Across Northern England 2011

Flight Home - FIN

2011-05-28T07:32:00.003-04:00

Rushed through a very small breakfast, caught the 11 down to Princes St., walked over to Waverley Bridge and caught the Airlink bus, travelled to the airport, did all the airport hassle, waited, flew to Heathrow, did all the airport hassle, flew to Montreal but had a great bunch of conversations with a computing guy named Eric, who works in electric generating plant support. He was returning from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. He told me he usually just says hello to people on flights but when he saw the Garmin around my wrist and my netbook booting in Ubuntu he figured this was someone worth a go. It was total geektalk from then on.
Arrived in Montreal, did the Customs and Airport hassle, flew to Ottawa, took the 97 home and...

found that the kitties had lied to me because they both greeted me at the door and thereafter pestered me with cuddles, rubs and purrs almost all night long.

In the interests of geeks among us I shall publish elevation, duration and speed profiles of each segment of the cycling tour.
They will appear below as I process them.

Here are the written results (note that I failed to activate the GPS for the last part of day 1 and the first part of day 5 so there's a bit missing). Times are Eastern.;

Caption on this one should be Chester-le-Street to Sunderland

And the Elevation Graphs by Day are shown below;

Edinburgh - Full Tourist Day

2011-05-26T13:27:00.002-04:00

Hello All,

Today I was a tourist; the Camera Obscura and its many floors of very interesting optical displays, Gladstone's Land (life in the 1500's and later), a quick pop over to Holyrood, the Royal Museum of Scotland where I hoped to see the marvelous clock (alas renovations have made it inaccessible until July), the Royal Yacht Britannia, and a walk through The Meadows.

Senior Citizen is defined as 60+ here so I've been saving a bundle on admission prices.

I'm amused by some signs in the UK. The wording on this one reminded me of one I'd seen in Southampton with the rather suggestive message, 'Air Canada does it both ways'. If you'd like to set that pupil down you may choose to uplift another more to your liking.

A View Near the Ocean Terminal

My charming little room here at Fraoch House where Gareth Houston runs one of the best B&B's I've encountered. He is so welcoming, down to earth and accommodating that it's no wonder the Trip Advisor reviews, without exception, are glowing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The following two photos may be of interest to my cycling readers. This is a typical national cycle route marker showing direction and route number. The UK is criss-crossed with so many of these trails that one occasionally comes to a crossing of paths and has to choose the right number.

This is one of the cycle network artworks with those flying fins whose significance I have not researched as yet.

The Meadows

City view from atop the Camera Obscura

Rear of Scottish Parliament Buildings

This marks the end of the adventure. I'll be off to Edinburgh Airport after breakfast tomorrow (barring any sudden wind shift with accompanying ash cloud) and flying to Heathrow for a long layover and then on to Montreal and finally, home. Kitties here I come - get ready to cuddle.

Jim

Lunch in Edinburgh

2011-05-25T08:12:00.002-04:00

Arrived in Edinburgh at 11:30 and check-in is at 15:00 so I am having a delightful lunch in Elbow. Lentil soup, chicken and leek pie with puff crust, a Heineken, chips, and I just might go for a sticky pud.

Overcast here and I don't want to pull my suitcase around so I'm staying put for a while until I check in.

....a bit later...

Now checked in, host is a very gracious young guy. Went out to see a museum of musical instruments then, tired out, I took the 11 bus back to my room where I am having a tea.

As an aside, my videos caught the eye of someone on YouTube who is cycling the perimeter of the continental USA. He requested, and I approved him becoming one of my YouTube friends. He started in Seattle and has gone south and east hitting Key West and is now in the Allegheny Gap. He has no schedule and is a fervent bicycling evangelist.

Gadgetry Comes to the Rescue

2011-05-25T00:30:00.002-04:00

Those who are interested may want to revisit my 'In Keswick, 40 Miles Done' post. With the aid of a few Linux commands I have managed to rotate my first video 180 degrees and have just now published it as an addition in that post.

