Yorkshire’s Holderness coast is one of the strangest places to cycle in Britain. I spent today wandering the lanes round Skipsea (pic), south of Bridlington. Many old people – in other words, me – remember when these linked up with roads running along the clifftop. I cycled along them thirty years ago on my Raleigh…
Author: Rob Ainsley
Blackpool: Illuminating experience
Route research in Blackpool, here to for the annual car-free switch-on ride. They close the promenade road to traffic but encourage locals and visitors to explore the seafront by bike. And people do. Quite a lot of them…
Birmingham: Fluid measures for cycle parking
Researching cycle parking in Birmingham. I’m working, really. Proof: look, there’s my bike, in the top left of the picture.
Wolds: Joining the fold
Weekend researching cycling routes in East Yorkshire’s Wolds on my folding bike. An area that’s compact, beautiful, and great value. All descriptions that don’t apply to my folding bike.
Leicester: Park life
Enjoyable day researching Leicester’s exciting cycle infrastructure, such as this fine path on Newarke St, wide enough to park a large van on.
Peaks: Closed for cars, open for bikes
I’m researching cycling routes in the Derbyshire Peaks with Mark. His local knowledge proved invaluable – ‘closed roads’ (like the one on Mam Tor, which we didn’t visit today) that are actually open to cyclists (hence car-free) for instance. And pubs, also open to cyclists…
Nottingham: Tunnels and tramlines
Very enjoyable day of route research in Nottingham. The quirky Park Tunnel, underneath Street-View-invisible, gas-lit Park Estate; the delightful long stretches of bike path by the Trent; the Market Square; and the tram system, roamable on a four-quid day pass.
France 21: Castellane to Nice
Well, I finished: St Malo to Nice ticked off. Shame there are no puns on my final destination that I could use to say how it’s been. It was a foggy old start to the day (pic). The first hour as I climbed up to 1200m it was like cycling inside Tupperware. The drivers could…
France 20: Les Salles-sur-Verdon to Castellane
A day of big climbs – over 1400m all told, and I’ve just told you so it must be true – but well worth it for some stupendous views of the Verdon gorge. The early morning ascent to Aiguines gave me a view back over the town of Les Salles, where I spent last night…
France 19: Forcalquier to Les Salles-sur-Verdon
Another lovely day of cycling on quiet back roads through lush countryside and tranquil woods. Saturday was market day in several of the towns and villages I passed through, and they were bustling (pic). Locally sourced food is the norm here. When I asked where the fruit and veg were grown they usually just pointed…