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Euro Bike Tour

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 47 - Alpe d'Huez!! 19 miles

    1. kesäkuuta 2016, Ranska ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Very different day to what I thought today would be! Rather than a 6 hour train journey it was a stunning 5 hour drive through the French Alps followed by a quick climb on the bike upto the iconic Alpe d'Huez ski resort with its 21 hairpins that snake up the mountain from Bourg d'Oisans.

    I say quick but didn't feel like that. The hairpins come thick and fast with upto 12% climbs inbetween and with two false tops as you climb it feels like it's never ending. Eventually I reached the ski resort in definitely a quicker time than I would have done 6 weeks ago and the place was buzzing. There had been a lot of activity on the road with people out writing messages on the road and support tents and vehicles all the way up. Turns out 4,000 Dutch riders will be climbing the route tomorrow for charity! The event has apperently grown year on year and now over a million euros is raised each year. If you google 'Alpe d'Huez Dutch corner' you get some idea how much they love this place.

    No sooner had I reached the top than the heavens opened so I quickly started my descent and didn't take long to clear the rain and find dry road to really go for it. Can't beat flying down the mountain to the point you can smell your discs breaks from all the sharp breaking for each hairpin.

    Great box ticking day. Onto Grenoble for the evening which is not the prettiest of French towns but good place to lie the head before heading north on the bike tomorrow towards Switzerland.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 48-Grenoble to Aix-les-Bains,55miles

    2. kesäkuuta 2016, Ranska ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Start of a big section of the trip today as I head north towards Geneva then through Switzerland so going to be plenty of climbing and hopefully some stunning views.

    Well it started off wet, didn't really improve all day and those views well I'm sure the mountains are there if the clouds moved. Chembery looked a nice town and Aix-les-Bains a spa town where I'm staying tonight is set Lake Bourget. Nice little wander round the small old town and a bite to eat but nothing really exciting today.Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 49-Aix-les-Bains to Geneva,58 miles

    3. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Better weather today even if a few showers and clouds were hanging round most of the day.

    Not a very nice start to the ride along a busy road with plenty of lorries so diverted off and found some quiet lanes even if they were more up and down.

    First stop was Annecy set on Lake Annecy and what a beautiful town. Old town full of tiny lanes and a great market. Beautiful views across the lake as well although the clouds were unfortunately blocking most of it.

    From Annecy it was another 30 miles upto Geneva and Switzerland the 5th (counting Monaco) country of the trip. Big climb out of Annecy but meant lat 12 miles all down hill and great views of Geneva. Even from a good distance you can see the huge fountain.

    Didn't full in love with Geneva. Nice setting on the lake but after a good ride around and walk in the evening found it very commercial. One of those cities that if you went with someone who knew it you would have a very different experience. Also not the cheapest especially when you're on a bike tour budget!!!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 50 - Geneva to Montreux, 58 miles

    4. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    50 days up and what an experience it's been so far and still plenty to see and do!!!

    Day 50 was a mixed bag (quite literally) on the bike today. Great ride round Lake Geneva to the very affluent area of Montreux. Love riding at weekends as you really see the small towns and villages in all their glory as everywhere seems to have something on. Today there was a 1920's festival (stayed and watched the show for a bit, can't think why!!), an antique markets, a car show, a fun fair and lots more little events and markets. Also amazing seeing some of the houses around Lake Geneva, some serious money in this little country. Can see why UEFA headquarters have their headquarters nestled on the lake here.

    Didn't really get a good view of the mountains around the lake until the evening when the clouds cleared in Montreux and wow what a setting. Very jealous of the one guy out on his boat.

    The mixed bag part of the day was catching one of my panniers on a broken road barrier and ripping it off the rack and breaking the catch on the bag. After a few choice words shouted across the lake I needed to work out how to fix this as this was going to be a big issue with no way of hooking the pannier back on bike. Luckily due to a bit of advice given to me almost in passing by a guy in a bike shop back in London I remembered I'd packed some cable ties. Those little bits of plastic saved the day and with pannier now (permanently) back on the bike I was able to crack on.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 51 - Montreux to Gstaad, 66 miles

    5. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    First day of following the Swiss national cycle route no. 9 (the lakes route) that will take me 500km+ to Rorschach in the north east corner and it didn't disappoint on day one.