Quality is not as good as the others due to the processing but it is acceptable. It was the first of my route videos, and my inexperience with the camera shows. I had intended to take more than one shoot on that day but, forgetting that the camera went to sleep after any extended idle period, I failed to awaken it and assumed it was recording. So, alas, only one video.

Jim

Newcastle Walks

2011-05-24T12:16:00.005-04:00

View Newcastle Wanderings in a larger map

The map above shows some, but not all, of my meanderings around Newcastle over the last day and one half. I did manage to take public transit today in the form of the Metro and a Sightseeing bus but there was still considerable walking not shown on this map.

Suffice to say, my feet are tired, I'm in for the night and off to Edinburgh by train tomorrow.
This is one half of my cozy room, the unseen half has two other beds, a dresser and a wardrobe.

I am scheduled to fly out of Edinburgh to Heathrow on Friday so the ash cloud may play a part in my fate. Fortunately my travel insurance provides compensation for any added expenses incurred as a result but I'd rather not have to deal with it. I noted that BMI flights were still scheduled as of this morning but I'll make periodic checks.

The wind, though a regular feature of this area, has been excessive with Scotland getting gusts over 100mph. Perhaps it will blow the ash into France before I fly.

Not much in the way of photos today; the weather was a mix of downpours, wind, and lovely sunny breaks - completely unpredictable. I bought a day ticket on the Metro and ventured to some of the suburban stops, one being Heworth where I took this picture in the older part of the cemetery. There is a cemetery near my lodging which is in a total shambles, stones toppled and broken, overgrown with weeds, litter strewn everywhere. I found it sad that the oldest parts are so neglected, quite unlike what we find in Canada.

Heworth

Near my lodging

Till tomorrow,

Jim

Exploring Newcastle

2011-05-23T12:32:00.001-04:00

Had an early breakfast at the Roker in Sunderland, asked them to open the garage so I could put an identification tag on the bicycle for the Sherpa Van pickup, and then checked out. I walked to the Metroline station and my ticket came out of the machine just in time for me to get on the train just pulling in.

Off in Newcastle I walked about 1.4 miles to the Clifton House (which I would recommend to anyone). Despite my early arrival the owner welcomed me heartily, offered me coffee, drew a map of the immediate area with recommendations for dinner etc., and welcomed me to make myself completely at home in the common areas.

I stowed my luggage in my top floor room with skylight (though I will move to a smaller room tomorrow) and began my city walk. Took in Life Centre, Great Northern Museum, Discovery Centre, The Biscuit Factory, a look at a portion of the original city wall, a planetarium show and a walk along the quayside.
Tomorrow I shall limit myself to buses and other forms of public transit. My feet are gradually recovering.

The Arcade

Life Centre

City Wall

Eclectic View

Civic Centre

Pedestrian Street

University of Northumbria

The Sage

Overpass

Clifton House, my Temporary Home

Crossed the Finish Line

2011-05-22T10:55:00.002-04:00

I made it! Got all emotional when I saw the congratulatory message posted at the end of the path. It was only about 15 miles from my previous hotel to the seaside in Sunderland so I arrived around 10:00 after a 9:00 breakfast. Wandered about Sunderland on its many bike paths awaiting a more reasonable check-in time. Am now in the Roker Hotel right on the seaside, luggage has arrived, bike is locked in garage. Had a lovely little lunch at a cafe patronized by many cyclists.

The Route:
You can see that they must have made some changes since the waypoints I was using had been posted because my route is north of what was in my GPS. Not to worry, it was well marked. The only untoward thing which happened was that someone, I suspect kids, dropped something off a bridge and it bounced off my handlebars. No damage.

View Chester-le-Street to Sunderland in a larger map

Didn't take any still photos but here are the videos including the last of the Rookhope to Chester-le-Street and those of the last leg, Chester-le-Street to Sunderland. The last is a ride along the Sunderland seaside.

