Hottest day of the year, not a cloud in sight, sunburn city. I was telling people all last week what a bad idea it was to start rolling immediately after finishing work and also organising a 5 month bike trip and country change at the same time. All stresses out the way we eventually hit the road after saying goodbye to parents, brothers and friends who came to wave us off, Doug even managed to get an impromptu slow clap going, cheers guys.
Lewy was riding with us for the first 15 or so miles as we told him he should just come along for the trip and not turn home. We had battled up Carlton Bank, a mean lump of earth snaking up into the moors, I’ve ridden it without problems unloaded in the past but with a bike loaded like a tank it was painful and killed us all.
Fittingly Lewy (nicknamed Chopper for his football style) left us at Chop Gate, 3 best friends split unevenly didn’t seem fair. We both wish Lewy could have been rolling with us too but he can come out to visit once we get to Oz.
After navigating the rest of the 50 mile ride past Malton we closed in on our campground for the evening. Unsurpisingly Hill Top Farm was at the summit of a nasty looking 14% grade climb. It was an odd joint which seemed to have eastern european workers living onsite. £5 for camping, that didn’t include shower facilities, basin wash and some wet wipes sufficed. Nice.
The next day riding toward the ferry terminal our good friend Chia had a day off and arranged to ride out and meet us on the edge of the town where he works as a dental surgeon. He guided us into Beverley, an historic and well pointed place. Me and Eal were both suprised we hadn’t heard or visited before. It was like York before the stag parties got involved, although I do enjoy a good ‘Leo Sayer’ in York, it just seemed slightly more classy and quaint. We went for lunch which Chia insisted on paying for (thanks Chee) and then he rolled with us half way towards Hull to catch the Ferry. Hull must be commended for its bike lanes, for 8 miles right up to the Terminal we had designated paths and great directions.
We were assigned to the motorcycle area for boarding and got quite abit of interest from our motorised brethren. After comparing spokes, chains and weight distribution we had to join them riding onto the ferry which was almost ceremonial as we rolled aboard in tandem. Once aboard in the parking area with engines still revving Eal said, “Its boiling in here”, I joked “yeah its ferry hot”, after repeating the joke a few times he still wasn’t following so I gave up. Hit the room, took a shower and watched us drift off to sea as night rolled in with a few pints.
England has been a good break-in ride but nothing is new to us and there are no surprises, cannot wait to get to Belgium, this feels like the real beginning.
good page rye i must be the first to read it hope you have a good first trip in belgium.Missing you already.
You make England sound so interesting ,shame it isn’t ,can’t bielive your gone doesn’t feel right with out you 🙁
Great first post Ryan, looking forward to riding with you both through the power of blog
Nice post mate, can’t wait to read the rest as I live vicariously through you and Eley. Glad to see you’re putting the knog to use but you don’t have it on in that photo?
Good luck on the rest of the trip (let’s face it you’ll need it with Eley). Also tell Eley I’m looking forward to his “Dog Watch” posts.
Keep this up lads! (the detail and pictures)
Safe and good riding Ryan, you won’t seem fare away with your blogs, and will always be in our thoughts, Dad.
Now boys, you don’t know me, but I am Leasa’s fella. Just wanted to say how I think it’s a fantastic thing your doing, and wish you oth the very best of luck with the challenges ahead! I have read the first couple of pages of your blog and find it truly captivating, keep up the good work!
Awesome Ry, you boys should definitely visit Beverley again – we’ll do Tour De East Riding next time!
This first post was very entertaining. Everyones been down in the office it’s not the same with out you. Ste was off today with a cold apparently but really he was just home crying all day. However Pepper has moved on already I heard diddiams complaining about the footsie.
Cant wait for your next post!
Germany expected that at the most a day or so would see Belgian resistance broken and the dash on Paris begun. It was not safe to start such a forward rush with Belgium unconquered. – Kelly Miller.
Don’t underestimate Belgium. That’s a lot of chocolates to navigate!
Good effort randy, burnt to a crisp that day. You won’t get a hill tougher that Carlton, Eal still yet to take a picture I’m guessing.
Awesome couple of posts Ry and looking forward to the next episodes. Had a look through the maps on the Routes page, and seems crazy that you guys will be doing all that on bikes!
I’m with Willow tho – disappointed by the lack of Dog Watch posts thus far from Eals!
Take it easy gents & ride safe 🙂
I wish I could ride with you through Belgium and meet up with you and Wim for a pintje drinke.
I wish you the best for your trip and I will see you in Portland.
Have a great ride and say hi to Wim.
Cheers, The Belgian Bullethead
Get your latitude back on! Not been able to follow ya since Gent =p
Shame its not been ferry hot here but glad has are having a decent ride.
Keep up the good blog posts!
Loving the blog ry! I’m with you in spirit! They haven’t designed a bike big or strong enough, that cycles itself else I’d be right there with you! Please tell me eals bags are packed with black ram or it’s equivalent! Keep trucking! Stay safe. X
“do enjoy a good Leo Sayer in York”.. Must have “LOL’d” at this for at least 90-120 seconds! Great read Ry, keep the gags coming aswell! Much love.
Glad my slow clap got a mention, not everyday I get to start an impromptu clap like 😀