A memorable summer solstice. I was up early. (I always am.) Beautiful morning. Coffee brewed, I drove into Ambleside for the ParkRun. A friendly affair with far more ‘tourists’ than your average ParkRun. I chatted to a few others and then we were off! A creditable 25:42, only 11 seconds off my Huddersfield Greenhead Park PB. But you didn’t come here because you’re a fan of running. Let’s get to the cycling…
In yesterday’s post I listed a few things that had made 2025 a year of change. I forgot to mention the bib shorts. Why has it taken me so long to discover their wonders? They are basically padded cycling shorts with braces attached. (I’m now considering buying braces for all my trousers.) I bought them a few weeks ago and they cost a fortune (Lusso is the brand – look them up) but after wearing them today I have to declare that it was money well spent. As was the eye-watering ‘investment’ in the cycling shoes. I did look the part. More Mark Canvandish than Mark Beaumont. Sorry Mark. (Take your pick.)
As for the cycle, I only had a vague plan. Here’s how it turned out:
If anyone remembers, not dissimilar to my 2020 cycle in The Lakes with Tim Boden. Read about it here. But five years ago I was riding a heavy touring bike and not that fit. It was a labour of love. Today was very different. I glided up the hill from Great Langdale to Blea Tarn as Torvill & Dean sped across the ice in Sarajevo. The rain started falling – a bit – at the pass but nothing to warrant preventative measures. And so it continued. Up fell and down dale. I ticked off the destinations; Coniston, Hawkeshead… before descending down towards Windermere and a ferry crossing in the rain.
As I was waiting for the ferry I noticed a familiar bicycle; a Ribble CGR* Titanium no less. An interesting conversation was had with its owner. He had had the bike for a few years and was very happy with it. He’d even used it for touring in Wales. But it didn’t have the electronic shifters…
Talking tech, I called in at Ghyllside Cycles in Ambleside en route back to the campsite. What an Alladin’s Cave of a place it is. I was tempted by a £37 Crane Bell made specifically for drop handlebars. I resisted, for now at least. Crane Bells are the cream of the cream when it comes to bicycle bells and one chap I passed today on a narrow path did – justifiably – point out that I should have a bell. I agreed. Even if Mark Cavendish probably doesn’t. Mark Beaumont probably does, which gives me reassurance that I’m still an old-style cycle tourist at heart. Bib shorts not withstanding…
Tomorrow. Not sure… The weather forecast suggests more rain. That said, the forecast for now – 7:30pm on Saturday – suggests thundery showers. It’s anything but. A calm, warm evening with a blue sky. If the weather looks decent for Sunday I will pack up my stuff and head to somewhere nearby for more bib-short cycling. If not, I’ll try and head to a place where the rain isn’t falling. Admittedly, that might be Morocco…
*CGR: this stands for Cross Gravel Road. Basically it’s a bike designed for all types of surface and today I am delighted to say that it was tested on all types of surface. It performed to perfection!
LATEST CYCLING EUROPE POSTS:
- Votre Premier Grand Voyage À Vélo À Travers L’Europe : Comment Transformer Votre Rêve En Un Itinéraire, Et Non En Une Source De Stress
- New Developments in Turkey: Advantages and Risks
- The Ultimate Guide To The Best Cycling Routes In Europe
- Reviewing The Reviews: 100 Episodes Of The Cycling Europe Podcast
- 100 Episodes (Nearly…) Of The Cycling Europe Podcast: A Journey Across A Continent (And Beyond)
Subscribe to the Cycling Europe YouTube Channel
Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda, was published in May 2024 and recounts Andrew P. Sykes’ journey around France, into the Alps and down the Rhine in the summer of 2022. It is available as a paperback and as and eBook from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com (and other international Amazon sites). The paperback is also available from Waterstones or Foyles and the eBook from Apple iBooks.
Since 2009, CyclingEurope.org has established itself as a valued, FREE cycle touring resource. There’s now even a podcast, The Cycling Europe Podcast. If you enjoy the website and the podcast, please consider supporting the work of CyclingEurope.org with a donation. More information here.
Catch up with The Cycling Europe Podcast:
Discover more from CyclingEurope.org
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Beautiful photos as always!
Thanks. There’s probably a short video to come so watch this space!
My God Andrew, you have turned into a. MAMIL! I think we need an intervention! You need to get yourself on a proper Yorkshire butcher’s bike and done the twead, to have any street cred in the Halifax-area hood.
Yes, it is rather worrying… I’m losing my northern credibility!