2004 

Tour 10

family cycle tour - 4unterwegs

 no frames to see ? > 

Tourreport

01.08.-26.08.2004

tour de Maisy

Hello dear friends! During the tour of 4unterwegs I wore a pair of glasses. Not an ordinary one, it was a spezial one with magic glasses. Over hundreds of miles I could see exactly what was going on with the 4.  

The late-night-check-in wasn´t a real nice happening. Hundreds of nervous people stood in a line. For so many passengers only 2 counters were open. The stuff was overloaded and not really motivated.  But after all they forgot the troubles and looked forward to the next day: The flight to London. 

Cycling with children - one of the last real adventures for tall and small people. See you on the road again

Maisy

Düsseldorf - London Stansted

The 4 of 4unterwegs arrived England at 6 ' clock. Everything went ok - at least. The Tandem Pino was damaged, not serious, but it was bad enough. What a nuisance, although the bicycle was well packed in a box. But fortunately there were two lovely people: David and Joan. As they prearranged, David picked the 4 up from the London-Stansted airport. The trailer was suitable for the baggage and the 3 bike boxes: For the tandem, the bicycle and the trailerbike of course. After Rainer occupied the driving seat, Sophie was asking, if he wanted to drive the car. Oh that was a helpful hint, because afterwards he realised the seat was on the wrong side or was he ? "Welcome in Great Britain". After missing the right exit David had to head for miles in the direction of London until the next exit . Gentle hills characterise this landscape. After their arrival at the cottage, Joan prepared the breakfast. But afterwards there was much work to do. Unpacking the luggage and the bikes and of course put together all the parts again. Yes and then they realized that the rear part of the Pino was damaged in a way that the rack couldn’t fit on the frame. Rainer had already such a premonition because of the very unfriendly loading staff at the Düsseldorf airport the day before. But David didn’t have not only the knowhow for the reconstruction, but he also had the tools. After some hours everything was fitted well. At 6 PM it was time for a very good dinner. Later David, Joan and the 4 made a walk through the village. Good opportunity to change experiences in cycling. And Dave and Joan had much of them. They cycled already in many countries, once from Alaska to Chile, or in Venezuela, or in United States, once in Sri Lanka or on Bali.  And much. These are only examples. At the cemetery they showed the 4unterwegs a grave of the youngest victim of the Iraqi war – a British soldier aged 17. Sometimes a war can suddenly comes so close. Now all of them were very tired – except Jakob. He played the piano. It could be a boogie. 

All togeather they cycled the 5 miles to Cambridge. Dave and Joan had other plans for this day:an 80 miles trip.The 4 would of course visit Cambridge. The unifersity, the cathedral etc. With bicycles it was evertime a pleasure, even Jakob would prefere a double-decker. There was so much to see, so many sights and museums. But the museums were not the main destinations, because the average price of an ticked was about 6 Pounds. You may expect 15 pounds at least for a visit for a family. That was an event for rainy days. Not for this sunny Sunday. And compared to the ancient museum the swimming pool was more enjoyable especially for children.

St. Ives (15 mi) - Ramsey(15) - Ramsey St.Mary's(3)-Pondersbridge(5)-Peterborough(7)-Alwalton(5)

09.30 `clock. On a beautiful Monday morning the 6 started early for their  first leg. 6 ? Yes then Joane and David accompanied the 4unterwegs. That was quite ok, because they had still to train themselve to cyle on the left side. That was not really a problem as long as cars were on the roads. But as they prefered more quiet roads with only fiew cars on it they forgot sometimes where they were. May be it was also, because the landskape looked not very different compared to the Netherland or Germany. The first miles it was a little bit hilly but then it was absolutely flat. Ideal for a cycletour for a family. In Peterborough they 4 arrived about at 6 PM. There was only a short opportunity to visit the Cathedral. Fortunately the found the way out along the Nene river to the campside near Alwalton. It was a real nice one beside a large park. Camping  Ferry Meadows Caravan Club Side

