2023

4 Abbeys ride

Day 3
Merose to Jedburgh

20 Miles

The third day started out dry, we had the usual photo at the start of the day, in the car park with the van, then we rode up to the Abbey for another photo of the Abbey itself.

A dry start nice after yesterdays rain
As we had missed the Abbey yesterday we called in a photos

Then of course we had a long slow climb out of Melrose it seemed to go on forever, but once at the top it was a gentle long ride down, pushing us on nicely.

Then we came to the first option of the ride. There was a junction, turn left and it took us on a back road but a rough track in places and over a ford.

Alternatively stay on the "B" road and loop round. We elected to turn left, and risk the rough track and ford, even after all the rain.

Eventually we came to the ford over a stream, and even though there was a small bridge to use, we decided to cross at the ford.

We even persuaded Trevor to ride through the ford as the level was very low, despite yesterdays rain. Thankfully no one fell off .

Then the track turned rough and climbed away from the stream as we topped the rise, Conner who was at the front called out car.

We all laughed, then heard a motor and yes there was a car.

The ford looked shallow even after yesterdays rain
so all of us just had to cycle through it

Video of ford crossing

Trevor took some persuading but eventfully rode through the water.

The rough track the other side of the ford

Yes there really was a vehicle

Then the track dropped back down and came back out on a road, nice and flat we carried on, then realised Peter was not with us.

Graeme wanted to turn back and look for him, but we assured him Peter would have just stopped to look at something

Eventually Peter came into view, he had stopped to admire a bull in a field

Peters Bull

The road wound its way into the small pretty village of Ancrum. Surprisingly there was a cafe, with seats outside,

as it was a pleasant day and we were well into the days ride and making good time we decided to stop. It was a good decision as it was an excellent cafe , highly recommended.

Great tea stop

Nice enough to sit outside, good job as no room inside	Dave persuades the owner to take a group photo

After our stop, we continued on minor roads, it was a pleasant ride along quiet flat roads.

We came to the junction were I had wanted to put in a little detour to Waterloo tower,

Being organised I had researched it prior to the ride I found out it was now permanently closed so the 2 mile hilly detour would have been pointless

Nice road section after our tea stop	Waterloo tower in the distance, the views would have been fantastic

The road continued over another another interesting bridge over the river Teviot near Nisbet, we love interesting bridges.

Another interesting bridge	Crossing the river Teviot
Narrow bridge just outside Nisbet	But no problem for cyclists

Then a nice little scenic back road into Jedburgh and the end of the ride

Looking down towards the end of the ride at Jedburgh

Conner wanted his photo taken at the Scottish border in his 4 Abbeys "T shirt"

The ride over we loaded the bikes into the van and the people into the cars then set off in convoy, Peter had to stop at Carter Bar, for a photo for Conner.

We decided to make a cafe stop at first cafe in England. which was surprisingly busy and slow service.

We all made it home safe and are already looking forward to next years ride.

Email: brass57@gmail.com