After an OK night’s sleep in the hotel and a belly full of Tapas from the night before, my plan was to leave around 10am so I decided to have a big breakfast unlike yesterday where I was riding (and struggling!) on two-pieces of toast and gels.
I retrieved my bike from the hotel’s maintenance store and was waved off by Sally around 10am. I joined the route about half a mile from the hotel so my first few km would be the last few km on the actual route. The Coleford to Parkend link is a gravel trail on a disused railway line and is great this way because it’s a lovely meandering downhill trail for about 5km. A cracking start to the ride and it was nice and fresh in the shade too.
At Parkend I picked up the Colliers Trail north, the reverse to yesterdays route back to the Cycle Centre then out on fire roads around the trail centre the correct way this time following the map. However, the map did take me on a short hike-a-bike shortcut rather than, as it turned out, just follow the fire road. I think reducing my GPS points on the map to make it load quicker on my device may have cut the corner off. Not sure but I was back on track after a confusing 5 mins walking around the woods trying to find a footpath with a bike.
Out of the woods west, after crossing a road, one more wooded trail gave way to a fast road section which took me down to Bracelands Campsite then off onto a superb, wide gravel path that took me to Symonds Yat Rock visitors centre. This sector was all new to me and well worth it.
The visitor centre’s one-way car park system completely confused me before realising I needed to ride back out the way I came in up quite a lengthy tarmac climb. From here the descent is a steep 20% often very narrow single-track, to the river but was gridlocked by 20+ drivers thinking it’s ok to take campervans, trailers and wankpanzer-sized cars up and down it. The mind boggles. I picked my way through the melee and dropped down to Symonds Yat and picked up the riverside path. I’d ridden this section to the outskirts of Monmouth last year the other way on the Servernth Heaven ride. It’s fast, flat and not too busy. My bell was useful though.
At Monmouth the road climbs up through a housing estate and down a dead-end lane until the trail appears. Not long into the trees the route splits and because of the shade my GPS didn’t tell me left was the wrong one initially. It ran parallel to the correct one for a while but I was climbing then it just fizzled out which meant another bit of hike-a-bike down a steep bank. All part of the fun.
I was in Redbrook now and time to cross the river. It’s a narrow bridge that runs under then parallel to the old steel railway bridge that’s still there. Great views down the river though which was pretty low. The pub on the other side looked very inviting but I had the big climb of the day coming up.
After about a km, the route splits right and the main climb of the day begins. It wasn’t particularly steep but it was pretty unrelenting and felt endless. Just when you think it’s topping out, it goes up again. Really hard work and definitely a match burner.
The route now took a trip around the woods and roads of a place called The Narth. It looks like a little, secluded enclave of houses high up on the valley side. I did get a peak through the trees down the valley on one section and it was evident why the climb was so long, it was high and beautiful too. It’s a really quiet part of the world away from tourists and much, much quieter than the Forest of Dean.
After picking my way around The Narth, I dropped back down to the riverside trail and bombed back upto Redbrook to cross back over the river. My energy levels were much better today. In Redbrook I had the chance to stop at the local shop but checking I was 3hrs in, feeling ok and still had water left I decided to crack on and get the last climb done.
After the bridge at Redbrook you cycle on the main road for a couple of hundred metres then it’s a sharp left and a climb past houses which becomes a gravel byway. Despite a few gates, the gravel fizzles out and you are riding on grass around a beautiful headland through farmers fields. I loved this bit but it was very open and exposed to the hot sun.
When the byway rejoined local lanes it was a short road climb towards Clearwell then a left and a climb up a broken, narrow lane which pops you out on a B-road into Coleford. My ride was almost over as I dropped down to the Coleford-Parkend link again but that section will be needed by the riders on the day to recover. For me it was just a short climb back to the hotel and I was done.
Another tough day but, at 77km, a much longer day than yesterday. I had much better energy levels which helped me enjoy it a bit more I think. It’s another great route and real showcase for the Wye Valley and will make a fitting finale to my gravel weekender next year.
It’s been great sharing my weekend with you.
Keep pedalling!
Adios