Alwalton - Tallington(10 mi) - Edenham(10 mi) - Bulby (4 mi ) - Ropsley  (9 mi) - Ancaster (8 mi)

During the night they realized a big thunderstorm. It was also a test for the tent and all the other waterprotecting equipment. It kept all dry. Good luck. The naighbour started their breakfast already with BBQ. Real black toast and Saussages. That should be a English kind of breakfast.  They 4 left the Campground and cycled at first through the beautiful park. They´d got  the information that it was possible to cross the river via a small bridge. They followed the signs and found the bridge easely, while a little haouseboat was passing it through. Housbouttravelling - also a nice possebility to have holidays. The quiet roads across hilly landscape were more than an invitation for cycling. Over dozens of miles they passed milliones of acres of mainly wheat fields. Wheat - the raw material for the soft toast. At 6.30 PM they checked in the Ancaster Campground beside a fairly lake, arround them anglers waited for the big fish. 7 Pounds was a good price for a night.

Ancaster - Lincoln (25 mi) (Lincolnshire)

Ancaster - Caythorpe (4 mi) -Brant Broughton (6 mi) - Lyncoln (11 mi) - Lincoln Campground (4 mi)

Today they didn´t make a real long leg. Reason for that was the missing of a Campside near Gainsborough (after about 40 miles). But at first they left Ancaster via Caytorpe. This area was quit hilly, but just after passing the village of Caytorpe they headed for Brant Broughton and with 40 miles per hour they rolled into the valey of the River Brant.  Lincoln was really nice. They pushed there bikes up to the hill were the big Cathedral was built up. That was not so easy remembered on the weight of the bicycles and the 20 % of ascent. At the touristoffice the Lady tried to get a bed and breakfast in vicinity of Gainsborough. But for about 80 pounds compared to about 12 for a tent was not a reasonable advantage. That´s why the didn´t booked in advance an accomodation. While leaving Lincoln they realised a real nice Campside beside the Hartsholm Country Park. And because it was not to late they could visit the exibition. Later they cycled through the forest of the park. A really nice oase of quiet and nature. 

 Lincoln - Whitgift (48 mi)

Lincoln - Saxilby (6 mi) -Storton by Stow(4 mi) - Kexby (4 mi) - Laughton (9 mi) - Susworth (4 mi) - East Butterwick (6 mi) - Keadby (4 mi) - Fockerby (6 mi) - Adlingfleet (2 mi) - Witgift (3 mi)

Just after 1 mile they realized a farm diary with a nice playground and homemade icecream. Of course it was very early for a rest, but what a delicous rest. And accross the countryside, there are not many of those opportuneties. As the days before it was mainly flat and quit on the roads. 

Whitgift - York (26 mi)

Goole (5 mi) - Barmby on the Marsh (4 mi) - Hemingbrough (2 mi) - Skipwith (4 mi) - Naburn (5 mi) - Bishopthorpe (2 mi) - York (4 mi)

After about 5 miles they reached Goole. It´s a nice little town with a shopping street, where they bought some thinks. Good opportunety to ask somebody for the way out of the town. And how they expected, there was a small bridge across the river Derwent.Out of Goole they took the B1228 until about Knedlington, to follow than the road via Asselby. Because of this, they shortend the way by about 5 miles. It was again a nice day and before York they took the cycle path on the former railway path. There were same campsides south of York, but they were crowdy and still fare from the city. That´s why they prefered going on further into the city. The Campground near the Ouse river not far from the city was also very busy and only because all of the campers hat small tents, they had space enough for their own tent. Good luck. 

They went to the rail way museum of course. And may be it was a spezial day, the entry was graduit. I think every child would be so excited as Jakob was. So many old and new locomotives, couches, equipements and so on to see. You shouldn´t miss if you ever come to York. But the Railway - museum is only one  

York(4)-Earswick(4)-Strensall(2)-Flaxton(3)-Foston(3)-Kirkham(2)- Malton(6)-Yedingham(10)-Snaiton(3)-Brompton(2)-Ayton(2)-Scarborough(4) 

Is this the real staem fair ?

