jenkinsjourneys

[jenkinsjourneys]

Cycling through COVID 19

This year has seen us having to adapt to how we get out and exercise and for us this year’s usual cycle challenge had to be altered. When the government granted us permission to exercise for up to an hour a day, we took the opportunity to do an early morning circuluar route up our local country park on our new Orbea bikes. Luckily, we had got our new bikes just before Lockdown. We continued to do this every day, then when we was granted the opportunity to cycle for unlimited time, we decided to plan a weekly ride around the Somerset. and south along the north coast. Here the various routes we took:

Cycle 1: Portishead to Cheddar

We started out in Portishead and cycled to Clevedon and then on to Yatton where we picked up the Strawberry Line, this is a disused railway line so nice and flat and excellent for family rides. Along the route just before Cheddar, is a huge reservoir, ideal for a paddle and a spot of lunch. It was a roasting hot day, so we were glad for the opportunity to take a break and relax in the beautiful surroundings. Remember , this was during lockdown so normally we would of had a look around the village shops but on this occasion we took in a drink stop and had a nice iced coffee for the local Tesco. Total mileage was 40 miles.

  Cycle 2: Portishead to Burnham on Sea via Weston Super Mare

This route took us on three different cycle routes, The NCR 410, the strawberry line and the NCN 33. This was our biggest ride this year and we covered over 60 miles. There and back. We managed to cycle along the beach from Brean, which can be a bit tough, but the views on a sunny day made it worth while.

Cycle 3: Burnham on Sea to Kilve Beach

This was a mixed ride, through stunning country side past the Quantock Hills and down in to Lilstock where we picked up the England Coastal Path, along the cliffs edge. The route was made up of quite country lanes and stunning coast line. We saw alot of MTB’s drive past us and we found out there are a number of  MTB trail in the Quantock Hills. Take a look at TrailForks website for more details. This ride was more challenging due to the number of inclines along the route, but it put us in good stead for our forth coming Devon Cycle Tour.

Cycle 4: Kilve Beach to Minehead via Watchet

We did have to cycle along the A39 on a number of occasions on this day but the wonderful harbour once we reached Watchet, made it worthwhile. It’s a quaint little sea fisherman’s village. This picture is me taken sitting on Yankee Jack’s lap. His real name was John Short and he came to be known as Yankee Jack because he is seen as the father of Sea Shanties.

On wards from Watchet took us to Blue Anchor after a large decent on to the prom, this was a secluded beach, not at all touristy, we joined the coastal path here, which was on the rocky beach so we had to push the bikes for a short while before we picked up the path.You get to see the amazing Dunster Castle nestled in to the hill over looking Minehead. Once near Minehead, you can see the Butlin’s landmark way before arriving in to town, and it took me back to my childhood of the many fantastic family holidays spent there. As a treat, we had fish and chips before cycling back to Kilve out of town on the A39. This was a nice ride as we zipped along the road because it felt like the majority of the route was down hill. To be honest after having fish and chips I was grateful for the decents.

Cycle  5: We did a local ride from Home (Rubery, Birmingham) to Stratford Upon Avon

This is a great ride and we also start out early, one to avoid the traffic on the roads and two to enable us to ride before the temperatures increase. This week we invested in some Bar Ends, they where £10 from Amazon, and is probably my best investment for bike touring, simply because you can sit up and enjoy the views as you cycle along. We cycled through Henley in Arden, which reminded me of many a Sunday drive for an ice-cream as a youngster.

Cycle  6:Cheltenham to Winchcombe circular route

In 2019, we took part in an organised charity ride for the British Heart Foundation, a charity that means alot to me due to my Grandad having passed away due to a heart attack. So, we decided to do it again. Partly, because you get to see the majestic Cotswold stone houses and also because we knew that it would be great hill climbing training, especially up the Sudeley Hill, that runs next to the Sudeley Castle Estate. Phew, that was the toughest ride I have done but well worth the stunning views of the rolling farm fields below. It’s amazing how many gorgeous villages you pass through on this route: Bishop’s Cleeve, Gotherington, Winchcombe, Guiting Power, Brockhampton (stunning National Trust property), Whittington (no relation to Dick), Ham and then back to Cheltenham.

North Devon Coast Bike Tour

Lockdown had been lifted and we were finally able to organise a bike tour. We wanted to continue on from our Somerset adventures, so we decided to plan 2020 bike tour from Minehead and along the North Devon Coast. We decided to hire a car and the best location we could drop off was in Taunton, just 25 mile from Minehead (inland). That’s where we started our ride. For this ride we invested in some new bike pannier bags from Btwin, great dry bags and after learning from previous tours, we kept our packing as light as possible.

