I was woken in the night frequently. First by some pretty strong winds and later by some heavy rain!

I woke up properly fairly early and it was clear to that the best thing to do was just to pack up and get going.

This was easier said than done - packing away a very wet tent is not easy!

Anyway, I eventually got on the road by half seven. It was still raining, but varying in its intensity. It was due to ease off and eventually stop by around 9 or 10.

It was incredibly slow going. No flat - just up or down. The roads were tiny and full of holes, so no chance of any speed.

I needed to stop for some food and had to take a slight detour. I noticed I had an enormous climb coming up and had a look for some flatter alternatives. Fortunately, there were none! I would have been annoyed with myself if I hadn't done the climb! Especially as it turned out to be Gospel pass - the highest pass in all of Wales! I'd heard of it if course, but didn't realise I'd be going over it!

It actually starts out fairly gently, so you pick up a fair bit of elevation without really realising.

A bit of a spanner was thrown in the works when I got to some road works and the road was closed! There was a diversion though for people on bikes or foot. Up a farm road and then on to an off road path. This wasn't as bad as I'd first feared and I only had to get off and push for a hundred yards or so on a really rough, slippery bit.

After it rejoined the road, it really ramped up. I met a couple of tourers who were taking a break before the final push. It turns out the workmen let them through the road closure! However, they did have to take all their bags off to get through the narrow gap, so I wasn't bothered about doing the detour. Less faff in the end.

I saw one other cyclist after that - a bloke coming the other way with a big rucksack on. In that rucksack was a dog! They both seemed happy enough with the situation!

The views at the top were amazing. The rain had stopped, but it was very windy. The descent was fast, but not furious.

I got to the next town, got some food and phoned a campsite. I wasn't that far away, however..... You guessed it - there was another massive hill to get over first! The lady at the campsite said not to worry about time - just arrive whenever. This was good as it took ages!

It's a nice campsite right on the Offa's Dyke way. In fact this whole area is all about that.

Anyway, I pitched my soaking wet tent which has now dried out (all ready to get wet again later!), had a shower and some dinner and am pretty much ready to go to sleep!

All in all a very hard day. Apparently it's world bicycle day. So I think I've celebrated that in the most suitable way!

I'm trying not to think about it yet, but there's plenty more climbing tomorrow too!