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Perchance you might wish to reread your entry for the day when you rode to Canterbury? Or maybe tired and crabby is just the way Steve phrases things?
2 years agoUs tired and crabby? I don’t remember it that way at all. A challenge certainly, but no more than we expected going in. The climb up past Dover Castle was certainly very steep, but most of our ride to Canterbury was quite nice. Maybe it’s like having a baby though - with the passage of enough time the pain recedes.
2 years agoWe came away with a different take on what the NCN network is trying to do. It’s not so much that they’re steering you onto tracks meant for something else as to find a rideable alternative to keeping you off of those narrow, dangerous thoroughfares, which as you’re discovering are no place to be on a bicycle.
2 years agoHi Steve and Dodie
You being along the South Coast reminded me that in the late nineteen sixties I spent three years working in London and weekends cycling and walking in the home counties staying in Youth Hostels with a group which included Mary my wife of 51 years.
There were no GPS apps then and we used the Ordnance Survey 1 inch to the mile for walking and Batholomews half inch to the mile (just over 1:100,000) for cycling. There were far fewer motor vehicles around then and we navigated using the abundance of small roads and lanes and were seldom bothered by motor vehicles.
They were different times!
Hi John. And of course we still remember who you are and your alias. We also think nostalgically of your wonderful food descriptions that had us drooling.
2 years agoNot sure why there are so many extra pillows, maybe to add a decorator touch. We also just shove them out of the way as fast as possible.
2 years agoSingle track is just not for us, it is too slow and difficult to get a good rythym so that it feels more like a hard slog and less like a joyful ride. Love the story about the farmyard, but would hate for that to happen to us.
2 years agoaka Cyclingsanta and Mrs. C -- Bike Friday tandem
2 years agoLoving your account of the journey. You confirm that a bike tour is always an adventure, sometimes more than not, and sometimes expected and not. Looking forward to the more familiar, to us, France portion of the trip (and hoping we can back sooner than later).
2 years agoNearly the norm, in our experience. One of our first acts in checking into a room was to chuck four of them into a corner.
2 years agoIt's interesting how people have different perspectives of suitable cycling routes. Don't get me wrong I love smooth purpose built cycleways but I also enjoy single tracks through slightly wild places. I found the British cycle routes very interesting and challenging. Never knew what you were going to get next. One track had us riding through a farmyard and right through the farmers barn. We stopped at the gate before entering, wondering where we had gone wrong when the farmer came out and waved us forward. He called out, "Come on this is the right way".
2 years agoWow! Reminds me of roads in Cuba!!!
2 years agoOmg! I’m impressed you have maintained your sense of humor after a day like that! It can only get better.
2 years agoHow fascinating that you are in London at such a unique time - passing of a long term monarch. Great timing!
2 years ago
I did reread it! Also the ride from Folkestone to Dover on the day before. Interesting that we interpret it so differently! In any case, I’m glad that the train worked out well for you. Enjoy Canturbury!
2 years ago