A Bit About Me - Instead of My Profile

You will have to read this instead of my profile.

As a life-long cyclist and youth hostel enthusiast it seems very odd that having decided to retire my first few hostel visits were mainly by public transport and walking, although this was mainly due to time restraints, bad weather and not (at that time) having a bike suitable for more than a couple of days touring.

I took the decision to retire at the end of August 2010 and move from Nottinghamshire to Bedford, which I did over the bank holiday weekend - then on the following Tuesday immediately moved back to Nottinghamshire to help out my company, covering for staff on holiday. This resulted in me retiring on 3 September, 43 years to the day since my first day as an apprentice.

During early September I visited Sherringham and Hunstanton hostels. This gave me a chance, whilst at Sherringham, to visit the preserved North Norfolk Railway, which was running steam trains on the day of my visit.
Beware if visiting Sherringham - if you need to eat, do so early in the afternoon. This is the second time I have been caught out in this town, most of the eating places seem to close early, leaving a poor choice of fish-and-chip shops.
I also got to look in at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust site at Blakeney and to walk part of the Norfolk Coastal Path between Wells and Brancaster - great use of the bus pass to get on and off at will and also at no charge. Hunstanton hostel was due to close at the end of the season so this was possibly my last chance to visit. I generally do not like to see closures but in Hunstanton's case I will make an exception. It was looking rather sad and in need of repair - probably more costs than could be justified.

Shortly after I was off again to Saffron Walden, this time by bike and had an enjoyable ride through Cambridgeshire and north Essex.

Just prior to Christmas I had planned to ride to Cambridge and Bradwell hostels (on different occasions). Both turned out to be bus journeys due to heavy frost, ice and snow. I don't mind bike riding in these conditions, it's the falling off I don't like, it tends to hurt.

Talk to anyone who retires and they will tell you that life suddenly becomes very busy. I planned a walking (again) trip to the Lake District for early April but had to bring it forward to February as it clashed with a six-weeks trip to Cyprus (I told you life got busy!). Just prior to going I got the chance to purchase a new touring bike, which I collected on the way to the Lakes and decided to give it a test whilst there. The route was Kendall, Windermere, Hawkshead and Ambleside hostels, each are all within easy walking distance of each other. This is a bit of a disadvantage for a cyclist, it is only a short days cycling and  means a lot of hanging around, especially as it either rained or snowed every day. Never mind, I had a good time and was ready for the warmth of Cyprus. Whilst there it was not all fun-in-the-sun, I spent at least two weeks (!) painting and decorating.

Early May saw a two-day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, 83 miles one way, 93 miles return. This is a journey through Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, over the range of hills that rise in the Cotswolds and extend diagonally across the country to The Wash in Lincolnshire - they have to finish there, the land runs out. A hilly ride but in warm weather a pleasant two days. It was a profitable trip, I found a £20.00 note by the roadside on the way and another £5.00 shortly before arrival.

Statford-upon-Avon Youth Hostel

Whilst not out enjoying myself cycling around the countryside I have to turn this:

Into something a bit more usable. At the end of the summer, although it is not finished, it looks like this:

During mid-January 2012 I made a visit to Streatley on Thames youth hostel, in Oxfordshire. The original idea was to stay here when I was on the 'A Quaker village and the University Way' tour but the accommodation did not fit in so it had to be a trip on it's own.

I left the bike at home on this one, taking the express coach to Oxford then service buses to Wallingford and on to Streatley. All free-of-charge using a concessionary bus pass and spending time in Oxford on both days.

Having been in Cyprus for a while I made my first cycle trip of 2012 at the end of April to Lee Valley youth hostel, near Cheshunt. A pleasant ride in both directions although rather 'damp' on the return journey.



That's it for now, keep checking back as I will add other bits as they happen, if they are not in the blog section.

The North Sea Cycle Route - 2011

I'll put a better picture here when I have one !

The North Sea Cycle Route at 6,000 kilometres (3,780 miles, as near as makes no difference) is the longest continuously waymarked cycle trail in the world. The longest I can accept, but the 'continuously warmarked' bit I will leave until I have ridden it. From experience of Sustrans trails in the UK I find that every now-and-then the waymarkers are missing. I am never sure if they have been taken for souvenirs or it is a way of making you buy the maps. The route (in my case) follows the east coast of England, the west (ish) coasts of Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway then crosses the North Sea to Scotland and back through England to my start-point. Or to anywhere you want to go.

Day 1. 12 June 2011. Woodhall Spa to Holbeach.

