A Pope, a Beacon and a Cow Roast

Saturday saw an afternoon 30 followed by a similar 51 mile route yesterday around West Herts and into Bucks. How many people know the first and only English Pope was born in Abbots Langley? That was the first landmark followed by Ivinghoe Beacon at the tail end of the Chilterns, and then Cow Roast on the Grand Union. Not a barbeque spot, the name probably referring to pens and overnight grazing for cattle (Cows' Rest), although I did stop at one of the waterside pubs at Berkhamsted

With a quick 14 miles this evening I've now gone past 1000 miles in training, exceeding the total for the ride itself. Fundraising is going well, the total including Gift Aid and 'offline' donations now over £2500. Thanks Mum and everyone else!

No route maps as the satnav is broke following a slight mishap out on the road but it will be back and live progress posted once I get going on Saturday 24th June.

Nicholas Breakspeare Pope Adrian V was born here 1100 AD

Ivinghoe Beacon, site of an iron Age hill fort

The Grand Union towpath