D+3 Mon 04 Jul 2011 Chepstow to Shawbury

Accommodation at Chepstow was good if a little bizarre!  We all had our own rooms, each with two hot taps.  Unfortunately no cold taps.  Up early for yet another beautiful day, but not before the arrival on camp of some personnel from the resident battalion, 1 Rifles, who arrived at 0600hrs to deploy on an Operation somewhere.  We wish them well, and a safe return.  After a 0700hrs breakfast in the Pay as you Dine cookhouse, we received a lovely hug from Alice, who collected the money for breakfast,  for our efforts at raising money.  I don't think she would mind if I mentioned that she could do with a bit of charity money being spent on her own dental work! On leaving camp at 0730hrs we rode up and out of Chepstow, passed the racecourse, and on to the Wye Valley.  Down a steep hill and suddenly in to the village of Tintern and the stunning Tintern Abbey.  None of us had ever heard of it before, but I thoroughly recommend a visit.  Despite no roof, Tintern Abbey knocks spots off of Salisbury Cathedral.  The Wye valley is also a lovely cycle ride, even for the novice, lovely and flat, following the river.  We arrived at Monmouth, at 0900hrs, 20 miles before most people start work.
Then on to Hereford.  Quote of the day from Neil. "Look Pete, the sign says we have arrived in Hertfordshire".  " I think your find that Hertforshire is a little closer to London than we need to be, and I think your find we should be in Herefordshire", replied Pete.  From Hereford Neil decided we should take the much quieter A4140 than the busy A49 that runs parallel.  Good call.  The quiet road with hills was an easy pain to take against the constant roar of trucks and diesel fumes.  And the scenery was also not to shabby!  However, the last 20 miles to Shrewsbury eventually ended up on the A49, but by then the roads were mainly downhill, so taken at speed.  Five miles North of Shrewsbury, and after 96 miles for the day we arrived at RAF Shawbury.  Pete visited 660 Sqn Army Air Corps who would have taken the support crew up tomorrow in a helicopter to take photo's, had they been military.  Unfortunately Chris and Mark are both MGS and considered civilians.  Not covered by insurance, they could not be flown.  Many thanks for your efforts though 660 Sqn.
Accommodation was better than all are used to, but standard for the RAF. We each have our own room, with a pillow and quilt, and both a hot and cold tap in the sink. Plenty of showers that actually work. The washing machine and tumble drier were better than any of us had ever seen.  The cookhouse was also not Pay as you Dine, and the chef could not give us enough food.
Again many thanks to all those we met today who contributed to both charities, including Rachel McGill and the lovely Maggie May Williams, 89 years young. We also consider those individuals who ride the full distance on their own, carrying everything with them, and sleeping by the side of the road hard men. Nails. We have met many.
The riders squaddie suntans are coming on well, brown arms and legs, but white bodies.

FOOTNOTE 1
For the purpose of the bike ride the following will be now known as:

Jamie - 'Dad'.  For his guidance and leadership during the ride.

Pete - 'The Major', or just 'Major' for short. His rank and title have been used and abused to procure various favours from the hosts at various camps/barracks.

Alex - 'Tonto'. For his unfailing support as sidekick to The Major.

Neil - As the grey man, IT geek, and brains of the outfit, the man with a different name every day.  Friday - Phil,  Saturday - Tarquin, Sunday - Steve, Today - Sebastion.  Who knows what tomorrow may bring.

Chris - 'Christove'.  With a French wife, she has to endure a phone call every evening where he moans about his 'Fuxxxx useless SMART phone'.

Marc -' Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the Legions to the North, Loyal to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurilous, father to a murdered son, Husbund to a murdered wife, and he will have his vengeance, in this life or the next'.  For his Gladitorial support given to the crew.

FOOTNOTE 2

Dad will still not let The Major or Tonto ride with no helmets.