 

The Start of the Route

(In fact this picture is a bit of a cheat - it was taken at the start point two years after I started, I omitted to do it at the time!)



I chose to begin the route at Woodhall Spa as I was on my way back from a short trip to the North York Moors and it seemed generally in the right direction. My start point was just off the B1191 at Martin Dales and the route takes me alongside the river Witham for the 17-mile run to Boston. It is not long before I am fed-up with the flat, featureless landscape, not enough to wish for a hill but something to look at would be nice. There is some confusion at Langrick Bridge where the route has been changed to run alongside the river but I take the original road route (I make a note to use my glasses when I am map reading). Never mind, I rejoin the trail at Antons Gout - odd name, anyone know how it came about? Perhaps Anton was a village elder who became unwell. Whatever, it's a lovely spot to take a break by the river and enjoy a drink. It is a smooth trail from here to Boston and what an approach to the town it is. A mile and a half to go and Boston Stump (Saint Botolph's church) appears at the end of the trail. This part of the trail is named the 'Water Rail Trail' and some of the sign posts are imitation railway signals with the destinations shown on them.

Boston Stump

I had expected Boston to be a bit of a free-for-all, make-it-up-as-you-go-along town but given the high level of traffic that is always in the town it was surprisingly easy to travel through and I am soon out in the country again on the road to Frampton and Fosdyke Bridge. I only saw one car on this road but to judge by the amount of beer cans by the roadside it must see heavier traffic at some time. The only other thing I saw moving was a hare that took me on in a sprint, it won by a mile. I had intended to stop again at Fosdyke Bridge but with the promise of a mile and a half of poorly laid tarmac I could not resist carrying on. The route takes me on towards Holbeach St Marks and whilst still being flat does have a few things to look at.

Trail end for me to-day is Holbeach with just less than 41 miles of the NSCR completed. It is 3pm and time to head for Thurlby Youth Hostel and a bed for the night. Had the wind not  blown so strongly and I had arrived in Holbeach earlier I intended to ride on the 17 miles on to Wisbech, but that doubles the distance back to Thurlby so I give up on the idea.

Day 2. June 14 2011. Holbeach to Wisbech.

To-day I re-ride the roads back to Holbeach. A few years ago I remember fly-tippers taking the trouble to dump the rubbish off the road.

Holbeach has an interesting mosaic in the centre, giving a brief history of the town beginning with a Roman presence in 54AD and finishing with images of famous people from recent history who came from the area. I recognise Geoff Capes but as a cyclist should I recognise Les Fensom, 'The Fenland Flyer'? Perhaps an internet search is required.

From Holbeach the route takes in Fleet, Gedney, Tydd St Mary and Tydd St Giles before I miss a sign in Newton and go off for a ride all over the place. Oddly enough I find myself back on route so decide to turn round, retrace my route and eventually pick out the sign I had missed, hidden in a bush. No problem, the sun is shinning and the wind is now at my back. After 22 and a bit miles that should have been 17 I arrive in Wisbech market place and call it a day for the NSCR, all that is left is for me to get home.

Wisbech

When I do get home I have cycled almost 115 miles to-day - all for 22 miles of the North Sea Route !

63 and a bit miles covered so far, just 3,716 to go. It will be interesting to see if I ever get it finished.
Further note on 18 August - The only information I can find on Les Fensom is 'Racing Cyclist, holder of National Records'. Well, it's a bit more than I had before!

Day 3. 10 October 2011. Wisbech to Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
After an early ride to the station, two train journeys and a 10-mile ride I am back in Wisbech to make a start on the next section. Wisbech is mentioned in the Domeday Book and during the 17th century local residents formed a group calling themselve the 'Fenland Tigers'. Their aim was to prevent the draining of the fens. They seem to have had as much luck as railway enthusiasts in the 1960's trying to prevent line closures after Doctor Beeching swung his axe. As a result of the draining Wisbech became very prosperous from agricultural production and the ability to ship the goods out using the river Nene - I suspect the do not use this method to-day.
As I ride out of the town I meet a local cyclist who is making his way home from work. We pass his house and he rides with me to guide me out of town. From here I hit the flat-lands of the fens. As I pass West Walton I wonder how long it is since the post office last sold a stamp.

