Change of plan

 

My original plan last friday was to follow NCN1 from South Shields to Sunderland. It's part of the world that I used to know well. But that was a long time ago, and I've never cycled it. I decided to begin in Blyth and map out a route that I thought was long enough to push my longest ride up by a few miles, reach the centre of Sunderland and still get home in time for tea. Unfortunately my plan was scuppered by a late start and slow progress against a headwind. I had to accept that I needed an alternative. So when I reached Tynemouth I decided to attempt a couple of different Tyne crossings and fit in a visit to the Saxon Church of St Paul's in Jarrow.

On entering the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel I had a brief conversation with a walker who was completing a five-day trip along the Hadrian's Wall National Trail. On leaving the tunnel, I met a cyclist who had ridden that day from Cockermouth. The GPS satellites kicked in as we exited the tunnel. His Bike Computer showed a trip distance of 100 miles. Mine showed 13.5 miles. I was impressed and he was polite.

Along the coast there were plenty of people about, enjoying a nice warm day at the start of a bank holiday weekend. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. For a while I was frustrated that my original  plan hadn't worked out. However, it turned into an interesting day. I'm now a bit more familiar with routes between Tynemouth and North Shields, and between Jarrow and South Shields. Not disappointing at all.

An unconventional vehicle

I came across quite a few cyclists today, on  variety of bikes. And this. Which I believe is a Snoek Velomobile. 

The rider (driver /occupant / pilot ?) was on his way from Dusseldorf to Shetland. That puts my ride between Hispburn and Druridge Country Park into some perspective. But then I enjoyed a ride of a couple of hours on a sunny day. With a slight headwind on the way out. And a tailwind on the way back. He was on a three month trip.

It looks as though one of these can achieve an impressive speed on a suitable surface. However, there are several sections of NCN-1 which must have been difficult for him to negotiate. I imagine that narrow gaps, steep climbs, sharp turns and rough surfaces will be more tricky for him than they are for me. So we met up and parted several times between Amble and Hipsburn.

Such an unusual vehicle attracts a lot of attention. But it can't be easy to get into. And if I ever did get into one of these I'm not sure I would ever get out again. I think I'll stick with a more conventional folding bike.