    Leaving a perfectly still Lake Geneva the ride started with an almighty climb out of Montreux north towards Bulle. This section was supposed to be medium difficulty so no idea what hard is going to be like! With clouds all round it wasn't long before I got soaked so I dived into a coffee shop in to warm up and give the legs a quick rest. As the weather cleared I headed to Bulle and met a father and son out for a ride which soon became pretty competitive. Now the son was only 13 but had just come 2nd in the Junior Swiss Cup so despite me leaving him for dust on the downhills with the encouragement of his dad and my extra weight on the bike he quickly caught me on the ascents and would effortlessly leave me trying to get that extra weight back up the hill. Really nice guys and the father Philippe invited me to lunch on him at his crepiere in Bulle. Got to love the hospitality of the biking community.

    Fully fuelled up after my feed in Bulle it was onto Hstaad and this is where the real picture postcard scenery started and with a break in the weather the views were stunning. Have to admit I'd been struggling for a few days before today with the trip and motivation but the love all came back today. Great following the very well signposted (wouldn't expect any less from the Swiss) cycle route as it keeps you off the main roads so almost traffic free riding in breathtaking scenery Switzerland is definitely delivering.

    The ski resort of Gstaad where I'm staying tonight certainly isn't for someone on a budget with expensive hotels and highstreet lined with Prada, Cartier and Louis Vuitton thank God for the Swiss youth hostel on the edge of town although not sure about youth as pretty sure I'm the youngest by good 15 years staying here tonight.

    With the legs feeling good despite a good 1400 meters of climbing today it's hopefully going to more of the same tomorrow although a bit flatter would be nice.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 52 - Gstaad to Interlaken, 50 miles

    6. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Wow what a ride through some of the most breathtaking scenery I've ever seen.

    Starting out if Gstaad it was the biggest climb of the day but incredible views back down over Gstaad and to the mountains beyond. Once over the climb it was mostly downhill through picture postcard villages with mountains either side to the town of Spiez on the shores of Lake Thun. 30 miles of simply the most stunning riding you will ever come across.

    From Spiez it was an easy 20 miles hugging the shore line of Lake Thun round to the town of Interlaken inbetween lakes Thun and Brienz. Inbetween lakes and with mountains either side it was a pretty dramatic place to stay. Very popular with tourists especially Koreans who have seemed to have made it a home from home and adrenaline junkies of the flying kind including paragliders and skydivers. Evening came and found a good 'bier house' in town with a couple of young American backpackers and a couple of beers was a great way to finish off a great day.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 53 - Interlaken to Lucerne, 56 miles

    7. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    I didn't think yesterday would be beaten but has given it some though competition.

    Following the advice of a local I took the northern route round Lake Brienz rather than follow the No.9 cycle route and in think either side is fine the views from the North were incredible. With the turquoise waters of the lake, snow capped mountains and waterfalls cascading down the steep slopes it was a stunning start to the ride. It's actually hard riding these sections as all you want to do is stop and take photos and take it in. The first 10 miles today took me over an hour!

    At the end of the lake or was time for the Brunigpass that takes you up and over to the next valley. This was a serious climb and when youre getting thumbs up by drivers passing you for encouragement and I think surprise it was great satisfaction when you reach the top as you know you've got 30 plus miles to Lucerne of mostly downhill to enjoy.

    After the great views up in the sunshine this is where the weather here can change soo quickly. The next valley was thick cloud and slight drizzle. It did break on reaching Lucerne but shame some of views were obscured by the clouds.

    Lucerne is a beautiful town on lake of the same name. Surrounded by mountains it is everything you imagine a town in Switzerland to be like. Beautiful buildings, old wooden bridges and people sat on the streets eating and drinking everwhere. As I finished dinner and walking round the lake back to my hostel a full brass band were playing by the shoreline, next to them were people playing bowls and behind them the mountains and lake where some people were having a late evening sail. Without sounding too soppy it was pretty damn romantic. After taking it all in for a bit it was back to the hostel and my bunk bed!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 54 - Lucerne, Rest Day

    8. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    After a number of days in the saddle and some long rides I really felt it during last 20 miles yesterday so I have myself a rest day today. A good decision as the weather was wet and thick cloud all day so not a day for riding or seeing anything.