They started late and because after one week cycling they made the experience of only fiew shopping possibilities on the road. But also on Sunday after 11 AM the shopping mall was open - in big cities. And because they had a touristic map they could easely find the way out of York. They realized the hilly area east of York, but they could avoid it.Late at about 7 PM they reached the Camping near Snainton. Well there was space enough, but the owner refused giving us an camping area. Piss off and shit too.  

Well, she was right, the Lady yesterday. She didn´t care about the weather. It may change very quickly. And it did. After one week in heat, this monday started in the opposit to the former week. But nothing should stop them. The made only the mistake to cycle also within heavy rain. They shouldn´t do that, because once the clothes were wet, the would stay wet for the next days. To stop and protect them under an umbrella would be not the best but a better solution.   

Hunmanby - Burton Fleming - Rudston - Thornolme - Lisseett - Skipsea

They started the day in the caffeteria of the camping. After 10 ´clock it was not clear which weather they could expect. Later they decided to try the train. It was such a small one and the conductor was very helpfull, but there was no way for taking with the tandem in the train. No other choise for going to Hull. They had to cycle. But the weather became better and also for the next days it should allow cycling more or less without raining. Late after 2 PM they left Filey. Because the sea was not an invitation, they decided to go straight southbound without visiting Flamborough Head and Bridlington. They studied the map very precisely and could find a good quite road with big hills. Hills destroy the speed average. The camping was right out of skipsea an old mill farme. Later they went to the large camside on the beach. There was also a swimming pool and just this evening the would held an family night. So the returned quickly to the mill fam camping to pick up the swimming clothes. Returned the cassier explained that the family night was for the whole house without the swimming pool. That was a pitty. 

Ulceby(8)-

The morning started again - with rain. Fortunately on the campside was a restaurant which was true closed, but the terrace was open. Well protected from rain they had breakfast. Arround noon the rain stopped and they could leave the campside. First destination was Hull, about 12 miles to go. The town was well prepared for cyclists and because of a map which they got from the tourist office, they could find out easely. That was important because of finding the right way to the Humberbridge. They followed the signs and after about 5 miles they reached the bridge. On the bridge you may go for about 1 mile. It was hughes. There was a campside nearby Baron-upon-Humber but a sign on the map suggest them to go further to Goxhill. There was one, but the old was closed  and the new was not really open because of the gouverment didn´t allowed to run it.. But the owner (good old Harley driver) was very friendly. 5 P for a night on a very clean side. May be a rule for British Camping : less stars more friendly the poeple were and vice versa.

Neverending rain

Never on a tour they departed so late. Reason for that was the very heavy rain. They stayed in their tent the whole day and they didn´t expect to depart any time. But good luck at 3 PM : it stopped raining and they started packing. After about one hour they cycled already on the road across flat landscape. In Grimsby they wanted to visit the town center, but they couldn´t find. Did they pass already without realizing. Anyway they heaeded further for Humberston. It was already 7.30 when they arrived at the Thorp 5 star campside. The responsible warden they met was not very helpful. He said that the camp ground was fully booked. They were shockt. 5 star minus for servis. They decided to cycle along the beach and they reached by chance the campground from the other side. Fully booked ? May be but plenty of space they found and they built up their tent. The naighbour gave them a key for the Service and after a glas of wine and sprite the 4 went to bed (mats). 

