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West to East UK cycle tour
  • Chris Tomes
  • Chris Tomes

West to East UK cycle tour

From Ardnamurchan point to Lowestoft Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 17, 2021
    Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    1Cathrine and Iona

    To Carlisle

    June 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Miles cycled: 3
    Total to date: 3

    Easing ourselves in to this trip with a late afternoon train journey to Carlisle. Staying with family: Katy, Adrian, Thomas and Iona. Still t-shirt weather and dry.

    The scenic journey by rail always impresses, but now each railway carriage has an impressive draught as all windows cannot be closed.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Carlisle early morning
    1Cyclist with dog ready to go to London fir the big footie matchBikes on the Oban trainView from the Oban trainObanOban

    To Oban

    June 18, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Miles cycled : 2
    Total to date: 5

    Breakfast with the Clarkes, coffee from Watts Coffee roasters, then the fast train to Glasgow which was busy with Scottish football fans, some travelling to London for tonight’s match in Euro 2020 vs England.

    Picnic lunch in Glasgow then the slow train to Oban which was perhaps the most scenic we have experienced. Views of mountains and lochs, sometimes next to the track and sometimes precipitously below.

    Many backpackers and bike packers on train and in Oban.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Tobermory
    Ferry to MullMinke wales spotted from the ferryFish and chips for tea in TobermorySpectacular garden overlooking Tobermory harbour

    Tobermory, Isle of Mull

    June 19, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Miles today : 23
    Miles to date : 28

    Morning in Oban, visiting a local
    museum and partaking in breakfast and elevenses. Once the ferry left port we cleared the clouds and enjoyed a sunny afternoon.

    Tobermory is pretty and knows it, thanks to a sheltered curved bay and high level vantage points.

    Hotel is the most expensive of the trip but has harbour views, even if the bedroom is doing well in the “smallest room” competition.

    Fish and chips for my tea and deep fried cheese and chips for Julia.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Bedroom view at 5am
    Breskfast - with a viewWaiting fir the ferry to KilchoanWaiting for the ferry back to Tobermory

    Ardnamurchan point

    June 20, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Miles today : 14
    Miles so far : 42
    Height gain : 340m

    As per forecast the morning would be damp with finer weather later.

    Took the 11am ferry to Kilchoan and cycled the undulating route to Ardnamurchan Point. We knew the lighthouse and cafe would be closed for essential works so had a picnic as far west on the UK mainland as we could.

    Met Paul who had just completed his cycling journey from Lowestoft.

    Warm and sunny afternoon.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Tobermory from rhe old cemetery
    Unknown sailor rememberedBy Tobermory lighthouse

    Back to Oban

    June 21, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Miles today : 21
    Miles to date: 63
    Height gained : 340m

    Another intensely sunny day. Walked to the lighthouse outside Tobermory, had a coffee, visited an outdoor market then cycled to Craignure for the ferry to Oban.

    Back to Rose Villa for a 2nd night B&B.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Medieval carved stones in Kilmartin
    Looking out to Glen KilmartinBurial cist, c. 4000 years oldStanding stonesCrinan canal

    Argyll & Bute

    June 22, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Miles today : 55
    Miles so far : 118
    Height gained : map says 830 m but my altimeter says 675 m

    Hilly, twisty riding through remote areas for first 30 miles until reaching Kilmartin. Great coffee stop and a chance to see items of archeological interest.

    All of a sudden the landscape changed from hills to a flat wide glen. Much riding alongside lochs.

    Delightful section of off road cycling along the towpath of the Crinan canal. Staying overnight in Tarbert.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Breakfast in Tarbert
    Waiting for the ferry to ArranArriving in ArdrossanNCR signs on the path1The route crosses a river

    Land and sea to Ayr

    June 23, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Miles today - 55
    Miles to date - 173
    Height ascended - 620 metres

    Breakfast overlooking Tarbert harbour, and my bike.

    Damp cycle ride over a big hill to Claonaig to catch the ferry to Arran. It dries out and the hills became visible once more. Big hill of 225 metres to cycle over then it was a fast run in to Brodick where I caught an earlier ferry than planned.

    The intricate route from Ardrossan through Troon and Prestwick to Ayr was made easy by excellent signposting and dedicated cycle paths.

    Staying in a Victorian guest house in beautiful Park Circus.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Roadside memorial outside Patna
    Carsphairn churchyardRobust stile to churchyardA balanced diet

    Ayr to Dumfries

    June 24, 2021 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Miles today : 62
    Miles accumulated : 235
    Height gained : 881 metres

    A fine morning and a tailwind all the way. Stopped at Dalmellington for a coffee and Carsphairn for a look around the churchyard.