    So after a leisurely morning and quick wander round Lucerne and upto it's old wall the rest of the day was spent in an Irish bar chatting to some Scottish lads then back to the hostel for some chill out time.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 55-Lucerne to Schaffhausen,68 miles

    9. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    After yesterday's wet grey day it was more the same in Lucerne this morning and the forecast not much better East for the next few days. So I've changed plans slightly. The mountains might be beautiful but if you can't see them you could be riding anywhere. As a result I decided to head north towards Zurich to start then upto the Rhine.

    35 very wet miles after leaving Lucerne I arrived in Zurich where the weather thankfully cleard up. Had a good wander round Zurich and stunning setting on the lake and really nice city. Place was spotless as well. Something I've noticed with the whole of Switzerland.

    Heading out of Zurich the weather really cleard up and from full waterproofs this morning it was sun cream this afternoon. Nice ride up to Schaffhausen via a quick dip into Germany and it's very welcoming sign! The Rhine Falls the largest 'plain' waterfall in Europe are in Schaffhausen and not sure what plain means but pretty impressive falls.

    Trip has been amazing soo far but need to start heading back and EuroVelo route 15 that follows the Rhine River is going to be perfect to follow for the next few days. Onto Basel tomorrow.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 56 - Schaffhausen to Basel, 71 miles

    10. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    After a mixed nights sleep last night, turned out my hotels bar was a rock bar which you could hear throughtout the hotel until the early hours, I was up early to crack on to Basel in the sunshine.

    Following VeloRoute 15 along the Rhine it was an easy navigational day as the route is well signposted and uses a mix of roads and bike paths. Not the most interesting ride, few nice villages but majority of time was spent away from the river avoiding the heavy industry along the Rhine with not much to see. Good ride though and good few miles done.

    First night of the Euros this evening and headed to a local Swiss bar called 'Flanagans' to watch the opening game. Not surprisingly got chatting to a Irish guy called John O'Shea who was visiting his daughter in Basel. Without doubt one of the most fascinating people I've ever met. An ex sport journalist turned humanitarian who'd raised nearly a billion euros for the third world though his charity and shortlisted in Irelands top 40 greatest ever person list. A great guy with great stories but also very interested in my trip we agreed to meet for the Ireland rugby match tomorrow.

    After a long day on the bike and a big day in the pub planned tomorrow to watch the football and rugby it was time to get some rest.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 57 - Basel

    11. kesäkuuta 2016, Sveitsi ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    3 rugby matches including England vs Australia, 3 football matches including Switzerland and Englands opening Euros games and sport on in the pub from 12 to 12 there was only one plan today.

    Great start watching England smash the Aussies in their own back yard with few other English guys and and aussies for good measure. Then straight into Switzerland vs Albania where it appears there are more Albanians in Basel then Swiss which led to a great atmosphere in the streets (no violence here!). Was then time to meet up with a very happy John to watch Ireland beat South Africa in their own back yard for the first time. What could possibly gone wrong with just England to play...

    Luckily Russia scoring their injury time equaliser and the trouble in the crowd that came with it is a bit of a blur for me. Hopefully better against Wales on Thursday.

    Great day, wallet is a fair bit lighter with Swiss beer prices but well worth it. Going to be interesting in the bike tomorrow.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 58 - Basel to Strasbourg, 87 miles

    12. kesäkuuta 2016, Ranska ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Not surprisingly didn't feel brilliant when I woke up so big breakfast and number of strong coffees where needed! Left the hostel with no real plan apart from to head north on the French side of the Rhine and see how I go.

    After getting the first hour out the way in light drizzle I felt ok and with a nice breeze from behind and a completely flat ride I started to eat into the miles. With nothing to really see along the route apart from the odd village I thought I'd press on to see if I could reach Strasbourg. All was going well until the 73rd mile and first puncture of the trip. Can't really complain after nearly 2000 miles!

