Created: 12/11/2008
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Remarks
Arrived back home on Thursday the 6th. August after cycling a total of 5365 km without a single puncture and still on the original tires (wouldn't pass MOT though)!
Only had to replace the paddles (ball bearings worn), some brake- and gear cables and the rear brake pads.
What can I say about the whole trip?
Highly recommended: bikeshop 'Atro Sykkel' located on Sundtsvei 2 in Nesstun. First class service. I visit this shop to buy a special wrench to loosen up the pedals from my bike so I wouldn't struggle at the airport trying to do this with my small bahco-wrench.
Tool needed to be ordered but he could lent me one despite the fact that they would close in 5 minutes. No problem to bring it back the next norning and because they were probably closed at my time of departure I could simply leave the wrench on their doorstep. Have not encounter this kind of thrust in a very long time.
Interesting: landscape.
Dangerous: some parts of the road.
Beautiful: met several nice Norwegian girls cycling part of the same route.
Hot: heat wave in Norway - not related to the previous - although?
Exhausting: 25% hills in North York Moors.
Pleasant: meeting other 7 club members.
Wet: Scotland.
Windy: Germany, Denmark and Orkney.
Quick: flight from Bergen to Kirkwall.
Disappointing: campsite in St.Andrews (Scotland): pooring rain, cold and windy 'sorry, we are full'.
Satisfying: arriving home safe and sound and no serious problems with the bike!
Many thanks to Ian, Martin and family and Phil for taking the time to visit me. And a special thanks to Ian for promoting the LRF entry in blatchat and all his extra work by
keeping the clubmembers informed. Thanks guys, it kept me motivated all the way.
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A short summary
NO MORE FERRIES PLEASE
Cycling around the North Sea in 60 days
Introduction
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Headwind, headwind and more headwind
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Hills and Valleys
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New developments (caravanparks)
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Conclusion
| Number of countries | : | 9 (The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland, England, France and Belgium). |
| Punctures | : | ZERO ! ! ! |
| Dirt roads | : | too many |
| Total distance | : | 5365 + 965 = 6330 km |
| Shortest distance per day | : | 5 km (ferry crossing Harwich-Hook of Holland) |
| Longest distance per day | : | 162 km |
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Week 1
| Date | : | 14 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Utrecht |
| To | : | Heerde |
| Camping | : | Family visit
 |
| Distance | : | 92 km |
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| Date | : | 15 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Heerde |
| To | : | Nieuweschans |
| Camping | : | Camping Holland Poort
|
| Distance | : | 162 km |
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| Date | : | 16 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Nieuweschans |
| To | : | Norddeich (D) |
| Camping | : | Nordsee Camp
|
| Distance | : | 104 km |
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| Date | : | 17 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Norddeich |
| To | : | Dangast |
| Camping | : | Campingplatz Dangast
|
| Distance | : | 133 km |
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| Date | : | 18 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Dangast |
| To | : | Sahlenburg (Cuxhaven) |
| Camping | : | Campingplatz 'Achtern Huus'
|
| Distance | : | 131 km |
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| Date | : | 19 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Sahlenburg (Cuxhaven) |
| To | : | Nordermeldorf |
| Camping | : | Campingplatz 'Strandvogt'
|
| Distance | : | 142 km |
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| Date | : | 20 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Nordermeldorf |
| To | : | Elisabeth-Sophien-Koog |
| Camping | : | Camping Nordstrand
|
| Distance | : | 98 km |
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Week 2
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| Date | : | 21 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Elisabeth-Sophien-Koog |
| To | : | Ballum (DK) |
| Camping | : | Camping Ballum
|
| Distance | : | 106 km |
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| Date | : | 22 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Ballum |
| To | : | Vejers Strand |
| Camping | : | Stjerne Camping
|
| Distance | : | 108 km |
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| Date | : | 23 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Vejers Strand |
| To | : | Thorsminde |
| Camping | : | Thorsminde Camping
|
| Distance | : | 103 km |
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| Date | : | 24 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Thorsminde |
| To | : | Frøstrup |
| Camping | : | Hjardemål Klit Camping
|
| Distance | : | 135 km |
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| Date | : | 25 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Frøstrup |
