JC picked up an early puncture, and was branded a dirty biker by some friendly truckers. By 48 miles in, we'd cycled further than JC had ever done in one day.

Got to Severn Stoke for lunch, 53 miles in 3 hrs 45 mins, with a strong tail wind. It can't get better than this, 18 mph on the road, and JR taking the green jersey with a top speed of 43mph.

Big lunch, too big some might say, and the afternoon was less fun, JP complaining of sore knees.
Struggled on up hills then a fast run down into Bridgnorth, SM claiming the stage win under McCracken rules, first to the town border signpost. A pig of a hill cycling the wrong way up a one way street to get to the high town, and the wonderful Keith at the Croft Hotel - great place, very bike friendly too. 

Have you got time for a little story? This fella turns up at the B&B having sold his plastic palm business in Dubai, and overhears Keith chatting with a Lands End to John O'Groats cyclist; inspired by this, a few months later the man returns to the B&B on his way from Lands End. He walked up the stairs like John Wayne, and flopped down on the bed. He was only planning to stay one night, but he was there for three days.

Perhaps you had to be there.

Scott's photos of the night before: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143703&l=defef&id=855585369

Scott's photos of Day 1: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143708&l=202ac&id=855585369