Day 1 Monday 25th March 2019 – Brindle to Malaga My first attempt at international cycle touring has had a slow, but satisfying start. A total of three hours riding, 6 hours in an airport waiting for a delayed flight and 2.5 hours in the air. My biggest concern (that the bike would get trashed […]
This was my top year for cycling. I covered more miles than any other year, helped by a very long tour of the length of the River Rhine, plus several other shorter trips. Retirement’s great! Infographic recording my highest annual mileage Showing the routes I’ve cycled in 2019. This year’s local routes showing the Veloviewer […]
I used to become irritated by people who, once retired, rolled out the old cliché “I don’t know how I ever found time to work”. I am now trying my best not to be that person, although I can better understand why people say it. Yes, after 43 years in full time work, I retired […]
Tackling Tan Hill October 2018 Tuesday 23rd October 2018. I knew today would be a windy ride, but I seriously underestimated the strength of the gale (correct word) while climbing Tan Hill. Starting from Kirkby Stephen, I enjoyed the initial climb of Lamps Moss out of Nateby with a 20 mph tail wind and the ride […]
Monday 1st October 2018 Planning for my North Wales tour began when I realised that for the first time, I had the chance to cycle in each of the four UK countries in one year, having toured in England in March, Northern Ireland in June and Scotland in September. OK, I haven’t quite got to […]
Monday 3rd September 2018 Day one of my Fife tour with Jim started off wet, on both the English and Scottish legs. The plan to ride out to North Berwick was abandoned due to the wind and rain. We got as far as Longniddry before heading back. The spare time gained was usefully spent in cafes […]
With Laurence, Rob, Kat, Dean, Netty, Jim, Dave, Terry and Dan (who provided the initial idea and the planning behind it all) Thursday 28th June 2018. After work today, Dean and I collected a hire van from Easirent in Preston at 5:30pm before driving back to Warton to load ten bikes and luggage before a […]
Day 0. Wednesday 6th June 2018 I’m just about to leave for another cycling adventure, this time a charity ride with a bunch of Scottish pals. Oddly enough, we’re heading to Ireland (North and South) cycling from Larne to Galway. The Prestwick Cycle Challenge is an annual fully supported charity event which began in 1997 […]
I’m late writing this letter, but since it goes out with the Christmas cards, you won’t notice, but I am usually better prepared than this. The lateness is due to things being busier than usual recently, but after the events late last year, I’m pleased that this is the case. You will recall that a […]
In mid-November, I enjoy taking a day off work on my own when I carry out a few jobs in preparation for Christmas. I look through all the photos I’ve taken during the year and compile a photo-book for the year, I write this note (which, for the past 15 years has acted as a […]