RONDJE NOORDZEE
Burnley Today
28 juni 2006
Richard's tour de Scandinavia
LOCAL Rotarian and cyclist Richard Dugdale has just returned from a five-week marathon cycle ride following the European section of the North Sea Cycle Route, starting in Rotterdam, Holland, and finishing in Bergen, Norway.
The 2,000 mile journey followed the coastline of Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway on all types of terrain, from smooth cycle paths to dirt roads and shingle tracks, through long tunnels, over high bridges and on busy trunk roads. Richard (61), of Clitheroe, rode with fellow Rotarian Roger Stretton (66), of Higham, as a sponsored ride for the charity Life Education Centres.
The first two weeks followed the West coast of Holland, Germany and Denmark under very hard cycling conditions with a very strong headwind for most of the time and several days of horizontal, cold rain.
"While we were cycling under such wet and windy conditions we could at least keep warm, but as soon as we stopped riding and started hunting for accommodation for the night extreme cold began to set in, causing some concern," said Richard.
However, once they reached Skagen, at the most northerly point of Denmark, the wind was mostly behind them and the air temperature began to rise. From Denmark a four-hour ferry trip was taken from Grenna to Varberg, in Sweden. "After much searching we found a campsite which would take us in at the late hour of 8 p.m., when our hopes of finding anywhere were fading fast," said Richard.
Sweden and Norway were found to be exceptionally beautiful countries, although providing a real challenge to any cyclist carrying panniers loaded with essential equipment.
While in Norway the daily mileage sometimes dropped to the low 60s from the high 70s and occasional 90, due to the long, steep climbs and the time taken using ferries to bridge fjords and island hop to keep on the coastline.
The fjords and small islands were particularly beautiful, covered in trees with small clearings and pretty painted wooden houses on every hillside and all the coves full of boats of every size and shape.
As to be expected on such a long journey, several mechanical failures occurred, including three punctures, three broken spokes and a broken gear change mechanism.
Luckily, with the exception of the gear change, the pair carried adequate spares to rectify them. Richard said: "Cycling is such a great way to travel, since you get to meet so many wonderful people, who we found were always very helpful and most generous and seemed to relish the opportunity to speak English.
"It was a great way to see so many neighbouring countries at close quarters and I am looking forward to the next challenge, whatever it may be."
Richard is still collecting sponsorship money for his trip and asks that any cheque donations be made out to the Rotary Club of Ribblesdale, who will pass the money on to Life Education Centres, with any gift aid collected as appropriate.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact Richard on 01200 424962.
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