JOURNEYS ON TWO WHEELS

INTRODUCTION

I live in London and have done so all my life. However throughout that time have gone on journeys to see other places. Some close to home and some far away. My journeys were done as a child, then as a teenager and now as an adult. Most of them were done with family and friends, although enjoyable as I got older wanted to do my own thing, wanted to rely less on others to get around …… At the age of 12/13, I learnt to ride a bicycle. At first it was something to do when bored, something to pass the time and only then venturing no further than my local area. I still held on to the dream of owning/driving a car. But as I grew older that dream faded, I contemplated getting a milk float and even a horse and cart. In the end I saw the light and realised that the bicycle could be my answer. I began cycling everywhere and enjoyed it. As the years passed my destinations grew in distance. I realised that cycling was my thing, it was perfect for me……. In 1994, after some 2/3 years with no travels, got it together with some friends and travelled in an old van around France, Spain and Portugal. I took my bicycle and managed to do a few rides including my long term wish of cycling up some mountain roads. Excellent!! It was a great month but coming back was depressing. Nevertheless the journey had inspired me and made me determined to do more. Wanting to be more independent, to travel on my own terms as well as my own transport, it was now time to take the plunge, to go solo, to do some journeys on two wheels…. It is now 2001, It has been about seven years since I made the decision to go solo. Now I have a few journeys to tell. It may not be much but I am proud of my achievements. With better finances I would have done more. The following are journals of my travels with me and my bicycle, and hopefully, barring any technological problems, will contain features such as photos, maps etc.

PYRENEES OR BUST

ESCAPE TO NEW FOREST

FOLLOW THE THAMES HOLLAND

BELGIUM FRANCE