I spent today back in my old hunting grounds, Bristol and Somerset. I arrived at Bristol Temple Meads at 9 o'clock and walked to the cycle shop on Oxford Street. The first thing I noticed on the way was that the cycle bridge across the canal, which had just opened when I left Bristol at the end of 2011, had gained a black non-slip coating to make it less dangerous in wet weather.
Another change was that there are now little shops and cafés under the railway arches on Oxford St while this area had been derelict before. One of the shops was cycle shack where I hired my bike.
10 minutes later I had hired a bike and was on my way to paintworks where I had hoped to have breakfast. Boca café didn't open until 10, but they suggested I try the American Diner that had recently opened at paintworks. The diner consists of two American silver coaches. One serves as a kitchen, the other provides typical diner style seating.
I was very pleased both with their interior design and the contents of the menu and ordered an Americano (obviously!) and breakfast bap. Both took a fairly long time to prepare, but was nice when it eventually arrived.
40 minutes later I was on my way up Bath Road towards Stockwood where I used to live. To my horror I made two minor mistakes in what used to be my ride home from the station and city when I accidentally went across the Tesco car park instead of going straight and under the roundabout, and by missing the turn-off to Lyons Ct Rd and going up Ilsyn Grove instead.
When I arrived at Whittock Square I immediately noticed the ripe blackberries lining the side of the road that I used to collect for jellies and pies. This time I just had a handful to taste before riding on to Whitchurch and out of Bristol.
I cycled through Stanton Drew past my favourite roundabout property.
By 11 o'clock I arrived at the café at Chew Valley Lake.
Crossing the dam and turning left in Chew Stoke I followed the B road down along Chew Valley Lake where lots of bird-watchers were active as usual.
I shortly arrived at Compton Martin, at an altitude of 100m the base for my climb into the Mendips. At the top (250m) I turned south towards Priddy where I had planned to have lunch at the Hunter's Lodge. The Mendip hills are dotted with cosy little pubs, the Hunter's Lodge provides particularly great value.
I ordered bread and cheese with pickled onion which as expected proved to be an excellent choice this close to Cheddar.
Half an hour later I was on my way again toward Cheddar Gorge, crossing the beautiful high plateau of the Mendips.
In my opinion, Cheddar Gorge provides the most scenic downhill ride in the area.
From Cheddar I went on to Axbridge after having a afternoon snack next to Cheddar Reservoir.
Axbridge is a picturesque village and I can also recommend The Lamb public house.
From here, I followed Strawberry Line cycle path through Winscombe and Congresbury towards Yatton. On the way the path crosses an apple orchard which was currently being harvested and smelled beautifully of fresh apples.
This was especially pleasant as it made me anticipate my planned visit to the Pie & Cider place at Bristol's harbour later that day.
I had originally intended to catch the train back to Bristol from Yatton, but as it was only quarter to three and I still had plenty of time to return my hire bike I decided to go back via Pill and the Avon Gorge instead.
Going past Clevedon I initially took the wrong road to Portishead by mistake which is horrible to ride on because of very heavy traffic and particularly inconsiderate drivers. I eventually found the right turn-off into Gordano Vale which provides a pleasant low-traffic route back to Pill in the shadow of the motorway. From here, the traffic-free path along Avon Gorge leads all the way back to Bristol's harbour and below Clifton suspension bridge.
I made it back a few minutes before 5, just in time to return my bike. Then I finished the day with a cider tasting board and pies at the Stable by the harbourside.