    Quick change of inner tube and Strasbourg was reached after one more downpour. Strasbourg no d city but not a huge amount going on. I've heard the Rhine route gets more interesting the further north you go. Fingers crossed as after the mountains of Switzerland in the sun the flat of the Rhine in the rain could get pretty boring pretty quick.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 59 - Strasbourg to Speyer, 77 miles

    13. kesäkuuta 2016, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    OK so it must be even further north that the Rhine route gets interesting!

    Weather hasn't helped as more rain today but it was flat and that tail wind was still there. Despite having dipped in and out of Germany tonight is the first time I've stayed. Similarly to yesterday I thought I'd see how far I'd get. Didn't leave until about 11.30 to let the worse of the weather clear then hit the road in drizzle north towards Germany. Once in Germany the EuroVelo 15 has long stretches on cyclepaths through the woods next to the Rhine. Nice and quiet but with all the rain the Rhine was very high which led to a few interesting flooded points.

    If it wasn't woods it was industrial areas and I guess when cycling round Europe other ever day is going to be picture postcard scenery!

    Despite the late start another good day on the miles side. Fingers crossed for a bit of sun tomorrow but looking at the forecast it's not looking good!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 60 - Speyer to Mainz, 66 miles

    14. kesäkuuta 2016, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    More interesting ride today although weather still grey and wet to very wet!

    After the large university city of Mannheim the Rhine starts to wind through the German vineyards starts to offer the kind if scenery you'd expect from a river ride. Smooth cycle paths and a nice tail wind led to an easy ride up towards Mainz even there was drizzle in the air. As I approached Mainz the drizzle stopped but not in a good way. Not sure if I've been caught in a more torrential downpour on the bike before and with everything I was wearing drenched (panniers stood up to the test with flying colours luckily) I decided to call it a day in Mainz. Looked a nice town but to be honest I checked I to a hotel, ate there as it was still pouring and had an early night.

    Tomorrows section us supposed to be the jewel in the crown of the Rhine so fingers crossed for some good weather.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    DAY 61 - Mainz to Koblenz, 64 miles

    15. kesäkuuta 2016, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Amazing ride today and much more like it.

    Mainz to Bingen wasn't much to write home about but the ride from Bingen to Koblenz was everything I'd read about and an UNESCO world heritage site for a reason!

    The 'upper middle' Rhine winds through a much more dramatic setting within a gorge covered in thick forest and vineyards. The cycle path hugs the river so nice and flat again. With plenty of historic small towns and a castle about every 3 or 4 miles it really was a ride through history (cheesy line but you know what I mean!).

    The ride wasn't without its odd torrential downpour and the clear weather would quickly change to dark sky's and rain where you could hardly see across the river. Luckily managed to find some sort if cover each time.

    Koblenz tonight's stop over is a really nice ancient town on the banks of the Rhine and Mosel and has a huge hilltop fortress. Evening was spent in The Irish Pub (original name!) with what seemed like half the town. Place was packed for its monthly karaoke night and some serious talent was on show. Very random night and great way to end best days riding for a few days.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 62 - Koblenz to Cologne, 67 miles

    16. kesäkuuta 2016, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    All about navigation today as due to all the recent rain a lot of the cycle route along the river was closed. Normally wouldn't mind a bit of re-navifation but in a valley with limited options apart from a busy road it wasn't great but more importantly I needed to find a bar by 3pm for the England Wales game!

    After a short stint on the road I went back the river path and things had improved so headed to Bonn and managed to find a trusty Irish bar to watch the game with randomly a group of Germans who were supporting England.

    After the game it was best part of the day and had a really nice evening ride upto Cologne. Very vibrant city and while place was buzzing for the German game against Poland. Great atmosphere in town and good to watch the game with local fans.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 63 - Cologne to Dusseldorf, 27 miles

    17. kesäkuuta 2016, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Short ride upto Dusseldorf today for a number of reasons.

