Club Run 6 Sept 2015 Two Tunnels Bath

A beautiful sunny day welcomed 15 cyclists for a long ride to Bath to cycle through the Two Tunnels from Bath to Midford.  The group headed straight down the relatively quiet A38 to Millbury Heath where they took to the lanes and navigated to Coalpit Heath for a late breakfast and coffee.  It was then on to Bath where we joined the Bristol to Bath cycleway. This is a very pleasant cycle path following the old railway line so there were only gentle inclines to contend with but there were lots of other cyclists and walkers out on this very sunny day.  It was good to see so many people of all ages enjoying this scenic path with its grand views over the River Avon.  When we reached Bath we made our way to the Two Tunnels greenway, which was well signposted.  The Two Tunnels were part of the old railway line and was reopened in 2013 after Sustrans and the local Council refurbished it with lighting and a good surface for cyclists.  It is 100m below Coombe Down at its deepest.  One tunnel is about quarter of a mile long and the other about 1 mile long. It is a creepy ride cycling along this rather cold but not damp tunnel.  At intervals loudspeakers play music which adds to the experience.  At the Midford end the path crosses  the Midford Viaduct but you are not aware that you are up so high although the views are good. There is a good pub here and after lunch the cyclists returned via the Tunnels and home to Gloucester.  The round trip was about 110 miles in perfect weather, something that doesn’t happen too often.