Article in today's MEN

For anyone who is interested, and in the Greater Manchester Area  I'm on page 28 of today's Manchester Evening News, described as a "fitness fanatic" and "cycling mad". I suppose it's all relative but it makes me sound like a "terrorist" or a "nutter". Not to worry, it's all in good humor. I'm also featured on their website news page today and that of the Trafford Metro News.
Cyclist, 52, rides 5,000 miles round the British coastline for African charity
and eats hamster.  And why is my age so newsworthy. There are people 10 and 20 years older than me touring GB all the time. It's no big deal really.
Generating a few comments regarding giving to African Charities, if you want to join in.

Back home - 73 days and 4670 miles later

After a very windy day and tricky cycling with a cross wind through Liverpool the last day was pretty easy going back along the Trans Pennine Trail. I had plenty of time in hand when I reached Fiddlers Ferry and the Ferry Tavern. The same place I stopped off at with Dave Leak on the first day of my grand tour. This time with time to kill I went in for a pint of Ruddles County and great chat with the regulars at the bar. If you needed an incentive to come cycling on the TP trail, a visit to the Ferry Tavern is a good one. It certainly added to the mild euphoria I was experiencing about being homeward bound. I might make it a regular event . If anyone fancies joining me on  a Sunday cycle out there in the future, just give me a call. The pub also holds outdoor one day music festivals during the summer. So I hope to get a gig there, for YesSir next year.

I arrived home just after 5pm to a great reception from my close family with balloons, poppers and bubbly and plenty of party food. I should say a special thankyou to my sister Lynne for being the main driver for this little celebration. In the past week Lynne had also been busy enlisting the interest of the local press. and I've given a couple of interviews to the MEN and Trafford Metro in the past few days. So I should feature in a couple of articles in the next few days.

It's been 73 days (but 3 days enforced rest for a gig and bike repairs) and 4670 miles (7516 Kilometers) traveling the coast of Great Britain. An average of 67 miles (108 km) a day. I've also climbed 99639 meters ( 326900 ft) the equivalent of 92 times up Mt Snowdon or 11 times up Mt Everest.  I'm staggered. There are probably a few other interesting stats I could work out in time, like, how many beaches?, lochs? and estuaries? I have seen.... and how many rainy days? (lots).  I'm asked "what were the highlights?" but it is hard to say. The amazing thing is,  I've been out in the open all day every day and every day has had it's own highlight and it's a great feeling. I am missing it already and just want to get out on my bike, but I have a lot of domestic stuff to catch up with in the next few weeks.

I've enjoyed doing the blog and thank everyone who has read it and given me messages of support throughout the tour. I wasn't able to upload any of my video clips on the tour so for the past few days I've been busy uploading and converting hundreds of clips and I still haven't finished. But I have quickly pieced together a preview which I'll attach to this message.. eventually

I'd also like to thank everyone who donated to Seeds for Africa. Besides the £500 or more, collected so far on www.justgiving/deanfrostbike.com I have also collected another £127.75 on route and at the gig on September 4th. Kellogg have also promised to match my total up to £500. So the total is over £1100 but I hope to collect some more after a plug in the local press and at work. If anyone would still like to donate,  please visit the my justgiving website. £1000 pounds will pay for resourcing a new project to aid african children to become self sufficient in growing their own food.

Coming home today and Days 68 - 73

Day 68 - Bike Repair.

damaged rear wheel rim

Yesterday afternoon I got to Manchester and dropped my bike into Edinburgh Cycles. As it’s a specialist wheel, there isn’t one it stock. It could be rebuilt but it needs to go off for inspection . Therefore, one is put on the lorry from their Edinburgh store for next day delivery. Today the staff do a great job and have sourced a stronger wheel and refitted by brake disc and rear cassette as soon as it arrives. A MASSIVE THANKYOU TO THE EDINBURGH CYCLES TEAM. As it’s mid afternoon there’s no point in travelling back to Aber this afternoon as I would only arrive at the end of the day and in time to find a B and B.

Before my enforced break I reckoned I had 4 more stages to go. But as I won’t be able to get a full day in on Saturday I reckon it will take 4 and a half and I’ll be arriving home late afternoon Wednesday 15th September. I’ll aim for 5pm. I’ll have an open house that evening for anyone who wants to pop in and welcome me home. Please bring your own booze and food as I won’t have time shop for any. I do have got a couple of bottles of bubbly and plonk on standby..