Had a lovely pasta dinner with wine last night. I'm about to go down for breakfast after which I'll tag the bicycle, check out, and make my way to Newcastle. Went for a walk to the Metro station last evening.

Later,
Jim

Rookhope to Chester-le-Street, Second Last Day

2011-05-21T11:13:00.005-04:00

View Rookhope to Chester-le-Street in a larger map

Lots of videos today. Weather was glorious and the wind was behind me except for a short period when I had it on my right side practically blowing me off the road. There's nothing to stop it on the moors and it is ferocious. Climbed a rocky incline rather than losing altitude and having to use the roadway (which even motorists find daunting). The number of cyclists gradually increased and it progressed to the point where we had a little crowd waiting to go through a gate.

Stopped at a charming little cafe for cyclists and had a tea to warm my hands. Talked to a cyclist from Newcastle and a motorist from Oregon.

Veered off the path to visit the Beamish Open Air Museum for about an hour and a half. Made my way back to the path and didn't realize that I forgot to update my GPS route to include the finalized hotel so I overshot it and had to use the map to backtrack and plot a course through three little towns to get to my hotel.

I'm in the Moorings, a rather posh place on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street. Tomorrow it's just a skip and a hop into Sunderland so I'll have lots of time to explore it before surrendering my bike on Monday morning.

The Photos

The Cute Little Bike Cafe at Parkhead

A Former Railway Station

Scenes of the Beamish Open Air Museum

The Videos (The complete set is available via my YouTube channel; kaybikerow)

Out of Rookhope

Ovine Meeting

The Ruins

Winds on Top/The Parkhead Cafe

Waskerley Way

Not Alone Any Longer, Population Begins

Flying towards Chester-le-Street

Over the Viaduct

There are more videos to be uploaded. I left the computer running overnight to get these ready and the rest, as well as those of my final run into Sunderland (starting in a few hours) will be uploaded from there. You may hear a 'beep, beep' in the videos. That is my GPS telling me that there is a course change approaching.

Later, Jim

Up Hill and down Dale

2011-05-20T12:01:00.004-04:00

Sorry, no movies and only a few photos today. I crested Hartside (580 metres) and Nenthead (609 metres) in a wind-driven chilly drizzle that precluded any exposure of my cameras to the elements.

I left Edenhall this morning around 8:30 and arrived in Rookhope around 13:00, having traveled a distance of 36 miles. I'm pleased to report that I didn't have to get off and walk the bike up anything save a horrid steep rock-strewn 'alternative' route which I could have avoided. Reading the map later I noted the notice 'Very Steep Rough Track'.

UPDATE: Here's how one C2C rider described that 'alternative' section that I mention;
Garrigill – mile marker 77 approx
This is a very short but very steep and stony off-road section leading out of Garrigill to join the B6277. This is a killer, the most I have managed is 50 yards of the hill and even then I nearly killed myself doing it. My advice is save your energy, pick up your bike and walk it! One consolation though is the water splash just before the climb, it is brilliant fun – especially in hot weather!

It's unfortunate that I couldn't have captured video of the downhill runs on the eastern sides of the high points. They were white-knuckle affairs with my screaming down the middle of the lane to leave room for last millisecond correction, judiciously applying braking bursts when the speed approached suicidal levels, and scanning the road for obstacles. My GPS indicates I reached almost 35 mph (58 kph).

The road into Nenthead could, without argument, be called a paved cliff. The twists and sudden turns and a T-intersection at the bottom mean one can't let off the brakes and ever hope to stop in time. I was expecting my brake pads to be little rubber nubs by the time I reached the town.

I felt like Fungus the Bogeyman at times (see Raymond Briggs) flying along in my soggy rain gear and wet gloves. Watership Down also came to mind upon seeing the roadways strewn with dead rabbits.

Having passed from Cumbria and through Northumberland I am currently in County Durham at the Rookhope Inn. The weather forecast for tomorrow is favourable to my delight as that will make my visit to the Beamish Outdoor Museum all the more enjoyable.

