My last day in the Netherlands was my birthday. I awoke early, had a strong coffee, packed up and was ready to hit the road early, before the wind got stronger. Generally the wind is not strong first thing. On the way through Muntendam, I thought I’d get some more cash. Not all Dutch supermarkets…
In the previous post I had finished up with, I was meeting Josh again to watch the football and see Amsterdam. I think most touring cyclists are not great fans of cities, that not to say all, but most. Cities can be stressful to stay in, will someone pinch my bike, will I lose my…
As I cycle through Norther Holland, I am seeing several memorial plaques and signs for downed allied aircraft and with them, a link to the information about the crash and crews. I have put one below. Lancaster bomber DV267 The deadly flight of the Lancaster bomber DV 267 ended in Tolbert The aircraft departed Mablethorpe…
After leaving Brugge, it was only a short ride to cross the border to Holland. There was no fanfare or fuss. No special signs. A simple barrier and the signs changed style. Previously I’d been in touch with Rênas, a German cycle tourist that I met in 2014 in Spain. I asked him if he…
A short days riding from my Warmshowers host’s Fabienne and Peter at Auchy-les-Hesdin to the east of Aire-sur-la-Lys. I have been contacting Warmshowers hosts in advance of arriving at places and had a response from a host in Poperinge for the next day so looked for camping spots about halfway or so. Camping La Petite…
Today on my cycle tour, I have visited In Flanders Field – Museum. Last time I visited hear, both of my sons were young, they are now in their mid twenties. On entry you are asked to pick a person to follow their story throughout the museum, it is displayed on a map, you drill…
Off the boat and into Dieppe. I’ve been on lots of ferry’s with bikes but first time for the Newhaven Dieppe. Booking in easy. Called onto boat first. Although I was changing out of cycling gear and nearly missed my call, as they loaded us nearly an hour before departure. There must have been almost…
I’m writing (most of) this sat on the ferry. Third day in, having ridden from Devizes to just east of Winchester, then onto just North west of Newhaven and then on to the ferry terminal in Newhaven. so that’s about 120 miles. . I’m sat at the front of the ferry to start with, next…
I almost forgot, when I was on tour before, I put a buy me a beer/coffee button on my webpage. Donations were through PayPal. If enjoyed reading another persons blogs which gave the idea. If bought them a beer as a thank you for the content, which contained a lot of good advice. I was…
Started off well yesterday. Will put a proper post up soon. Probably write it when I’m on the ferry tomorrow. Last time I used an app called TrackMyTour to create waypoints. I’m using it again! Map for this tour is here: https://trackmytour.com/1G1qJ
After not really cycling that much in the last couple of years, this week I thought I’d start up again. Im less than 6 weeks away from the off. Damn I’ve got unfit.. I started out with taking in a 30 mile loop to and from work. Something I used to not even break a…
Starting to come together. I have now booked my ferry ticket for June 1st. The process wasn’t as simple as I’ve experienced before. And instead of using the port I’ve used many times before, Portsmouth. I’ve had to switch to Newhaven. Unfortunately bikes (or foot passengers for that matter) are no longer able to travel…
Exciting times are coming. it’s been a while since I’ve been touring for more than a few days. Plans for this summer should change that. I’ve been jealously following Peter Gostelows trip to Turkey. You can read about Peters trip at his website. https://petergostelow.com The seed to do something larger again has been there for…
Click on the link below for more details. Netherlands 2019 https://trackmytour.com/Cx5n5
According to Strava I tend to ride most of the time as they call it in their roster ride analysis, as a lone wolf. However I do ride with others occasionally and this ride was the first very long distance ride I’d done with someone else. In some riders terms I’m quite new to cycling,…
I’m writing this on the train, waiting to depart Wick. Another tired and aching start, this time a little later as the last days distance was only about 161 miles. We’d bought breakfast the day before at the local co-op. With a coffee, 2 doughnuts, a pain au chocolat and a croissant consumed, we were…