From here I travel on high roads with a water channel on either side. With a tail wind progress is fast and easy almost all the way to Kings Lynn. Before I reach Kings Lynn I pass through Wiggenhall St Germans and make my second crossing to-day of the river Great Ouse. The first was shortly after 7 o'clock this morning less than half-a-mile from home. If I had thrown a stick in the water would I have been able to see it again here? Shortly after this my map tells me to follow the river path and enter Kings Lynn through the power station. I think this is a bit odd in to-days climate of safety and security, in fact the path follows the boundary fence.

If anyone tells you Norfolk is a flat county, do not believe them! As I enter the Sandringham estate I encounter my first hill, not long but sharp enough to slow my progress (even more). This type of terrain continues for the the rest of to-day and tomorrow. Cycling through the royal estate of Sandringham I keep my eyes open for sight of a reigning monarch, in fact it is such a nice day I see no rain at all. After a lunch break in the park I ride with a couple on a tandem as far as Snettisham, where I catch a glimpse of the sea. I think the tide must have been going out as I never saw it again for the rest of the day.

On through Ringstead, Burnham Market and then Burnham Thorpe, the birthplace of Lord Nelson. Predictably the village pub is called 'The Lord Nelson' but apart from his name on the village sign I see no other celebration of the man, perhaps they will erect the column here when London have finished with it. Next is a turn into Holkham Park. The gates at this entrance are closed to public traffic, only walkers and cyclists can get in 'via the front door' and this gives me a beautiful view of the house and gardens as I approach through the deer park. I am not looking forward to the next bit along part of the North Norfolk Coastal Path. I walked it last year and know it is a mixture of sand, Norfolk flint and tree roots, I make steady progress. Due to silting-up of the navigational channel Wells harbour is now a mile from the sea but this gives me a chance to ride a very pleasant entry to the town.

Following waymarkers I make my way into and out of Wells, finding myself on a  green lane which soon turns into a flint track. I have never been a fan of this type of surface and as I suspected I would, I puncture the back tyre. This road goes on for about another three miles before I hit tarmac again for the two-miles ride back to Wells and the youth hostel for the night. After a shower and a meal I decide to mend the inner tube, only to find the glue tube is damaged and all the adhesive has dried out. I have two more spare tubes, I cannot afford three punctures.

Just over 63 and a half miles on the route covered to-day.

Day 4. 11 October 2011. Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk - Ellingham, Suffolk.

I'm glad I got the rough track out of the way last night, it means I do not have to do it this morning. The route takes me south through the very pretty and religiously inclined Walshingham. On a country lane after the village I pass seven vicars walking along and am tempted to stop and ask them why the Almighty is so upset he has send this terrible windy weather to us, but they all seem deep in thought, perhaps they are pondering the same question.

I ride through Fakenham and pass the Museum of Gass - how do they display it? In bottles or sealed glass display cabinets? Can you take the top off for a sniff? How do they get supplies of old gass?

Shortly after I stop in the village of Great Ryburgh for a snack and to change maps. So far I have been using map NN1A, Hull to Fakenham, I must now use NN1B Fakenham to Harwich. I will need NN1A again if I ever get the route completed, to get me from Hull back to Woodhall Spa. As I put the map back in its envelope I wonder how long it will be, if ever, until it sees the light of day again.

Before Norwich I should use the Marriotts Way, which a note on my map tells me is 'an attractive route although the surface is variable, poor in parts. Some cyclist may prefer to use an alternative route'. I vote for the last option and find myself criss-crossing the Marriotts Way several times, although some of the surface looks quite good rolled stone, some is definitely 'poor'.

I pick up the correct route again as I enter Norwich and find I am on a really nice ride through the city and on via a country park to ride by the river Yare. After a short climb along a private road I get a good view of the sewage works, and a large area it covers, perhaps it is all the mustard they eat. Shortly after I make a little detour to avoid another green lane.

On through quite roads passing Loddon and on to the end of the route for now, at Ellingham. I have seen no signs for the County of Suffolk along the way, but I have to take it I am in the county. I seem to have chosen a very odd place to finish my ride, a sign post on the A143, but from here the route goes east and I need to go west to get home.

From here I have several options to get home, all involve a ride into a strong headwind. I choose the 25-mile ride to Attleborough, then the train to Cambridge for an overnight stay at the youth hostel and a final ride home tomorrow morning.

Over the two days I have covered just short of 134 and three quarter miles on the NSCR, a total of 198.33 from day one - not much is it!

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North York Moors - June 2011

June 9 - Lockton.

After the hottest and driest spring on record I chose the first day of rain to depart on this trip, with rain part-way through the ride to St Neots station. Not enough to put on a waterproof jacket but enough to ensure I was wet on arrival. After a change out of cycling clothes I caught the train to Peterborough and then York with arrival just after 1.30pm.
 