Photos:

Edenhall Evening

Hartside Summit Cafe

Just me and maybe 3 cars per hour

The Cliff Road down to Nenthead

Nenthead when the sky finally cleared

The Route

View Edenhall to Rookhope in a larger map

Fantastic Ride to Edenhall

2011-05-20T01:46:00.008-04:00

I had breakfast at 8:00 and no sooner was up in my room did I get a call saying the man was here to pick up my luggage. Fortunately it was ready and labelled. Each morning is a little choreographed episode; dress in regular clothes for breakfast, hurry upstairs to don my cycling togs, pack my regular clothes, drop the luggage off in the lobby for 9:00, get my bike out of storage and be on my way.

The Keswick to Edenhall ride was spectacular and leaves me wanting to come back and savour some of the other routes. There are videos and stills for your viewing enjoyment. If you watch no other be sure that you look at 'Lamb Jumps...' where I almost have lamb chops for lunch.

Boardwalk Just East of Keswick

Old Railway Bridge

Beside the A66

Lamb Jumps in Front of Me

A Couple of Cyclists

Mungrisdale

Walk around Penrith

Some Photos;

Keswick Early Morn

My Bike in Penrith Churchyard

Mind the Horses (in College Grounds)

Blencowe Hall

Clearing Skies

The 'Quirky Cycle Barn' where cyclists are invited to drop in on the honour system, have a snack and drink, relax, read and rest.

'Quirky' Info

Cleared and Cool

I'm currently in the Edenhall Country Hotel which is the best so far. Had an ale and meal in the sunroom overlooking the garden. Went for a walk and felt like someone out of a Thomas Hardy story. Awaiting breakfast and my two major climbs today.

Navigation is now a breeze. The official C2C is carefully marked with blue signposts and my GPS is flawless. I've learned to use the map feature whereby I just keep my moving arrow aligned on the mapped route which, to my surprise, automatically scales itself to show the best detail for my speed.

The Route Map

View Keswick to Edenhall in a larger map

Next post will be from Rookhope on the other side of the two highest points on the route.

In Keswick, 40 Miles Done

2011-05-18T12:37:00.002-04:00

Left the Quaker House dining room after our communal breakfast and had to scramble to get my luggage ready for transfer at the requested 9:00 am deposit. The morning dark clouds rushed across the sky to reveal a glorious blue with the occasional white puff. No need for the heavy rain gear today so I was into my tights and spandex and out the gate lickety-split. Got the first interest in my helmet cam by two cyclists as I opened the gate.

Most people round these parts are hikers. One can see them scattered about the fells with their walking sticks and knapsacks. I think I was the lone cyclist during my stay.

The route to Keswick, shortly after exiting Grasmere, begins with a long climb up the Dunmail Raise which I walked for part of the way. Once crested there is a knuckle-whitening downhill run with my needed left turn off the main road at the bottom. After that it's narrow, flat, beautiful and practically deserted for miles. I was up in top gear for a long part of it.

The weather being pleasant, I had the helmet cam running but I managed to attach it upside down so I have an upside down movie. If I find a way to invert it it will be posted. In lieu, a small description; moss and timber on the left, Lake Thirlmere on the right, deer suddenly running startled from beside me as I pass, flat twisty road.

UPDATE: Amazing what one can do with Linux on a Netbook. I managed to invert the video with a couple of command lines and here it is. It was my first live run with the camera so, inexperienced as I was, I only managed to take one video, that of the Quaker House to the intersection with Dunmail Raise. Video quality has suffered a little as a result of the rotation processing.

Reached Keswick just before 11:00 am and milled about until it was a decent check-in time. Just got my luggage transfer and zipped out to the coinwash and did a laundry. Bicycle is stowed in the conservatory of the hotel.

The Route:

View GratoKes in a larger map

Grasmere - The (WIFI Deficient) Quaker House

2011-05-18T11:45:00.006-04:00

I'm in the Quaker House in Grasmere and my gear is drying in the 'Drying Room', a cupboard with an electric heater and all sorts of racks and hangers. There are hikers galore in this region and I'd say that the vast majority are fit seniors.