Day 1 Taunton to Porlock

 This route took us on prodominately on main roads. Where we could, we would take the country lanes and B roads, simply so you can enjoy the whole experience more in the sounds of the country side rather than the reving of car. The temperatures soared and luckily we took plenty of water to rehydrate along the route. By the time we reached Porlock we was ready to pitch up for the night, we covered 35 miles this day but it felt like more due to the high temperatures. This route covered a number of hill climbs but as we came down in to the village of Porlock we spotted a number of tents on the outskirts of the village. We pitched up at Sparkhayes, which cost us £10 per adult. It was a great site with views of the sea. This evening we had our dried food that we had taken with us.

Day 2 Porlock to Combe Martin

The campsite owner at Sparkhayes, suggested to us that we use the toll road out of Porlock as Porlock Hill was a major climb. Once we packed away our tent we got on the road at 7am, as we cycled out of the village we saw the signs for Porlock Hill it was 25% hill or a 1 in 4. When we got to the turn for the toll road, we had already decided we wanted to commit and get up the hill.  Wow, it was a tough climb and to be honest we bike hiked the majority of it. I was pushing on tip toes for the majority of it. I’d love to say the views were fantasic but the clouds and mist made it difficult to see no more than 10 foot in front of you. When I checked, the hill went on for approximately 2 miles, steeper in some places than others. This is a fantastic challenge for super fit road cyclist that want to challenge themselves.

We cycled down in to Lynmouth, in time for breakfast. and this is where we saw the Lynton Cliff Railway. Unfortunately, we was unable to ride the railway line because we had our bikes, but we took the coastal path which had a number of poems along the way in to Lyton and this is where we took these brilliant photos of the cliff railway. We picked up NCN 27 from Lyton which was again inclines passing through the Valley of Rocks and passed Martinhoe and on to Combe Martin after stopping for a lunch break at Hunter’s Inn (heddon Valley, Exmoor) Parracombe. Apparently this whole area was particularly popular in the Victorian era. The photo’s on the Inn’s wall shows a snap shot of the popularity of the area. After cycling on to Combe Martin we came across Newberry Valley camping park. Although they were full with prebooked campers, they was able to accomodate us on a Backpackers pitch. The staff here were extremely helpful. 5 star rating from us.

Day 3 Combe Martin to Croyde via Ilfracombe

The first thing we did once we got on the road was to climb the first big hill of the day. We were fast become use to the terrain in Devon, expect hills and enjoy the zips down (Make sure you have good brakes on your bikes, you’ll need them). We cycled through Watermouth and this had an amazing cove and a more impressive Castle. Which is a family theme park. I would definately, like to return here again. Beautiful part of the coast. We dipped through the village of Hele, this made us laugh because we was trying to work out the prenouncation of the place. Another lovely bay. We stopped in Ilfracombe for a take away cuppa and a spot of breakfast, while looking over the aqua blue seas of Wildersmouth Bay and Capstone Hill. The coastal path meanders all around these wonderful sites.

We then cycled across country skirting past Woolacombe to Croyde bay. This area is hugely popular with surfers and there are a number of sites for you to pitch up. We chose to stay at Ruda Park Dean holiday resort purely due to the location to the beach. As this was a short ride day, we decided to take the opportunity of soaking up the rays and relax on the site for the afternoon and evening. Enjoying fish and chips on the golden beach of Croyde Bay.

Day 4 Croyde to Barnstaple via Saunton and Braunton

We woke to Thunder and decided to make tracks early. This route is well worth it, because you look over Saunton Sands. Again very secluded with a huge stretch of golden sands and rolling sand dunes. I said it could be the Marbs of Devon with a bit of investment. We cycled in land following the estuary through Braunton to the River Taw into Barnstable.

Barnstaple is the main town in North Devon and was formely a river port for wool imports and exports. The town has a medieval feel and it still has its victorian market called the Pannier Market just below the Guildhall. Originally Barnstaple was known as Barum, before staple was added (which means market). We arrive just in time because the storms arrived just as we picked up our hire car from Enterprise. 

So that is the end of this epic blog. We hope it inspires you to get out in to our wonderful country and enjoy a staycation, while keeping fit. This has been the toughest bike tour to date but it was well worth the effort we put in.

Next route is to move on in to Cornwall and picked up the Camel Trail to St Austell on the south coast leg. Fingers crossed we can do it, this year. Well, I have already planned the route for the next adventure.

#wellbeing #cycling #biketouring #bikehiking #mtb #mtbtrail #cyclelife #devon #somerset

[jenkinsjourneys]

Road Trip around Kent

Hi, I am Marie and my husband is Drew. We hope you like our blog based on our recent visit to Kent. Welcome to Jenkins Journeys, cycling, and adventuring through life. 