Day 69 - Aberystwyth - Abergwynant - 56 miles

Got the train back to Aber. In future I’ll have to get into the habit of booking my bike on day before. Arriva trains website has a “bike friendly” page, but they only have 2 places for bikes on their trains. This morning there were 8 bikes on the first train and 6 on the connecting train. So we got our hands slapped by the train manage. The journey got more interesting when a “Commando “themed hen party boarded the train, brandishing their plastic Kalashnikov’s and Bazookas. And were quickly pouring themselves a kaleidoscope of vodkas. Their commander also issued them with their special orders for the day . One whistle - stand to attention, two whistles - drop to the floor, three whistles down - down another vodka. Though I suspect the last two orders were likely to get confused as the day progressed.

Crossing the Dovey

The last part of train journey from Harlech to Aber follows the coast crossing the Mawddach and skirting both sides of the Dovey, offering one of the most scenic train journeys in the British Isles I should think. My bike route this afternoon virtually retraced this route. With a mid afternoon start I could only hope to reach Harlech by the end of day. But ringing ahead from Aberdovey Tourist Information there were no accommodation vacancies from Barmouth to Harlech and I had to settle for a YHA in Abergwynant, a good 5 miles from the coast.


Day 70- Abergwynant - Nefyn - 87 miles

Great start to the day, with great coastal roads and views of the Snowdonia on my right.Though I haven’t done it myself, I guess this must be the same bike route used for the Harlech Triathlon, which must make one of the best scenic triathlon routes in the country. Just as I was topping for lunch at Criccieth Beach my chain broke. Another major mechanical problem in 2 days, I’m worried. Will this mean another major delay. But it’s not a surprise. 4000 miles on one chain is a major achievement. Chain should probably be changed every 1000miles. I carry a spare chain, but if I change it then I also need to change my front cogs and rear cassette as they will be worn to accommodate my overstretched 4000mile chain. I manage to reconnect and repair the old chain and keep going, gingerly at first… another 50 miles. So I probably did a good job. But it could probably go again, especially if I put a lot of pressure on it climbing hills. Having said that I manage the long 20% ascent out of Hell’s Mouth Bay to Rhiw. Me and Jeff did this route a few years ago and it was tough on our 18 speed road bikes. Therefore I new it was coming,…but no problems today. The Lyn Pennisula is great riding and one of my favorites. I eventually ended up at Nefyn at 6:40pm . Again, I was hoping to go further, possibly Caernarfon, with the coast of Anglesey and some more to do tomorrow. But with only an hours good light left and Caernarfon 20 miles away this would be the last place I would be likely to find accommodation before nightfall.



Day 71 - Nefyn - Anglesey - Deganwy -108 miles

A big days riding and very challenging weather. Strong south westerly winds and constant rain till well into the afternoon. Quite any easy run from Nefyn to Caenarvon, Flat or downhill with the wind behind me. Anglesea was a different proposition, Being an island, I wasn’t going to include it originally. I have only briefly been there in the past for team building weekends or to pass through to get the ferry to Ireland . Oh… and a camping holiday. Wind was going to be the major factor today. Going west from Menai to Newborough along the south coast was tough. Then up the west coast to Rosnegr it was a constant battle keeping in a straight line, being buffeted by the cross winds. The roads on this side of the island are relatively flat and exposed, there’s just no protection. The coast at Rosnegr was wild. The wind and kite surfers were having a great time. I can see why this place is so popular. I think this would be the nearest quality surf to Manchester if I ever fancied taking to the sport. Once I headed across the north side the wind was behind me and I made good progress, but made a wrong turning and missed a bit of the northern coastal route. The visibility was still poor so I probably didn’t miss much. The final turn south was the greatest challenge coping with the hills and crosswinds heading back to the Menai Bridge. I had got a bit behind schedule, with the best part of 20 miles to get to Deganwy after 6:30. I had not alternative but to take the A55, all downhill and with a tailwind it was pretty brisk. No proper bike lanes at first, jjust keeping inside the white line. But from Penmaemawr, they now have a dedicated cycle path (NCR 5) running along the shore and inside the A55 and through the tunnels, which is tremendous.

