Author: Garry

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is bicycle touring England on Wednesday, 17th-April-2024. Bognor Regis to Brockenhurst . 60 miles. What a surprise I’ve come to the New Forest again. I was debating whether or not to go to the Isle of Wight. But I decided against that. There are too many hills. And me and Hills aren’t very good together these days.

Bit of a tough ride down. There was a strong headwind, and that headwind was pretty cold. I never took my gloves off all day. But at least it didn’t rain.

I think I’ll be here again tomorrow night. Actually, I don’t think I know. I’ve got a new Tarp to go over my Hilleberg that I want to try out. I couldn’t be bothered today. I’ve also got a few new recipes that I want to try cooking. They’re easy at home, but camping is a different ball game altogether.

I tried my first one tonight, which was Chorizo and Cabbage stew. And very tasty it was too. I’ve still got plenty of cabbage left. I only used one-quarter of it. So, there might be a few more cabbage-based suppers.

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. I’m also on Flickr, where I’ll publish the photos from this tour once I’m home. Pictures from all my tours and monthly photos can also be found on Flickr.

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.

This week’s Travelsonabike2 on this day post comes from Australia on the 12th-April-2012: a good day’s mileage and a pleasant surprise at the end of the day.

Thursday 12th April 2012 Burra to Renmark. 124 miles.

It’s been a much better ride today. The wind has dropped and changed direction, although it’s been a bit cold. However, I’m still in shorts and sandals, just. Apparently, I’ve been cycling beside the Murray River. Not that I could see it, but I got glimpses. Along with the Murray River, there have been plenty of vineyards. I think I might be in a winemaking region.

I had to bin my fruit today as I entered a fruit fly zone, which means you’re not allowed to bring any fresh fruit or vegetables into the area from outside. It seemed a bit of waste all the people stopping and just binning their fruit. I stood there and ate mine, as did some other people. Apparently, if fruit flies are found on any part of the farmer’s crop, they can’t sell any of it. And they have to destroy the whole crop, which costs the farmers, and that’s on top of losing the crop. I knew you couldn’t take fruit from Western Australia to South Australia. But I didn’t realise there were restrictions within the states.

I arrived in Renmark fairly late tonight and stopped at the first place, which happened to be a motel. As I was checking in to the motel, Rosie, the owner, asked what I was doing here on a bike. After telling her my story, she gave me a 50% discount on my room. What a lovely lady. I’d definitely come back to the “Renmark Motor Inn” if I’m ever in the area again.

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. I’m also on Flickr, where photographs from all my tours are.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry web page.

This week’s Travelsonabike2 on this day post comes from Morocco on the 5th-April-2009, and I’m in Marrakesh. Two days previous, I’d had a long, stressful day cycling into Marrakesh and was ready to go home. But thankfully, I didn’t because, from that point, my adventure in Morocco only got better.

There is a more embellished version of this post, along with all the posts from my ride to Morocco, in my “Travels on a Bike 2 Morocco” tour book available to buy from Amazon.

Sunday 5th April.  Marrakesh to Taddert. 60 miles.

After a relaxing day off the bike playing the tourist yesterday, I felt a lot calmer. And overnight I decided that I didn’t want to give up and was going to continue. Although, after today’s ride, I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t; it’s been tough going 60 miles nearly all uphill! But at least I’ve not been plagued by those Grand taxis.

Instead, they have been replaced with 4x4s with Spanish number plates. There have been hundreds of them driving past me all day, and even as I sit in the hotel, I can still see them going past!

I decided to stop here at Taddert because I was worried that there wouldn’t be anywhere to stay in the next village. After all, according to my map, there’s nothing for miles after that, plus I’d had enough of peddling up these mountains. The hotel tonight isn’t quite 5-star, but it’s a bed for the night, and they serve beer. I’m not sure how much it costs, though. I think the owner said as long as I eat here, it’s okay, let’s hope so!

I can see plenty of snow on the higher peaks; I hope I don’t end up there. The sun has been very hot today. But there’s been a cold wind coming off the mountains, keeping the temperature down; in fact, it’s been pretty chilly in the shade. And as I sit here with the sun going down, I can feel the temperature starting to drop, but then I am at 1700 metres.

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. I’m also on Flickr, where photographs from all my tours are.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry web page.