Today I am going to go and do in Halifax (the town where I was born) what I did earlier in the year in Gibraltar, Cadiz, Seville, Zafra, Salamanca, Zamora, Pamplona, Saumur, Tours, Orleans, Paris, Waterloo, Bremen, Hamburg, Mons Klint, Copenhagen, Helsingor, Gothenburg, Oslo, Trondheim, Tromso, Nordkapp and Bergen… …which, if you haven’t guessed, […]
Don’t get too excited – I haven’t yet started to write the thing – but I’ve just been trying to work out a structure for the new book. For the first two books I stuck to a format of a chapter per day. That worked well for book 1 and […]
Last Monday I wrote a post entitled “September 1st 2015: Old Habits…” about my vague plans for my new working life here in Yorkshire. After reading what I wrote, Nigel McGillian made the following comment: “Andrew, well done on your decision to do what most of us would love to […]
Hot on the heels of the first (sold out) event organised by Leeds cycling impresario Ian Street comes the follow up film, the documentary “Rising From Ashes“. I went along to the first night and it was thoroughly enjoyable evening; good film, good venue (The Reliance in Leeds), good […]
‘Triology’ is the local spelling of ‘trilogy’ by the way…
By Benjamin Murray Cycle to Work day has been taking place today and it’s a superb way for employers to encourage their staff to be healthy and active! Getting involved Cycle to Work Day aims to increase the figure of 760,000 people in Britain who already regularly cycle to […]
…die hard. The 1st September 2001 (or thereabouts) was the first time I experienced that first day back at school as a teacher. Today would have been my 15th first day back at school had I not taken the plunge and decided to quit my full-time teaching job […]
This is fun! Here is Tim’s website and here is where you can find him on Twitter…
Whenever I post something about cycling – the previous post being a good example – I invariably receive at least one email or message or comment saying something along the lines of “All this cycling stuff is great Andrew but, quite frankly, I’d rather know more about the current […]
This is once again my home territory and I have to say that on a day like today, with no wind to speak of and hazy sunshine, it compares very favourably indeed to anything that the continent can offer. My route took me from Blackley (the Yorkshire one) […]
Full details on the Cycle To Work Day website…
“A bunch of young hipsters ride from Budapest to Istanbul…” That’s the first line uttered in the film and it tells you everything you need to know. I can only imagine that there gear is being carried by the camera crew. An interesting 30 minute watch as the […]
By Emily Dunlop of Bikmo Plus Make sure your kit is covered too Look for a cycle insurance policy which not only covers your bikes, but covers your kit and accessories too. It’s great to know your £5k Pinarello can be replaced after an incident, but what about the £250 […]
By Julie B. It does not always seem easy to be a green traveller, and it may appear almost impossible to journey around the world in an environmentally conscious way. But there are a few small changes you can make to your travels that can aid you in […]
Did you follow Andrew as he cycled from Tarifa to Nordkapp earlier this summer? Are you yearning to read more tales about long days in the saddle? Well, for a very limited period, the ‘wonderful, witty, inspirational’ cycling travelogues ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ and ‘Along […]
Leeds Bicycle Film Club launches on Monday 24th August at The Reliance in Leeds! The first film to be shown is the 1979 cycling classic (and Oscar Academy Award™ winning) Breaking Away. I just bought my ticket from Eventbrite (only £4 + 89p admin fee!) so I’ll perhaps see you […]
This is a very nice review for ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘. Thanks Graham Hind!
Finally, here it is; the complete list of posts from this summer’s cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp. In the reorganised framework of CyclingEurope.org you can find it under the ‘European Routes’ menu (Eurovelo 1) above and the listings for the individual countries can also be found in the […]
Now back in the UK after my successful cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp, at some point over the next few weeks (or more likely months) my mind will turn towards completing the European cycling trilogy of books that started with Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and […]
Another one of those nights of ‘rest’ rather than ‘sleep’ on the Pride of Rotterdam. Having completely forgotten that the clocks change upon arrival in the UK I was up and out of the cabin by 6:30am continental time, 5:30am British summer time. Two and a half hours […]
I see land! British land; the spit of Flamborough Head at sunrise… CORRECTION! Spurn Point on the Humber! (Thank-you Mr. John Sykes of Elland.)
