Beautiful sunny day after overnight rain. Cycled the short distance to Aysgarth Falls. Took a photo there, but did not go to the middle or lower falls as all rather the same! Visited the National Park visitor centre but found it all very commercialised so moved on to Leyburn to make use of the ATM there--rare commodities in the Dales. The sun had brought out the masses who lined the town centre with cars and sat around everywhere eating. Escaped from there and fo...

Head wind and hills all day. Only did 32k. Left Fremington and immediately started uphill on a little road which went up and over Harkerside Moor,then down to the main road. A lot of walkers were gathering in Gunnerside obviously a popular starting place. Had an expensive coffee and cake in Muker-- lots of tourists for the woollen mill there. Set off again up a hill I could hardly push the bike up--must have been one in 3. Hill went on and on and I kept on being ...

Cold morning only 1deg in Northallerton. Set out on the new bike on B6271 not too much traffic. Richmond fairly busy with tourists. Found the bike path at the bottom of a 25% hill beside the River Swale flowing over falls and below the castle walls. The road went uphill and across heathland near Catterick camp-- the road signs warned of tanks crossing and to keep out. Followed the71 Sustrans route on quiet roads in the Swale valley to Fremington near Reeth. Came ...

Pouring rain this morning which lasted until midday. Used the cover of the woodshed at the Black Bull to strip down the poor bent Dawes of all it's accessories --threw the front pannier rack and the squashed basket into the bin. Fetched the new steed from Halfords-- it seems quite smooth to ride. Took all the silly bits off it and repositioned the rack,speedo,bell and my favourite saddle. Sold the Dawes to a second hand dealer--he was going to fit new forks. The...

Raining hard all morning but a tail wind. Was accompanied by a chatty Scotsman for part of the way to Thirsk. Stopped there for a coffee in a rather smart cafe and was provided with a towel to sit on! Could not find the 65 route to Northallerton so cycled along the main road, which was pretty busy. Found the post office and posted off more excess equipment. I then called in at a bike shop. The owner took one look at the bike and said that it should be condemned a...