DAY SEVEN: The Humber Bridge to Bishop Wilton (14 June 2021)
Distance: 64 km (40 miles)
Ascent: 540 m
Legs: Surprisingly good
It is 5:00 am when I push off out of the campsite and make my way to the Humber Bridge which I cross at 5:45 am. Navigating the roads, streets and tracks to get onto the pedestrian (and cycle) way across the bridge is made much simpler by using the navigation app; the app is also a help - along with National Cycle Trail (No. 65) - in navigating the maze of roads to the first stopping point, Elloughton. I was happy to be crossing the Humber early in the morning as there was no big hum and rumble of traffic and only a few pedestrians. I hadn't really known what had induced me to include the Humber Bridge on my travels but as I looked down at the wide expanse of brooding brown water below and across at the functional yet beautiful grey traffic bridge I felt that sense of insignificance when faced with the scale that nature can conjure up. Pedaling along what felt like a small shelf on the side of the main bridge with its surprisingly low railings made me feel vulnerable so I wasn't too unhappy when the bridge crossing was over and I could navigate back out to the country lanes.
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| A rare selfie |
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| Big river and bigger sky |
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| 5:45 am on the Humber Bridge |
Arriving at the first real feasible stop I asked a passer by if there was cafe nearby not thinking about what the time might be other than it being breakfast time. She was very polite and said there no cafes open given it was 7:00 am but directed me to a nearby convenience store which had an excellent coffee machine. Intrigued by the trailer she asked the usual questions and talked about her cycling exploits which included tandem riding with her husband and helping blind and partially sighted people cycle; again using tandems.
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| Breakfast on the go |
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| This building does not promote its brand or purpose. It proclaims "This is East Yorkshire" |
So far I have drifted and transitioned from one county to the next without exactly knowing where the county borders lay, especially as I traveled on minor roads and tracks. Today I entered Yorkshire and everything (buildings, tea, people, foodstuffs) declared itself as being "Yorkshire".
With hindsight, today's route is a bit of a compromise as I am skirting the western edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. It is moving me further north and allows a semi-rest day tomorrow though maybe I could have been more adventurous. As it is I get to cycles the rolling hills of the Wolds whilst always being in sight of the flat Vale of York. Either a compromise or the best of both depending how you choose to look at it.
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| A grass 'turf' field |
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| Approaching Pocklington. National Cycle Route (No. 66). A sign of covid times |
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| Yorkshire Wolds looking out on the flat Vale of York |
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| Yorkshire Wolds |
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| Vale of York; pedal long enough and you see everything |
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| Vale of York |
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| Someone's off-grid hide-away |
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| A field with cows as neighbours |
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| Campsite facilities; grass pitch and drinking water |
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| Bishop Wilton |
After the obligatory two mile walk into Bishop Wilton I enjoy a simple picnic from the community shop along with a cup of tea (Yorkshire tea of course) followed by a beer in the local pub where I charge my phone.
Pausing by the village green before walking back to camp I get to talking to a cyclist from Milton Keynes. He was renting a property nearby and cycling in the evenings to help his recovery after the loss of movement in his left leg brought on by sitting too much for work. He and his wife have relocated temporarily to help with the care of their grandchildren. He walked back down the road with me for company until I turned off for the farm and its campsite.
Day 8: Bishop Wilton to Slingsby