A more organised second day of train travel (compared to the last-minute complexity of the trip from Hirtshals to Hamburg). Hamburg to Rotterdam by train – 3 of them – and then the ferry tonight at 9pm. That said, Deutsch Bahn decided to replace the first cycle-friendly IC […]
From Kathryn, a librarian in Northumberland, on Twitter: “@kafylou: Did this display in work this week (a little late I know) the 1st book 2go was @CyclingEurope #ikidyounot #librarians”
Back to the UK tomorrow evening…
I thought this would be a complicated part of the journey home from Nordkapp, and so it is proving to be. It is only 11am but I am already on Danish train number 3… This is how it has so far panned out: Arrived in Hirtshal on the […]
After over five weeks of cycling and boating, it’s finally goodbye to Norway. I’ll be back one day (although perhaps not to Sortland…).
Do you remember that I mentioned earlier this week how my tweet about the Norwegian town of Sortland had resulted in an article in the local newspaper, Vol? Well, here it is: The above photograph was sent to me by the journalist who interviewed me over the […]
The MS Lofoten docked in Bergen earlier this afternoon and I spent the afternoon having a good old wander around Norway’s second city and my new favourite Norwegian place. It’s charming! Tomorrow morning I catch the ferry to Denmark for an afternoon and overnight voyage south to Hirtshals. […]
It’s not often that panoramic viewpoints live up to the publicity shots down on the ‘ground’, but this one in Bergen most certainly does:
I can’t deny that there was more than just a little bit of me that felt very guilty about booking this ‘coastal steamer’ (aka cruise) along the coast of Norway. Anyone who has read Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie (just £2.49!) will no doubt recall […]
Having little to do on this ship is wonderful. I’ve read a book in just over a day, snoozed for many hours and have now put my mind to poetry. I give you the limerick of the cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp! Can anyone do better? There once […]
Cycling from Tarifa to Nordkapp may, in retrospect, appear to have been a relatively simply jaunt compared the the trip that I am about to embark upon when I arrive in Bergen. I’ve just spent a not inconsiderable amount of time on the Internet and this is the […]
Outside… …and inside
The southward quest continues… Highlight of the day was the deep and narrow Trollfjord. The captain looked anxious but I am told that boats much bigger than the MS Lofoten make similar manoeuvres. The rest of the day was spent either snoozing, reading or eating… (interrupted by a […]
Here is the full set of pictures that I posted to Instagram during my four week cycle from one end of Norway to the other. You can see all of the Instagram pictures from the southern tip of Europe here…
I boarded the MS Lofoten at about 6am but by 10.45am I was on shore again wandering around Hammerfest… The remainder of the day has been spent relaxing… I could get used to this.
As the sun peeks over the hill at 5am, it’s just me and a certain bicycle waiting by the quayside in Honningsvåg for the start of our long and hopefully leisurely journey back to Yorkshire. The MS Lofoten has yet to dock but when it does it’s a […]
Worth cycling 7,776 km to see, no?
Waiting for the midnight sun, hopefully…
A final gallery of cycling photos…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. To listen to a short video with some end-of-journey thoughts, visit the Facebook page…
…with three Germans, an Austrian, freeze-dried banana slices and prune schnapps. As you do… Thanks for all the comments on here, by email, on Facebook or via Twitter. They are all very much appreciated.
I’ve arrived!
The tourist trap of Nordkapp along the road to the right, the real northernmost point on the left… I hope to visit both.
About to set off on the final 35 km ride to Nordkapp. I’m told it’s uphill most of the way which, bearing in mind the condition of the rear brake pads, is no bad thing… Back here at the hostel in Honningsvåg on Wednesday after a night at […]
Just 32 km remains… (Plus a short walk.) It’s not raining!
I’m being very efficient tonight. Here are the photos. I have a video of the 7 km undersea tunnel but I fear the hostel WiFi may not be up to the challenge… The layered rock formations were fascinating.
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. What a day! Horrendous weather for almost all the cycle but, well, I am in the north of Norway so I can’t complain too much. It’s never stopped me in the past however… Not a day for camping […]
Here’s a nice review for Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie which goes some way to counteract the grim weather I’m currently experiencing in northern Norway… Thanks Mrs. Koisser.
