Tour of the Cotswolds (with a dip into Wales).

Monday 7 August - Stratford upon Avon
A steady start to this tour with an afternoon ride through the Leicestershire lanes (and hills) before hitting the flatter roads of Warwickshire and joining the Fosse Way.

'The Fosse' is an ancient Roman road, running from Exeter in the west country to Lincoln in the east. Like all Roman roads it was built, as much as possible, in a straight line. Since the building of the motorways and upgrading of main roads 'The Fosse' is now generally a quiet road. The surface is smooth and today it is an enjoyable road to ride along, taking in the village of Brixworth then the town of Royal Leamington Spa before arrival at Hemmingford House, the youth hostel at Stratford upon Avon.

The Village of Brixworth

 Royal Leamington Spa

Situated in Alveston, a short distance from Stratford and fully refurbished a few years ago Hemmingford House is a very comfortable and relaxing place to stay within easy access of the tourist sites of the Shakespeare's birthplace.

Tuesday 8 August - Slimbridge

Unfortunately, as I rode through Stratford upon Avon this morning the rain started to fall  and a confusing ride out of town, mainly due to my lack of ability to see the cycle paths I should have been taking. When the rain stopped falling I was out in the countryside and ready for a lunch stop in Winchcombe, a pretty Gloucestershire market town, before the first major climb of the day, the (serious) climb of Cleeve Hill and the downhill ride into Cheltenham. The road down gives offers an attractive view of Cheltenham racecourse but after the long climb there was no way I was going to stop to take a photograph!

Winchcombe

Cleeve Hill and the Cotswold countryside

After Cheltenham there are two more climbs to take in, Coopers Hill before Stroud and then to Nympsfield 'Long Barrow' a Neolithic burial site, near Frocester. After which I had a quite level ride to Wild Goose Lodge at Slimbridge, arriving just before the rain.

This hostel is adjacent to the Wetlands and Wildlife Centre and looks out over a lake from which geese arrive to look through the window at me eating my meal.

Wild Goose Lodge, Slimbridge

Wednesday 9 August - St Briavels

The swing bridge at Slimbridge, in torrential rain

Torrential rain as I set out this morning in the direction of the river Seven and across into Wales.

The village of Berkeley, still raining!

Not much of a day for sight-seeing but at least the rain had stopped when I reached Chepstow for a lunch break.

From here the road climbs almost all the way to the village of St Briavels (back in England again) and a night in the castle.

This is one of the more unusual hostels to stay, with the spiral staircase taking me to my room in 'the tower' and the high ceilings of the banqueting rooms in which to eat meals and relax.

Thursday 10 August - Cirencester

In contrast to yesterday, today is bright, sunny and warm making for an enjoyable downhill ride back to Chepstow and across the river Severn.

Crossing the river Severn.

Quite a rise at the centre of the bridge

Looking back over the river Wye towards Chepstow

Today the roads are mainly flat, single track and traffic free.

For the most part I am following either the Avon Cycleway or one of several of the National Cycle Network routes. The only major climb of the day is at Wooton-under-Edge, which is a test and a half.

Cotswold hostel at Cirencester is in the refurbished 'Barrel Store' of the former brewery. The whole area has been converted to an arts centre housing craft workshops of many kinds. The extremely comfortable hostel is ideal accommodating to visit this and the many sites in the attractive town.

Friday 11 August - Stratford upon Avon

Another warm day and a pleasant ride out of the Cotswolds but not before the area had more hills to throw at me. The farming in this distract is a mixture of arable and livestock so breakfast is more than taken care of!

Anyone for a bacon sandwich?

Stratford upon Avon Greenway, a first-class traffic-free route, complete with 'horse box' to deter motorcycles and then a railway coach café.

Buy a caravan and 'get away from it all'. Stratford upon Avon racecourse

Tourists were very much in evidence in Stratford upon Avon, enjoying the history that goes with William Shakespeare.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

William Shakespeare's Birthplace

Once again a night at Hemmingford House.

Saturday 12 August - Leicester

The final day 'on tour' and a re-ride of my route from Monday, through Royal Leamington Spa and a break at Brinklow to look at the canal boats, then back along the Fosse Way and into Leicestershire.