As BBC weather introduced a new extreme heat symbol to their weather maps, one randonneur set off to ride 900km from Land’s End to Tyneside A clear blue sky hung over the peninsular as I coasted the few short miles down to Land’s End. Kevin was waiting looking sharp and keen. His weightless titanium bikeContinue reading “LE to NE”
Tag Archives: cycling
Bluebells
Never had I seen bluebells as I’d seen that year – Way up Ladder Hill, the first turn – you’d have known the way. Like a carpet spread as far as the eye could see, Whilst new leaves came upon each tree. The light The dappled light Softly shaded below the evening sun The sweetestContinue reading “Bluebells”
Mile Failte 2018 – Part II
Recollections from a 1,200km cycle ride around the south-west of Ireland, June 2018 The Mile Failte is a 1200km audax radiating around the south west corner of Ireland from its base in Killarney. Continued from Part I It wasn’t long before I was back up the hill and sipping fine coffee and sumptuous cakes atContinue reading “Mile Failte 2018 – Part II”
Dawn upon Camphire Bridge
That cold clear summer’s morning I beheld thee Still as glass beneath a sky clear and fair Numb with cold I stood transfixed by dawning day And the weariness of those long cycled miles Under the beating sun, and a fulsome moon Had soaked my bones with sweet Irish marsh marrow And melted my heavyContinue reading “Dawn upon Camphire Bridge”
The Celtic Knot – Part II
Recollections from a 1,000km cycle ride around various parts of Ireland, July 2016 Continued from Part I Saturday 30th June The alarm went off at 05:00. I felt rather rough but physically fine. After showering I headed to the canteen where the rest of the “team” were already way through their breakfasts. It transpired thatContinue reading “The Celtic Knot – Part II”
Mile Failte 2018 – Part I
Recollections from a 1,200km cycle ride around the south-west of Ireland, June 2018 The Mile Failte is a 1200km audax radiating around the south west corner of Ireland from its base in Killarney. I suppose it all began two years earlier when I cycled over to Ireland and back to do the Celtic Knot. ThatContinue reading “Mile Failte 2018 – Part I”
The winter hill
What way is this,Heft o’er hugging hills?Who thought to place you hereFar above the comfort of rambling valley lane – Lost amidst the chilling mists?Why do I seek your gravelly way,Stretching through the contoured clarts?Where wheels slide and slipThrough leaf-strewn mireWhile aching limbs burn and tire.Where others pause or turn the heelThe randonneur will gripContinue reading “The winter hill”
The Celtic Knot – Part I
Recollections from a 1,000km cycle ride around various parts of Ireland, July 2016 Thursday 28th July 2016 It was clear that Clara, once a thriving industrial town, had seen better times. Boarded-up shops and pubs greeted me as I hobbled around town (my feet blistered and in agony from walking too much around Dublin). LargeContinue reading “The Celtic Knot – Part I”
The Road to Rambouillet
The official start of my Paris-Brest-Paris began about 400km north of Rambouillet on the outskirts of Oxford. Here, on a fine summer’s morning, Quentin and I set off shortly after the appointed 8am start. My Flying Gate was pretty loaded up with a rando bag at the front, a rear-rack bag behind and a coupleContinue reading “The Road to Rambouillet”
The Morris Major, or the Two Old Fords
It was a cool, clear morning and the harvest moon was there to greet me as I rode to Kelmscott (former home of William Morris) along the A40 cycle-path to Witney, and then down the A4095 to Bampton and my destination. The nearer I drew to Kelmscott the cooler it became. I felt that familiarContinue reading “The Morris Major, or the Two Old Fords”
Ode to Cycling 