Back on the bikes..
Early morning train ride to Skipton via Leeds to get to starting point.
Let’s hope the rain holds out!
As a bonus – there is luggage storage.
Day 1: Slow Tour of Yorkshire
Hull to Driffield
Kingston-upon-Hull is the central location selected for the Slow Tour of Yorkshire. According to Google Hull is
- a port city in East Yorkshire
- the perfect place to bring up a family
- one letter away from Hell
- officially one of the world’s most congested cities
- setting the benchmark for its young entrepreneurs
- becoming a greener city
- a UK city of culture
The first day of the slow tour of Yorkshire saw us complete a lazy 61 kms to Driffield via Beverley. This route followed off-road paths through most of urban Hull and then followed very quite country lanes.
We had great weather and accomplished some quite good speeds given the tailwinds we benefited from.
To Beverly
A few minutes out of the old-town of Hull we were pleasantly surprised to find off-road paths. This tools us through must of the busy parts of Hull. Not a bad thing given we set-off during peak hour.
The suddenly we’re in cabbage territory.
We’re did that substation come from?
Then out of nowhere Beverly Minster appears.
Obligatory morning tea at a tea house was required as reward for the first half of the ride.
To Driffield
Thus far, based on the photographs it’d be reasonable to expect that we had fine weather all day. Well not quite. Just outside of Beverley it started to rain.
But fear not the rain did not last for long.
After the rain and considerable time of a slight incline, the rain disappeared and there was a glorious decline and tail winds. That perfect combination that cyclists dream about.
We had lunch at Hutton Cranswick which fortunately timed itself with another downpour. We thought we had dodged a bullet only to find Helen’s bike had pulled off a flat tyre. YEAH!
Backroads to Driffield and a major flour milling operation. We made it to our Northern train back to Hull.
Resources
- We found this ride in the Pocket Guide – Discover Cycling in Yorkshire.
- The GPX route for bicycle computer can be found from GPS Walking and Cycling Routes
Cheap breakfast
For a few visits to Tokyo we’ve been saying we should try the Sukiya shop – it’s effectively a beef bowl restaurant. If you have been to Tokyo you will of seen the red, white and yellow signs all around the place.
We needed a fast breakfast last Sunday before catching the train to meet people.. and it fitted the bill perfectly. Ordering efficient (yeah for English menu) – and it was tasty too!
Yes, that was the price for two! Here is what Kym has…
There is some street art in Hull..
Kawagoe ride with Brompton Friends
Helen has already posted on this one. But given its a rainy day in Hull. I thought I would add some of my own photos and comments.
The ride started at Ukimafunado station and we then followed a vehicle free route along the Ara-Kawa river prepared by our friend.
Cafe Via
For lunch we stopped at Cafe Via a cycling cafe. Which has great food and coffee, friendly hosts and a relaxing location. Unfortunately, we’ve heard they were flooded by the massive typhoon that just hit Japan. Our thoughts are with them and hope that they are well and that their business recovers speedily.
Ice cream
Our ride continued to a farm that makes very fine Japanese ice cream. I had the very best of Japanese flavours – Matcha and Red bean.
Kawagoe
Kawagoe is a popular edo-period town near Tokyo. It takes ordinary people 30 minutes or so to get there. We took a little longer by bike. This was our first visit. We enjoyed the little time we could spend here this visit. I am sure that we will be back – on our Bromptons on way or another.
Thank you too our friends in Japan.
In Hull…
Yes folks, we’re in Hull. We are here as my uncle lives here. My mum is also staying with us so she can spend time with him.
So we are basing ourselves here for a few weeks, doing a number of rides on our bikes and seeing stuff. Here’s to the next few weeks!
Good weather = cycling
The weather is set to be a lovely 15 degrees. Today we are off to Scarborough to cycle the coastal path to Whitby. But first we have to catch a train to get to the starting point. Currently on the 8:30 train which will take 1 hour. Nothing like the high speed Japanese train system we are used to!
Here is the place where luggage is supposed to be located:
As you can guess… not ideally suited for folding bikes. Here is our solution, approved by the conductor!
At least we have Japanese snacks…
New frontiers
Today is wet. A no ride day. We’ve decided to venture to new places beyond the city centre. This time we’re lunching on Newland Avenue.
It is close to Hull University. The street is filled with cafes and shops that attracts University types. Today, I am eating VEGAN cauliflower and chickpea curry @ the Barista Cafe. This is being washed down by some fine Belgian Beer.
Helen is enjoying a piccolo latte and peas and cheese. I can tell you they taste good too. This one comes from the “all day” breakfast menu. Almost feels like home.
We were motivated to come to Newland Avenue by the search for a good bakery. We found one! Maybe some pictures in our next post?
Having a real pint of beer
Yep, can barely make decisions as my body tells me it is 3am in the morning but my eyes tell me it is 6pm in evening.
Bromptoneering in Japan…
On Sunday we had a Brompton cycling day planned by one of our Japanese Brompton friends. There was going to be no rain… once everyone got to the station around 10ish it was agreed by consensus we would have a coffee while waiting for the shower to pass. Yes even we can go to McDonald’s – here is proof.
Then we set off – first up the obligatory photo
Then we set off… it is amazing how much space there is in Japan. We stopped at a flood gate… here is where it began to rain and we then lost one of the group because he was so wet!
As luck would have it.. eventually it cleared up…
…
The route was great as there were very few cars. Only had to watch for joggers and other cyclists. We cycle between baseball pitches, golf courses, rice paddies and houses. Around 1:30 we stopped for lunch at Via cycling cafe which is certainly set up for cyclists – and they have great food options. Here was my lunch – oishii!
After an hour of sitting around eating and talking we set off again and went to a working farm which sells fabulous ice cream!
From here we went to Kawagoe.. which is famous for old Edo style street and historical shrine and bell tower. Certainly worth the visit if you have time. We eventually got to the train station and said goodbye until the Brompton in Palace ride in November!