    One the morning was spent doing a bit of maintenance ton the bike including a new rear tyre which will see was in a bad way! Two weather was terrible again with good hour spent chilling under a bridge at one point as I let a huge thunderstorm pass. Three as I arrived in Dusseldorf the weather cleared up and I simply fancied a beer in the sun and as you will see Dusseldorf is a cracking night out.Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 64-Dusseldorf to Emmerich,63 miles

    18. kesäkuuta 2016, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Made a mistake today and decided to ride rather than chill in Dusseldorf and watch the sport. After a very groggy start in more ways than one after last night the weather seemed to break up at midday and I decided to get a few miles in. Big mistake as less than 2 hours later the heavens opened again. Not great riding either to be honest with not much to see in Duisburg and the rest of the ride post dull. Only highlight came in Xanten where after another downpour then was a dry spell and had the chance to have a quick look the historic town and also very randomly watch a Scottish festival teaching place in the town!

    Heading into Holland tomorrow and Askrigg grey it looks line it should be dry. Fingers crossed!!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 65 - Emmerich to Brakel, 78 miles

    19. kesäkuuta 2016, Alankomaat ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    New country and eventually a curve in the weather with no train today and even glimpses of the sun.

    One thing that's amazed me on this trip is that after a crossing a border even though you're on the same road and scenery the same you can instantly feel a different culture.

    You hear about it but first thing that strikes you about Holland is how cycle friendly it is. I covered nearly 80 miles today and it was all on cycle paths even through a couple of big towns. Even their bins next to the paths are tilted and like huge nets so you can throw your rubbish in without stopping.

    Always nice to have a bit of company on the ride and got talking to a Dutch guy called Rob a triathlete who was heading in the same direction and was happy to cruise at my touring pace until we reached his home town of Nijmegen. Really nice guy and great chatting about places we'd both riden in Europe, our bikes (very jealous of his five!), Holland and triathlons. Definitely reignited my interest in getting into doing one when I get back.

    After leaving Rob in Nijmegen it was head down along the river heading West towards Rotterdam. After a nice pint in a riverside pub I rode into the evening and checked into a really nice B&B owned by a lovely couple Ans and Hans. On walking into their home they asked if I loved dogs and said that I love them. The relaxed response of 'oh great we have three' and no warning I was a little shocked when they opened the door to be greeted by three huge alsatians that seemed to be in competition to see who could jump highest on me. Just love the reflaxed attitude of the Dutch as Ans calmly said I thought you said you loved dogs after Id clearly shat myself when they jumped on me.

    After the initial shock Billy, Rex and (never caught the third name, was Dutch) they turned out to be big softies and nice evening was spent chatting to my hosts.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 66 - Brakel to Rotterdam, 37 miles

    20. kesäkuuta 2016, Alankomaat ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    So the good weather was short lived as today was pretty much non stop rain. After starting in drizzle to soon changed to heavy rain and was just a case of getting to Rotterdam. I could have taken a more scenic route but the shortest possible was option for the day with a large section alongside a motorway into Rotterdam being most direct.

    My hostel (King Kong Hostel) located on the very cool Witte de Withstraat street in Rotterdam was a very welcome site and a beer and coffee was quickly ordered. Really nice area where the locals drink and had a real East London feel. Good evening and less said about the England game the better!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 67-Rotterdam to Vlissingen, 74 miles

    21. kesäkuuta 2016, Alankomaat ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Don't let the first photo deceive you as today was a brutal ride. There's more of clue in the 4th photo and unfortunately it wasn't in my favour. After all the climbs and mountains of the Pyrenees and Alps the flattest country on my trip delivered possibly the hardest ride especially mentally.

    After leaving Rotterdam you are immediately exposed to the elements as with a completely flat country there is no hiding place. Riding down the coastline across the flood defences that connect the headlands and protect the country it is very beautiful scenery with huge sky's and on a good day would be massively rewarding for a cyclist. Today though I guess the reward was just getting through it.

    A constant drizzle all morning and with a brutal head wind it was tough going. A much needed break was had in the very cool Natural High beach bar and re-energised I cracked on with the last 30 miles trying to enjoy the ride. Then with only 5 miles left the weather broke the clouds cleared and the sun came out and I was rewarded with a beautiful ride along the canal into Vlissingen and along the coast. Like getting a birdie down the last after playing terrible for the first 17 holes, the love was back and fingers crossed I get a dry sunny ride to Brugge tomorrow!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 68 - Vlissingen to Bruges, 38 miles

    22. kesäkuuta 2016, Belgia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Long day today and mostly dry!

