Garry-McGivern East-England Bicycle-Tour Thursday 5th-March-2015. Hastings to Sandwich. 64 miles. Early morning today, I was wide awake a 4 am! But then I seem to wake up early most days these days, possibly because of my medication! I was hoping that by doing this tour, I would be tired out and sleep through a bit more, maybe tomorrow!
After filling myself up on the buffet-style breakfast, it was time to leave the hotel. I knew it was all uphill to get out of Hastings from the two previous times I’d cycled here. And once again, I made the mistake of following the cycle route. It takes you all around the back streets, which is fine, but it also takes you over a ridiculously steep and long hill! Only to go back down and meet the main road I’d just left! A lot of today has been on cycle routes. I wanted to see if they were better than the route that I would usually take, the main road! And my verdict is that some of them are better, but nine times out of ten, they’re worse! I’m sure that whoever works out these routes is undoubtedly not a cyclist, and quite possibly they’re sadistic! Despite going on all these out of the way roads, I’ve had quite an enjoyable day.
Slow Going
I was coming out of Hastings first thing this morning after I’d been over my big hill detour and had rejoined the main road. The road was still going up, so I was peddling slowly. And I found myself cycling alongside some school children who were keen to talk and ask questions about what I was doing and why. I cycled alongside them for a good ten minutes having a good conversation before we were at the top of the hill, where their school was. And where I could pick up speed and go a bit faster. So I bid them farewell and went on my way.
Sandwich, where I’m staying tonight, looks like a charming place. It’s a shame I can’t explore it a bit more. I did go out for a short walk to a local shop (to get essential supplies!?!?) which was no more than 500 yards, but it was such a struggle to walk! I was glad to get back to the hotel.
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You are amazing Spike!! x