I had a breakfast of scrambled eggs and muesli in Ulverston and checked out around 8:30 this morning having stowed my labeled luggage under the main staircase for the transfer van. I had to wile away some time because Gill Cycles didn't open until 9:00. I made a different sight all decked out in my most impervious raingear as I strolled out the town. Some schoolboys mocked my squeaking shoes.

Gill Cycles was very helpful. They had installed a rack on what looked like a brand new Trek for me. The two men in the store had just done the C2C and told me I'd love the last 30 miles of it.

After a little adjusting and fitting my pannier I was off, or so I thought. No sooner had I gone two miles I was lost and my GPS kept chiding me. A check of the map and some backtracking and I was realigned. I find that confusion results at some intersections because it is not obvious at times as to which branch is the continuation of the road.

The morning was damp and a heavy fog hung down over the hills like a fluffy blanket. I could see about 100 feet ahead and hear hidden sheep baaing on either side of the rock walls. The route out of Ulverston followed some very tough uphill climbs and I had to walk the bike with heart pounding. Was this a mistake? But then my reward; miles of screaming downhills with brakes squealing.

I had one more misstep at Elterwater where I turned off to the route which was only suitable for mountain bikes and again I had to backtrack. It was all straightforward after that. Red Bank, or as I will call it in future, the Cumbrian Alps, was another walked climb but the reward on the other side was heralded by the sign 'Cyclists Check Brakes Here'! … and believe me you had better.

Clocked just under 30 miles (29.84) which means I wasted about 3 miles on my errors. The GPS is invaluable and I have learned to trust it rather than my guesses.

I picked up my luggage in the main reception here a few minutes ago alleviating my anxiety about the transfer. Lan would understand.

This is the building in which my room was located;

This little guy was very vocal just outside my bedroom;

Went for a small walk before retiring.

This is the one inn in which my dinner is included so I will be partaking of a three course Quaker dinner at 7:00. Then I'll have a good rest in preparation for tomorrow's leg to Keswick. I don't have WIFI here so this will be posted from Keswick.
Dinner and breakfast were communal and the place was full. Camembert, salmon, leeks, peas, carrots, potatoes and a strawberry mousse for me. Scrambled and hash browns for breakie.
Drivers are very considerate; practically stopping when they approach me on one of the tiny roads and cautiously passing if coming from behind. Driving on the left has become second nature with me.
The route, including a couple of my erroneous offshoots and backtracks (I forgot to turn the GPS back on at Coniston but the waypoints are shown);

View UlvGras in a larger map

Starting Line

2011-05-16T11:09:00.001-04:00

I've made it to Ulverston by train and coach within the last hour. It is very drizzly but not cold.
Here is the route we took;

View Made it to Ulverston in a larger map

One of my biggest concerns was what sort of carry facility was provided on the bike so, as soon as I dropped off my luggage I scooted over to Gill Cycles to see them. I brought one of my panniers and they are going to install a rack on the otherwise bare bicycle. It did have a little underseat bag but I have a little more things to hold.

As for those delicious sandwiches; here's an ingredient list from one I purchased at the Manchester Rail Station;

(You can click on them to see them full size)

Last Morning in Manchester

2011-05-16T01:29:00.003-04:00

My bags are packed and I await the opening of my last breakfast time at the Ascott Hotel.

Yesterday was a blustery damp mix of drizzle, fog and downpour through which I walked to and from the Trafford Centre, a total distance of approximately 5k. Despite the weather it was a pleasant walk.

Crossed this waterway with its typical Mancunian brick service building and the Barton Swing Aqueduct. I saw charming little footpaths which, had it not been raining, I might have explored.

This was all in deep contrast to what eventually emerged on my horizon; an immense, gaudy, domed, sprawling complex in the style of faux sophistication found in Las Vegas; The Trafford Centre.

