Day 1
The time had come to cycle to Wales, Hay on Wye to be precise, meeting up ‘coffee#1’ in Pershore for a 4-day adventure.
As I hate being late for anything I arrived 30 minutes earlier than the advertised time, at least I could have a nice coffee and settle down in the relaxed seats waiting for the others to arrive, everyone turned up on time (Colin, Tom, James, Chris, & Henryk). Drew, who only lives around the corner decided to wait until the last minute to turn up at the coffee house to see if the rain would stop. It did not!
Brief introductions over, Liquid refreshments finished, and we were on our way, it was very wet on the road, but the group soon got into a rhythm staying more or less together with the grumblings about the rain being the main topic of conversation, time passed accompanied by the constant squealing of disc brakes!
After a few hours on the road and a couple of refreshment breaks later, we were at Baskerville house, time for a clean-up, shower, and a quick hose down of the bikes, before dinner and beers.
Mileage for me that day was approximately sixty-three miles, including four thousand feet of climbing.

Day 2
After a great night’s sleep, Tuesday’s weather looked dry and & slightly warmer so after a fantastic breakfast we all ventured out on the bikes- it was hilly, and soon most of us were using our smallest gears, double-digit percentage gradients were the norm in this part of the country, it’s funny how everyone stops talking when you go uphill! The downhills were equally fantastic and exhilarating. Following a couple of breaks throughout the ride we were heading back to Baskerville for dinner and beverages.
Mileage that day, was forty-eight, including three thousand four hundred feet of climbing.

Day 3 – The big one. The Gospel Pass – Wales’s Highest Road.
I can’t comment much on this one as I had developed a small back issue (yes, I know what you’re thinking!) as the rest of the crew cycled off in the morning sun, I took a day of rest & waited for the magnificent 6 to return, more beers & dinner followed while listening to the day’s tales, with a slightly envious feeling.

No Henryk had not fallen off the edge, he was taking the picture!

Please note that 2 VIPs (John & Pam) joined us to enjoy a couple of drinks.
Day 4
Leaving Baskerville house
After another great breakfast, we said our goodbyes to the brilliant staff & set off on the final leg of our adventure. There was no flat route back, but the weather held up and a couple of leisurely coffee stops later we were back home safely.
Mileage for the day, seventy-four miles with four thousand feet climbing on sore legs!

Things to note.
- Amazingly no punctures in the group over the 4 days (a combination of luck & the heavy rain which seemed to have washed all the hedge cuttings away).
- One broken wheel rim, and potentially a cracked titanium frame while enjoying the government-maintained roads in Hay on Wye.
- Baskerville House accommodation, I give the facility five out of five stars, I enjoy the quirkiness and personable service.
- Big thanks to Colin for organizing the event along with the transport provided to get the kit down & back to and from Baskerville house to make it happen.
- And finally, to a fantastic bunch of riders (listed above), whose comradery and cheer made the event enjoyable for all of us.