I had received a number of recommendations to visit Kent and as I had never been before, we decided to do it as a road trip to get the most out of the visit. We decided to hire a Motor Home and was delighted to pick up a spotless 6 berth Ford Chausson MotorHome from Motor Home Hire UK. It was a comfortable and easy drive especially as this was my first time hiring a motorhome. The vehicle came with all the extra’s you need, such as electric hook up, gas cylinder and kitchenware.

Day 1

We decided to head towards Epping Forest for our first night, as we are keen cyclists we thought it would be great to explore the area and find a campsite that was close to the Forest. Once in the area, we came across Debden House Campsite. It is a conference centre and had 6 large fields for the use of campers and large groups. It cost us £32 for the night which is more than what we would usually pay for a pitch, but as it was on the edge of the Forest we decided to stay for the one night. After a cozy sleep in the double bed above the driver's cabin, we set off for Whitstable, which we decided would be our next overnight stop. 

Day 2

We traveled across the Dartford Crossing along to Rochester,( it is important to note that you must log on to the website and pay your crossing charge before midnight on the day you travel), this was for a quick comfort break and I am glad we did as this was our first sightseeing stop, as there was lots of history in the area and an impressive Castle sitting proudly in the centre of the town. I especially liked the wonky buildings.

We arrived in Whitstable mid-afternoon and after a drive along the seafront out of town we came across Sea View Holiday Park. It has lots of static caravans, but we were pleasantly surprised to find that they had a touring site and offered pods right next to the entertainment area and washing facilities. 

As we wanted to explore the immediate area we decided to stop for the next 3 nights. The touring site was literally a stone’s throw (or pebble throw) on to the pebbly beach, with a long promenade. Once we had set up the motorhome, filling up the water tank and getting our set up right we headed out on our bikes back up the prom to Whitstable. It was a fantastic ride along a wide concrete prom passing lots of beach huts and bars and restaurants. As the area is famous for its Oyster Farm it was no surprise to learn that many of the restaurants offer wonderful seafood menu’s. As it was Sunday late afternoon most of the shops on the high street were shut, but it had lots of small independent shops and had a quaint feel to it.

Day 3

We were up early because we wanted to get out on our bikes and cycle along to Margate. As it turned out we traveled a lot further and made it to Ramsgate, this was partly due to the fantastic prom that made cycling along the coastline so much easier. The trail along the prom is called the Oyster trail and it leads on to the Viking trail, it is well signposted but given that your following on one path it is easy to navigate anyway.

After leaving our campsite the first area we came in to was Herne Bay, we stuck to the trail but it seemed like a beautiful area. Just after the bay, the trail heads away from the beach, however, we decided to push our bikes along the pebbly beach to do some beachcombing. Once around the Bay, we rejoined the trail and came to Reculver Castle Towers, an interesting stop for a quick refreshment break. 

We continued on to Margate and popped into the town for a quick look around and then continued on the trail along the way we passed some stunning coastline, namely Botany Bay, Viking Bay, and Broadstairs. Due to the time of year, there was a number of tourists but we were able to cycle along at an easy pace without having to dismount.

We reached Ramsgate and this was a pleasant surprise, it had a lovely old fashion seaside feel to the town and we visited a wonderful Fish and Chip Shop that was a well-deserved treat after the 25 plus miles ride. After sitting on the beach to enjoy our fish supper and ushering the seagulls, we took the cycle back. Lucky for us the wind was behind us and we arrived back at the campsite early evening, after a full day cycling and sightseeing.

Day 4

The next day we headed inland and took the Crab and Winkle trail on our bikes to Canterbury. The ride from our site was approx 8-9 miles along a disused railway line through gorgeous countryside and woodland. We visited Canterbury Cathedral which we believe is a must to visit when you're in town. It is steeped in history and was undergoing major renovation work, and has masses to see and learn. The town itself had lots of mini shop fronts and they also have punt trips along the Great Stour from West Gate. Here the wonky shops continued.

After speaking with a lady on the gates of the Cathedral that lives in Whitstable we decided to stop off for a seafood lunch in Whitstable, at Wheelers Restaurant. It was a quaint restaurant, with a large selection on the menu. We chose a fishcake starter and a seafood Mezze. We were instructed that the restaurant only takes cash payments and if you want a glass of wine with your meal there is an Offy across the road with a large selection of local beers and ales. So plenty to try while enjoying your meal.

On our way back to the campsite we picked up some fresh Oysters from the Whitstable Oyster Company, we paid £10 for 6 super fresh Oysters. We took them away and had them for our evening meal. It was great to hear about the history of the Oysters in the area and it was interesting to learn that this farm has over 10 million Oysters just off the shoreline.