Saturday Wandering

2011-05-14T12:38:00.000-04:00

Canal Street, Velvet Restaurant

Near Lowry and the War Museum

Took in the Imperial War Museum North today. It's located in one of those river areas loaded with hypermodern architecture. A pedestrian lift bridge, the Lowry Centre, glass and high-tech...

The day started cold and rainy but weather is extremely variable here; one moment warm and sunny, five minutes of cloud and mist, heavy rain, high wind, then calm again.

Went down to Canal Street to have a lovely sandwich and salad at Velvet, then I popped over to the train station to purchase my ticket to Ulverston.

I've got a temporary 'buddy'. A somewhat drunk fellow who has been in the city for 8 days and who, as I do, takes the free shuttle buses, chatted me up yesterday. Today he boarded the same bus I was on and sat beside me and chatted again.

I'm planning a little jaunt to the local monster mall which is 2k from Eccles. Think I'll see 'Source Code' tomorrow to stay off my feet.

Wet Ride

2011-05-14T02:53:00.000-04:00

Good thing I bought and brought good rain gear. The forecasts for the area show rain and showers for the next week. It may put a damper on taking road movies as I don't want to test the water resistance of my helmet cam just yet.

Spent most of my time yesterday at the Museum of Science and Industry which is spread over six buildings and many floors. My footsies are tired despite the Dr. Scholls Inserts I stuck in my shoes.

Waiting for breakfast time (8:30 on weekends) which is in a little less than an hour. I'm starved, and speaking of food, these Brits know how to make takeaway sandwiches. I remember how good the selection was on previous trips and this one doesn't disappoint. Even Heathrow has a shop which sells Just Made sandwiches made by Pret. They're all made in a nearby kitchen out of local ingredients. They don't have a shelf life because any left over are given to local charities at end of day.

Today I'm off to the Tourist Information Centre to see what I can find that doesn't involve walking for six hours. Then a big meal somewhere on Canal Street.

Technical note: my iMac wasn't sending its video stream yesterday so I managed to reboot by VNC to my MINI and then SSH to the iMac. Convoluted but it worked. Reminds me of the trip where my bank didn't accept foreign online banking connections and I had to X Window to work and Netscape remotely to make it think it was sending to Canada.

Made it! Happily ensconced in Manchester.

2011-05-12T11:52:00.000-04:00

Well I swear there must be a convention of crying babies taking place sometime this week in the UK.
At one point I was surrounded by howling tantrums and had the back of my seat kicked repeatedly.
The one saving grace was that Connor, an infant held by his mother in the seat beside mine, played with his toys and then went into a deep sleep that lasted for the whole trip.

Heathrow was a maze of shuttle bus, immigration, biometric photos taken, barcode stickers stuck on passports, another security scan, bar codes read at the gate and compared to the saved photo in their system, and then a long wait.

Was wished Happy Birthday by the Air Canada agent when she read my passport. Immigration here asked what I was doing for the 15 days and when told, asked if I had ever done the C2C before.

I put my Virgin Mobile SIM in my cell phone in the airport and registered it. It works, nothing else to be done and it can be topped up at most ATMs.

The GPS wasn't able to see the satellites through the 767 fuselage but an Embraer didn't block it so here's the track from LHR to MAN. It also shows some of my wanderings on the ground.
I think we hit around 340 mph.

View Heathrow to Manchester in a larger map

My first impressions of Manchester are very favourable. Got helped at the train ticket machines without asking... at two different locations. I'm staying in Eccles, how appropriate. Have to take the Metrolink trams to get downtown but now I'm resting my 63 year old feet.

Little Ride to Keep in Shape

2011-05-08T16:03:00.000-04:00

Was feeling rather lazy and fretful that I might have knee pain so I went out for a 9.5 mile ride today to loosen up. Went fine.

A Bit of a Scare

2011-05-03T20:14:00.000-04:00

Had a wee scare in that my left foot suddenly became very painful to the point that I thought it might force me to cancel the whole trip. This happened last week and I immediately gave it lots of rest which fixed it up in about three days. After that the kneecap started giving sharp pain, but that too has subsided to nothing.

