West Midlands/Staffordshire (Day 5)

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It's quite late when I eventually wake up. I slept well, but am still a bit tired after yesterday. I'm currently 15 miles ahead of "schedule". I use the term "schedule" lightly, as it does indeed change from day to day. But it does mean at least an extra hour is spare, so I'm in no immediate rush. A breakfast of Egg & Bacon sandwiches (purchased 2 days ago in Bristol) and then I'm putting the tent away. My rations are running thin. Only 2 sandwiches, 1 apple, 1 orange and half a pack of digestives are left. I will definitely need to stock up en route today.

I leave just after 10, and head back into the town. Last night the campsite owner told me a couple of cafe's are usually open from quite early on, however I didn't come across any, and wasn't in the mood to go off in search of one. Onwards to Kidderminster, and the hope that I would find a layby cafe or something on the way.

10mins later I realise just how hungry I am. I continue to ride along the 1st of many dual carriageways (A451) whilst I eat a sarnie and an orange. Once central in Kidderminster, I pull off the roundabout at a B&Q. I was expecting a burger van or something, but possibly due to it being a sunday, I hadn't seen anywhere open to eat.

Morrisons is open, so I take the opportunity to recharge my batteries (but not that well!). A full English breakfast (Egg, Bacon, Sausages, Beans, Tomatos, Fried Bread & Mushrooms) for £3.89 was a bargain. Stupidly, all I add to my travel rations are 6 cans of Dr Pepper, and 2 packs of chewing gum. I work in mysterious ways!

I leave Kidderminster on the north road, which shortly meets up with the A449. Staying on this for the next 30 miles will get me to Stafford.

The weather, again, is fine. A little windy, but I wont blame that for slowing me down. The bike seems to get heavier each day, despite getting lighter each day (as I slowly scoff through my food). I think there's a car show somewhere off Wolverhampton Road, as the amount of awesome looking 30's-60's cars that pass are ever increasing. Sorry, no photos. I was just too concerned with getting the miles done. When I did pull out the camera, you could bet your life that no decent photo opportunities would arise for the next 5 minutes.

After a while the dual carriageway resumes. Its not too busy, so its not a major problem. I think there were a few climbs, but I can't remember any specifically. Further along Penn Road water gushes down the street. A bust water main or something, but its causing a bit of a nuisance to those queing at the traffic lights, aswell as a bunch of folk waiting for a bus. (Due to a pile up on the motorway the following Wednesday, we decided to drive this way on our way down to Glastonbury. The leak was still in full flow. God knows how much water gets wasted like this every day!)

They are Premier League! Say they are Premier League!

Once in the centre, I take the ring road clockwise. A 50/50 choice really, but I decided to pass Molineux, home to our new Premiership league-mates Wolves. My first Premiership stadium of the journey. The Tigers are due to play here quite early in the season (we actually drew 1-1, after Geo had put us 1-0 with his 3rd minute header). I've passed a few grounds so far, which I'll continue to list with their football tier. [Penzance (L10), Hayle (L11), Wadebridge Town (L10), Launceston (L10), Taunton Town (L8), Bristol City (L2)]

Now the heavens open, and within the next 5 minutes its torrential. The bridge below the railway line provides shelter for the next 10 minutes. I dont like the idea of stopping, but I was hopeful the rain would not last too long. I was right. It starts brightening up, and after a further 10 mins of drizzle the sun is out again in full force. He needs to be. The roads are soaking, which means I'll get wet enough just from the spray off my own tyres, never mind every time a vehicle overtakes me.

The A449 is getting busier now. Bigger vehicles too. Trucks, caravans. A bit hairy. The road takes me past ground #8 Wolverhampton Casuals FC (L10). An hour after Wolverhampton I'm in Penkridge, where I stop and finish the last sarnie and apple. That's it! Apart from plain digestive biscuits, all my foods gone.

This pic didn't really achieve what I wanted it to. Photography is not my forte.

After last nights debacle, I hoped tonights accomodation could be sorted in advance. A call to ma & pa set the ball rolling. They would search the 'net etc and find details of a few places around Stoke, where I planned to stay.

