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St George’s News - Waterlooville’s Parish Magazine

The Website for St George’s Church, Waterlooville and its Parish Magazine St George’s News

Summer 2023

Matt Cook’s Cycle Trip

Monday 4th October – (Day 35) –

36.3 miles and 478m climbing and hooray we had a whole dry, sunny day - a chance to dry everything out when we got to Nairn as it was a nice short day. Matt cycled the 6.5 miles with 106m climbing to Dingwall to the bike shop - Dryburgh Cycles - who were so helpful and managed to fix Matt's bike (lots of things replaced - big cassette, chain and large chain ring at the front) in an hour. We met him and took George for a walk then he cycled the 29.8 miles with 372m climbing to the Nairn Campsite which is lovely and set in woodland through Tore, over the bridge to Inverness, Inches, Dalcross.

Tuesday 5th October – (Day 36) –

87.3 miles, 1227m climbing. Nice start but we knew it couldn't last - starting raining about 2pm and has poured down ever since. Matt cycled from Nairn to Forres, Findrassie, Spey Bay, Portgordon, Cullen, Banff, Macduff, Dubford, through Pennan around to Peat Hill and on to Fraserburgh taking 6 hours. An idyllic campsite with a pitch overlooking a fabulous beach if only we could see it through the rain. Will take photos in the morning if it stops raining.

Wednesday 6th October – (Day 37) –

102.5 miles, 1508m climbing taking him to over 3000 miles in total. Started off from Fraserburgh in pouring rain which turned to drizzle for about 30 miles and then it was sunny for the rest of the day. Cycled inland to Strichen, Mintlaw, down to Ellon, Potterton through Aberdeen and over the Bridge of Dee round to Port Lethen then down the A92 to Stonehaven and on to Braehead and down to Arbroath, Muirdrum and on to Carnoustie, 6hrs 40mins of cycling.

Steve and I took George for a walk along the beach before we left and then travelled on the A90 and A92 to Carnoustie. Nice camp site within walking distance of town so we had a meal out tonight. Just got back in time before the rain started again.

Thursday 7th October – (Day 38) –

No Internet last night at North Berwick. Matt cycled 112.2 miles, 1140m climbing which took 7hrs 40mins with a few showers along the way and a head wind for most of the day but a tail wind to finish. He left Carnoustie went along to Dundee then over the Tay Bridge down to Guardbridge round to St Andrews, then to Crail, Elie, Kirkcaldy over the Forth Bridge to Cramond, Leith, Musselburgh, Port Seaton and round to North Berwick. Lovely campsite with walk to the beach.

Steve and I drove to St Andrews and had a walk around before making our way down to North Berwick and had a lovely walk along the beach this evening.

Jane Cook

This account of Matt’s epic cycle ride is being serialised, and the journey will continue in the next magazine with lots more glorious photos of the UK coastline.

Dingwall