1000km On British Soil

Coincidently, 1000km clicked over 1 mile from Lands End

Searching For Pirates In Penzance

Arrr, It's Captain Hook

St Michael's Mount

A Week In Photographs

Teignmouth, Devon

Brixton, Devon

Dartmouth, Devon

Almost Booked For Speeding - ON A BICYCLE...

So, I was minding my own business just enjoying a hard earned freewheel down a steepish decent when a 30 mph sign popped up. At this point is I was sitting on around 40 mph tucked into the most aerodynamic pose I could manage, and enjoying every second of the ride when a police vehicle rounded the corner. I could see the passenger looking my way and pointing directly at me......

Instantly I jumped upright using my body as an air break and pumped the breaks to brush off as much speed as I could manage. By this time the police vehicle was almost level with me and both the driver and passenger appeared very interested in my actions. No, not because that were planning on pulling me over and reading the riot act. They were both looking, pointing and laughing. Thankfully my reaction to the situation, from the outside, must have appeared a little on the comical side.

In 2012 Even Cartoon Characters Travel The World By Bicycle

St George's Day

I managed to stumble upon a medieval reenactment by the Plymouth Medieval Group for St Georges Day on Monday the 23rd of April. The guys and gals of the group were really getting into the spirit of things, bashing their heavy swords against each other to the shock of many passers by judging by the looks on their faces.

Unfortunately my camera battery expired during the battle so I had to make a mad dash back to my accommodation to secure the photos within this post...

Spot The Flaw...

Loosing Interest Quickly, Why?

Unfortunately I'm rapidly loosing interest in this touring gig. Is it England? Is it the weather? Is it spending too much time away from family and friends? Is it too much time with my own thoughts? I guess it's a combination of all of the above. Where to from here is anybody's guess. 

Tomorrow I head further west and further into the unknown. Only 27km was completed today before I through the towel in. A combination of an unrelenting headwind, nasty hills and a lack of enthusiasm killed the day early. Perhaps 10 weeks on a bike is enough for this little puppy. Perhaps I need a good touring companion much like the many I rode with in New Zealand to distract me so the voices in my head saying go home and give up don't have a chance to take over. 

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully I'll awake with renewed enthusiasm. I at least need a revised plan of attack as the status quo ain't working...

We All Do It...

A Horse On A Hill

Riding the SCCR

With average daily temperatures hovering around 11 degrees, the UK is at first, a little chilly for an Aussie. It's not so much the cold, but the rain squalls that really suck whilst touring. Rain gear on, rain gear off, on, off, on ,off... Okay I can deal with that, but the real challenge is finding a dry and warm shelter for lunch. Do they exist? Not in the UK. I guess in Australia and New Zealand we are spoilt with bountiful parklands with good quality shelter away from nasty weather.

The South Coast Cycle Route runs for 906 km between Dover in the East to St Austell in the west. The route, mainly along the coast line, is generally along level terrain which is a pleasant change after New Zealand's undulating terrain. The route is well marked in places and non existent in others. This is partly due to the fact the the route is incomplete with Sustrans members still negotiating routes which appears to be a long and drawn out process in the UK.

Could London Be One Of The Best Cities In The World?

On most days, I think so....

I arrived in London bright and early on a cold (4 Degrees) but sunny London morning and the weather hasn't improved much at all. It's cold, wet and overcast but hey, that's the UK!

London can be dirty and dreary city in parts but for the most part it's an exciting and vibrant pace to visit. On a fine day when the sky is actually blue London is at it's best. The city shines and fils you with energy. Take a wander along the Thames and all your cares dissipate with every step.

Since I have arrived in London I have cycled the Thames, peddled past Big Ben and along Bernies Cycle Superhighway, I've rolled past the London Eye and across Tower Bridge. I've taken a ride on the tube once or twice, hand fed squirrels in Saint James Park, dodged the crowds at Buckingham Palace, strolled through Covent Garden, Liechester Square and Piccadilly Circus and downed a pint of two at the local public houses around Twickenham and Richmond. Time to move on I think, Brighton Pier here I come.

The River Thames By Bike

Strawberry Vale

Marble Hill House

Homeland Security 0, Captain Australia 1

That's right, he made it into the good ole country, time for a beer with Lizzy or one of the boys. Actually, the captain would prefer to have a pint or two with James May if he's about?

Now, time to clear the shelves of Marmite and "spread" (pardon the pun) the word about the benefits of the only mite to be eaten on toast...

Hampton Court Palace

Richmond Bridge

Happy Easter Everybunny

My Bike Takes Me Places That School Never Could...

2400km around New Zealand's South Island in a snapshop.