West to East UK cycle tour

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Trip start
June 17, 2021
West to East UK cycle tour Traveler
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Day 1
Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 9:13 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 17 m
England River Caldew 54.906277, -2.93897254°54’23” N 2°56’20” W
1
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
Julia Beaumont ❤️
6/18/21Reply
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Day 2
Friday, June 18, 2021 at 5:44 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Scotland Oban Bay 56.418691, -5.47250656°25’7” N 5°28’21” W
1
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
Angela Smith so cute!! 🐕❤
6/19/21Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 9:23 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Scotland Tobermory 56.621845, -6.06964356°37’19” N 6°4’11” W
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
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Day 4
Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 4:25 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Scotland Tobermory 56.621826, -6.06961456°37’19” N 6°4’11” W
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
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Day 5
Monday, June 21, 2021 at 9:16 PM
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Scotland Oban Bay 56.418713, -5.47247856°25’7” N 5°28’21” W
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
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Day 6
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 5:45 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Scotland East Loch Tarbert 55.864694, -5.4105255°51’53” N 5°24’38” W
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
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Day 7
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:33 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Scotland Ayr Beach 55.456829, -4.63222755°27’25” N 4°37’56” W
1
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
Julia Beaumont ❤️
6/24/21Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, June 24, 2021
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Scotland Dumfries Railway Station 55.072403, -3.60670255°4’21” N 3°36’24” W
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
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Day 9
Friday, June 25, 2021 at 8:56 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 17 m
England River Caldew 54.906204, -2.9390954°54’22” N 2°56’21” W
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
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Day 10
Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 5:39 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 187 m
England Barnard Castle 54.553722, -1.91803454°33’13” N 1°55’5” W
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
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Day 11
Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 9:37 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 7 m
England River Foss 53.950363, -1.08513653°57’1” N 1°5’6” W
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
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Day 12
Monday, June 28, 2021 at 4:21 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 7 m
England River Foss 53.950294, -1.08501353°57’1” N 1°5’6” W
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
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Day 13
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 9:31 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 36 m
England Louth 53.363662, -0.00548953°21’49” N 0°0’20” W
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
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Day 14
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 9:52 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 14 m
England Chatterton House 52.74733, 0.40826152°44’50” N 0°24’30” E
1
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
Julia Beaumont What a big nose!
7/1/21Reply
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Day 15
Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 7:41 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 34 m
England Kirkley 52.461163, 1.74010852°27’40” N 1°44’24” E
1
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
Julia Beaumont Well done, what an adventure and achievement. ❤️
7/1/21Reply
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Trip end
July 3, 2021