Cruising to Coventry and Beyond.

What great hosts John and Debbie are.  We were up in good time and the breakfast choices seemed endless. Not only that a quite magnificent packed lunch.  Spoilt or what?   After a bit of fiddling about and checking of brakes etc we pulled out at 08.35 with a general heading of north. We had a quiet first hour in the back lanes heading up to Northleach. Villages that look like film sets and houses to dream for.  At Northleach we turned on to the Fosse Way. What a road, busy and with plenty of hills to challenge the legs. Richard D was in fine fettle and most of the time I was watching him disappear into the distance.  Would he pay for it later?   True to form I left something at J and D's. This time my small map book.  Kindly they tracked us down on the Fosse Way and returned it to me.   Shortly afterwards we took our morning break at Bourton on the Water.  Even early it it was crowded with tourists and us of course.   Before long with ideal conditions we were through Stow on the Wold and Moreton in Marsh.   The miles were mounting up.    After three sharp hills in succession we took Debbie's lunch.  Still on the Fosse Way by the middle of the afternoon we were at the top of the Fosse Way at Princethorpe tired and in need of a drink.  There is a distinct lack of watering holes on the FW but we found a pub and replenished bottles etc.   The energy gels are working and in the latter part of the day give that much needed boost. RD is starting to loose the feeling in his nether regions.  Stopping is great but getting back on the bike and moving again is always a challenge.    We decided to go through Coventry and look for a place to stay. Not easy in Coventry.  Stopped at the Holiday Inn and tried to have a deal for two rooms. No could do and so we moved on.  We took stock in the centre of Coventry. What a place.  The central precinct topped of by the Lady Godiva Clock.  What great taste the planners had! Still no place to stay having checked out the central Travel Lodge! Who actually stays there?  Out on the A444 be guided by RD to a Hotel he knows from his touring experiences.  We booked and if we made it it would be a record ride.   We had all night.   We did make it and the mileage at the end of the day totalled 84    At 18.30    There is always a downside, the numbness in RD's backside wad spread.  Maybe something to do with his riding style.

The Millers Hotel at Sibton was a there to welcome us.  All facilities apart from mobile coverage. In order to get a signal we had to go to the car park.  Never mind we coped.  Hot baths did not solve the numbness for RD but I reassured him by telling him the morning would bring an improvement. Maybe? It could be worse. Time will tell.  Dinner was taken and we indulged ourselves.   Bed in good time exhausted.     Many thanks to J and D who prepared us well for the records day.  6 miles off my record ride on last year of 90 miles but I was riding till 8 at night.  Great job.