Thursday
11th October - Day 12 Daily Mileage 485
– Total 3585
“Hola, ?como estas Jeannie?”
“Are you mad? Its half past bloody three in the
morning!”
“Muy bien, gracias”
Well that’s what was going on in my head when I woke
up, in reality I just sat up, switched off my mobile phones alarm, looked at the
clock which read 3.31am and snuck into the bathroom.
Missing my toothbrush and getting toothpaste all
over the sink wasn’t in the plan.
“See you later, love you” I whispered in Jeannie’s
ear very quietly, then I gave her a kiss.
“Take it steady and ride carefully, love you too”
came the sleepy response.
“I will, bye”
“Bye”
I walked round
the bed and out into the hall.
“Love you Ben, love you Lilie Rose, see you later” I
whispered through both of their open bedroom doors as I walked past.
The hardest part of any ride was over, saying good
bye to the people I love most in the world.
Downstairs I started to kit up, LD pants & vest
which Phil had kindly brought back from the IBA Conference in America for me. The
kit is great, really well designed and brilliant for going to the loo in due to
a small square pocket on the front of the pants (may be too much information that
but it works amazingly well so I thought I’d mention it).
On with the free Furygan long sleeve stretch T-shirt
that came with my leather jacket from Rochdale All Bikes. Next on, my short
sleeve Horizons Unlimited “They told me to get lost – so I did” T-shirt. Oxford
thermal socks followed by ex-Army black Gortex socks which is a brilliant combination
being both warm and 100% dry without being too bulky.
Then it’s on with the Gerbing heated jacket, Dianese
Gortex trousers, heated jacket always
tucked into the trousers as it warms my lower back very nicely thank you. On
with the Hein Gerick high touring boots, Yamaha neck tube, Dainese Gortex
Jacket, ear plugs, Multi-Tech helmet and finally Seal Skinz cycling gloves. That’s
me ready for the off!
First stop ASDA for fuel at the “pay at the pump” so
I don’t have to get off Mr T. £1.35.9p a
litre. (I never get the .01p change mind! Strange that don’t you think?).
Lincoln
– The reason for the early start was the thought of riding into the centre of Lincoln
to get the photo of the Gold Post Box right near the Cathedral filled me with dread. I’ve ridden
through Lincoln during the day before and it can be an absolute nightmare due
to the narrow twisty streets with hundreds of parked cars, not to mention
the millions of tourist.
Still riding over the M62 all I could think of was “Hola,
?como estas?, Muy bien, ?y tu?, Estupendo” “bloody Spanish lessons who needs
them?”
The M62 was its usual average speed limit monitored
50 mph boring self. “When will they ever finish those damned road works?” There
must be more gantries, fixed speed cameras, average speed cameras and now “normal”
video surveillance speed cameras along the M62 than on any other stretch of
road in the country. That includes the roads I rode on in London last week too.
All I can say is George Orwell was right, even if he got his dates a little
out! “Big Brother” is watching us.
Thank the Lord for the serenity of the A1, my favourite
strip of black stuff in the whole of the UK. Purely because I know it like the
back of my hand. I even know when the red, white and amber strips that light my
way are going to come to an abrupt end just before the 50mph “Accident Calming
Zone” kicks in at Elkesley. Now when is someone going to repair that bloody “damaged barrier” and shift the 500 meter
stretch of 50mph restriction signs that have been there for nearly two years?
The other question I have regarding the A1 is, “Why does it have so many bloody
names?” The A1, the A1(M), the Doncaster Bye-Pass and my favourite the Great
North Road, come on how many names does a road need? “Por favour” “Disculpe, no
le etendi” no me neither!
Riding past all the parked cars in the central
side streets of Lincoln at 5.35am I knew I’d made the right decision to leave
at 4.00am
Pulling into the cobbled square Mr T’s new rear
shock absorber had its work cut out but did a mighty fine job of keeping me
safe. I spotted the Gold Post Box straight away and parked up at the side ready
for the photo. Behind me the arches leading to the Cathedral where well lit but
below them lay an eerie mist. As I got my camera out I saw a movement behind me
in Mr T’s mirror. Through the mist I could just see a hooded figure coming
towards me. 6.00am in a morning in the centre of Lincoln on dark misty morning
in October, I was about to be murdered by a hooded assailant with no face…………………
The hooded figure came closer and closer, black jeans,
torn dirty trainers, grey hoody with hands tucked firmly in the hoody pocket.,no
doubt concealing the murder weapon.