| To | : | Nørre Lyngby |
| Camping | : | Gl. Klitgaard Camping
|
| Distance | : | 102 km |
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| Date | : | 26 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Nørre Lyngby |
| To | : | Frederikshavn |
| Camping | : | TopCamp Nordstrand
|
| Distance | : | 134 km |
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| Date | : | 27 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Frederikshavn |
| To | : | Stenungsund (S) |
| Camping | : | Tollenäs
|
| Distance | : | 65 km |
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Week 3
| Date | : | 28 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Stenungsund |
| To | : | Brastad/Hallinden |
| Camping | : | Runes Campingplats
|
| Distance | : | 93 km |
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| Date | : | 29 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Brastad/Hallinden |
| To | : | Strömstad |
| Camping | : | Lagunen Camping
|
| Distance | : | 108 km |
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| Date | : | 30 June 2009 | |
| From | : | Strömstad |
| To | : | Helgeroa (N) |
| Camping | : | Blokkebukta Camping
|
| Distance | : | 56 km |
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| Date | : | 1 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Helgeroa |
| To | : | Ørvik |
| Camping | : | Kragerøfjorden Camping ??
|
| Distance | : | 111 km |
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| Date | : | 2 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Ørvik |
| To | : | Arendal |
| Camping | : | Nidelv Brygge Og Camping
|
| Distance | : | 97 km |
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| Date | : | 3 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Arendal |
| To | : | Åros |
| Camping | : | Åros Feriesenter AS
|
| Distance | : | 117 km |
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| Date | : | 4 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Åros |
| To | : | Lyngdal |
| Camping | : | Kvavik Camping AS
|
| Distance | : | 95 km |
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Week 4
| Date | : | 5 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Lyngdal |
| To | : | Svindland |
| Camping | : | Svindland Camping
|
| Distance | : | 72 km |
TOP
| Date | : | 6 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Svindland |
| To | : | Egersund |
| Camping | : | Hauen Camping
|
| Distance | : | 88 km |
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| Date | : | 7 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Egersund |
| To | : | Sola |
| Camping | : | Ølberg Camping og Friområde
|
| Distance | : | 154 km |
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| Date | : | 8 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Sola |
| To | : | Haugesund |
| Camping | : | Camping Haraldshaugen NAF
|
| Distance | : | 94 km |
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| Date | : | 9 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Haugesund |
| To | : | Leirvik |
| Camping | : | Birkeland Camping
|
| Distance | : | 79 km |
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| Date | : | 10 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Leirvik |
| To | : | Bergen |
| Camping | : | Midttun Motell & Camping
|
| Distance | : | 81 km |
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| Date | : | 11 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Bergen |
| To | : | Kirkwall (GB) |
| Camping | : | Pickaquoy Caravan & Camping Park
|
| Distance | : | 30 km |
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Week 5
| Date | : | 12 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Kirkwall |
| To | : | Dunnet |
| Camping | : | Dunnet Bay Caravan Club Site
|
| Distance | : | 59 km |
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| Date | : | 13 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Dunnet |
| To | : | Lairg |
| Camping | : | Woodend Caravan & Camping Site
|
| Distance | : | 155 km |
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| Date | : | 14 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Lairg |
| To | : | Inverness |
| Camping | : | Bught Caravan Park and Campsite
|
| Distance | : | 128 km |
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| Date | : | 15 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Inverness |
| To | : | Findochty |
| Camping | : | Findochty Caravan Park
|
| Distance | : | 143 km |
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| Date | : | 16 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Findochty |
| To | : | Stonehaven |
| Camping | : | Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park
|
| Distance | : | 142 km |
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| Date | : | 17 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Stonehaven |
| To | : | St. Andrews |
| Camping | : | Bowmore B&B
|
| Distance | : | 138 km |
BBC NEWS:
By 17th, the focus of the persistent heavy rain had moved to north-east England and the Scottish Borders. Rainfall totals approached 100mm in places, with 116mm at Alston, Cumbria in the 48 hours from 16th to 17th.
