I am cycling to Dursley tomorrow (Sat) which is 15 miles to get the cycle shop to replace the bearings. This will then mean I have to cycle the 15 miles back home.
Just a little bit of history of Dursley which as you all know is near the South end of the Cotswold way.
Dursley has a rich and varied industrial history founded in the 15th century with woolen cloth mufacturing. The industry developed significantly over the centuries and by the beginning of the 19th century there were seven cloth mills in the town with many more in neighbouring parishes. Cloth manufacturing still exists in the valley to this day with the sole example of Cam Mills on Everlands now run by the Milliken company in the buildings once occupied by Hunt & Winterbotham.
The 19th century also saw the arrival of heavier engineering in the town with the establishment of R A Lister and Company which went on to become the town's largest employer with upwards of 4000 employees at its peak. R A Lister manufactured a range of petrol, paraffin and diesel engines which were, and still are, used in a multitude of applications worldwide. In 1986 the company merged with Petters Ltd. of Staines to form Lister-Petter Ltd. which is still a major employer within the town although on a much smaller scale.
On Sunday I am hoping to cycle for 3 hours
and that will really be a good guide for me to assess my fitness and then decide if I need to change my training regime. I hope the plan I have will be suitable and not need modifying.
Keep you informed - take care and stay safe