I got lost finding my way out of Conwy on route Deganwy, where I would stay with cousin, Tracey and Malcolm. Luckily Malcolm came out to main road to guide me in. A big thanks to Tracey and Malcolm for great foods and hospitality. I’m sorry I might have kept you up late. Malcolm was probably half to blame digging out possible northern soul sounds , “Happy Feet” Robert Parker, Junior Walker’s “Tune Up” and “Wooley Booly”, that could make it into the YesSir set.



Day 72 - Deganwy - Hoylake - 72miles.

This morning the cyclometer has packed up. Not even a battery change can sort it out, the weather must have got to it. At the last check I had completed 4536 miles. I will have to calculate the final two days retrospectively when I reach home. From Deganwy it’s only a couple of miles to Llandudno. I’m looking forward to cycling around the Great Orme. But Malcolm reminds me that it is one way and you can’t approach it from the west. What the hell… I cycle into Llandudno, to the Pier and backtrack to take the coastal road. The hill isn’t that bad but the wind today is even more blustery, and against or across me. The hill walkers must think I’m bonkers. But it is worth it and by the time I get to the café at the top, there are blue skies, but the wind is still ferocious.

Who ate the sausages?

Once you get past the Llandudno and the Little Orme there is a great coastal cycle path for the next 20 miles to Prestatyn. Right along the promenades and sea walls and in the glorious sunshine this is a great spell of cycling. I must congratulate the Conwy Council on their great cycle routes, but they do need to improve the surfaces which are easily eroded by sand the sea water and very uneven in places.

From Prestatyn it all gets a bit industrial and boring. It is a bit of a faff getting to gthe blue bridge at Connah’s Quay and then finding a safe passage over to the South Wirral. Tonight I am heading for Hoylake and stop over with Helen, my colleague from Kellogg’s Occuaptional Health, and her family. Helen has advised me to take the Wirral way and avoid the traffic on the A540 (Chester way) . I eventually find it after tripping through small country villages such as Puddington and Burton. The Wirral Way is a great scenic route, flat and running right by the Dee Estuary. But this evening it is difficult against a driving head wind the surface is more suited to a mountain bike. So when I come a cross a locked gate, barring my way, I head back up to the A540 for the last 7 miles to Hoylake.

Helen has given great directions and I can’t miss her house on the sea front. A big thank you for a great welcome and hospitality. The wind continues to blow a gale outside. I have heard we are getting the tail end of a hurricane from the Gulf of Mexico, but I haven’t seen “The News“.


Day 73 - Last day - Hoylake - Home (Manchester) - 60 miles.

Helen’ mum gives me a great breakfast and send off. The wind is howling on the sea front and it’s behind me all the way. I take the sea front path all the way to New Brighton and for 10 miles I don’t need to peddle (that’s the truth) it is that windy. I’ve taken the Ferry across the Mersey and having a coffee and contemplating my final leg home along the Trans Pennine Trail.

I should be home by 5pm. If any friends want to pop by to 144 Greatstone Road, Chorlton this evening that would be great. Here I go.

Day 65 -67 Carmarthen - St David's - Aberystywth

Day 65 - Carmarthen - St David’s - 96 miles

Pendine Sands - historical home of early land speed records

St Bride's bay - My photo doesn't do it justice

This morning I’ve got to avoid the A40, which is majorly busy and take a lengthy detour between the Tywi and Cywyn. By the time I’m passing through Laughaune, Pendine and Amroth it’s a glorious sunny day.. Laughaune (somewhere Dylan Thomas used to hang out) is invaded by watercolourists capturing the view of the castle, estuary and rolling hills. I did this route some years ago with friends Phil, Sandra and Johnny. I don’t remember it being this hilly. But unlike that trip, this time I make it down the Southern Peninsula of Pembroke. It’s great mainly traffic riding along single country lanes. And the same again once I’m passed Milford Haven, heading towards Marloes. Ascending out of Broadhaven I come across possibly the best coastal view I have seen all this trip. Looking out over the St Bride’s Bay to St David’s. I wish I could stay there for the rest of the day. It’s a bit tricky finding a route from Broadhaven to Newgale, there seems to be more lanes and placenta are marked on my map. Unfortunately it’s dark when I reach St David’s and I just miss the sunset. I am staying at my first YHA bunkhouse just off the White Sands road. A long day, but I’m making up for a couple of short stages over the last couple of days.

