Radstock wouldn't strike anywhere as a great base for a cycle tour, but with 3 good cyclepaths and a fourth in the offing together with a good bike shop, it's a great location. We stayed at the scout hut, with camping and an indoor hall with kitchen it proved ideal, and 15 families made themselves comfortable for this long weekend.
On Saturday, the biggest hill of the holiday greeted us as we climbed to Clandown, Siobhans chain broke right outside the bike shop and Dave fixed it for free-thankyou. Through Peasedown and down Keels Hill to Carlingcott. Through the pretty lanes and a gradual climb into Bath. A dance festival greeted us in Bath and whilst many of us watched this, some of the children were more interested in the almost naked hilareous buskers opposite the pump rooms. Out of Bath and along the Kennet and Avon canal before heading through Monkton Coombe and onto Wellow. At this point the heavens opened, drenching us all. Midsomer Norton pool was great fun, for an hour the children (and a few adults) attempted the eliminator, a large inflatable obstacle course. Later we munched a take away curry back at the hut and the children demolished (literally) Richards wifes retirement cake.
Rain fell overnight and we delayed the start to Frome. Having returned on the Bath arm of route 24 yesterday, we took the Frome arm, heading south towards this pretty Somerset town. The plan was to stop in Nunney but as it was cold we ended up supping hot chocolates and nursing slabs of cake in Frome before exploring the fabulous little castle at Nunney. Sarah and Louise had spent the morning baking scones and fairy cakes and the hoards descended to smother scones with clotted cream, chase the chickens round the garden and swing on the hammock. Louise joined us on her solo bike as we headed back to Radstock via Kilmersden, and we toasted marshmallows on the open fire back at the site.
We packed up our tents and took Radstocks orriginal Greenway cyclepath towards Paulton. The weather was much nicer as we passed cycled North East through Clutton and onto the ridge overlooking the Chew Valley. A fast downhill took us to Bishops Sutton and onto the Stables tearoom where 4 tables were reserved and they'd baked even more fairy cakes. The lane at North Widcombe is very pretty but it led to a steep uphill where only a few made it to the top without getting off, the reward was a lovely view back to the lake. Through Hinton Blewitt and back to Radstock along the cycleway.
Richard Dgdale had come with me to China last year and decided that he wanted to lead tours too. On all 3 days he back marked as my deputy and I wish him every success in the future when he leads his own tours.