Friday 28 July 2023

The trip started with a evening ride along the coast. Starting near Ostend, we took the road along the canal towards France. The temperature was great and the road was peaceful and flat allowing us to arrive at a decent hour in Loon-Plage just past Dunkirk. We spend the night very close to the ferry terminal, to allow us to sleep as long as possible.🚴‍♂️

Saturday 29 July 2023: London Calling

Setting the alarm early, we embarked on an adventure, beginning with a ferry ride from Dunkirk to Dover. The initial kilometers in England proved an adjustment, navigating the shift to driving on the left. Quickly veering off the main roads, we embraced a bike path along the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. The journey led us inland through the picturesque Kent Downs toward London, encompassing rolling hills, forests, valleys, and meadows.

Midway, we rendezvoused with a friend residing in London, who guided us through the remaining stretch. Transitioning into greater London proved less pleasant, with busy and less cycle-friendly roads. However, as we descended from Greenwich Park, the grandeur of the Tower Bridge and the sprawling cityscape unfolded, offering a breathtaking spectacle.

The day concluded with a miniature city tour through London—bikes in tow, of course. 🚴‍♂️🌅🌉

Sunday 30 July 2023: Typical British weather

Embarking on our journey from London to Oxford, our route unfolds with delightful surprises. Hyde Park welcomes us with playful squirrels, while Richmond Park enchants with the majestic presence of deer. The beauty of the quiet park routes effortlessly makes us forget the proximity to busy London.

Near Richmond Park, we chance upon a polo field and take a leisurely pause to witness the elegance of the sport. Continuing our scenic adventure, Bushy Park adds to the charm, and the grandeur of Windsor Park and Windsor Castle marks the culmination of our cycling odyssey.

True to British form, the weather indulges in its capricious dance, transitioning from sunny spells to gentle rain, lending a touch of drama to our expedition. 🚴‍♂️🌳🦌🏰🌦️

Monday 31 July 2023: By order of the peaky blinders

Our day kicks off with a delightful exploration of Oxford, immersing ourselves in its rich history. Following the serene flow of the Thames westward, we find ourselves amidst the rolling hills of the Cotswolds as our journey northward begins.

Navigating through a terrain adorned with extensive fields and occasional woodlands, the route traverses the picturesque landscape of this nature haven. A well-deserved coffee break in the charming village of Stratford-upon-Avon give us some extra energy to continue our journey.

The latter part of our journey brings us past the iconic Warwick Castle. From there, we travel into the lugubrious city of Birmingham. Opting for a peaceful evening, we retreat to our accommodation, crafting a home-cooked pasta feast to cap off the day. 🚴‍♂️🏞️🏰☕️🍝

Tuesday 1 August 2023: From Urban to Rustic

Departing from Birmingham, a brief stop at the bike shop sets the tone for the day. We navigate along the water, leaving the urban landscape behind, and soon find ourselves immersed in nature. Sutton Park becomes the gateway to our northern route.

Enjoying stretches of pleasant, flat kilometers that pass by effortlessly, we reach the edges of the picturesque Peak District. The journey unfolds along beautiful lanes, weaving through the undulating landscape with occasional steep strips. The landscape unfolded with vast fields punctuated by occasional woodlands. A serene cycle path through a gorge offers a tranquil interlude. After a rain-free day, we conclude our day with a final ascent and descent into Sheffield.

Sheffield, a big contrast to Birmingham, unveils itself as a city nestled in the hills, adorned with abundant nature. 🚴‍♂️🏞️🏰🏙️

Wednesday 2 August 2023: Snookering Through Peak District

Having paid homage to the legendary Crucible in Sheffield, we eagerly plunge back into the enchanting Peak District for part two of our adventure. Navigating through hills that seem even more breathtaking than the previous day, we encounter the formidable Arthur’s Road—a steep ascent with gradients surpassing 20%, where each cyclist conquers the challenge individually.

Despite the changeable weather, our journey remains exhilarating. Past serene lakes and along the well-known British stone walls, we bid farewell to the Peak District, transitioning into the Cludders. The commute hill presents its own challenge before we finally reach our accommodation just outside Clitheroe. After a challenging ride, we decide to enjoy the delight of delivered pizzas—mmmm, a well-deserved treat! 🍕🚴‍♂️🏞️

Thursday 3 August 2023: Unlucky day!

Under the embrace of beautiful weather, our journey north unfolds in the hilly expanse of the Forest of Bowland, characterized by deep valleys and swamps. However, the quality of the roads starts to test our resilience as we encounter frequent flat tires. An extensive and sunny lunch break rejuvenates us for the continuing adventure.

Pressing on, we enter the even more enchanting Yorkshire Dales—an elevated region with breathtaking views. Descending from this highland towards the valley, we face occasional setbacks. Our destination, Windermere, welcomes us with the allure of its beautiful lake, and we cap off the day with a ferry ride. A few kilometers later, our accommodation offers a picturesque view of the lake, where we savor a delightful pizza. We faced challenges along the way, but we kept smiling until we reached our destination. 🌳🚴‍♂️🍕

Friday 4 August 2023: Queen stage

Our stay on the outskirts of the Lake District unfolded into a loop through this enchanting region. The initial kilometers led us through undulating landscapes, weaving through lush forests and alongside serene lakes. The Lake District’s charm quickly enveloped us, and the relatively flat stretches along the lakes passed by in a delightful blur.

After 50 km, we faced the challenge of the Honister Pass, marked by a sign indicating a daunting 25% gradient. The first kilometer of the ascent at an average of 14% was demanding, but the panoramic views from the top made it entirely worthwhile. Descending towards the next lake, accompanied by a waterfall, we continued our journey north towards Cockermouth for a well-deserved lunch break.

Further ahead, we bid farewell to the Lake District, the most beautiful regions so far, as we entered Scotland. After a few more pleasant flat kilometers in a westerly direction, we reached Dumfries, our destination for the day, and settled in for the night at a local farm. 🚴‍♂️🌳🏞️

Saturday 5 August 2023: Reaching our Destination

After a blissful night’s rest, the scent of our final destination lingered in the air. Navigating through Galloway Forest Park, the landscape transitioned from vast expanses to wooded terrain, taking us up and down toward Glasgow. In the distance, dark clouds gathered as World Cup fever intensified.

Suddenly, heavy rain poured, and for several kilometers, it was a relentless push forward. Despite the rain, Galloway revealed its beauty. As our journey neared its end, the rain cleared, leaving us soaked but content as we entered Glasgow. Wout, our mission is complete—ready to support tomorrow! 🚴‍♂🌧️

Sunday 6 August 2023: Leave It to the Pros!

After our adventure, we enjoyed the spectacle of the real bikers in action, toasting the moment with a pint in hand. In an ideal spot, we witnessed their skillful maneuvers, catching them as they passed by 20 times. The large screen added to the excitement of the race, making it a truly enjoyable experience. 🍻🏁