tonight; then back to the full panniers once again.
Day 19 - Thursday 21/6/07 - Aberystwyth to Bangor - Estimated miles: 85
Another huge day I think, starting with the A487 to Dolgellau; A470 to Maentwrog; B4410/A4085 to Waunfawr, before white roads should take me all the way into Bangor.
Day 20 - Friday 22/6/07 - Bangor to Douglas, Isle of Man - Estimated miles: 85
From Bangor to Conwy, it looks as though I will be able to use white roads very close to the A55 dual carriageway, only twice having to take my life in my hands on the fast road itself. It’s then the A547 to Abergele and the A548 to Rhyl. Then the A5151 or white roads nearby to Holywell and the A548/B5129/A5104 into Chester. Finally it looks like I need the A41 or neighbouring minor road alternatives up to Birkenhead. It’s then a ferry across the Mersey and, provided I’ve made it in time, I’ll pop into the Liverpool branch before catching the evening boat to Douglas.
Day 21 - Saturday 23/6/07 - Douglas to Southport - Estimated miles: 20
A morning of recuperation before I catch the mid-afternoon ferry back to Liverpool. I’ll finish the day by setting off up the coast to Southport, simply so that the following day is slightly more tenable.
Day 22 - Sunday 24/6/07 - Southport to Barrow in Furness - Estimated miles: 110
The last day before joining up with the support team, and another biggy. However, from now on the support team (for now, still my mum and dad, Sarah, Shem and Sylvia) means hotels or Guest Houses rather than camp sites. From Southport it’s the A565/A59 to Preston. Then the A583 into Blackpool. Then the A586/A588 (or white road alternatives) to Lancaster. Then the A6 up to Levens before taking a sharp left turn onto the A590 (or white road alternatives – I’ll have a look at the gradients when I get there). This should take me, at length, to Barrow-in-Furness where I hope the support team have already lined up the drinks.