Past guests at Guludo, Laura and Toby (aged 10), have just cycled a gruelling 190 miles, from London to Wales to raise money for Nema. Incredible!
Dear All,
We made it!
It was not easy - anyone sane would take five days to cycle the scenic route from London with a child, but after 31 hours in the saddle Toby and I rolled in to our destination in South Wales, tired but happy.
Following the amazingly efficient and circuitous National Cycle Route 4, which we picked up at Putney Bridge, we cycled along the river to Richmond past the Teddington Lock and on to Hampton Court. Over the hill to Windsor Great Park and finally on to Reading where we hit the Kennet and Avon Canal about 11 hours after setting off. Our first day was long but rewarding and the industrial wastelands of Reading were an eye opener.
Then came our day from hell. We woke up to heavy rain and an impossibly muddy canal tow path which we stoically pursued. However, several miles from anywhere in the least civilized Toby had a puncture and rather oddly I had forgotten to pack a repair kit. For a supposedly efficient person I sometimes make the most rudimentary mistakes. So we pushes bikes through for miles and miles and finally stumbled upon a stunning Queen Anne manor house. With trepidation approached the large white door complete with lion head brass knocker – middle aged damsel in distress. And wow … Mr Darcy appeared white shirt open to his tanned navel, hair flowing and ready smile. Not only did he find a puncture repair kit but he actually mended the bike while his mother (nearer my age) gave me a cup of coffee and encouraging chatter. Heaven to be on the road again and our first stop a bike shop in Pewsey where I purchased every possible bike tool I might ever need, plus a mend-your-own-bike manual, designed for idiots. Hummmm, anyway just as well since another puncture and dodgy gears followed that evening, but by now I am quite an expert, even without Mr Darcy’s help.
We limped into Bath on our second night covered in mud and spent half an hour trying to find a B&B which was not bed bug infested. We couldn’t, so I resorted to the only hotel I have ever heard of in Bath by now past caring about budget. Our night at the Royal Crescent was worth every penny, especially when the valet took our bikes at the door and parked them under the sweeping staircase – too well mannered to make comment on the mud and (probably) the smell.
The ride from Bath to Bristol and on to the Severn Bridge takes seconds in a car. The stunning National Cycle Route 4 takes you through some spectacular scenery and half way to Cornwall before eventually dumping you at the base of the old bridge (30 long miles and hours of Bristol sink estates later). We were euphoric to have arrived at the gateway to Wales and simply forgot that we had 25 miles of VERY hilly terrain to cross once over the border. Those last few miles which include a 6 mile vertical climb were agony … we staggered home at 8pm on our third day and I was too tired to prevent Toby guzzling the champagne before me!
Thank you for your support. Due to your amazing generosity we have raised over £2K for Nema. Thank you, thank you, thank you and please do take up cycling and the joys of the National Bike Routes. I will be very happy to give advice on the best way to tackle long distance off road cycling with children to anyone interested – including invaluable tips on how to ensure they don’t kill you when you misread the map and progress with confidence 5 miles in the wrong direction.
Best wishes, from Laura & Toby
For details of our fundraising, please go to: http://www.globalangels.org/fundraiser/LauraTenison
Laura is an extremely active trustee of Nema and is currently organising a "Buggy Fun Run" to raise further funds for Nema on the 15th September.
