Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

37.7 miles Ascent 208 metres Descent 183 metres Not quite the boring day we had been hoping for. Getting out of any city on a bike is tricky if you are trying to avoid main roads. An old Michelin route map does not contain sufficient detail and even the technology (or the operator) can let…

60.5 miles Ascent 784 metres Descent 715 metres Oops! We made a mistake. It has been pointed out to us that we didn’t cycle through the Battlefields of the Somme as that is too far off our route. But we did of course cycle through the fields of the Baie of the Somme. Another dramatic…

Berck sur mer to Mers les Bains 55.5 miles Ascent 234 metres. Descent 272 metres A challenging start to the day. We woke to dark skies and as soon as the tent was packed away there was a bolt of lightening followed by thunder and then it poured and poured and poured. We cycled across…

Boulogne to Bercke Plage 34.67 miles Gentle ride along the brilliant EV 4 route. Arrived at Etapes where we stopped to look at the military cemetery. A picnic lunch in smart Le Touquet and now at a 5*campsite at Bercke plage where you have to pay to wash your hands.

Escalles to Boulougne 23.8 miles Ascent 380 metres Descent 374 metres Today we found the camaraderie of le velo en France as we rode the EV4 route. It was noticeable that everyone was doing the route in the opposite direction to us. What did they know that we didn’t? A headwind! Today’s ride was a…

Canterbury to Dover Calais to Escalles 32.2 miles plus a ferry crossing Ascent 578. Descent 585 Whatever your preference, we are sending our thanks to Ramesh for providing us with the sweets that kept us entertained and helped us physically and mentally to climb to Dover! Had a personal escort out of the Ferry port…

Tunbridge Wells to Canterbury 49.06 miles Ascent 490 metres Descent 599 metres Accompanied by Shirley and John today who provided a porter service for our bags, lunch and general encouragement. Thanks to John for the delicious sandwiches and for telling us all about the dangers of rocket. Thank goodness he was there to keep us…

The start of the adventure Coulsdon to Bidborough 31 miles 608 metres ascent 578 metres descent A beautiful sunny day to start our journey. It took a while to get used to balancing and riding a fully loaded bike. I lost Alison after just 6 miles! Decided I didn’t want to do the next 1794…

Alison and Alison and the art of Re-tyrement Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the highway. Three years ago we were planning another cycle and decided the Way of Saint James via the route of the Camino Frances would be just what we were looking for. Then Alison…