A grey, but dry, morning that improved towards lunch time. To be fair we knew the forecast was much better for the afternoon but by cycling in the morning we know we have the rest of the day free. Today's ride was up to Bashall Eaves, Cow Ark, Middle Lees, Whitewell and St Hubert's Church at Dunsop Bridge. Turn round and almost back on the same route. St Hubert's church was my childhood church and I was baptized, made my first communion and was confirmed there. On our virtual ride it's another day of gentle rolling hills, through farm lands. Now we are beginning to see huge War Grave Cemeteries such as 'Solesmes British Cemetery'. Very strangely the first grave that we saw when we stopped was the grave of a cyclist. The First World War ... read more

VERY breezy today and a little damp. To be honest I can cope with the wet much better than the wind. Today we went through Waddington to Bashal Town, round the TT circuit and out to Mitton, up to Micklehurst Farm, round Rabbit Lane to Bashal Eaves and home. (It was more about getting the miles in and staying on the bike!) Out virtual route was leaving Ronse across more rolling hills, spotting horses and farmland. At one stage the road suddenly stopped at a river and there was no bridge but a very small car ferry that was going backwards and forwards across the river with vehicles and passengers. Today we passed out of Belgium and over the border into France. On route we were struggling to find a Bakery, or Supermarket, to buy some ... read more

Rather breezy but quite a nice morning. It was much better than anticipated after last night's weather forecast. Today's loop was Chaburn, Rimmington, Gisburn, Bolton by Boland, Chatburn and a lap of Clitheroe. Out virtual route would be leaving the ferry after breakfast, round the outskirts of Zeebrugge and onto the Schipdonkkannal. This is a very wide, well maintained, tree lined path and obviously very flat. The path surface is in a much better condition than most of our roads here. The route swaps sides occasionally before we come off for the small town of. Eeklo. We are now in the Flemish province of East Flanders, which always appears quite affluent with well maintained gardens and many stables with well groomed horses. Eeklo has often been our lunch stop on our journeys.... read more

After a very brief shower as we set off we had a lovely Spring morning. The countryside is bursting into life with snowdrops, trees are beginning to bud and there are lambs in the fields. Perfect. Today we passed through Hurst Green, down Gallows Lane, up past Marles Wood and Dinkley, through Whalley and round the top of the Bashal TT triangle. Out virtual route would be from Sherburn in Elmet travelling directly east, skirting Selby and to Howden. One more day to the ferry. This will get more interesting so stick with it!... read more

In theory it was a few degrees warmer today and the wind the same as yesterday. In reality the wind seemed much stronger than yesterday and bitterly cold. Today's route was up to Browsholme Hall from Edisford, turn round and back down the other side of the Bashall TT triangle, through Mitton to Whalley and then back to Clitheroe Golf Club. Then along four lanes end and to Worston on the cycle path, across to Chatburn and back to Clitheroe via Salthill. Lovely to see so many people out walking, despite the cold, and a few other cyclists. There are still some nasty patches of ice on the road so still avoiding certain routes. Out virtual route would be from Laneshaw Bridge, across to Keighley , through Bingley to Bradford. Then to Saltaire before arriving at ... read more