2023 September Cycle U.K & Karslruhe to Nice.
Some cycling some catching up with friends in the European Autumn.
Read More →Some cycling some catching up with friends in the European Autumn.
Read More →The coronavirus has meant that all my best plans have been put on hold. I […]
Read More →A chance to ride the French countryside with a tour company called BikeDreams. many of […]
Read More →We left our traditional bus behind on Bohol. Siquijor has supplied us with a much small technicolor party bus. It struggles to carry us all. Young Harold, the guides assistant clambers onto the roof. He sits there cross legged clutching his bike for fear it will be scratched against the others. For a minute I feel like Iāve been transported back to India.
Read More →Iāve felt like a bear forced into back to back hibernation. I, like many, was […]
Read More →One hundred kms on gravel is a far harder push than bitumen. Thankfully there were sections of bitumen each day to allow my body to stop shaking. Some sections of corrugation left me unsure if my teeth would ever bite into a bread roll again. Worse was I didnāt have the skills to stop or ride over such a punishing track even if Iād wanted.
Read More →Iād been told if possible to swim across onto the less crowded side of the whale shark to get a better view. All was going to plan until she slowed and I didnāt. Suddenly I was level with her face. Her mouth is over a metre wide and even though I know she only eats vegetation Iād like to see the full statistics. She turns to face me feeling I have partially trapped her in. She doesnāt read my apologetic bubbles very well and continues to face me.
Read More →I am about to leave my motel when the owner asks which way Iām going. āHard along the riverā I reply. āNot sure youāll get through due to recent rains.ā I donāt want to double back when I have 100 kms to cover. āI was the local postman for 11 years.ā He boasts. āHead towards Dennyā he thinks aloud as he closes his eyes. āJust before you cross any bridges turn right. Itās dirt⦠is that ok ? Goes for 22 kms but lovely country. Turn right again when you come to Jungle lane. After that just follow your nose into Echucaā he gasps as his eyes reopened. He had revisited his postal route in his head.
Read More →Kevin Ellwood another touring cyclist lives in Sydney. I met Kevin online when touring Taiwan a few years ago. Weād never met but today that will all change. His suggestion to catch a ferry from Ettalong Beach to Palm Beach wasnāt on my radar. Not only did I get a half hour reprieve on the local ferry but it left me on the much quieter North Shore beaches. Iām guided to Manly beach by a friend of Kevinās strategically positioned along the way. We chew the fat on all things touring whilst sitting like lizards in the Winter sun at Manly.
Read More →I lift my bike over the threshold at the Vue Grand, the grandest old dame of a hotel in Queenscliff and ring the bell at reception. Sadly the receptionist didnāt say āMr. Barnes we were expecting you, normal suite? ā instead she simply asked for my credit card without looking up. I celebrate by taking a large beer up to the turret deck high above the hotel and look out over the old town. I spot the ferry heading towards Sorrento, Iāll be on that in the morning.
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