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.