Day 5

After packing up and moving on, we had decided to head towards Hastings and we came across a sign for Bodiam Castle as a member of the National Trust and after seeing it in our book we decided to do a slight detour and visit the Medieval castle ruins, its a wonderful sight to see, surrounded by a motto. It is one of the most impressive picturesque castles to go and see.

Due to our impromptu visit, we decided to find a campsite in the Royal Tunbridge Wells area, this was partly due to the fact that there is a number of National Trust sites to visit in the area that we wanted to visit. We had a quick google and found what we thought was a campsite called Sunninglye Farm. On arrival down a small lane, we were met by a lovely lady called Jill, she explained that they are a working farm but also have 7 stunning camping lodges or safari tents as we would call them. Although they are not set up as a campsite, she was kind enough to offer us the opportunity to park up our motorhome on their bottom sheep field close by to the communal shower block. We excepted graciously because it seemed like such a lovely location and we were not disappointed. We had two fabulous nights here and will definitely return in the future to stay in their lodges, it's a wonderful site and has lots to offer for families or groups. On this afternoon we cycled just a few miles into Royal Tunbridge Wells, the town had a number of architecturally interesting buildings but you could also see that the town is having a huge amount of upgrading and investment.

We had the privilege of cooking some of Jill’s home-reared pork in their pizza oven and it was great to make new friends of the farm animals. The chickens are free-range and would often wander around by where you sit. Take a look at their fantastic lodges. I particularly liked that the lighting was by gas lamps and you use a log burner as a stove. They had 3 bedrooms, 2 double and one was bunk beds. I think 2 of the lodges had ensuite showers but all lodges had their own toilet. Each lodge had stunning views of the countryside.

Day 6

This was a final day so we headed out on our bikes to visit Scotney Castle which was approx 8 miles from our site, this stretch was a little hilly for novice cyclists but the effort is well worth it when you reach this National Trust site with a detour to the small village of Lamberhurst. This is by far my favorite NT site, there is so much to see here. The house which was lived in by Betty Hussey, right up to recent times 2006. Its a beautiful time capsule of how she used to live, but then you have the stunning old castle and folly which you can view from the library window and explore. It’s important to add that the cafe and walled garden are worth a visit too. We did want to visit Chatwell House the home of Winston Churchill while we were in the area but we just ran out of time. So great reason to return to the area. 

Day 7

Today we were heading home but on route, we decided to visit Waddesdon Manor in Aylesbury, which is a French-style Chateau, previously owned by the Rothchild Family. The restaurant was superior for this type of national trust site, but we chose a traditional English Cream Tea, which was a welcome snack before we explored the impressive interior rooms of this impressive building. Again this was a wonderful property with lots of magnificent artworks and sculptures. You could spend a full day at this site but we were heading home, so we could clean the van in readiness to return it in the morning.

This is our first time in the Kent area and we were blown away by the number of things to see and do and we know we only scratched the surface. The motorhome experience was one we would also do again without hesitation. We have had a fantastic holiday and we crammed lots in and we would say if you're considering a holiday to somewhere new this is an area of the UK that is definitely worth your consideration. The people we have met have been friendly and extremely helpful and the changing landscapes from Coastlines to woodlands have been a joy.  Right I'm off to plan our next journey, wild camping the southwest coast path in Cornwall in a few weeks.

#We #kent #whitstable #margate #Ramsgate JenkinsJourneys #canterbury #nationaltrust #cycling #coastline #biketouring #motorhome #seafood

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[jenkinsjourneys]

Camping & Cycling in Corfu June 2018

We have spent the last 5 days camping in Corfu & what a fantastic experience it has been.

My husband (Drew) & I already had a two man tent that we use for our cycling tours & last year we was cycling in Corfu when we spotted a sign for a camp site. When we looked into it in more detail we quickly realised we could combine our two passions cycling & camping in one trip at an affordable price.

The biggest expense was the flights, that said going in June helped us get a good deal (£300). We decided to go for a five day trip to trial things out.

We arrived mid-day on a Monday courtesy of Jet2 & the helpful staff at our car Hire kiosk directed us to the carhire park just outside the terminal building. Easy & as we had previously driven in this country we were confident that we could easily navigate to our destination with the help of a map provided with the carhire.

We arrived in Dassia approx 6 miles from the airport to our home for the next 4 nights. Nikkos met with us at reception (Camp Dionysus) & was extremely obliging offering to show us his facilities prior to us confirming our stay. It's important to note at this point we had previously contacted the campsite to request a camping pitch.

He handed us a site map & pointed out the areas for tents. They also have caravan & motorhome pitches. We chose a location on flat ground close to the shower block in the middle of the Olive Trees. What a superb setting! We was already convinced we had made the right choice. Once set up we explored the site & it exceeded all our expectations. Beautifully spotless swimming pool (Which we used on a number of occasions to cool off after a day of stunning weather), cooking area for dining, dinner prep & cooking should you choose to use it. Oh & a fridge to store your chilled food & drink.