The greatest impact was seen seen over north-east England with a number of properties flooded, disruption to road and rail transport and interruptions to power supplies. |
The month July will go in to the records as one of the wettest period in decades (as the graphic will show).
Disappointment: Kinkell Braes Caravan Park in St. Andrews. Arrived there in the pouring rain around 20:00 hrs, temperature 13 °C, strong winds and wet to the bone but no place available for a lonely cyclist with a tent the size of a postagestamp because I had failed to make a reservation. Rules are rules. While I was contemplating what to do next I noticed that a French couple with small children received the same treatment.
This so-called manager is absolutely the biggest plonker I have ever met and definately unsuitable for the job.
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| Date | : | 18 July 2009 | |
| From | : | St. Andrews |
| To | : | Musselburgh |
| Camping | : | Drummohr Holiday Park
|
| Distance | : | 110 km |
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Week 6
| Date | : | 19 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Musselburgh |
| To | : | - |
| Camping | : | Drummohr Holiday Park
|
| Distance | : | - |
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| Date | : | 20 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Musselburgh |
| To | : | Berwick upon Tweed |
| Camping | : | Seaview Caravan Club Site
|
| Distance | : | 99 km |
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| Date | : | 21 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Berwick upon Tweed |
| To | : | Dunstan |
| Camping | : | Proctors Stead Caravan & Camping Park
|
| Distance | : | 83 km |
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| Date | : | 22 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Dunstan |
| To | : | Westview |
| Camping | : | Crimden House Farm
|
| Distance | : | 120 km |
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| Date | : | 23 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Westview |
| To | : | Whitby |
| Camping | : | Folly Gardens
|
| Distance | : | 98 km |
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| Date | : | 24 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Whitby |
| To | : | Hornsea |
| Camping | : | Sandhurst Guest House B&B
|
| Distance | : | 153 km |
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| Date | : | 25 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Hornsea |
| To | : | Barton upon Humber |
| Camping | : | Silver Birches Caravan Park
|
| Distance | : | 68 km |
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Week 7
| Date | : | 26 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Banton upon Humber |
| To | : | Woodhall Spa |
| Camping | : | Woodhall Spa Camping & Caravanning
Club Site
|
| Distance | : | 137 km |
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| Date | : | 27 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Woodhall Spa |
| To | : | St. John's Fen End |
| Camping | : | Virginia Lake Caravan Park
|
| Distance | : | 119 km |
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| Date | : | 28 July 2009 | |
| From | : | St. John's Fen End |
| To | : | Little Snoring |
| Camping | : | Crossways Caravan & Camping Park
|
| Distance | : | 109 km |
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| Date | : | 29 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Little Snoring |
| To | : | Bungay |
| Camping | : | Outney Meadow Park
|
| Distance | : | 93 km |
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| Date | : | 30 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Bungay |
| To | : | Waldringsfield |
| Camping | : | The Moon & Sixpence
|
| Distance | : | 102 km |
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| Date | : | 31 July 2009 | |
| From | : | Waldringsfield |
| To | : | Tolleshunt D'Arcy |
| Camping | : | Wilkin & Sons' (private) Caravan Park (not listed)
|
| Distance | : | 110 km |
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| Date | : | 1 August 2009 | |
| From | : | Tolleshunt D'Arcy |
| To | : | Hadley |
| Camping | : | Friends (Keith & Pauline
|
| Distance | : | 54 km |
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Week 8
| Date | : | 2 August 2009 | |
| From | : | Hadley |
| To | : | - |
| Camping | : | Friends (Keith & Pauline)
|
| Distance | : | - |
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| Date | : | 3 August 2009 | |
| From | : | Hadley |
| To | : | - |
| Camping | : | Friends(Keith & Pauline)
|
| Distance | : | - |
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| Date | : | 4 August 2009 | |
| From | : | Hadley |
| To | : | Harwich |
| Camping | : | St. Christopher's Place B&B
|
| Distance | : | 127 km |
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| Date | : | 5 August 2009 | |
| From | : | Harwich |
| To | : | Hoek van Holland |
| Camping | : | Camping Hoek van Holland
|
| Distance | : | 5 km |
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| Date | : | 6 August 2009 | |
| From | : | Hoek van Holland |
| To | : | Utrecht |
| Camping | : | thuisbasis
|
| Distance | : | 123 km |
Week 1 (2010)
| Date | : | 21 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Utrecht |
| To | : | Hoek van Holland |
| Camping | : | Camping Hoek van Holland
|
| Distance | : | 109 km |
A small taste of what is to be expected: headwind all the way down to HoH.