The only thing that flashed through my head was ……
“Hola, Buenas dias. Como te llamas?” Bloody Spanish…………
aaaahhhhgggg!
And obviously “I wonder if he’ll take me photo with
the Gold Post Box?”.
Sadly he pulled down his hood some 50 meters away
and sparked up shattering the illusion but hey it was fun while it lasted. Hood
back up he passed me buy without even a
sideways glance. Still I’m alive to tell the tale so “all’s well that ends well”
as they say.
1 Exchequergate Lincoln - Sophie Wells
Gold medal Equestrian: Mixed Individual Championship Test - Grade IV
Belton
with Browston – “Great Yarmouth to you and me!”
Pictures taken, murder averted, I was on
my way through some of the most stunning countryside England has to offer. It’s
a bit flat and boring in places but that’s made up for by the twists and
turns that lead over to the East coast
through the Norfolk Broads. It’s 127 miles from Lincoln to Great Yarmouth and
takes about two and a half hours. Riding down the A17 towards Kings Lynn was nice
and steady due to the build-up of morning works traffic but once I was passed
Kings Lynn and onto the A47 the roads cleared and the fun began. Heading
towards Norfolk I decided to stop off at one of the many roundabout services
that line the route. After a quick text
to Jeannie to confirm I was Ok and just 50 miles short of Gold Post Box number
two, I tucked into my “Double Bacon & Egg Burger” yuk, but the coffee was nice!
Being told to “Turn left then navigate off road” got
me all exited but it was very short lived as the Gold Post Box was there at the
side of the village hall. 9.20am and with two Gold Post Boxes done I had just one
more left to photograph before heading home for a late lunch.
Station Road South Belton - Jessica-Jane Applegate
Gold Medal Swimming: Women’s 200m Freestyle, S14
Doddington
– What a brilliant name for a village, Doddington. Reminded me of Ken
Dodd-ington. “Simple thing’s” I know. The ride over from Belton with Browston to
Doddington is stunning. The roads clear, twisting and turning and lined with
some of the most amazing roads signs I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if you’ve ever realised but I
just love weird and wonderful road signs. From the two motorcyclist nearly
running into the back of a truck in Spain to the wild boar crossing the road sign
in Croatia they make me laugh. Lincoln can boast some of the very best.
Cars with the front ends hanging over the canal
sides, “Think don’t sink” signs and my favourite. This
Love it!
Now that’s just plain cheating! Still the three
police motorcyclists that rode past me on the other side all nodded as they
passed. Must have been down to the fact that I was about the only other biker
on the roads that morning and they were all in a good mood riding together.
Having watched the temperature gauge drop from 17
degrees as I pulled out of the garage, plummet down to 9 degrees then dive even
further to 5 degrees as I headed over towards King Lynn it wasn't surprising
there weren't any other bikers out. I
was so pleased to be turning my heated jacket off as the temperature rose to a
very comfortable 15 degrees in Doddington.
What a beautiful little place Doddington is. The
streets are lined in places with ornate trees and one house in particular
caught my eye as I rode past. So much so that I stopped and took a picture The
Round House is a small thatched property and looks picture box perfect.
How perfect is this house?
New Street Doddington - Johnnie Peacock
Gold medal Athletics: Mens 100m
So with all three photos taken there was just the
small matter of the 163 mile ride home. However me being me and it still only
being 11.30am I thought I’d head due north into the true Norfolk Broads and
enjoy some of their banked and bouncy back roads pushing the return trip up to
184 miles in the process. “Who’s counting?”.
Arriving home at 2.35pm I can truly say that yesterday’s
ride has
to be one of the most enjoyable day out I’ve had so far on my
#GoldBoxJourney. Purely down to the fact that I took my time, stopped when I
wanted to. Enjoyed some fantastic views and more importantly rode on some of
the most technically challenging roads that I’ve ridden on in some.
Day Twelve - 3 Gold Post Boxes
With 78 Gold Post Boxes now visited I have a further
30 to visit in the remaining 10 days of my 22 day allocation, “Bring on the
good times”. Next stop………. Penzance!
Can you see the potential "Murderer"?
"He's behind You"!!!
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