We then found the numerous two berth Bungalows that you can book from £12 per person per night. Basic inside but had fresh beds, electric, lights & shelving. Everything you need without having to take your tent & excellent idea for a weekend trip. We are going to try them hopefully later in the year.

We remembered the restaurant that Nikkos had recommended on our arrival Antonio Grill (Dassia), so decided to have our evening meal out. The setting was right out of a scene from the Durrells. Vines growing over head, locals chatting in their native tongue & excellent food & wine. We had the mandatory greek salad to share as a starter with Taziki (greek garlicky dip) & pitta's with pork Souvaki as our main. It's worth mentioning that Drew & I tend to share meal because you get to try different dishes, helps prevent overeating & the bill is always reasonable. This meal came to €29. Including wine & Beer.

We then returned to the campsite bar to watch the English victory in the Tunisia world cup game. The bar staff were so accommodating pulling up a table with a great view of the screen.

We then returned to our tent to have our first night sleep in the Olive Trees. Temperatures were warm at night but bearable. It's worth adding take some citronella candles or use some mosquito spray, if you tend to get bitten. I took long linen trousers & long sleeve top for sitting out side the tent on an evening. Drew managed to get bitten just once.

Day 2 was a chill day, we visited a fantastic coffee shop called Cafe Me just 5 mins walking distance for brunch, stunning latte's & pastries. We then chilled out by the pool. We have to say the pool is well maintained & cleaned daily. This evening we walked to Thomas Taverna at the bottom of the drive. It's third generation restaurant with recipes passed on. We request their recommendations & again we had a table filled with various Corfu dishes. Exceptional meal again excellent value for money (€30).

Day 3 we went exploring up to the north west of the island. We stooped off at Peroladies & walked down a mud road to a beautiful bay. Crystal clear sea & stunning coastal views. Next on our road trip was Sidari. It is quite touristy in this resort so lots of people on the beaches. We wanted to find a spot that I had learnt about from a post I read from Pinterest: Canal de l'amore. We got into the sea after putting on a brave face & swam out & into the cave. You soon warm up & it was a lovely experience.

Day 4 we hired bikes from Takis in Gouvia for €15. The bikes were well maintained & luckily the one I used had a panneer frame, so I was able to secure my ruksac & have a sweat free back for the duration of the ride into Corfu town. We cycled along the paths & side roads which was adjacent to the beaches. While in town we looked at the old & new fortresses & visited the locals market just up a side street by the bus station. Where you can buy all your Greek herbs, fresh salad & fresh fish.We visited Safrons our coffee shop of choice when in Corfu town.Then took a leisurely cycle back. Stopping off at Lidl to get our chicken breasts for our barbeque lemon chicken made with the herbs and spices we had brought earlier in the day.

[jenkinsjourneys]

Cornwall April 2018

Ahead of next year's big cycle challenge to cycle the Cornish Coast.We decided to head to this beautiful part of the UK to get a feel for the terrain & gradients.

We camped over at Higher Trevaskas Campsite just outside Hayle near to Connor Downs.We always stop here because the owners are super friendly & it's facilities are spotless clean.

We set ourselves the challenge of cycling from the campsite down to Porthcurno (The most stunning beach in Britain). We picked up NCR 3 just opposite ASDA in Hayle. We followed the route till we came out by Marazion & St'Michaels Mount.

Then we followed the coastal path (gravel path) in to Penzance. This part of the route was flat & this continued through Newlyn & Mousehole.Beautiful harbour villages with narrow roads.

We then decided to join the coastal path again outside Mousehole but I would recommend that you follow the NCR3 along the road. It is not suitable for cyclists unless you like carrying them. The terrain is filled with steps & rocks. It was tough going but the views are breath taking. (Defo returning to hike along here).

We had lunch in a lovely place called Lamorna Cove & then rejoined the road. Note it's mega steep coming out of Lamorna. 7 miles along Cornish country lanes & we glided in to Porthcurno.

We had a cuppa on this beautiful beach & then decided to head back. This route is for experienced cyclists that can take huge inclines. I must admit we had to push our bikes up on a couple of occasions.

In total we covered 54 miles & cycled for approx 11hours with a few taking in the view stops.

Learning from this trip is to do thougher research on routes.

[jenkinsjourneys]

Coast2Coast April 2018

After last years successful bike ride from Glasgow to Inverness (via Oban) we decided to set ourselves a new cycling challenge for 2018. It was our ambition to cycle from one side of the country to the other. We did some initial research and found a number of establish cycle routes: namely ‘Way of the Roses’ and ‘Trans pennine Trail’. There are a lot more to choose from however these seemed the most appealing to us. From the prospective of taking in some breathtaking scenery and landscapes. We decided to complete the ‘Way of the Roses’, which commences in Bridlington on the East coast and completes in Morecombe on the West coast.