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| Date | : | 22 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Hoek van Holland |
| To | : | Ramsey |
| Camping | : | Farm Cottage B&B
|
| Distance | : | 10 km |
Ferry crossing and a rush in the dark on a busy A120 to a small campingsite near Ramsey.
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| Date | : | 23 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Ramsey |
| To | : | Little Baddow |
| Camping | : | Retreat Farm
|
| Distance | : | 102 km |
Lots of rain in the morning but cleared up during the day. Plenty of headwind to Little Baddow near Chelmsford.
Lovely campingsite on a field near a farm. Beautiful views and most of rain on the other site of the valley.
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| Date | : | 24 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Little Baddow |
| To | : | Bean |
| Camping | : | Friends (Ian & Sue)
|
| Distance | : | 152 km |
Still strong headwind. Suppose to meet up with Lotus Seven clubmember Graham near Nazeing Mead but took me an hour extra to get there
(directions pointed the wrong way leaving Harlow towards Roydon).
Turned out to be a beautiful day and Graham managed to guide me into London without problems (thanks mate).
Managed to find the foottunnel without problems. Followed the No.1 around the Millennium Dome and stick to the No.1 signs.
Not the best choice this turned out to be. Took me far too long to reach Dartford let alone find Bean where I suppose to meet Lotus Seven clubmember Ian and Sue.
Got there in the end thanks to Ian's one man rescue effort and after cycling 152 km.
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| Date | : | 25 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Bean |
| To | : | Dover |
| Camping | : | Victoria Guest House B&B
|
| Distance | : | 103 km |
Ian accompanied me the first 15 km or so in the direction of Canterbury. As advised I stick the first part of the route to the old A2.
Started raining in Canterbury all the way to Dover. Managed to stick to the official No.1 thanks to Ian's supplied enlarged prints of the route.
Still raining heavily in Dover so went for a B&B instead.
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| Date | : | 26 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Dover |
| To | : | Audruicq |
| Camping | : | Camping Les Pyramides
|
| Distance | : | 72 km |
Rain never stopped. Ferry crossing to Boulogne sur Mer (should have gone for the Calais option instead).
Very bad crossing with high waves due to which the crossing took much longer than expected.
No rain in France at the beginning. Getting out of Boulogne by bicycle was a real nightmare. Follow the signs and you end up on a motorway time after time.
Took me an hour to leave the place. Then the rain started. Still strong headwind. Needed to change plans a bit because Ypres
would simply not be feasible today. Ended up in the pouring rain on a campsite in Guines (near Calais) instead.
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| Date | : | 27 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Audruicq |
| Tor | : | Blankenberge |
| Camping | : | Camping Bonanza
|
| Distance | : | 130 km |
Still raining. Had to do a bit of catching up. Cleared up during the day but still a strong headwind remaining. Managed to reach Blankenberge after cycling 130 km.
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| Date | : | 28 August 2010 | |
| From | : | Blankenberge |
| To | : | Ulvenhout |
| Camping | : |
|
| Distance | : | 168 km |
Still a long way to go before I reach home. Clear day, wind changed a bit. Managed to get the ferry to Vlissingen in time and reached
the goal for the day (Breda) after clocking a whopping 170 km.
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| Datum | : | 29 August 2010 | |
| Van | : | Ulvenhout |
| Naar | : | Utrecht |
| Camping | : | thuisbasis
|
| Afstand | : | 110 km |
Quite a rainy day but managed to get home in time as planned (with water in my shoes and wet to the bone).
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And for the record: NO punctures.
Another successful trip has been completed. The North Sea Cycle Route has finally and fully been covered.
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