Touring - Selected photos from my recent trip in the UK

From mid-April 2011 to mid-May, 2011, I rode near Land's End in Cornwall and then from Newport, Wales north to Fort William, Scotland and then down through England to Peterborough near Cambridge.

I took over 1500 photos. I've selected about 30 from those to provide a good idea of the tour's highlights (http://www.biketouringtips.com/showTipComments.php?tipID=1734). I'll be writing a journal of this trip over the coming month and will post an announcement when I've completed it.

It was a fabulous tour that started with a 3-week run of sunny days that included my entire time in Scotland! I rode along both the west and east coasts of England, took ferries to West Scottish Islands, toured through the Yorkshire Moors and the Peak District.

While the UK doesn't have any really tall mountains, it makes up for it in steepness.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a61bXNc3iOc/TeaQQC16HKI/AAAAAAAAEhE/-s9nd_lSPWw/s640/DSCN2977.JPG

Ray

Very nice images (and unusually dry weather for you, it seemed).
I particularly enjoy castles, cathedrals, and loch vistas; stirs fond memories of a magnificent riding trip in Scotland.
What camera equipment did you bring with you, and if different what did you actually use?

What camera equipment did you bring with you?

I took the photos with a Nikon Coolpix L22. It is a tiny camera, about the size of a deck of cards. It has 12 Megapixels, uses 2 AA batteries, and has a 3.6X zoom. I bought it at a Radio Shack on my last tour for about $150 when my previous camera died.

It is so small, it easily fits into one of my jersey back pockets for quick access. It isn't the best at the price or size but, as I said, I bought it at a Radio Shack on a tour. Two lithium AA batteries power it for a long time.

Ray

Nice photos. You picked a perfect time to tour; I've been to Cornwall in late April and it was warm, sunny and the flowers were all out. It could just as easily been blowing storms or snowing.
We still haven't had much rain since mid May, only 2 showers and farmers are starting to worry about a poor harvest.

We still haven't had much rain since mid May, only 2 showers and farmers are starting to worry about a poor harvest.

I was shocked every morning when I'd look out the window and see blue sky. I hadn't even allowed myself to think that I'd have 3 rainless weeks.

I, too, heard a lot of worrying about the lack of rain. No one wanted to talk about the idea that this is where the UK's climate was headed.

It is worth noting that when it rains in the UK, people want sunshine. When it is sunny, people worry about it not raining.

Ray

Awesome pics, thanks for sharing.

That looks like it was a great tour. Thanks for sharing those pics, which are terrific. I'm looking forward to reading and seeing more when you finish your write up.

Great pictures. Looks like a wonderful tour; I was just chatting with a friend about wanting to visit the UK and possibly ride around. Now I'm convinced! Thanks for sharing with us.

Great Pic's, your making us all want o leave right now ;-), If you don't mind me asking what was the majority of your nights sleeping arrangements......camping, B&B, Hostels, Hotels, Pubs, friends or all of the above. My wife and I are doing a very similar trip next year and are allowing about 2-3 months just incase we get a chance to flick over to Ireland.
We are keeping an eye out for your journal.
Cheers

Sounds like you had a great time, although I'm surprised at only seeing a 20% gradient. I remember a hill near Porlock in north Somerset that was 25% for quite a significant distance, and I've come across a few in Devon and Cornwall that are posted as 33% gradients, although most of them are fairly short. Luckily when I encountered them I was in the car...

If you don't mind me asking what was the majority of your nights sleeping arrangements......camping, B&B, Hostels, Hotels, Pubs, friends or all of the above.

I used a combination of couchsurfing.org and warmshowers.org hosts, B&Bs, and cheap hotels. Mostly, it was B&Bs. I usually got the tiny single attic room with a toilet for 25-30 pounds. It was more, about 35, when I got a single rate for a double room, which was usually en-suite. Next was being hosted, which I'd have done more of but I spent about a week riding with others who wouldn't consider getting hosted. Frankly, I found B&Bs to be much less hospitable then the couchsurfing/warmshowers hosts, which I prefer and recommend.

Does that help?

Ray

Sounds like you had a great time, although I'm surprised at only seeing a 20% gradient. I remember a hill near Porlock in north Somerset that was 25% for quite a significant distance, and I've come across a few in Devon and Cornwall that are posted as 33% gradients, although most of them are fairly short. Luckily when I encountered them I was in the car...

Is this what you mean? We encountered this one in the Yorkshire Moors. I got half way up, stopped to rest and couldn't get restarted so had to walk. John, the guy in the photo, actually made it all the way up. We were both impressed!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IMwDJS66x8M/TepHvOuu4UI/AAAAAAAAEjc/tlyFSV52bh8/s800/DSCN2997.JPG

Ray

Something like that, although the ones I've seen have been in Devon and Cornwall. I've made it up a few sections rated at 10-12%, albeit short sections. I don't know if I'd really want to take on a 33% gradient!

Thanks for your help Ray, greatly appreciated. I will check out couchsurfing.org & and warmshowers.org.
Your a Legend ;-)
Sam

I come from the UK, and your photos made me want to tour here - the thought of which usually makes me shudder.
I hope we treated you well (it being not the most cycle friendly country in the world).