Day One saw us set off at midday along the Severn and through the rolling Shropshire countryside to a picnic stop in a handy field on the edge of The Wrekin near Little Wenlock. We threaded our way through the industrial history of Coalbrookdale to Ironbridge for afternoon tea before riding across Telford’s historic Iron Bridge of 1779 and following the old railway line parallel to the Severn to our overnight stop at Bridgnorth. There was time to explore the attractive market town and even to ride its funicular cliff railway.

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Day Two started with some running repairs at a friendly bike shop before we set off for the long ride to Worcester. The route took us up and down the steep valley sides before we joined a cycle track alongside the Severn Valley Railway. We were rewarded with a splendid view of a train in full steam. Less pleasant was an encounter with a “duck shoot” with gunshots echoing loudly and ducks falling around us – it didn’t seem much like sport. We were ready for our coffee stop at the delightful Arley Arboretum before dropping to cross the Severn on a footbridge and climbing steeply to the ancient Wyre Forest. Descending to the market town of Bewdley we crossed the river again and made our way to our lunch stop at Hartlebury Castle. As we set off after lunch, the heavens opened and we experienced the only significant rain of the trip. It lasted for just ten minutes but we were completely soaked through.   Undaunted, we continued, negotiating Droitwich Spa and finishing with a lovely five mile run along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to Worcester city centre. Having cycled 47 miles and climbed 3000 feet since Bridgnorth, it had proved both a strenuous and an adventurous day

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Day Three brought us into flatter country, along the floodplain of the Severn, so we had a more leisurely ride enjoying the many attractive villages with their thatched roofs and black and white timbered houses. Tewkesbury made an interesting lunch stop and we took time to explore the Abbey and the historic town and riverside. Our route took us on to Ashleworth and Hartpury before climbing up to Woolridge which gave us a panoramic view of Gloucester and the ominous black clouds gathering all around us. A swooping fast descent ensured we kept ahead of the rain and we were soon at Gloucester Docks where three of the group headed for the train station and home and the remaining nine found our accommodation before enjoying an excellent Nepalese meal together

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Day Four began at Gloucester Cathedral where the death of the Queen the previous evening had initiated a great flurry of activity. The Bishop of Gloucester and her entourage were walking quickly across the Cathedral grounds, but stopped to wish us well and even took our group photo for us. Feeling thoroughly blessed we began our journey towards Chepstow and home. Revisiting the Docks, we joined the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to Frampton and a coffee stop in the sun at the Black Shed Café at Slimbridge. Now on home territory, we rode on through the Vale of Berkeley and the villages of Ham, Hill and Oldbury to our final lunch stop at Tockington where we refuelled for the seven remaining miles to the Severn Bridge and Chepstow. We paused in blue sky and sunshine on the crest of the bridge to enjoy a last view of the great river that we had followed for 160 miles and reflected on a great holiday, thoroughly good company and enjoyable cycling in wonderful countryside. Where next

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