WHITECASTLE FOR LUNCH
5/04/08
After weeks of rain and storms British Summer Time had arrived! We were now wearing shorts because of the ‘warm' weather, even though snow had been forecast. Nick‘s Longstaff was now looking resplendent after its overhaul and his new Rixen & Kaul Contour Max Sport saddle pack looked a useful tool indeed! My bike had a slight change, after using the 46t chaining on my winter bike I had decided to replace the 50T on the Mercian with the same. Blackspire of Canada provided a beautiful replacement ring. As we left Croesyceiliog at 11:00, a cold wind blew straight at us! We cycled to New Inn and then Glascoed , it was then a good ruleur to Usk. It was great to be on our best bikes again! After stopping to stock up in Usk the quiet lanes to Llandenny beckoned and before long we were in Raglan. Our usual route around the back of the castle was taken, but the howling wind hit us hard here and the ride to Llantilio Croessenny was tough. Offa's Dyke path sheltered us from the wind for a while before arriving at Whitecastle. We had a warm welcome from Margaret the curator and after chatting for a while we ate our food and we were soon on our way back down he road towards Llanarth. Here Nick encountered a local cycling character, after that we went through a bit of a snow storm. We opted to go back on the canal. It had now turned into a pleasant afternoon; a few people had started their holidays on the narrow boats. It was a good way to finish off our superlative 44 miles of cycling .
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