Well, what a day (again, but for different reasons)! Started of with a cooked breakfast, and filling my bags with lovely clean clothes – thanks Ken, the perfect host. Starting off with bags of clean clothes, feels like a new beginning, I’m determined to better on this stint – you just need to have focus, as soon as the tent is up, straight into the shower, wash the days clothes and get them drying.

Only 60km to do today so didn’t get away until 9:30. You don’t realise the effect the bags have (and being knackered after a week of cycling everyday), until you cycle on a road you have been on before. The road from Cilgerran to Rhos y Gilwin, left my legs burning and I had to stop a couple of times. This was all in the first 15 minutes! Anyway it continued, there was the occasional respite on nice flat roads, but the Presili Hills were looming. Inevitably the road turned up into the hills, I went over a 400 metre pass near Cerrig Lladro. There were great views and I could see the distinctive profile of Carningli in the distance. The downhill from the top was awesome, really good roads and the bike felt good.

However, subsequently on one climb, ironically right outside the first shop I had seen all morning, the chain suddenly jumped off the small front chainwheel, a bit painful in the saddle department! It was beginning to feel terminal. A bit of fiddling seemed to bring it back over the chain better. The chain had not jumped the rear since my adjustment in Derbyshire, but the whole thing was getting noise and noisier. It jumped again later, with the chain getting jammed against the frame which took some tugging to free. Nevertheless, the route had gone to manageble hilly profile and the gears should hold out.7 I was looking forward to seeing the Blue Lagoon, and finding somewhere to stop to eat my lunch. Which I had bought in the Cilgerran shop when I started – see I do learn from my mistakes!

The next exciting chapter started as I was cycling up hill through Puncheston. On one pedal stroke there was an almighty wrenching of metal, I knew instantly that it was more than the chain off. The rear derailleur had sheered from its hanger, the cage pulled open and the chain badly damaged.

My first thought (after oh-no I’m stuffed) was to lean it up against a wall, and look at splitting the chain. I could remove the derailleur and set up a single speed bike, at least to get me to help. However, I didn’t need to get to help, as the affectionately named “scruffy Peter” appeared. Peter soon appraised the situation and went to look through his vast collection of things too good to be thrown out. He came back with an 8 speed derailleur, but as my hanger had broken, and mine was 9 speed, it would have been a major piece of bodge work to get that going.

It seemed help would be in hand in Haverfordwest about 20 miles away. I set to splitting the chain (using a recent present – fix it sticks – brilliant tools!), believe it or not I have never split a chain at the roadside before. Luckily (not really), I have aways carried spare/repair split links. I opted for second lowest gear, but it was  very slack. Putting it up on to bottom gear was then way too tight, but there was no way it was coming off again.

Meanwhile Peter had been working out what parts I needed and rang Mike’s Bikes in Haverfordwest. It seemed they may have everything except the broken hanger, which might be Boardman specific. He said there was a Halfords that might help if needed. I’m sure he would have given me a lift, but he was waiting for a delivery – luckily, as he was outside and heard the carnage happen. He did draw me a map of the best route, with uphill and downhill marked. Amazing – thank you Peter, I would have sorted the issue but I reckon you probably saved me a day!

I set off on the 20km to Haverfordwest in comedy fashion, initially I thought that setting the bike in the lowest gear possible was an error – until I hit the first hill! The hills out of Puncheston were hard, but I soon got to the main road and the gradients were more acceptable. I did consider, splitting the chain again and re-gearing it! I soon forgot that crazy idea, I was rolling and every metre, getting closer to a solution. On a good downhill it was fine just coasting, the fun started on the flatish bits. I found the best way was to allow it to slow so I could hear each click of the freewheel, then attack the pedals like a demented spin class fanatic. Anyway it got me to Mike’s Bikes (of Haverfordwest – go there, they are really nice) by 3:00. I don’t think I broke down much after 1:00, things really had come together.

At Mike’s Bikes, initially the problem was to find a hanger, which was successful. The next stage, was exposing my woefully inadequate maintenance- the chain was originally from 2015. When asked if it had done many miles, I don’t think my story of Lands End to John O’Groats and cycling overland to Iceland matched the state of the chainset. I knew it all needed replacing and they had all the components in stock. Initially he was not sure it could be done today, so scoped out some local accommodation so I was flexible. I left them to it, while I had my (late) lunch on a bench around the corner. I took a gamble, and booked my bike on a train to Bridgend tomorrow, to help accelerate my program. Then suddenly, just as I was trying to open a packet of biscuits – it was ready. Something like 4:30, all totally amazing, and then Peter turned up! He was just checking I wasn’t at the side of the road somewhere, after his delivery had arrived. If you need to breakdown anywhere – I suggest outside Scruffy Peter’s house in Puncheston is the best place!

So it was 5pm still a chance to reach St David’s, especially on the like new gear train I was now riding. All silky smooth changes, and a slightly lower bottom gear.

I was doing well, but got to Newgale, with a campsite on the beach, a pub and a 16% uphill being the other choice. The road was pretty busy and it should be quieter in the morning. I need to get to St David’s (Lifeboat station) and back to Haverfordwest by 1:00pm. Tall order!

Very nice site with good facilities (lots of vans remind me of the film Nomadland – go and see it) and the pub next door serves massive portions!

A nice sunset and all is well with the world. (Another) Quite amazing day, this trip has been excellent!