Bike packing adventures continue in Yorkshire

The North Coast 500 route felt a long way away by the time we reached the village of Tickton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. I felt the weight of disappointment at abandoning my hopes (for now …) of completing the NC500, but on the positive side, I had - fortunately - thrown my old road bike into the boot of the car at the last minute, in case of any mishaps. One of the spokes on the bike I had been riding was about to snap at any moment, so I was able to continue my bike packing tour on my old bike without any serious issues.

“There’s nowt like a proper brew”

As the Yorkshire saying goes, ‘There’s nowt like a proper brew’, so we felt it only appropriate to set ourselves up for our Yorkshire tour. The first day’s destination was Scarborough, so, with bellies full of ‘The Yorkshire Breakfast’ we pedalled the 60-mile scenic route to the seaside town of Scarborough.

Damian and I spent four days touring around an area of Yorkshire I knew very little about. The scenery was stunning, the hills not quite so brutal as the Scottish Highlands, and the weather generally kind. There were a few shouts of “It’s lukin’ black ower Bill’s mothers”, but we managed to remain dry for the majority of our tour.

Unfinished business

Reflecting on my adventures from my desk back in the office, I am really pleased to have embarked on the NC500 and will definitely be back to complete the route, as soon as work and family commitments allow.

There is certainly something quite liberating about being self-sufficient on so many levels.

And all of that lightweight kit definitely needs another outing!