Tag: cycling
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Rocket Men
In my previous post I wrote about the joys of cycling along the many wagonways to be found in the North East of England. Here I begin a journey from one of the most historically important places in the development of the railway locomotive, and unearth a little of their men who put it on…
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The Magic that is Audax Time
“I’m late, I’m late! For a very important date! No time to say ‘hello, goodbye,’ I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!” Time in normal day-to-day life can feel reliable and predictable. Even without looking at our watches (or maybe smartphones these days) we have a good sense of what the real time is. In the…
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There go my waggonwheels…
If you’re looking for off-road two-wheeled adventure, the North-East of England has a dense network of trails known as waggonways left behind by the industrial revolution providing miles of gripping and secluded tracks just waiting to be explored. The North-East of England hosts a rich tapestry of often hidden tracks and trails that the less…
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The Night Cyclist
While the rest of the world turns in to bed, the night-time pedaller is only just setting out with plans to cycle through the whole night. What drives this unusual behaviour? In the depths of the night, those hours long after most have turned in to bed and as many more before they again arise,…
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LE to NE
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 bike…
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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 sweetest…
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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 at…
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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 heavy…
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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 that…
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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. That…
Ode to Cycling 