Penultimate day…
The usual WordPress shenanigans to get this posted. Here goes…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Another longish day but I’m now within 130 km of Nordkapp. Tomorrow I’ll aim to cycle to Honningsvåg – a journey of 99 km (including that 7 km tunnel…) – before a final short cycle on Tuesday to […]
…and another one of those photographs with flowers in focus in the foreground…
It does seem never ending at times…
Here it is. The first official road sign. 240 km. That’s 3 x 80 km which just happens to be my current average. I like that. Today is Sunday which means that Norway shuts down. Unless you drive a car and need fuel. It’s a strange notion that […]
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Finally arrived in Alta. Can’t say I enjoyed the bulk of the cycling but there you go… I think today will have been my final 100+ km ride of the journey. Just 240 km now separates me from […]
The picture is a touch deceptive as this morning has been that triple whammy of cycling horror as noted in the title. But this afternoon has started a little more brightly and I remain hopeful for my final three days on the road. I now have a deadline […]
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. It’s beginning to feel like – no it is! – the beginning of the end. Potentially just four more days to go and I’ll be at Nordkapp staring out into the vastness of the Arctic Ocean realising that […]
I’m still catching up but these photos from yesterday hopefully reflect some idea of what a stunning day of cycling that it was…
I’ve been looking out for the first sign to Nordkapp for a few days; I didn’t expect it to look like this:
A couple of days late but here are the photos from relaxing Tromsø. I did nothing but wander, drink and relax…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. I was a little ‘off-grid’ last night so couldn’t publish anything to the website. Photos – spectacular ones – will come later but I’ll take the opportunity of introducing you to Hans and his daughter Veronika from Germany. […]
I do hope the sun keeps shining…
It finally feels as though my destination is not too far away…
Here’s the plan:
Lots of coloured bicycles along the route yesterday. Is the Arctic Tour coming this way?
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. A little late but I didn’t arrive at the campsite in Tromsø until about 10.30pm last night. I’m going to stay for two nights and take some time to explore the town (city?). More later… (and also more […]
Long day in the saddle… Now in Tromsø.
Such a nice evening: blue sky, no wind…
It’s very welcome…
The Land Rover belongs to a Dutch guy who works in ‘personnel’ for The Netherlands Foreign Ministry. I think he must be a secret agent… (You can see him peering through the front window.)
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. A wet day but some good coastal cycling along the remote west coast of Andøya, past secret listening stations and to a great campsite near the northern tip of the island. Early start tomorrow; I need to be […]
Tonight’s pitch in Bleik with a very good view. (Shame about the rain…)
Yesterday the following review was posted on Amazon.co.uk for ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘: Now first of all I’m grateful to the reviewer for having taken the time to write the review. The reader has clearly enjoyed reading the book as it has been […]
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Another long day. I wasn’t quite sure where it would end after my refusal to stay in rather undesirable Sortland, but it did, eventually…
I’ve been looking out for this shot – the snow on the peaks reflected in the still waters of a fjord – since setting off this morning. I just found it!
Today’s gallery…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Long day…
I’m perhaps clutching at straws here – it did rain for much of the night – but there is a little bit of blue sky up there. I’m hopeful for a dryish day. The flag tells the story of the wind which I think is from the north. […]
All of these photographs were taken today following my arrival on the Lofoten Islands…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Well, I wasn’t quite expecting to be sitting typing this by the edge of a beautiful sandy beach with clear turquoise water lapping on the shore. Pity there isn’t a blue sky and temperature to continue the tropical […]
There will be a little bit of cycling once I arrive at Moskenes (although to where I’m not quite sure) but for the time being it’s a case of watching the world go by (as long as they are in a ship) from the front of this streamlined […]
The 4G connection has come alive this morning! Here is the full set of pictures that I attempted, but failed, to upload last night:
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. A long, tough day. Many ups and downs. Weather, at times, not great. But I have arrived in Bodø. For me that’s more of a milestone than crossing the Arctic Circle as I seem to have said to […]
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. A day of two halves separated by a two-hour wait for a ferry, but over 65 km was cycled (75 km including the ferry) and I am now within one day of cycling to Bodø from where I […]
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. A shorter day today; time to catch up on cleaning and charging! Great campsite in Føray. It would be wonderful if they were all like this… As for tomorrow, well, Bodø is too far away for a one-day […]
Passed through at 9.35am…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Just one picture to round off the day:
To see a short video from the bridge, visit the Facebook page.
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Just two pictures to round off the day. It’s still blue sky up there and the forecast for Monday is good. It will be another day of island hopping I think but just one ferry. Having cycled the […]
It’s not over yet but so far I’d put it up there at number 1 in the league. I’m currently waiting for the second ferry of the day – a longer trip from Forvik to Tjøtta – so expect a few more pictures later. I like working on […]
Beautiful… (and I’m only half way along the island!)
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. The day the blue sky returned…
It’s now mid-afternoon and so far, no rain has fallen. My cycling day is nearly finished; I’m just waiting for the ferry to take me from Holm to Vennesund where there is, I’m promised, a campsite… It might be emergency food rations for my evening meal if there’s […]
Almost live from Norway…
Click here to see the detailed statistics of today’s cycle. Mmm… What to say about today apart from the rain? A ferry, lots of bridges, a rather drab destination. Not the most memorable of days. How can I keep this going if I get drenched by the end […]
Three images that sum up my morning…
