The Way of the Roses

 

The Way of the Roses is a 170-mile waymarked coast-to-coast route across the width of England, west to east or east to west.

I chose east to west, from Bridlington in the white rose county of Yorkshire to Morecambe in the red rose county of Lancashire.

Assistance with the prevailing wind is is probably better west to east but a 'slight breeze' did not give me problems. Having ridden the route I think the hills are just as hard whichever direction is taken!

There are not many photographs of this ride - cycling was taking all my energy!

Monday 11 August - Bridlington to York

                               

The North Sea at Bridlington - looking almost inviting

From the seafront in Bridlington the first section is a 19-mile ride to Driffield. After an initial long but steady climb out of Bridlington the road rolls up and down. At some point after the Driffield - I cannot remember the location - the route follows a two-mile section of stone, gravel and sand track. Nothing for anyone to worry about, only my our aversion to anything less than 'smooth' tarmac. The good news is that after a slow and careful ride I emerged without any problems.

I took a minor diversion off the route at Stamford Bridge, for no better reason than to buy lunch, then back on the trail at the former railway station.

Road signs at Dunnington then on to finish the day York Youth Hostel.

 

Tuesday 12 August - York to Malham

A day of two sections. The first a ride through the flat (ish) Vale of York and a cafe stop at 'Plenty', a cafe in Boroughbridge. Plenty by name and Plenty by nature. The portions were good and the quality was first class. Very interesting 'wall art' as well!

From here onwards the second 30-plus miles of todays ride began to get hard work, the majority of the 4,852 feet of climbing comes after this point. 

The first climb is a 'steady one'. a straight road through the attractive Studley Royal Park.

For me, the hardest climb - actually a walk - was at Pateley Bridge were the road climbs for almost two and a quarter miles at 16%. No way was I going to ride that with a loaded bike. I ride the parts that were not so steep but gave up on the 16% sections. The reward was the view from the summit.

The route ended after 69 miles at Malham Youth Hostel.

Wednsday 13 August - Malham to Morecambe

The day began with the four mile climb of Black Gill Lane, skirting KIrk Gill before the 18% decent to Settle - what a relief!

A steady day with 'only' 3,140 feet of climbing.

The highlight of the day was joining the cycle greenway alongside the river Lune, just before Lancaster. This is a smooth surface and almost level traffic-free route that avoids roads all the way - the final nine miles - to the finish at Morecambe.

Welcomed to the finish line by the comedian, the late Eric Morecambe.

Thursday 14 August - Rest Day in Lancaster and Morecambe

Leaving the bike in my hotel room this morning I took a bus journey to Lancaster for a self-guided walking tour of the town. 

Priory Church of St Mary

The Music House

The Museum

The Lancaster Canal

Returning to Morecambe a walk along the sea front seemed to indicate that this was the place for international 'street food'. Anything you want from any country!

 

The former railway station - inside is now a market

A repaint required?

The waiting room at Morecambe bus station.

By way of contrast - the Art Deco Midland Hotel.

Walking and Cycling in Kent and East Susex

 Thursday 6th March

After almost eight years without touring it is now time to take to the road again.

This time with an emphasis on walking around towns with trains, buses and the bike used between each location.

Today is a 'ride on trains' day. After a short ride to my local railway station then a change of train in Grantham and London, where the bike was 'inspected' by a member of the public, I arrived in Canterbury for a three-night stay.

Friday 7th March - Rye, East Sussex

A train journey to Rye today for a self-guided walking tour of the town. Situated on a hillside about the river Rother, Rye is one of the Cinque ports and suffered from raids by the French.

Today it is a town of (sometimes steep) cobbled streets with a variety of pleasant shops. Of particular interest is Mermaid street, home of the historic Mermaid Inn.

The picture above shows an engraving I sold to the inn during 2007. 

The picture below is the location itself.

The Ypres Tower, built to defend the town from attack by the French after the loss of Normandy in the 14th century.

Throughout it's history it has also served as a private dwelling, a prison and is now a museum.

Saturday 8th March - Canterbury

Probably most famous for it's cathedral, the town contains a host of interesting and attractive locations, including the town wall, town gates and riverside parks and walks.

 

An 'interesting' bookshop!

Not a lot to be seen today of the Poor Priests' Hospital . . .

. . . nor Canterbury Castle!

Sunday 9th March - Canterbury to Brighton

A day of three parts - 

Part 1, An 18-mile cycle ride from Canterbury to Ashford International railway station.

Part 2 - Unfortunately, no 'international' for me today, just a one-way journey to Eastbourne.

Part 3 - Eastbourne to Brighton. I have cycled the 22-mile route from Eastbourne to Brighton on previous occasions, both east to west and west to east. There are some very serious hills on this route, west to east being the easiest. Today my journey is east to west! 

Since my previous rides the traffic has increased out of all proportion, if I am in the area again I will use the train.

The reward for all the hill climbing is a traffic-free route for Seaford to Newhaven - where the traffic is at a complete standstill.

The final five miles of the route is again traffic-free into Brighton.

And the BIG reward at the end of the day - Crepes at Wafflemeister on West street in Brighton.

Monday 10th March - Lewes

A 30-minute bus journey from Brighton takes me to the small town of Lewes with it's mix of medieval and Georgian architecture.

The small round tower of St Michael's church in High street, with it's shingled spire is one of only three such towers in Sussex.

A carved satyr on Bell House in the High street.

Keere Street

Anne of Cleves House, now a museum but closed for renovation at the time of my visit. 

ALTHOUGH - the café is open - but not on Monday's!

Southover Gardens

Tuesday 11th March - Brighton

Originally named 'Brighthelmstone' Brighton was developed into a fashionable seaside resort famous for it's Royal Pavilion, the Pier, the Lanes shopping area and many fine hotels.

The Royal Pavilion, a favourite location of the Prince of Wales, soon to become George IV. Far from the royal courts in London the Pavilion became a discreet location for the prince to meet his long-time companion Maria Fitzherbert.

Wednesday 12th March - Time to head for home

After a short ride along the seafront I made my way to the railway station for the journey north - no option but to travel north, south is into the sea.

An interesting timeline display at the railway station outlining the production of 'bubble cars' in the 1950's.