York is a city of contrast, an attractive city for the tourist but always full of traffic. A few years ago it was voted the top cycle-friendly city in the UK - is it still? I can accept the need for tourist and service buses but the level of private and commercial traffic is remarkable.

After a ride through the city walls (well, a gap in them) it was out towards Huntington and then onto quieter roads through Strenshall, Thornton-le-Clay and towards the fearsome 'Bulmer Bank'. I had ridden this hill whilst taking part in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride some years ago and it did not seem so bad - that was on a light 'summer bike' - a bit different on a touring set-up with panniers and saddle bag. A good 40+mph down but a slower ascent to the village!

From Bulmer I make my way towards Castle Howard. Interesting that there is now a 'Castle Howard Holiday Park' and a 'Castle Howard Business Centre'. Has someone seen an opportunity or is it a way to make ends meet in the financial world?
Still riding on generally flat roads until I get to Pickering where I hit the main road and the hills begin. The main A169 is not so bad and it is only a few miles before I turn left and drop into Lockton with it's 'Green Beacon' hostel. If it is so green with solar panels on the roof why was there no hot water? Apart from that this is a great place to stay, clean, comfortable and in a perfect location.
 



Lockton Youth Hostel

June 10 - Whitby.

Leaving Lockton through the village towards Levisham I had a terrific ride down an almost straight 1-in-5 descent, unfortunately the 1-in-5 up the other side has alpine-like characteristics with hair-pin bends all the way to the top, still the views are second to none.
 

Levisham - Great view, what happens to the road?        

      

After another 1-in-5 descent I was over the level crossing at Levisham station and onto what the map describes as 'Newton Forest Drive'. After a short section of loose gravel I am onto tarmac. When the tarmac is good it is very good, when it is bad it is terrible, but at least there is no traffic. This road goes on for about four miles then the tarmac runs out and I am back onto what was probably at one time rolled stone. I'm not sure what they used to roll it with but perhaps it would have been better to pay a little more for a better finish. Another mile on and I am onto loose gravel over poorly-laid tarmac - by this stage I think the driver of the roller had had enough and gone home. I am glad I cycled this route, at least I know not to do it again in my car.

At the end of the forest drive I turn right and head in the general direction of Grosmont. This is a very little-used road over the moors and I can imagine why it is not high on the council's list of roads to be repaired, in fact I wonder if it is on the list at all. I seem to be spending a lot of time toiling up hills over the moors, but the scenery is still first class. When early canal and railway builders came to a hill they followed the contours around it, no such luxury for road builders, straight up and over the top!.

High above Grosmont I turn right and pass a sign that says 'Deep ford ahead, often impassable'. It seems not all that deep and I decide to give it a try, I made it part-way before falling off and walking out, all part of the highs and (not very many) lows of cycle touring! I drip into Grosmont to look at the trains.
 

Leaving Grosmont on the same road, but avoiding the ford I am into slogging up hill again. From experience I know that Whitby is at sea-level and at one point imagine I am about to start the descent. Picking up the Sustrans 'Moor-to-Sea' route I begin to drift downhill, to be caught out by a climb twice as high as the descent. This goes on for miles, short downhill, long uphill, at some stages catching a glimpse of Whitby Abbey. Then Sustrans pull one of their tricks, in Rushwarp the route is signed right onto a green lane and I am riding over loose rocks on a steep(ish) descent. I have never been an off-road rider, perhaps I should start. At the foot Sustrans pull their second trick (one they use regularly), at a junction of two tracks they don't put up a sign, probably this is to ensure you buy the map next time (?). I take the, as it turns out, correct, left-hand fork. At last the road goes down and I am riding on a level with the river Esk, short-lived joy, uphill at 1-in-5 again. At last the final downhill comes with a fast ride into Whitby. I don't relax, again experience tells me that there is a final climb to the hostel, on the cliff-top next to the abbey.
 

I sleep well.

