As they say ‘all good things come to an end’ so on Sunday 19th October after a long dry spell the forecast for the Somerset Levels was 90% rain and strong winds! 4 intrepid tandem pairs and 3 soloists decided to brave the weather.

We left the Avalon Marshes Centre after talking ourselves into it over coffee and tea. We started out heading for Tealham Moor where we were stopped in our tracks – the ground shaking – as the young ‘goddesses of the grass’ or black and white heifers galloped after their farmer along the road, as usual the naughty one at the back took her time!

The back roads towards Cheddar were new to some of our local riders and the spectacular view from 6 weeks ago was now shrouded with low cloud! We skirted Cheddar, with all noting how the reservoir is still very low, to pick up the Strawberry Cycle Track to our coffee stop in historic Axbridge where the Traffic Warden was very busy! The Almshouse Tea rooms had reserved space for us and before leaving we cycled up and down the famous High Street with its blue plaques and wonderful front doors. We returned to Westhay - our lunch stop – via the main road at some speed with those of us using pedal power only slowing down for the hills and nasty short climb, all worth while to speed down Mudgley Hill.

We met friends at The Bird in Westhay for a generous lunch allowing the open fire to dry us out a bit. Most of us decided to cycle along the Shapwick Heath Reserve before returning to the Avalon Marshes Centre for more tea, if you are visiting there beware the eco teaspoons they use although we did have a fit of the giggles as Rex tried to remove his tea bag! Special mention to Malcolm for cycling from home to join us then racing back to collect Grace in time for lunch. It was wet but at least warm and well done and thankyou to all who joined us for the 27 miles.

Rex and Hannah Whitcombe