Day 3 - Parsons Green to Chelmsford

At 10pm, in the dark, we finally arrived at Chelmsford after another long but good day on the bikes in more glorious weather.

We started late at 11am, it is not easy getting the kids moving after late nights and Paula and myself are not much better. For the first few miles we headed into London and shortly we stopped for a photo opportunity. Kate's comments were "why are we stopping after only 7k and what is that building?". "Kate, it's Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament!" More photos at Trafalgar Square, before we continued our adrenalin race against the cars and buses across London. There are some great cycle lanes and the drivers are much more patient then I expected.

At the Olympic stadium we headed north along the Lea valley tow path, unfortunately Kate had another tumble adding more road rash and sustaining a sore wrist, hopefully no more than a sprain, she rode most of the rest of the day with only one hand on the handlebars, still only 800 more miles to go!

We lunched along the lea valley and continued afterwards until Broxtowe near hoddesdon. The path was good, progressively getting better the further north we were. Just before we left we stooped at a boat cafe, run by minimen! ( www.theminimen.co.uk). 2 great guys who are part time actors as elves etc, and spend the summers selling ice creams during summer. ( photo to follow)

We then headed East along undulating country roads south of Harlow, and stopped for some great food (and my first wheat beer of the trip) at the nags head in moreton. We were all tired by this stage and felt much better after refuelling for the last hour and a half ride mainly down hill to Chelmsford

A very tiring and long day, the tow paths have been good but are slow with lots of stopping and starting

Today's stats
Distance 98.2k
Time 5.13.25
Average speed 18.7k
Climb 442m
Total distance 233.4k