It’s was a funny sort of week really. So pleased to have done it. In a strange way it passed in the blink of an eye. I’m not really sure what I was expecting the week to be like: I guess there was a touch of romanticism - me, my bike and the open road, little ‘Miss Marple’ villages and well wishes form cheery folk stood chatting with one another at there garden gate.
Needless to say that was not the case. It was more a case of me, my bike and the rutted roads, little bits of road kill and the odd beep from impatient drivers who need to be somewhere before they set off.
I think had expected a little more ‘sight seeing’ than I got, I knew I would not be diverting in to towns or villages to specifically take in sights, but I guess I thought I would see something. I have, in all honestly discovered some truly beautiful parts of the country, the Cotswolds were stunning – Wells and Stow on the Wold (I thought that was a made up place name.) both looked like places that require return visits. Yorkshire was pretty in places, but Scotland was just so incredibly green, and hilly and treey – so many of the buildings and houses required a ‘wow’ Scotland will be getting a return visit.
I am a little surprised that I didn’t stop to take even a single photo – I think it was because no one view or image meant anything specific to me, the whole week was great – yes even the horrible bits – a photo of a nice Scottish hill or a thatched cottage in Devon would not really bring back any significant memories, a kick to the knee or the odd place name however might.
I have now been asked several times if I would do it again – I answered that yes I think I might, but if I did I would take at least three weeks to do it, slowly winding my way up the country, seeing what different places have to offer would be am incredibly interesting and enjoyable way to spend several weeks.
What I did was really to ride a set distance in a set time. The pleasure was in completing it, rather than in enjoying the journey. Hence why the blog has in no way resembled a travel guide – there were in fact stretches where the only thing I saw for several miles was the front tyre or my bike and the next 15 feet of road surface.
Maybe when Harry is a little older we could have a scaled down tour of somewhere, I have suggested a tandem to Mrs Holmes but she does not appear too keen. She has suggested a small trailer with a comfy seat attached to the back of my bike I did not appear too keen.
Harry and Mrs H got to visit a few places along the route, St Ives, Bath, Stratford, York, Kelso, Edinburgh, and Inverness. They do have some pictures when she has got them off the camera and on to the computer I shall put a couple on the site.

High point: Finishing day 6 in one piece.

Biggest smile moment: Seeing Mr Soulsby in Leister (total fluke of timing)

Best View: Crossing the Forth Bridge – Stunning (a photo could not have done it justice)

Biggest thrill: Hitting 46 mph (down a steep straight stretch of the A30 in Cornwall)

Total mileage: 900 (equal to the straight line distance from Manchester to Budapest)

Total ascent: 12000 meters (Everest is just less than 9000 meters high)

Total hours pedalling: 57 (excluding time stopped eating, drinking, traffic lights ect.)

Average speed moving speed: 15.8

Total time including breaks: 67 (including time stopped eating, drinking, traffic lights ect.)

Average speed including breaks: 13.5


THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.