Back in England, with 5.45am wake up music on the ferry before we docked at 6.45am and disembarked soon after. Portsmouth is very busy at that time in the morning! Nevertheless, I managed to fight my way round to Portsmouth Harbour Station. That left me the best part of 3 hours to wait for my …
The River Orne, the Caen Canal, and I, have all made it to Ouistreham. While the first two end at La Manche, aka the English Channel, or whatever Donald Trump has decided this stretch of water should be called, I will continue on the overnight ferry to Portsmouth to begin the final day of my …
Just one more day in France to go. Today has been a much easier day, but not without challenges. A late start was I order to avoid arriving well in advance of check-in time, but today was the hottest day of the trip and, once the well-shaded railway bed was finished near Flers, the heat …
I always suspected that this could be the toughest day. I’m glad it followed the Rest Day! It was the longest ride, with the most climbing (even if most of that was relatively gentle slopes), and it turned out to be the hottest day, ending at the least pleasant campsite and, to round it off, …
That was a long stage! Had I been fresh, it would probably have been OK as, apart from a diversion at one point which went up steeply to put me on a higher road for a couple of miles, before descending steeply again, the route was entirely on decent paths alongside the river. However, while …
An eventful ride, but glad to say that both bike and rider are in good (ish) shape and the show goes on with another long stage tomorrow before the Rest Day. The first surprise of the day was the set of large paintings which suddenly appeared either side of the path at the village of …
A very different day to yesterday- the first full day in the saddle, calmer brighter weather, and my longest ever day’s ride ahead. I was rather late setting off after oversleeping and then being very slow to get ready and packed up. I hadn’t realised how much yesterday had taken out of me with limited …
Everything has gone according to plan and I’m ready for a night in my ‘Bivouac Tent’ at the campsite in Azay-le-Rideau on the bank of the Indre river, a tributary of the Loire. The day began horrendously early with gentle music being played to wake people up at 5.45 (4.45 UK), when we’d only been …
Bike, train, train, bike across London, train, bike, dinner, bike and safely on the ferry. Nearly got stuck getting up the slope to the car deck as I didn’t change gear in time, but evetually persuaded the chain to move across and got going again. Now just waiting to be able to get into the …
Very helpful staff on Avanti and South Western Railway have made for an easy ride with the bike, and a surprisingly easy ride on the bike across London too. Great C10 cycle path alongside the roads, early start for bikes at the traffic lights too, and a dedicated lane across the bridge.
After a great sendoff at Kenilworth Station, I’m now headed for Euston ready to risk everything by cycling across London to Waterloo. Thanks to everyone who came to the station, especially Jeremy Wright who made time before heading off to Parliament. Ann Peachey. Area Dean of Kenilworth led prayer on the platform before before before …
Tested out riding the bike fully laden with a trip to Leek Wootton Church Teas and back. All good – especially the cake 🍰😋. Also discovered a post-ride Strava video feature. I might try and post these each day.
Combined taking posters around the churches, with a training ride. Turned out to be probably tougher than any of the individual days in France and, according to Strava, the most uphill I’ve ever done in a day, with the second longest ride. The longest was basically flat and very slightly downhill – but excruciatingly hot. …
Yesterday was my first try at a decent length ride since 2022. 50km covered in a 3 hours riding time. Glad to report that all went well and I can still move this morning!
This was how I and my bike looked when I set off in 2022 for my trip to Taizé and then my ride from Taizé to Tours. I’m now four years older, and so is my bike, but the luggage will look similar, though with a little extra this time (which describes me quite well …