Skegness(3)-Wainfleet(5)-Fold Hill(3)-Leverton 

On the road for 70 miles

As they awaked very early, they decided to start early too. May be also to  avoid the camping warden and a charge or penalty of course.The weather was again brillant. It was about 7 'clock. Nowhere a restaurant was open, only McDonnalds. Ok , it was an emergency case and they had a good meal. Once a year - it was ok. The roads were not as busy as they expected. Only in vecinity of Skegness it was not a fun to cycle on the road. May be also because of the large big fun park in Skegness. After the rainy days everybody was eager to have a nice event. Holliday fun park - nothing for them. Behind Skegness they cycled most of the time on calm roads. They campside was quite nice but they were shocked because of the singn: "Adults only". They had heard about such campsides, but now they had a problem - or not. The owner made an exception and they could stay. 

Lang Sutton(5)-Sutton Bridge(3)-Terrington St Clement(6)-Kings Lynn(6)-Castle(6)-Dersingham(4)-Snettisham(3)-Hunstanton(4)

They left at 10 the Campground. About 4 miles to go for Boston they made a little sightseeing through the old habour town. Out the town they followed the signs for the cyclepath. So they could avoid the mainroad most of the time. Only after passing the Sutton bridge they stait on the mainroad for about 2 miles. That´s all. While they cycled they realized that one of them got ill. For medical help they headed for Kings Lynn a nice town. But for visiting the town they had no time, but only for the doctor. In England it´s for free. Also for fooreigners. You have only to pay for the medicine. After 2 hours consultation they went further on for Hunstanton. At seven´clock they arrived at the Campground. While Rainer built up the tent the other 3 went to the swimming pool - it was included in the  about 17 p price. Just before Rainer bult up the tent, it started to rain heavely. But a family did help him und the tent was errected quickly. Thank goodness it was only a shower, so all 4 could have a nice evening cycle tour along the promenade.  

Holme next the sea (4 mi) - Wells next the Sea (14 mi) - Cromer (22 mi)

At first they went to the pool once again. It was included in the campingfee. They didn´t realized a beach, so they decided to take a nice bath again in the swimming pool. Rainer packed everything and at noon they started again cycling. It was again a marvelous day. Until 5 'clock. There was a cyclepath about 5 miles south of the coastroad, but the wanted to cycle near the beach. Fortunately there was not really much traffic. For cycling the leg was ok. No wide roads but no narrow either. It was not really flat. There were some small hills to pass. But not more then 10 percent steep. They visited Wells next Sea for having Fish and ships and tea. Later on the road again blue sky in the east Rainer realized in his mirror the absolute darkness. So they rushed for having a rest in a restaurant. The thunderstorm took time to pass. About 2 houres. It was already 8 PM when they arrived at the campground. Their friends were not there and it got dark. It took lang time and at 10 PM they met each other. Welcome with red wine. 

Oliver was right.There was a special event this day. Cromer helt his Cromer Carnival this week. In the journal there was something shown up from the Red Arrows. They went all togeather to the see bridge. And well, at 12 'clock 9 red fighter trainers started their exciting air show. That was more than great. After this performance the 4 and their friends went to Norwich by train visiting the old castle und cathedral. 

Cromer was a real nice choice for staying for two nights. This day it wasn´t really clear, how far they will go. Such a decission depent on having a campside on the route too. Out of Cromer they mist at first the right exit for cycling on the quit road. It went hill up and may be because the concentrated on the steep they didn´t realised the right exit. But the traffic wan´t so bad and after about 5 miles they headed again for the coast. It was really nice cycling and for a while they followed also the published cycelroute. It was about 3 PM when they arrived on the Happisburgh cambing. Well - that´s UK. On many places they did install surveillance cameras, but they don´t care about the people. On the camping in Humberston, where the warden refused the 4unterwegs for overnight, they camped below the cameras and safed 15 p. The same now. No responsible person did care about the guests. The office was empty. It was not possible to pay the 7 p. OK.  Anyway, they decided to settle down here. The village had not much to offer, but a hughe step to go down to the beach. Outherwise they would have really difficulties to go to the beach. The power of the nature had distroit much of the coast and diconnected steps and roads between the coast and the beach.  

Found an error on the site?
Let the Webmaster know !