Stafford wasn't the most cycle friendly place I've been, and as I leave there is very little protection for the biker. A few so-called "bike path" signposts were rendered utterly pointless, after opting to take them I found they were almost impassable. Some only 1ft wide (and my bike has a fat arse, what with the panniers and all), littered with debris and overgrown hedges and trees. The local authority really need to pull their finger out and tidy these up. Its a goddamn mess! So its back onto the highway, and along Stone Road (A34). It's about here where I get the call. The most promising place is located in Stone. A pub that, during the summer months, has pitches for touring caravans. Water & Electric hookups, but bare amenities. Not completely ideal for me and my tent, but would do. Still, one would assume this "Stone Road" would lead me all the way there. It meant cutting my day a little short, but it would be welcomed. It also wouldnt yet put me behind schedule, so not a problem.

The A34 really isn't recommended for biking. Its mostly just cars, but I expect tomorrow to be horrendous. Without going into too much detail I get to Stone but spend nearly 45mins searching for the Lakeside Tavern.

When I turn up the owners are just on their way out. Im directed to the field behind the golf course, and told I can use the toilets in the pub should I need to wash etc. Up in the field I empty the tent onto the grass and just crash out on it. After an hours rest, I put the tent up, then head down to the pub. Noone there, and its all locked up. So I march back to the tent. The iPod gets its' first major use. I'm in a bit of a Graham Coxon phase at the moment, so his tunes take me away from the casual conversion and noise of those teeing off on the other side of the hedge.

I aimed to use the cameras timer to take a series of "in-action" photos of me putting up the tent, but this was one of the only ones to make it. I hadnt realised my temporary stand for the camera had fallen over, so I mostly got an overcast sky.

After a call from my nanna, I head back down to the pub. Once again, its still closed. I'm sure they said 7pm opening time. My aim was to get a proper wash, bike down into town and get some proper food, and then back as early as possible.

At 8pm I try one last time. The pub is now open, in full swing, with customers coming and going. Sweet! Now it's going to be fun using the toilets as my own private washroom. So, as discreetly as possible, I make my way to the gents. Thankfully its empty, but theres no lock on the door. With my flannel, shower gel, toothbrush and toothpaste set out I stand over the sink and start to clean myself. Voices erupt from the bar, and afew get louder, as some make their way towards the bathroom. I grab my things and dash for a WC cubicle. Once they've gone, I'm back at the sink. Maybe I'm overreacting. But then again, I'd be pretty shocked if after a few too many beers, I was busting for a pee only to be confronted by a semi-naked guy having a wash in the toilets. God knows how, but I finish, and then I'm ready to head into town. As soon as I leave I almost fling myself off the bike, not able to grasp just how light the bike is unpacked. Its a feather!

I zoom into town, nearing the 15mph I was accustomed to during my months of training and pre LEJOG preparation. Oh, how I long to cycle without that weight again. I bike around Stone in search of a restaurant/takeaway. The chinese looks good, but is closed. The kebab shop had glorious pictures of pizzas (that I knew would in no way resemble what they would eventually serve), but I was only to be told they dont do pizzas on a sunday. Luckily a neon light from across the road caught my eye. This was pizzas, and pizzas only. I ordered a 12" hawaiian, and got a free 8" garlic bread. Nice!

As bulky as they are, I bike back onehanded, and it's just starting to get dark as I get back into the tent. Clean, with my feet up, an excellent set of songs on the shuffle, a pizza and garlic bread with dr pepper. Life was sweet! Roll on tomorrow.

Todays mileage: 51 miles. (+ 6 miles w/ bike only)
On the road for 6 hours, with 5.5hrs riding time. (Approx 10:15-12:45 / 1:00-2:00 /2:15-4:15 / = 9.3miles/hour) [Total mileage I've done = 359.5 / Total time on the bike = 36hrs40 / Average speed = 9.8mph]

The aim: 61 miles would get me just north of Stoke. [Total Mileage I aimed to have done = 356]

Woulda-coulda-shoulda been: 47 miles. Practically a perfect ride, except for trying to locate my place to stay for the night, which added a further 4 miles.

Villain(s) of the day: .

Hero(es) of the day: .

Cost: £20.07 (Morrisons Breakfast = £3.89, Dr Pepper 6pk = £2, Chewing Gum x 2 = £0.68, Campsite = £5, Pizza & Garlic Bread = £8.50). Another fairly cheap day but I did have to pay for accomodation. I also finished the last of my rations, so I'd have to buy all my food tomorrow [Total cost of ride to date = £80.39]