June 11 - Scarborough.
Along the cliff-top to Hawsker and I join Sustrans National Cycle Route 1 at the converted railway station and cycle hire centre. A fairly smooth cinder path takes me high above the sea in the direction of Robins Hood Bay. The railway line that originally ran along this route closed in 1965 but the indentations from the railway sleepers can still clearly be felt as you ride along. At one point I hit tractor ruts crossing the trail and both front panniers jump off their mountings. In the car park above Robin Hoods Bay I adjust the fasteners and re-fit them - I did that at Whitby last night and obviously did a poor job. I had intended to ride down the hill to sea level, just for the fun of it and had been going a couple of miles before I realised I had forgotten all about it - perhaps next time.
The next stop is Ravenscar. This was a town planned in the 1890's. If not a Milton Keynes of it's day, a holiday village with housing, retail (shops in those days) and entertainment all within it's borders. Unfortunately whoever planned it missed the fact that the rock was unsuitable and there is a 600-foot sheer cliff down to the beach. Streets were laid out, an hotel, a row of houses and a railway station were all built and plots of land were sold before the project collapsed. It is still possible to speak with families who hold deeds to land purchased by relatives.

Ravenscar - the road layout can be clearing seen

Leaving Ravenscar I am fed-up with looking for pot-holes and rocks on the trail and missing the sea-views, and join the road, only to find myself back on the trail after a few miles when the road runs out. I am not sure if the trail is getting smoother of my trail-skills are improving (I suggest the former) but I soon catch up two mountain bikers. The down-side of sitting behind them is I cannot read the trail ahead and am constantly dodging rocks and pot-holes, I stop to let them get ahead, eventually catching them up and getting ahead as they open and close a set of gates. I also stop and have a conversation with two Dutch cyclists, one riding an interesting cargo bike.

 



The route takes me on towards Scarborough, unfortunately as the trail is an old railway line trees have grown up on either side and a lot of the time I am now riding in a 'green tunnel' with no particular views. Far be it for me to make comments on the mentality of the people who live near this piece of the trail as it approaches Scarborough, but the half-brick that was thrown at me from an embankment luckily missed. Judging by the number of rocks and bricks at this point I suspect I am not the first target, in which case you would expect people to be a better shot. Perhaps this is a sad reflection on the youth of to-day, they are even low-achievers when it comes to vandalism.
When I was very young my parents would take me to Scarborough on day-trips by train. I have photographs from that time and it is not possible to put another bucket and spade down on the beach, to-day the donkies and life guards look around hopefully for someone to take a ride/get into difficulties in the sea. No takers on either score.
After a ride around the town I head for the hostel, just in time to avoid a rain shower that turns into a hail storm.

 Scarborough Youth Hostel

June 12 - Woodys Top.

I am up and out of Scarborough on the main A64 road before most of the town is awake this morning. The state of this road I wish I was back on the trail and pass a car dealer advertising 'Pothole Damage - Call In'. Possibly this road has been in a poor state of repair for some time. At Staxton I make a left turn and begin to cross the Yorkshire Wolds. The hill I am about to climb is one I have ridden down on the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride, I wish I was riding down to-day. This is a long, hard climb but I avoid a stop at the view point, there is still a bit more of a climb to go! I eventually stop for a drink and to take in the fine view. It is not possible to see Blackpool tower from here but you can see a long way.

I seem to be back to climbing hills at 3-4mph again - I do my best! The unfortunate part is that at the top of each hill it is possible to see the next down- and up-hill. I decide to take advantage of the run down to Foxholes and easily trigger the 30mph sign on entry to the village, I don't trigger anything going out - except a lot of heavy breathing. Eventually I am through Driffield and into Beverley, a town I know well having worked for two years at a company based here. The town centre roads are closed to-day for resurfacing so it's the long tour around the common before I rejoin the A164 to Humber Bridge - at which point the rain begins. As can be seen below, not many walkers or cyclists to-day.
 

The visitors area at the Humber Bridge is always a disappointment to me. Of all the times I have been the visitor centre has never been open - to be fair, it is generally a Sunday and the staff will want to go off to visit places. The cafe is also a let-down, always doing just enough to call itself a cafe. I visited with my cycling club on one trip and asked for beans on toast, to be told they did not serve it. I could have all-day breakfast, which included beans and toast, but not on their own. I suppose the boys and girls working there were worried that on the day before judgment day, when everyone is called to account, they would be asked why, in the great scheme of things, there were two slices of toast and a portion of beans missing. I feel certain they both had a portion of beans missing.
After the bridge I again pick up NCR1 through Barton-upon-Humber but leave it shortly after the town and head towards Humberside airport. As the afternoon wears on and I wear out the rain turns much heavier, I am now riding with lights on. If I could see more I am sure I would enjoy this route. Eventually I pick up signs for Louth then Burwell, where I arrive just after 7pm having been out 10 and a half hours - what fun.