Day 66 - St David’s - Aberystwyth - 85 miles

It’s pouring with rain all the way to Fishguard, but the route is good .I managed to pick up the NCR 4 from right outside last night’s YHA Bunkhouse. Fish guard to Newport a short A487 and then it’s back to the NCR and country roads. Like Cornwall and Devon there’s a lot of single track lanes and steep descents and ascents as you visit small coastal villages (what you’d expect. But it’s all good fun, even in the rain. By Cardigan at mid afternoon the suns comes out .I’ve noticed my back wheel is wobbling . Well I notice that my steering is wobbling first. I have broken a spoke earlier and have tied the two adjacent spokes with a cable tie for rigidity. Now two spokes have ripped out of the wheel hub…yikes. I’ve carried two spare spokes throughout the trip but this is beyond repair. Besides I would need a bagful of tools to remove the brake disc and rear cassette. I nurse the bike the last 20 miles into Aberystwyth. A bit difficult with all the ups and downs and bendy roads. I had booked a YHA in Borth, but decide I must stay in Aber over night to give me more options in the morning. One; find a bike shop that has a replacement rear wheel, or two; get the train to Manchester and find a replacement their and fix at home and then come back out again the following morning.

I like Aber, it’s a backwater. It’s got some grand old buildings, esplanade and pier. But it’s almost deserted, this evening. It’s more of a seaside campus for the University. I first came down here in the earlier 80’s with YesSir to gig at the university and we used to go down a storm and were invited back many times.

YesSir @ Aber University

Day 67 - In the pits - Total so far = 4295 miles

4 more stages and 4 more days to go. But not today. Summit Cycles in Aber don’t stock a compatible rear wheel. The one on my Country Voyager is a bit unique as it has a break disc attached to the hub. Standard for mountain bikes but not road bikes. So I must come back to Manchester on the train and I have already contacted Edinburgh Cycles who can source a compatible wheel for this afternoon. Shame, I’m missing some good cycling

Day 61 - Chepstow - Cardiff - 43 mile

I picked up the NCR4 for most of the morning and there are some good quiet country roads to cycle along on your way to Newport. To cross the River Usk you have two alternatives, either the busy new bridge or the original Victorian “Transporter Bridge”. The transporter is a lot more fun. I hadn’t realised that there are only two of these transporters operating in the British Isles. I used the other one getting over the Weir earlier in my trip. There is a 3rd redundant transporter in Warrington. Newport is very proud of it’s transporter, having restored it recently and they hold open days when they invite people to walk over the top of bridge. There is even a visitor centre. If I had tried to cross the day before I would have had a long wait. Apparently the “Incredible Hulk” had climbed onto the top of the bridge with Batman and Robin standing river side giving moral support. Yes… you guessed it, the Newport branch of “Fathers for Justice”.

Newport Transporter Bridge

Entering Cardiff wasn’t easy, approaching from the dock side and the state of the cycle lanes is chronic. A choice between sharing the roads with HGVs and tankers or clashing with overgrown thorn bushes and nettles. I had intended to ride to Swansea (40-50 miles on) but having made enquiries about getting my bike on the train to at Cardiff Central station I decided to take the next train while there was space available and get home to Manchester by early evening, with plenty of time to prepare for the gig on Saturday.

Day 62 - In Manchester for YesSir Gig

Couldn’t resist a 2 hour spin on my training bike. Riding a fully laden touring bike you get used to all that weight in the panniers, front and back, which act like stabilisers. The lightweight training bike felt very shakey and the immediate response of the break pads instead of discs took a bit of getting used to.

I bumped into Tim and Ryan around Lyme who were a little surprised. Not expecting me to be back home so soon. Ryan, I hope you had a great debut with Broughton Park RFC this weekend.

Great to see the rest of the band and a great performance and party atmosphere as always at the Lloyds. I’d also like to thank all who donated to Seeds for Africa. I meant to take some pics and video during the gig but in all the excitement I forgot I’d set it up.

