Category: Other

Back researching cycle routes, at last, after five months of kicking my heels, twiddling my thumbs and drumming my fingers. Who says men can’t multi-task? Anyway, today was a loop from Inverness, through the lake district south of Loch Ness. All fab, varied scenery on tiny back roads devoid of traffic. And, er, cafes and…

I’m en route to Inverness for some route research at last, after months stuck at home, and stopped off in Edinburgh for an investigative cycle round.

A delightful couple of days researching routes round Wharfedale and Wensleydale with Andrew P Sykes (of CyclingEurope.org), who’s en route to Edinburgh. As we’re both cycling writers, we spent much of the trip doing what we know and like best: sitting in a pub, talking. Professionally, of course: it was for a podcast.

Challenging three days researching cycle routes in Cornwall. Weather forecast lies, train delays, missed ferries, bike mechanicals, looming pandemic. Good beer though, and fab hospitality from the lovely Katy. Ups and downs, then. Rather like the geography.

Splendid day researching cycle routes with Nigel in friendly Suffolk. Definitely not Home Counties here. Everyone smiles and says hello to you.

More cycle route research in and around Oxford, my alma mater. It seems like only yesterday I was here, naive, foolish, and barely engaged with the real world. That’s because it was yesterday, on my first day of research.

Day researching cycle routes west of Oxford. Bright and breezy but cold and wet, and only a little lumpy. But that’s enough about me.

Day in Newcastle on my disposable folder researching routes and facilities, ie tunnels, metro, cake.

Final day investigating cycle routes in Hampshire. We visited the historic home of cricket, Broadhalfpenny Down, which excited me very much. Sorry for mentioning religion.

Another very nice half-day cycling the South Downs, on the East Hampshire Cycle Route. We got back to the hotel just as the heavy rain started, as forecast accurately by the Met Office. As opposed to the BBC website, which was hopeless as usual.