In preparation for Long Bike Ride starting a week on Sunday, I did a hilly fifty-something mile stint on the NCN today - from Chepstow to Abergavenny on route 42, then on to Hereford on route 46.

Great fun even though I was utterly, utterly exhausted by the end of it and my legs still haven't recovered. Granny gear was engaged as early as the climb out of Chepstow, and Route 46 in particular is one for the "hills mean picturesque!" brigade (as opposed to "hills mean pain!"). I especially liked the extremely narrow road around Skirrid Fawr (it didn't quite get to the top, but felt like it) where, at one point, I had to 'reverse' to let an agricultural truck past - the road was that narrow. Of course, it helped that I was then rewarded with a lovely smile and a twinkly wave from the young female blonde ruddy-cheeked Welsh hill farmer who was driving said truck.

I was, however, a little miffed to find that all my effort to get to Hereford station for 5.50 (I think I made 5.48) was rewarded by a crap uncomfortable train with no buffet that was scheduled to wait at Shrub Hill for 15 minutes and Moreton-in-Marsh for 25. I mean, it could at least stop somewhere where there are shops. Or a takeaway.