The vision of starting out and finding myself in agony somewhere along the route was not a pleasant one but I'm back in fine form now. I think I was being a bit too active in my bike rides and aerobics classes.

Finishing up the final details; packing, house cleaning, a tiny bit of groceries to have something to eat when I return.

Sent a message to the bicycle hire to see what they provide in the way of carriers and tools. If I can get out of carrying the screwdriver I can do a carry-on only trip.

40.76 More Practice Miles

2011-04-24T13:20:00.001-04:00

Sunday, April 24, I started out at 8:30 for Stittsville via the bike paths. Took a few little breaks but still did 40.76 miles in 3:45, burning about 1800 calories.

When I was ready to start back I set the Garmin Forerunner to guide me back to my starting point and I set up the display resolution so that I could see major turns. It would beep at me and display 'Approaching Turn' when the turn angle was pronounced. It's quite audible even in the wind so I'm sure it will be fun to hear it call out my tour waypoints.

Now for lunch!

View April 24 Stittsville and Back in a larger map

A Little Practice to Keep in Shape

2011-04-19T12:37:00.000-04:00

Did a 30 mile ride today though there were errand stops and a coffee and breakfast at Second Cup.

View April 19 Exercise in a larger map

Final Preparations

2011-04-14T17:54:00.000-04:00

I finished my last cycling endurance class on April 2 and plodded home slowly afterward having expended 2115 calories during the four hour session. We practiced numerous intervals, sprints and climbs. Glad that it's over for the season but I'll probably do it again next winter.

There's about a month before I start my cycle tour and I don't want to lose my edge so I did a 20 mile bike run on Tuesday to get a feel for the timing and effort. Piece of cake! Took me one and three-quarters hours and that included having to pull over and wait as a police motorcade roared down Preston Street. It was also my first real test of the GPS while cycling. It was fun to glance at my wrist and see the tenths of miles tick by.

The first leg of the tour is Ulverston to Grasmere, a distance of about 23 miles. The second leg, Grasmere to Keswick, a little over 15 miles. This gives me plenty of time to stop and take in a few sights along the way. I'll definitely be stopping in to see John Ruskin's house and the Ruskin Museum.

One unforeseen detail pertains to my luggage. I've restricted myself to carry-on for years but because I'll be carrying a universal cycling repair kit and it contains a screwdriver I'm going to have to check my main bag.

Unless something comes up between now and my flight date the next entry should come from Manchester where I'll be staying for a few days.

Details have arrived!

2011-04-04T11:20:00.000-04:00

Just got the detailed route package for my tour. Maps, guides, map holder, luggage tags, etc.

I'm starting out in Manchester at
http://www.ascotthotelmanchester.co.uk/
for a few days,

then it's up to Ulverston and the biking where I'll stay
at these inns along the way;

http://www.virginia-house.co.uk/
http://www.glenthorne.org/
http://www.keswickparkhotel.com/
http://www.edenhallhotel.co.uk/
http://www.rookhope.com/
http://www.themooringsdurham.co.uk/
http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Roker-Hotel-Sunderland-83888/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx

A short metro ride at tour's end will bring me to Newcastle where I'll stay at
http://www.cliftonhousehotel.com/

and then I'll take my final jaunt up to Edinburgh at
http://www.fraochhouse.com/

I have to pick up the bicycle at Gill Cycles in Ulverston where I'm told I don't get panniers so I'm bringing one of mine along.
Will have to buy a water bottle or two locally 'cause I'm not using up valuable packing space with empty bottles.

http://www.gillcycles.co.uk/

Now it's time to absorb the maps bearing in mind that some of it is very detailed with little lanes and paths.

Endurance Training

2011-03-29T21:19:00.000-04:00

The last class of cycling endurance training is this coming Saturday and it's four hours in duration.

I think I'm hooked and will probably, if circumstances are right, repeat it next year.

