Day 8, Friday 30 May, 2014 - Leominster to Crewe
Dist : 129km
Riding time: 6:12
Total time (including stops) : 8:00
Stops: 2
Climb meters up/down 799/924
The long days of cycling are taking a toll on my early starts and after breakfast I delayed my start setting up the GPS and doing this blog.
After 20km of rough road, with little to no road edges I stumbled across the most magnificent medieval town of Ludlow. Following the Gardner cycle touring rule, that 20km was enough to earn morning tea, I had a tasty, calorie loaded hazelnut & pecan meringue and called home on Skype to exchange news. Eventually I had to leave and headed over the rolling hills to Shrewsbury, and visited a museum at the battle field where the Lancastrian King Henry IV defeated Northumbrian rebels.
The trip continued at a steady pace, via Shewsbury, Whitchurch, Nantwich and the 6km over to my cheap Armada hotel. There was lots of sheep and dairy farm, all very green.
Dinner was early in the hotel and then some planning for the next day's 122km to Garstang.
Today's cycling was the roughest roads yet. The weather was overcoats, with a headwind all day.
The Royal Oak Hotel - Leominster. A classic pub with a comfortable lumpy bed.
Ludlow - a great medieval town and wonderful coffee shop.
Ludlow - lots of tourists to fill the coffee shops. With the bicycle its easy to get around these roads, whereas with a car I would be parking a long way away and walking. Also one way streets are not a hassle- just get off and walk.
I didn't venture into the castle, but did not the symbol for a castle as I would see many of these in going north.