After last years epic coach journey to Scotland and based on a recommendation, from a cyclist we met along the route last year, we took the decision to hire a car to our starting position. Due to the location of our car drop off point we began our coast2coast journey 15 miles south in the City of Hull. 

This is us on Day 1, driving in to Hull near the Humber Bridge.

Day 1

We was aware that the weather forecast for the week was going to present us with some challenges so we ensured that we was prepared and packed clothing and equipment accordingly (ill explain more in the blog). We left Hull City centre along NCR 66, in the rain and cold temperatures, that said as we left the city along cycle paths and it was predominately off road. Our first day we cycled 22 miles to our first campsite ‘Billabong Holiday Park and Water Sports’.Thanks to Les for the warm welcome. The route enjoyed countryside and flooded B Roads. Which was a great start to our ride. We had an early night (7pm) as we had set ourselves the challenge of completing 80 miles on day 2 & 3 in preparation for the bigger inclines towards Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Day 2

We woke up to more rain but high spirits with a view to cycle in to York. We had provisionally booked a campsite at Wagtail Park, just north of York. The days cycle took us through countryside up to the village of Skerne, you can pick up the Way of the Roses here but we wanted to visit the village of Driffield so cycled on. That was a wise decision as we took a fuel stop and warmed up with a latte from the petrol station. Lovely Village. Then we cycled towards Kirkburn this was based on a satnav search which would link us back up to the WOTR route.

All of this route took us along B roads and was peaceful and quiet. Great opportunity to cycle and chat whilst taking in the views. From here we arrived in Huggate and stopped to hydrate before moving on to Millington and then Pocklington. This part of the route took us through a lovely valley and we was accompanied by a barn own. Which was lovely to see. When we got to Pocklington we needed a fuel stop, thankfully they had a Costa, so the Mocha and Mushroom toastie went down a treat. The next village was Stamford Bridge and a final push on to a campsite. Tonights dinner consisted of Pot Noodle and after a shower in the wonderful and clean shower block we again had an early night. This site was very well Organised and there is a fishing lake if that is your thing.

Day 3

We had rain for the whole night and woke having to pack all our things away soaking wet. We had hoped to cycle to Pateley Bridge today covering 40+ miles and our spirits were high. The rain was horrendous, we would of benefitted from wearing a wetsuit for warm.We managed to cycle for 5 hours with constant driving rain but the temperatures had dropped and sleet began and that with taking a wrong turn due poor visability resulted in us taking a detour. On a number of occasions we had to dismount our bikes just to enable our feeling in our feet to return. When we arrived at the village of Helperby, our moral was low but we was still determined to carry on cycling the route. Thankfully we found a local Inn called the Oak Tree which provided fantastic meals and more importantly an open fire.Once inside we established that the Inn had rooms and they was excellently priced. We quickly made the decision to stop over and dry out.The rooms were beautiful and the bed was like sleeping on a cloud. We spent the evening drying our clothes and sampling their lovely menu. The Inn was part of a chain called the Provence Inns. We would highly recommend a visit. The staff were fantastic and accommodated us and gave first class service.

Day 4

We woke in a warm bed after a brilliant night sleep and was delighted to the rain had stopped and our clothes dry. This was the point when we decided we needed to rethink our onward journey (partly due to the weather forecast and temperatures). We cycled along B roads through lots of lovely villages, firstly through the village of Borough Bridge on to Knaresborough. Skirting the town of Harrogate to Pannel. We then googled a campsite and found a surprise in Otley. The thought of pitching our tent after more showers helped us in choosing to stay in a Wigwam. The best £48 we had spent. The Wigwam was warm, spacious and well equipped. Clarion Lodge had the most spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales.

The picture below is in Knaresborough.

Day 5

The next day we were aiming to reach Skipton. We had some epic hills to cycle but the weather was dry for the most part and the temperatures had improved.  Once we reached Skipton we felt we could make good progress and push on and make up the miles we had lost in the previous days. We found a campsite at Hellfield but unfortunately, the weather turned on us again and we arrived at Gilford park touring park soaking wet. Luckily we had picked up a can of beans and a pack of sausages and was able to use the laundry facilities. So once the tent had been erected we quickly climbed in to our season 2 sleeping bag for a lovely nights sleep. The sleeping bags were one of the items that we had invested in that turned out to be a great investment.