Day 63 - Cardiff - Swansea - 57 miles

After late night and a late morning train back to Cardiff, and a food stop in Cardiff Bay, I didn’t really get started till 3:30. Cardiff bay was a bit disappointing to me. Just like any other harbour development in the country, with the usual suspects, Starbucks, Nando’s, in attendance. Made a meal out of the bay and then Barry. I should have ignored the NCR4 signs. The rest of the ride through the country lanes in “The Vale of Glamorgan” was good. And I had a close shave with a high speed cow charging down a single track lane towards me, being chased by an apologetic farmer. Of course the route from Port Talbot to Swansea is back to major A roads but the roadside cycle lanes are very adequate for the last 10miles into Swansea.

Day 64 - Swansea - Carmarthen - 61 miles

Not a great day. Heavy rain and southwesterly winds. Again the cycles lanes out of Swansea are very good and guide me down to Mumbles. From there I spend another 30 miles on the country lanes around the Gower Peninsula.

Port Eynon on a good day

This is a renowned scenic part of South Wales, with great beaches … on a good day. But with all the rain I don’t get my camera out once. I’m sodden all day long and intended to reach Pendine Sands or Tenby. After taking a late afternoon food stop and refuge at a Morrisons in Carmarthen I begin to cool off and feel a bit shaky getting back on the bike so I decide to get a B and B in town. I hope tomorrows weather isn’t as bad or I’ll start to fall behind with my plan to reach home by Sunday.

Don't forget YesSir Saturday 4th Lloyds,Chorlton

I'll be back (for one night only) to perform with the band Saturday night at the Lloyds Hotel Chorlton, (Wilbraham Road). First Set 9:30. I'll be raising more funds for Seeds for Africa as well.

Please come down and join me and the band and bring your dancing shoes

Then I'll be wizzing back on the train to Swansea Sunday morning to resume my coastline tour.

3952 miles completed so far in 60 days. Averaging 66 miles a day

I reckon I'll be finished by gthe following weekend

Days 59- 60 Lynton - Brean - Chepstow

Day 59 Lynton - Brean - 62 miles

Which way? Dean?

A great camp site and cafe breakfast at Sunny Lyn at Lynmouth. I knew this was going to be a tough start to the day, first there was the 25% descent into Lynmouth. My brakes wouldn't hold the bike and after one detour into an escape lane I decided to walk the bike down the hill, which is still difficult with a fully laden. Nexts came the 25% ascent of Countisbury Hill. I had been warned it was going to be tough and it was but after 800 yards it settled into 2 mile grind of 12% . The view of the cliffs are worth. I can't believe there are no road side barriers. But it would spoil the vie

Countisbury Cliffs

More steep hills in and out of Porlock, which is another hidden stunning bay and an intriguing toll road which passed through someones cottage.

Toll gate at Poorlock Weir

A last pasty stop at Minehead then the hills began to deminish as I left Exmoor and skirted arounfd the Brandon Hills, then Quantocks. after Wembdon it's a pacey downhill towards Brean and Weston. I chose to stop at Brean not knowing it's reputation as a mass of holiday and cararavan parks. But at least it was relatively easy to find a pitch for the night.

Day 60 Brean - Chepstow - 57 miles

Weston -super - Mare

Todays challenge was to find a safe route avoiding busy A roads and the M5, bypass Bristol and cross the River Avon and the Severn. Athlough Brean is a metropolis of caravan and holiday camps, inland there are cycle friendly country lanes that get you to Western-super-Mare. Getting to the Avon from Weston gets a bit tricky and you ha ve to criss cross the M5 using various cycle routes (26 & 41) to reach Avonmouth. Clevedon was a great place to take a break. In fact if you are ever stuck in a traffic jam on the M5 south of Bristol, then I recommend you turn of to Clevedon to chill out at a cafe on the sea front or take a stroll on their historic pier. It's the perfect place.

Clevedon Pier and Victorian Cafe

I was having a pretty relaxed days cycling until I got over to Avonmouth. The only road up to the Severn Bridge is the dock side A403 and it isn't pleasant. With charging motorists and HGV's and inconsistant cycle lanes. Eventually I refound the NCR 41 and the Severn Bridge, but the journey took longer than expected so I settled for a B and B in Chepstow. Tomorrow I plan to get close to Swansea and on Saturday I'll commute back to Chorlton for Saturday nights gig at The Lloyds Hotel in Chorlton.