I had not put all my clothes into dry-bags to-day, luckily there are only two other people at the hostel so I have clothes drying on radiators all over the building. Again I sleep well.

Woodys Top Youth Hostel

June 13- Thurlby.

Leaving to-day for a promised fine day I am soon riding through a rain storm. It was short-lived and I can soon see Lincoln cathedral far away on it's hill-top before dropping down to Horncastle and heading for Woodhall Spa. Just outside the town I again pick up NCR1, for my purpose to-day this is the start of my journey around the 'North Sea Cycle Route', a 6,000 kilometre trail along the east coast of England and the coasts of Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway before crossing to Scotland and (for me) back to Woodhall Spa. It will be interesting to see how long it takes me.

My route takes me alongside the river Witham for the 17-mile run to Boston. It is not long before I am fed-up with the flat, featureless landscape, not enough to wish for a hill but something to look at would be nice. There is some confusion at Langrick Bridge where the route has been changed to run alongside the river but I took the original road-route. Never mind, I rejoin the trail at Antons Gout - odd name, anyone know how it came about? Perhaps Anton was a village elder who became unwell. Or am I reading it wrong - he had a famous goat? Whatever, it's a lovely spot to take a break by the river and enjoy a drink. It is a smooth trail from here to Boston and what an approach to the town. A mile and a half to go and Boston Stump (Saint Botolph's church) appears at the end of the trail. This part of the trail is named the 'Water Rail Trail' and some of the sign posts  are imitation railway signals with the destinations shown on them.
 



Boston Stump

I had expected Boston to be a bit of a free-for-all, make-it-up-as-you-go-along town but given the high level of traffic that is always in the town it was surprisingly easy to travel through and I am soon out in the country again on the road to Frampton and Fosdyke Bridge. I only saw one car on this road but to judge by the amount of beer cans by the roadside it must see heavier traffic at some time. The only other thing I saw moving was a hare that took me on in a sprint, it won by a mile. I had intended to stop again at Fosdyke Bridge but with the promise of a mile and a half of poorly laid tarmac I could not resist carrying on. The route takes me on towards Holbeach St Marks and whilst still being flat does have a few things to look at.

Trail end for me to-day is Holbeach with just less than 41 miles of the NSCR completed. It is 3pm and time to head for Thurlby and a bed for the night. Had the wind not been blowing so strongly and I had arrived in Holbeach earlier I intended to ride on the 17 miles to Wisbech, but that doubles the distance back to Thurlby so I give up on the idea. The route takes me out through Moulton Chapel and Cowbit (who thinks of these names?) at which point the road is slipping into the dyke's on either side with a 50mm gap in the middle and a 100mm 'step' running in the direction of travel, then on the long straight, flat road to Baston and a short ride up the A15, where I have a few close calls with heavy traffic, but not close enough (to close for me).

June 14 - Home.
 

Thurlby Youth Hostel

Leaving Thurlby the route takes me back the 26 miles to Holbeach, using almost the same roads again, in order to continue on the NSCR. At few years ago I remember fly-tippers taking the trouble to dump the rubbish off the road.
 

From Holbeach the route takes in Fleet, Gedney, Tydd St Mary and Tydd St Giles before I miss a sign in Newton and go off for a ride all over the place. Oddly enough I find myself back on route so decide to turn round, retrace my route and eventually pick up the sign I had missed, hidden in a bush. No problem, the sun is shinning, the wind is at my back, the only down-side is that I am heading for home to-night. After 22 and a bit miles that should have been 17 I arrive in Wisbech market place and call it a day for the NSCR, all that is left is for me to get home.

Wisbech

To do this I take the road to Friday Bridge and March and am in the land of wind farms, luckily they are not doing great business to-day so riding is easy. From March it is quiet back-roads to Doddington, Chatteris and Somersham before I arrive in St Ives and get lost in the one-way system, doing two circuits of the town before trying pot-luck to get out. At this point I have no map to get me home so rely on the just-mentioned pot-luck. After crossing the river bridge I spot a sign for NCR51, which passes within two miles of my house. At least there is a chance of me making it home. Suddenly I recognise a place name I know - Biggleswade - and head for that. It's a steady ride through minor roads, apart from the busy crossing of the A428 Bedford-to-Cambridge road, but it is generally downhill all the way (apart from a few uphills). I have another 40mph downhill and before long am picking up NCR51 again. Another 10 and a half hour day to-day with just short of 115 miles covered - not bad to say I only covered 22 on the North Sea Route!

A touch over 427 miles covered in all on this journey.