June 2017| 109
sweeping descent. The rural villages guide you through
the heart of the forest as o en fields give way to shaded
roads. Push on up Worrall Hill and into Coleford, and feel
happy in the knowledge that you have done most of the
climbing for the day. From here, catch your breath as you
sail deep into the woodlands. Dip down into the quaint
village of Redbrook and head left as the road treats you
to your first encounter with the river ye. ith the road
running arallel, you begin to flirt with the elsh border.
The valley curves and bends alongside the water. Tree-
lined tarmac offers a eaceful view of the river to your
right while you pass cottages, gardens and adventurous
side lanes. As you cross the bridge and rise into Llandogo,
the valley town on the outskirts of Monmouthshire,
the road gradually climbs. On a damp day, the mist
hangs low across the river causing you to feel each and
every breath. The mythical scene is serene and tranquil
compared to your labouring state. Climb on with the
knowledge that coffee is in the next village
The first sto comes ust after rockwier. Take the left-
hand turn signposted ‘Old Station Tintern’. Look out for
it as the hidden bend is easily missed. Follow the track
to the tearooms, a converted train station with a lawn
filled with benches and other cyclists a welcome sight.
Selling coffee, teas and a selection of cakes, it is a great
lace to refill bottles and o your feet u . The tearooms
are open every day from April to September. Voted the
UK’s favourite park in the 2011 Green Flag poll, there is a
lovely sense of history and pride.
Feeling refreshed, the climb from the tearooms is only
short and not steep but comes as a bit of a wake up for
the legs. The road bending around to the left opens up
as you catch sight of the historical Tintern Abbey. Be sure
to pull up in the car park to grab some photos of the
impressive architecture dating back to the 12th century.
The Abbey is hard to miss. As you round the left-hand
bend it is nestled in the small village of Tintern and is a
tourist hotspot for walkers and historians. The Wye river
runs alongside. Picturesque in the woodland setting, the
Abbey is full of charm and character. Disestablished in
1536 as part of Henry VIII dissolution of the monasteries,
the Abbey was left to decay. In the early 1900’s, repair
works began as the Abbey was recognised to be an
important monument and piece of history.