Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is cycle touring in England on Friday, 11th-May-2018. Adgestone to Bognor Regis. 38 miles. Seeing as there was no rush this morning, I decided to use the phone to navigate a different route from the campsite to the ferry or, rather, the Fastcat. And I certainly did go a different way. It took me way off the beaten track through housing estates and across fields! All good fun!
My route across the fields
Once off the island, the ride home was hard going. And what normally takes me about two and a half hours took nearly four! There was a strong headwind, and because my hip was hurting, I stopped at every opportunity!
Beach near Ryde
Despite the struggle home and cycling across fields, it was still an enjoyable day.
On the Fastcat
But I think now is the time to get this hip sorted; everything is becoming too painful! After all, I was told it would all be done and dusted within 4 months. That was 6 months ago now!
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You can also follow my progress and see where I stop each night by visiting the Where’s Garry web page; there, you’ll find a map of the route I’ve taken so far.
The Quad-Lock stem bar mount is used to mount Garry’s phone onto the stem of his handlebars, simply twist and lock!
The phone is attached to the Quad Lock with specially adapted phone cases which you can get for all popular phones. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one that fitted Garry’s phone! Not a problem you can buy a separate universal adapter to stick to the back of the phone case.
The adapter stuck on the back of Garry’s phone
Its position right in front of him allows him to see any incoming calls and it’s quick release system allows Garry to answer them before they ring off, even with gloves on it’s easy to release! Pull down the locking nut and twist to lift off!
The Quad lock has proved invaluable when Garry wants to use his phone as a navigation tool. No more having to try and ride along holding the phone in one hand and steering with the other, hoping he doesn’t have to brake suddenly!
The Quad Lock attached to the bar stem
The quick-release system also works well when Garry wants to take a picture; it’s there right in front of him! Not buried somewhere in the bottom of his bar bag and once again it’s quick and easy to release.
The Quad Lock stem bar mount is an invaluable piece of kit for any cycle tourist.
Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is cycle touring in England on Thursday, 10th-May-2018. Salisbury to Adgestone. 43 miles. Well, I think I got away with it! Not picking up any of that nerve agent!
So much for getting a good night’s sleep last night. I was still wide awake, gone midnight! Then, when I did drift off, it started to rain and that then kept me awake! I eventually gave up and got up at about 5.30.
Salisbury council building
It’s been a lovely sunny day. There’s been a rather chilly wind with it, but that was okay. It’s been behind me all day!
Nice easy signs to follow
I started the day following the Wiltshire cycleway, which went down quiet country lanes and up over ridiculously steep hills, which is something that I’m not usually keen on. But at the moment, it’s fine with me, and I’m enjoying it.
The river Avon
My original plan was to go to the New Forest, but it was just a little too close, I would have been there by 11! So I decided to come back to the Isle of Wight for a change! I did think about going to Swanage, but then I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to get home for tomorrow evening!
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You can also follow my progress and see where I stop each night by visiting the Where’s Garry web page; there, you’ll find a map of the route I’ve taken so far.
Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is cycle touring in England on Wednesday, 9th-May-2018. Bognor Regis to Salisbury. 85 miles. Well, it’s been a tough week or so since I returned home from my last little jaunt. My hip and sciatica were really playing me up and to top it all my skin flared up again!
My irritable skin before I started taking the steroids
After suffering for nearly a week I eventually went to the doctors and got a course of steroids, which I’m on for the next two months! But at least now I’m on steroids I’m bouncing all over the place and feel pretty good!
I had intended to go to the Isle of Wight at the weekend then straight off to France, but as I said after really not feeling good I never made them. Which was a bit of a shame as it was the annual Isle of Wight ride, you know the one nobody does anymore!
Netley Abbey
Unfortunately, I now don’t have enough time to go too far as I have to be home on Friday.
As I said earlier, I’m back on steroids and a pretty high dose of 40mg a day for a week, then reduce by 5mg each week until finished! With such a high dose, I’ve got some of the bad side effects already, namely insomnia! Hence why I’ve come away. I was awake until midnight last night, then awake again at four! That’s when I decided to come away! Although I still never managed to leave home until about 7! Hopefully, after a good ride today, I should sleep Well, although I’m not feeling very tired just yet!
My breakfast
I had a good ride up with no major problems well, not until near the end anyway! I’ve just been using an app on the phone today, and no maps! I can’t say I prefer it. Yes, it was really good and helpful getting through Southampton. But then I was on a road I didn’t know, so found myself constantly looking at the phone and not looking at much else! Think I’ll stick to my paper maps and just use apps when I’m in cities! And of course, the other thing it drains the battery!
Salisbury cathedral
As I said, it was a good ride up until about 20 miles away from Salisbury. The roads I wanted to go on were closed, and I kept on having to go on detours, but at least that was where the app came in pretty handy. I think I must have done an extra 15 miles because of those diversions!
The centre of Salisbury still cordoned off
I saw the centre of Salisbury was still closed off after that nerve agent attack a few months ago, but apparently, it’s all fine and safe! That’s why it’s still closed off then!
Not too sure where I’m going tomorrow. I’ll have a look at the app on my phone and decide!
Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
You can also follow my progress and see where I stop each night by visiting the Where’s Garry web page; there, you’ll find a map of the route I’ve taken so far.
