Another sumptuous full English breakfast, another hard climb to start the day’s riding. Wells lies on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills and, by heading due east, I had hoped to avoid them. But no; straight out of the city, we hit a monster that went on for five solid miles before dropping us back down to the beautiful village of Mells.

Fresh as a daisy and running light, Simon forged ahead on every rise with irritating ease while, with two days of lumpy riding in our legs, Andy, recent double-centurion DA and I were pushed to stick with him. Coffee and cakes in Frome preceded a main road jaunt along the northern edge of Salisbury Plain, which we gladly left for quieter lanes towards Devizes. Having passed a couple of uninspiring-looking pubs, we were overjoyed to find the delightful 15th century George and Dragon at Potterne.

Here I received confirmation of my theory that cider is a superior lunchtime refreshment to ale – for the cyclist . Beer deadens the legs – or mine, at least – and leaves the drinker easy prey to a companion who has consumed cider and who, judging by previous beastings I have endured at the hands of cider drinkers, gains the strength of Fabian Cancellara – for a few miles, at least.

So, as we left Devizes on the A361 for a peek at Silbury Hill having taken in the town’s famous flight of locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal, I decided to try out the effect of Westons Organic cider with a tentative attack in which I was quickly joined by Simon. We have ridden a few two-up TTs together and quickly established a good rhythm into the stiff headwind. The two occasional cider drinkers at whose hands I had previously suffered were left with no choice but to mount an ultimately futile chase that nearly ruined DA’s lunch… Revenge had been eaten, nicely chilled.

However, the cider effect is short-lived. As we left Marlborough my companions attacked on a short climb as I was still coming to terms with a particularly rich chocolate brownie and, acting as it turns out on the principle that he who lives by the sword etc, quickly put clear road between themselves and me. This is when it pays not only to have organised accommodation but to have kept the details to oneself. The three escapees were obliged to stand around in Hungerford’s High Street while I finished my day’s ride at a properly enjoyable touring pace.

Day three ride details by Garmin