Day 6

We woke up and although we had blue skies the rain drops on the tent had frozen. We then decided that today was going to see us reach our destination of Morecombe. This was by far the best day, we had an awesome day on the cycling front, going off road, along farm tracks (real off roading) with the most spectacular views of the snow capped Lake District Mountain ranges.

We reached Morecombe a day a head of schedule and although we didn't complete the WOTR route we did cycle coast to coast with the additional 30+ miles. This felt like a bigger challenge then the previous year due to the weather conditions and the hilly terrain. All things considered we were proud of our achievement and glad that we had completed the challenge that we had set ourselves all be it with a change of route. After taking a picture of Eric Morecombe along the prom and a treat of a cone of chips we found the car hire place and drove home.  This years top tips:

1, Be adaptable to change your route if needed. There are plenty of campsites in this area and they were all very accommodating.

2, Be open to changing your camping options, we was very pleasantly surprised with the Wigwam and even more so with the Inn. Both excellently priced for value for money.

3, Invest in thermal socks if the temperatures are low, your feet whilst cycling are the most important along with your mindset.

4, Lightweight clothing that is easy to dry is another top tip and travel light. We had one change of clothing.

5, Make the most of the route, we often stopped to take in the views, sample the villages fayre and watch the wild life. On this trip we saw a barn owl,wild deer and a bird of prey.

Next year we had set ourselves the challenge of cycling the coast of Cornwall. Fingers crossed we get warmer weather.

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Cycling from Glasgow to Inverness

This was our first cycling trip covering over 220 miles from Glasgow to Inverness. When I say we, I refer to my husband and I. We are just an everyday couple that enjoy cycling around our local country side in the attempt to help our fitness and health. Following over a year of cycling on average 30-40 miles a week (usually on a Sunday), we decided to set ourselves a challenge and go on an adventure to Scotland on a cycling holiday.

The first decision we was faced with was how to get to Glasgow with our bikes and camping kit. We considered a number of modes of transport to reach our starting point in Glasgow and the coach was the best value for money with national express. We paid £25 for a one way ticket, and while they are happy to take bikes, it is worth noting that they need to be in a bike bag. We picked ours up from Decathlon for £45. On reflection we would recommend that you check the dimensions of your bike before you purchase your bag and if possible purchase one with wheels as carrying your bike along with your panniers can cause bruising to your legs and shoulders. We met one guy from Yorkshire who had took the same cycle route as us, and he suggested hiring a car to and from your start and end point.  When we totalled up the cost of coach tickets and hotel accommodation on the last night, this would of saved us cash.

Day 1 Glasgow to Loch Lomond

After an 11 hour coach journey, we arrived in Glasgow buchanan bus station at 9.30am. We then spent the next hour, reassembling our bikes and panniers, ready for our first days cycling of 50 miles to the tip of Loch Lomond. This is Drew’s bike ready to go outside Glasgow royal concert hall.

We headed out of town along the A82, and we picked up the NCR 7 on the Forth & Clyde canal and stayed on here until we reached DUG. Then we went along road and path until we connected with River Leven. We stayed on along the river until we reached Balloch, cycle route signs are easy to follow and this took us on to the south tip of Loch Lomond. It was lovely to find a new shopping centre here (we will have to come back for a good look around) and we took the opportunity to stop for a lunch of cuppa soup and peanuts.

We then pushed onwards to our first campsite, although we had done our research in to which campsite we would stop at each day, we did not book every site in advance and on this first day, that proved an excellent strategy. Unfortunately the heavens opened and we were cycling in torrential rain and by late afternoon we took the decision to camp up at the next available site. Here we found Ardlui Campsite. We set up our tent and was fortunate to dry our clothes in the site laundry for less than £1. This is when we learnt about the need to be prepared for midges.There was swarms of the little bitters, and we would recommend you get a midge hood or repellent spray. The campsite was £9 per person per night & there was a authentic Scottish bar, which enabled us to warm up and catch some of the One Love Manchester Concert. It is worth planning your meals in advance as once you leave the main towns shops are few and far between, unless you want to eat out in which case you will find pubs or hotels on route. This night saw us eating spicy rice, mmmm

Day 2 Loch Lomond to Oban

The day started as it ended with rain, but feeling good after achieving our first days mileage we pushed on and the weather improved. Today's route took us along the A82 and on to A85, which is busy in places and with a number of inclines but the views were stunning. This took us along my favourite stretch of the whole route (partly because we was able to glide down hill through a Glen along side Loch Na Bi &  Loch Awe). When we reached Taynuit we was able to pick up our dinner of pot noodle with a soft roll from a local grocer shop and then pick up on the NCR 7 in to Connel, which took us over the estuary to Sea View Caravan and Campsite. Today's ride saw us cycle 46 miles and we felt good, this was the most we had cycled on consecutive days. 