    Day started with the short ferry ride across the estuary from Vlissingen to Breskens then a nice ride along the Dutch coast. Plenty of fellow day trippers out on their bikes as well. At the border with Belgium it was time to head in land towards Bruges following the canals and pleased for a calmer day as legs were feeling tired after yesterday.

    Was in Bruges by mid afternoon and didn't take long to cycle round the old town as very small centre. Beautiful city and would be a great place to visit for a weekend with another half.

    Stayed in a hostel today just out the centre which was nice and was in a more locals area rather than the very touristy centre. After checking in headed to a local bar and got talking to a Belgium guy and his Argentinian girlfriend who were have a few match beers before Belgiums euro game against Sweden. After a few 8.5 percenters we all then headed up to the fan zone in central Bruges were the atmosphere was buzzing. Great evening partying with a few thousand very happy Belgium fans where even a huge thunderstorm couldn't dampen the atmosphere. Great fun but got a feeling I'm going pay for it tomorrow!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 69 - Bruges to Calais, 76 miles

    23. kesäkuuta 2016, Ranska ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Last ride on the continent today and was not looking good to start as I awoke to the sound of heavy rain and thunder however forecast said it would clear. Didn't feel the greatest either after last night so hanging around until 11ish waiting for the rain to stop wasn't a bad thing.

    Once heading off in drizzle I didn't expect the weather in ended up going. By the time I reached the Belgium coast there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I even needed to get the sunscreen out for the first time in over two weeks.

    Beautiful wide beaches but not the most characteristic of coasts with the towns lacking a any real culture. As you cross over the border into France heavy industry takes over around Dunkirk and the coastal route heads inland slightly.

    Heading into the evening sunshine and riding along small country lanes through barley fields it was a nice moment to look back on the trip and try and start to take it all in.

    With the ferry booked for tomorrow morning it was time for a relaxed evening in a hotel by the beach in Calais and after an evening walk got to watch an incredible storm cross the chanel as the sun set. Dramatic end to an amazing trip.

    Two more days on the bike back to London to come but first is the ferry in the morning.    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 70 - Calais to Maidstone, 48 miles

    24. kesäkuuta 2016, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    So after an amazing and diverse 10 weeks of beautiful scenery, cultures and people and many new friends made its time to leave Europe and sadly as it turns out in more ways than one today. Many things may change after today's vote but hopefully we will all never loose the freedom to travel to and learn from different cultures all over the world.

    I may be heading home but there's still some miles to cover and after not seeing a hill for about 2 weeks following the Rhine the steep climb to the top of the White Cliffs of Dover were a bit of shock to the system! After taking in the amazing views along the coast from the top it was time to head in land through Kent 'the garden of England' to visit family in Maidstone.

    Felt a little surreal to be back riding in England and adjusting to riding on the left again! After only a few miles you realise that even though cycling is exploding in the UK we still have a long way to match the quality of road surfaces , cycling networks and maybe most importantly the relationship between cyclist and traffic. On the continent the cyclist is soo respected. In the 40 or so miles I rode in England today I probably had as many cars pass me too close and in dangerous spots as I did in the list 10 weeks in Europe.

    Despite the above it was still a good ride today in the sunshine (who'd have thought coming back to England would give me sun!) and was great seeing family and catching up on everything.

    Last ride tomorrow!    Lue lisää

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  • Pedalling PipeyEuro Bike TourPedalling Pipey

    Day 71 - Maidstone to Home, 49 miles

    25. kesäkuuta 2016, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    So that's a wrap. 10 weeks, 9 countries, 2726 miles riden, 3 Tour de France climbs conquered, 1 Monaco GP yacht party, 1 puncture, 1 broken pannier and many new friends and memories made that will last a lifetime.

    So that's it. Incredible trip that will take a while for it all to really sink in. So many highlights and don't get me wrong there were tough days but they were few and far between.

    Fitting that today's ride was in sun, rain and wind and felt strange rolling back into Putney knowing that there'll be no riding tomorrow. Secretly though I can't wait to have a lazy Sunday in the pub and think a full English to start followed by a good old Sunday roast will be in order.

    This tour may have ended but this is only the beginning of my touring career!!    Lue lisää

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    25. kesäkuuta 2016
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