The regular hour-long aerobics and strength classes just don't cut it anymore so I'm trying to find something a bit more strenuous. Of course I can make regular runs up the Gatineau Parkway and try going farther afield on other routes.

Finally bought cycling shoes. Funny to do it just before the last class but I'll use them for my tour and any regular cycling from now on. Still not going with cleats; I know just about everyone falls over at least once while starting out - I did in downtown Toronto while making a left turn - and there are the multi-release versions, but I do too much stop-and-go to feel comfortable with them.

Should be receiving my detailed C2C notes early April with maps, etc.

Testing my journey maps

2011-03-13T17:05:00.009-04:00

I intend to show my trip's progress using maps and this is my embedding test;

The first map shows waypoints on the official C2C route which I will intercept at Keswick after traveling up from Ulverston via Grasmere.

View C2C Cycle Route in a larger map

The second map was created using data downloaded from my GPS after a walk around Ottawa and is the sort I intend to generate with data from each leg of my trip.

View SimplifiedTracks in a larger map

The Gadgets

2011-02-26T09:54:00.010-05:00

My hoard of technology has been charged and tested. Procedures for blogging have been documented.
These are the travelling gadgets I'll be exposing to the airport security X-Rays;

The following four will be in my cycling bag for use on the road. The last ones will be in my room luggage for end of run blogging, email etc.

Garmin Forerunner Training Computer.

I will be wearing the heart rate monitor chest strap to record my effort.
I will upload waypoint files into the GPS for each day of the ride for navigation purposes.
The tracking feature will be on during my rides so that I can download and import my track into My Maps and embed it in this blog.

The Contour HD Helmet Cam

I'll have this switched on when I'm in particulary scenic parts of the day's ride. It will run for about three hours on a charge and I have a spare battery.
The two 16G microSDHC cards are also capable of storing video of that length. Videos will be offloaded to an external USB drive on the Acer and portions will be extracted and uploaded to YouTube to be embedded in this blog.

Casio Exilim SX-Z50 Cam

For still photos and short video especially when I've stopped in a village or am off the bike without my helmet.
Stills will be uploaded to Picasa and embedded in the blog.

Motorola V66 Cell Phone

Equipped with a Virgin Mobile UK SIM ready to be activated when I reach Heathrow.
Just in case I have to reach someone in an emergency or in general, to text friends back home.

Acer Aspire One NetBook

This computer has become a little workhorse ever since I swapped out Linpus for Ubuntu and added internal RAM.
It is quite capable of doing some basic video editing and in addition will be used for transfer of GPS tracks and waypoints to and from the Forerunner.
F-Spot will export still photos directly to Picasa.

iPod Touch

Email, weather, news, offline maps, tourist guides, home security monitoring, itinerary updates, etc.

Getting Ready - Half the Fun

2011-02-19T21:01:00.003-05:00

I love cycling and, if possible, try to incorporate it in my holidays. It could be a day's rental in Ostersund, Sweden or the borrow of a friend's bike for four days in Les Isles de la Madeleine.

This year I decided to dream a little bigger. The C2C route (http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/) across England was appealing and not wanting to rush it (the pubs and ales were calling) I chose a hybrid route that offered six days on the road from Ulverston to Sunderland. It gives me plenty of time to dawdle and discover.

Other than my cold weather tights and various rain gear I've never been one for cycle clothing but, never ignoring a 'need' to accessorize, I happily flashed the VISA at Mountain Equipment Coop for some updating.

Also, being gadget-crazy, I 'invested' in a helmet video cam (http://contour.com/camera/contour_hd) to grab the passing scenery. I'll be bringing along all my usual gadgetry and will post along the route whenever I'm in WIFI country. I'll be on my own on the road so I've got myself a UK Virgin Mobile SIM waiting to pop into my cell phone once I get to Heathrow.

Winter in Ottawa is still hitting us with its volatile thaw/deep freeze cycle but I'm making the most of it by training indoors every Saturday until early April. I want to be able to climb Hartside (http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/hartside-pass.htm) with minimal huffing and puffing.