Having set up tent and had a hot shower in which are excellent facilities, we returned to the tent to find the seagulls had took a liking to our soft rolls (although they were in a clear bag) and had idea’s of there own for our dinner. Then what followed was more of a comedy sketch, of me chasing around a field of sheep dodo, trying to retrieve my soft rolls from this over eager seagull. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to rescue our rolls but in a strange twist of fate neither did the seagull as the crows came along and took them from him. The view of Ardmucknish Bay across to the town of Oban were stunning. This is our #barefootselfie we took.

Day 3 Oban to Glen Nevis

Todays cycle was a great test of our resilience, as we had rain for the whole day and we where wet through to the bone. That said the route took us through woodland and was mainly on designated paths. We stopped at Glencoe for lunch (to get rest bite from the rain), and had a lovely lunch of tuna toastie and latte at the golf club. Luckily they had leather seats, that they could dry off, as I am sure we left a puddle behind. 

Here we met two guys cycling the same route and we shared our onward journey with them across two ferries. One in Corran and then to Fort William from Gaul. The first ferry was free to use for pedestrians and cyclists and the second which was a small passenger ferry cost us £1.50 per person and £1.50 for the bike. Fort William took us by surprise, as it was built up with plenty of shops, and although we wanted to look around we took the decision to find our campsite for the next two days in Glen Nevis. This would give us the opportunity to dry off & relax. The views here were amazing, we was on Ben Nevis’s doorstep. This site is an excellent choice if your looking to explore this area by foot.

Day 4 Glen Nevis

Having covered over 140 miles we took the decision to take today as a rest day. Luckily for us the sun shone for the whole day and we decided to cycle in to Fort William to look around. The high street was filled with plenty of Scottish fair (whiskey, shortbread and tartan) and we decided it would be fitting to have cheese and oatcakes for our dinner on the campsite. This site had a well equipped shop, and we had haggis sticks for dinner the next night.

Day 5 Glen Nevis to Fort Augustus

Yay, today the sun was shining, and knowing that today's ride was going to be challenging (although shorter; 36 miles) we took the decision to get on the road early (7am). This took us in to Spean Bridge and we was able to visit the Commando Memorial and then join the Caledonia Way. This is a picture of us when we reached the Caledonian canal. The route from here takes you up a steep hill along Loch Lochy through beautiful woodland. It is worth noting that the terrain here is bumpy with challenging inclines. You then rejoin the canal at Loggans Lock through to the beginning of Loch Ness in Fort Augustus.

Day 6 Fort Augustus to Inverness

Today was our final ride and the most challenging of all of our days riding. We set off from Fort Augustus and almost instantly hit the biggest hill we had encountered (along B862). At this point I have to admit, we had to push the bikes for a short while, given the weight of our bikes this was a big enough feat in its self. The views from Suidhe viewpoint once we reached the top took your breath away. The remainder of the ride was as challenging, with lots of hills and you felt like you was on a rollercoaster for what seemed like 10 miles. We stopped off for a cuppa at Foyers Falls which was much needed. The last leg of our weeks ride gave us our best experience, when we came across two young deer prancing through a field and then we got the rare sight of seeing a red squirrel. Then we arrived in Inverness following a full day of riding ready to catch our coach at 6pm.

We then had to dismantle our bikes for the coach journey to Glasgow, we had booked a hotel as the next coach from Glasgow to Birmingham was the following day. Let me just say by the time we got in the hotel room, we had the best night’s sleep we had had in what felt like a long while. 

In total we covered some 220+ miles during our 6 days cycling in Scotland, travelling along CNR 7, Caledonia way and the Great Glen way and it has inspired us to plan our next cycling holiday. We feel massively proud that we managed this epic journey and are thankful for all the lovely people we met along our travels, the stories they shared and for the handy tips they imparted.

Our Top Tips

1, Bike Bags with wheels

2, Travel light and be prepared to wear the same clothes (take two changes)

3, Plan your meals ahead of your journey, think light noodles and packets (tinned food is heavy)

4, Be prepared to get wet, invest in some waterproof clothing and shoes.

5, Some of the roads we cycled had big HGV vehicles, even on small roads. Be road aware.

6. Invest in a midge hoodie, the little bitters can be annoying.

7, Check out the gradient of your route, as this will alter your journey length.

8, You have the right camping equipment, season 2 sleeping bag for example.

9, Take a camera, you will experience some awesome views we took a solar charger with us that was well worth the £20 investment.

10, Have an brilliant time and share your journey, we would love to hear of new routes to take.

[jenkinsjourneys]

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Glasgow to Inverness along CNR 7 & Caledonia Way

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Half way up Mt Pantokrator Corfu

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Agios Spiridon beach Corfu, on the north coast with Mt Pantokrator in the background