This really is not anything to do with bikes but a fair amount of adventure was involved in our little trip down the river Wye.
The river itself is the fifth-longest river in the UK, stretching 134 miles from its source in Plynlimon in mid-Wales to the Severn estuary. For much of its length, the river forms part of the border between England and Wales and makes for some epic days to cycle down and across.
09.30: our day started at Wyedean Canoe Hire, I had booked early last week to make sure we got the booking. At £138 for the day for 5 of us, this included transfers to Ross-On-Wye, 3 sit on kayaks and a 2 man canoe. The Wye River from Ross to Symonds Yat East is a steady moving river with 2-3 faster-moving sections but nothing over complicated, family friendly would be the term.
We departed from Ross-On-Wye at 10:30: myself, Eve, Ian, Kane, and Jenny. The 3 guys jumping on the sit on kayaks and the ladies in the Canoe. We paddled down river to the first long beach where we jumped off for snacks and some stone skipping. After this stop, the girls jumped out of the canoe and myself and Ian jumped in. The plan was, later on, we'd all swap around. The only people who would change places were Ian and Kane, when Kane would join me in the Canoe.
We did the Swap over a few miles downstream, mid-river and I wish someone was filming it. Kane pulled alongside, climbed slowly onto the canoe, rocking the boat on the smooth water. I thought that was it under we go. As the boat began to steady the worries subsided. Ian slowly moved over to the kayak and away we go!
Upon reflection putting me and Kane in the same boat was always somehow going to end up with us both in the river. As if by magic just after Kerne Bridge there is a fast section of moving water. My steering not being the best we headed for the tree line. Before we knew it... upsidedown in the river. Uncontrollable laughter and catching our breath we pushed the boat to the closest beach, emptying what felt like half the river, and Kane stopping for an unintentional liedown. We entered our boat and carried on downstream.
Making our lunch stop, only to find the little stop we had planned was closed for the day, we decided to eat the snacks we had then crack on to stop at the end for dinner. Good thing we brought a fair few snacks!
Ahead of us, the S-shaped river flows smoothly all the way to our final destination, even the sun came out for us on the last leg of our trip back. Enjoying the steady moving river downstream the last 7 miles moved quickly. Seeing the last bridge come into sight we knew that even at our slowest of efforts it would be 40 minutes away.
Along the way back we stopped at a section where we knew the river was at its deepest, rope swings lay across overhanging trees and large boulders lay in the river ready to jump off. mooring the boats and jumping in for a swim was a great idea the cool refreshing water was just the icing on the cake for me. Finishing off the day with a race for the stairs that lead us back to the start point where we had been earlier for our briefing and parked the car.
Our day the finished off at The Saracens Head Inn for a well-earned meal. The food was a little pricey for burger and chips but it was good food in a great location. Sitting in the sun to help dry out and reflecting on our great day down the Wye was such a nice way to finish up our day. Anyone thinking of doing this trip: it's an incredible day out; the views are beautiful; the water cool and all around good fun!
On this occasion keep paddling.
Enjoy the photos of our day out.
The river itself is the fifth-longest river in the UK, stretching 134 miles from its source in Plynlimon in mid-Wales to the Severn estuary. For much of its length, the river forms part of the border between England and Wales and makes for some epic days to cycle down and across.
09.30: our day started at Wyedean Canoe Hire, I had booked early last week to make sure we got the booking. At £138 for the day for 5 of us, this included transfers to Ross-On-Wye, 3 sit on kayaks and a 2 man canoe. The Wye River from Ross to Symonds Yat East is a steady moving river with 2-3 faster-moving sections but nothing over complicated, family friendly would be the term.
We departed from Ross-On-Wye at 10:30: myself, Eve, Ian, Kane, and Jenny. The 3 guys jumping on the sit on kayaks and the ladies in the Canoe. We paddled down river to the first long beach where we jumped off for snacks and some stone skipping. After this stop, the girls jumped out of the canoe and myself and Ian jumped in. The plan was, later on, we'd all swap around. The only people who would change places were Ian and Kane, when Kane would join me in the Canoe.
We did the Swap over a few miles downstream, mid-river and I wish someone was filming it. Kane pulled alongside, climbed slowly onto the canoe, rocking the boat on the smooth water. I thought that was it under we go. As the boat began to steady the worries subsided. Ian slowly moved over to the kayak and away we go!
Upon reflection putting me and Kane in the same boat was always somehow going to end up with us both in the river. As if by magic just after Kerne Bridge there is a fast section of moving water. My steering not being the best we headed for the tree line. Before we knew it... upsidedown in the river. Uncontrollable laughter and catching our breath we pushed the boat to the closest beach, emptying what felt like half the river, and Kane stopping for an unintentional liedown. We entered our boat and carried on downstream.
Making our lunch stop, only to find the little stop we had planned was closed for the day, we decided to eat the snacks we had then crack on to stop at the end for dinner. Good thing we brought a fair few snacks!
Ahead of us, the S-shaped river flows smoothly all the way to our final destination, even the sun came out for us on the last leg of our trip back. Enjoying the steady moving river downstream the last 7 miles moved quickly. Seeing the last bridge come into sight we knew that even at our slowest of efforts it would be 40 minutes away.
Along the way back we stopped at a section where we knew the river was at its deepest, rope swings lay across overhanging trees and large boulders lay in the river ready to jump off. mooring the boats and jumping in for a swim was a great idea the cool refreshing water was just the icing on the cake for me. Finishing off the day with a race for the stairs that lead us back to the start point where we had been earlier for our briefing and parked the car.
Our day the finished off at The Saracens Head Inn for a well-earned meal. The food was a little pricey for burger and chips but it was good food in a great location. Sitting in the sun to help dry out and reflecting on our great day down the Wye was such a nice way to finish up our day. Anyone thinking of doing this trip: it's an incredible day out; the views are beautiful; the water cool and all around good fun!
On this occasion keep paddling.
Enjoy the photos of our day out.
 |
| Gladiators ready! |
 |
| Eve and Jen our lovely ladies |
 |
| Ian in Ross-On-Wye |
 |
| Snack Stop, Crew photo. |
 |
| Again from our first stop |
 |
| Eve chilling. |
 |
| Row row row your boat. |
 |
| Back here I don't need to paddle right? |
 |
| Give us a wave! |
 |
| Cafe was closed... snacks it is! |
Comments
Post a Comment