    Downhill to Moniaive for a picnic, then more downhill to Dumfries. The weather also went downhill and there has been light rain constantly since 3pm.

    Dumfries bowling club provided entertainment in the evening - very friendly chairman / umpire.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Savings bank museum in Ruthwell
    NCR7 leads down a private path to...... Queensberry leisure park cafeNCR7 crossing a river in AnnanInstant weddings still available in Gretna

    Back to England

    June 25, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Miles today : 46
    Miles so far : 281
    Height gained : 240 metres

    Drizzly and cool all day. Beautiful route followed by the NCR7 along the Solway Firth.

    Many cyclists going in the opposite direction- doing LEJOG.

    Reunited with Cathrine Adrian, Thomas and Iona.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Me emerging from Thornton road to start the ride
    A zebraWarning about rhe climb to comeChurch picnicMy altimeter on the second summit

    Carlisle to Barnard Castle

    June 26, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Miles today : 62
    Miles so far : 343
    Today’s ascent : 1355 meters

    A dull and misty day with thick cloud on the tops. This was the day I was most nervous about due to distance, height gained and lack of facilities en route.

    The first third was undulating and virtually traffic free. Then the climbing began, firstly of Hartside summit - over 600 meters.

    Strong winds and damp conditions suggested that there was no time to hang around and I descended quickly to Garrigill where I intended to have a picnic somewhere sheltered. Got talking with local resident Brian, a fellow cycling enthusiast. This secured the use of the church for my picnic and he brought me a cup of tea in an insulated mug. Now I was warming from the inside.

    The next climb was even higher to 627 metres. There were plenty of other cyclists around as I was on the C2C route for some time. Some had back up vehicles and a woman snapped her chain going uphill.

    The last 40km were mostly descending on smooth roads. Job done.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Bowes museum, Barnard Castle
    Oops, a detour is requiredFootball fan's gravestoneWatching a womens cricket match in Sessay

    Barnard Castle to York

    June 27, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Miles today : 80
    Miles so far : 423
    Height ascended : 587 metres

    A long cycling day made slightly longer and more frustrating because of a detour (a broken bridge across the Tees) and temporarily getting lost twice. Must concentrate more!

    Was helped on two occasions by riding with other cyclists who took my mind off the long day.

    Staying in York with Julia for two nights.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler

    York - rest day

    June 28, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Miles today : 0
    Miles to date: 423
    Height ascended: 0

    A day off but not a day of rest. Walked the medieval walls in the morning. Lunch in Cycle Heaven watching live coverage of Le Tour. Walking the Snickleways of York in the afternoon.Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Elevated cycleway over the M62
    Humber bridgeOn the bridgeLunchtime picnicBarton on HumberLouth parish church spire. The highest in England

    York to Louth

    June 29, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Miles today : 87
    Miles so far : 510
    Height gained : 638 metres

    The most miles I have cycled in a day on a loaded tour. Lincolnshire is quite lumpy as evidenced with the height gained.

    Some challenges: some rough off-road sections including a flooded bridle way, finding the way onto the Humber bridge, hot conditions, the big mileage.

    I misremembered Louth. It is a charming village with a medieval layout and some fine Georgian houses. Excellent B&B and Italian meal.    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Approaching Boston Stump
    1A knight takes a napMedieval head carvingMisericord carving of a boy being spankedOld graffiti on the towerView from the tower

    Louth to King’s Lynn

    June 30, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Miles today : 79
    Miles to date : 589
    Height gained : 336 metres*

    Damp for the first hour and my route choice of the A153 was poor - hilly and busy with traffic.

    Coffee in Woodhall Spa and then 20 delightful miles on the Water Rail trail to Boston Spa. Lunch in St Botolph’s church and * my ascent for the day was partly from climbing the church tower.

    Fast riding across the fens to King’s Lynn.
    -(—)-    Read more

  • Chris TomesWest to East UK cycle tourTraveler
    Cycle tourists - we met for coffee
    Very helpful signpostsA crinkle crankle wall in NorfolkDistance as the crow flies, not as Chris cycles1

    Lowestoft Ness - journeys end

    July 1, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Miles today : 82
    Miles to date : 671
    Height ascended : 508 metres

    I lost count of the number of times that I got lost today. Some of it inattention, some poor map reading, and some inadequate signage. Consequently I rode an extra 10km.

    The strong tailwind was flattering - my fastest average moving speed was over 16mph. I pity anyone cycling east to west.    Read more

    Trip end
    July 3, 2021
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