Journeyman Guides

04/10/2026

The reward at the end of the ride 🚴

03/10/2026

October sunshine ☀️

25 hilly miles around the Saddleworth villages.

Denshaw ✅
Delph ✅
Diggle ✅
Uppermill ✅
Greenfield ✅
Dobcross ✅

02/10/2026

28/09/2026

With the weather remaining bright and sunny, I decided to take an impromptu day off work and cycle to Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope. Setting off mid-morning, after the rush hour traffic had died down, the plan was to enjoy a galactic lunch in the Planet Cafe before riding home again.

The route was set, the weather was perfect, and I’d recruited a willing cycling buddy.

Following excellent cycle lanes through Manchester, we eventually passed through the suburbs and spilled out onto the Cheshire plane. After following a network of wonderfully quiet country lanes we approached the world famous telescope, excitedly anticipating a tasty lunch. “What are you fancying to eat, Bruce?”

“Oh, I don’t really know. I might have a jacket potato or a ham and cheese toastie, maybe.”

“Sounds good, I’m ready for a bite to eat.”

Rolling to halt at the gate, everything looked suspiciously quiet.

“It’s closed on a Monday lads. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

“Dam!” 🤨

If there’s a lesson to be learned here, it’s never to rely on a Google search to check opening times. Always check the website!

Luckily it wasn’t too far to ride back to Wilmslow, where we enjoyed a slightly ‘late’ lunch sat in the sun outside a wonderful Turkish cafe called Konak. I can recommend it if you ever go to Jodrell Bank on a Monday for your lunch and it’s closed 🤣

26/09/2026

It’s always a wonderful view from the top of P**e Hill.

Out for a run on’th tops with my old running buddy. Must be the first time we’ve run together in over two years.

23/09/2026

Today may be the first official day of Autumn, but it feels like summer ☀️ 😎

21/09/2026

16/09/2026

Hill Rep Wednesday.

Hard sessions pay off … I hope🤞

14/09/2026

The Rebellion Way: Day 6

After a less than comfortable nights sleep in my bus shelter (note to self: put airbed up on the bench in future), a party sized bag of beef flavoured Hula Hoops fuelled my legs for the first part of the morning.

Arriving at the coastal town of Sheringham too early for the cafes to be open, a local directed me to Tesco which had just opened its doors. Sitting on a bench eating my breakfast of a pot of rice pudding, a banana and fruit juice, a couple of early morning shoppers walked over to enquire about my journey.

With breakfast consumed, and a meal deal stashed in my panniers for lunch I set out on the final miles of my journey.

Leaving the coastline for the final time, I headed along wonderful gravel tracks and climbed up though ancient woodland. Reaching the top of the ascent, a wonderful view unfolded across Norfolks northern coastline.

The day was once again spent riding along a mixture of quiet country lanes, gravel tracks and ancient bridleways. As with previous days, I passed many historic villages and rode through the grounds of a number of stately homes.

After stopping in Aylsham for a coffee and a freshly made sandwich (the meal deal would save for later), the route followed the course of the Bure Valley Steam Railway for several miles. I was delight to watch a number of steam trains making their way along the tracks. Their carriages full of enthusiasts.

Stopping at Wroxham Station, with its excellent secondhand book shop I couldn’t resist a few purchases. Now I just had to squeeze them all into my already full pannier bags.

With a train of my own to catch, and still about 30 miles of cycling before I got back to Norwich, I needed to press down on the pedals to cover the distance in time. The Broads and several more stately homes passed by, and whilst many people seem to think Norfolk is flat, I seemed to be cycling through its foothills.

Arriving in Norwich by mid-afternoon, I just had enough time to peek inside the impressive Norwich Cathedral and grab a Greggs (my meal deal could wait for the train journey home), before I had to catch my train back home.

The Rebellion Way is a fantastic multi-day route, which I can highly recommend. As it covers both on and off road sections, a gravel, mountain bike or a touring bike with wide tyres is recommended. Whilst I was lucky not to have any punctures (the puncture resistant Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres did the trick), a comprehensive puncture repair kit snd spare inner tubes are recommended as the tracks are strewn with pieces of razor-sharp flint. Whilst the route could easily be completed in less than the five days which I took, it is best cycled at a leisurely pace in order to explore all of the interesting locations along the route.

13/09/2026

The Rebellion Way: Day 5

Watching the gate house from my hidden bo***ir as the sun crept above the horizon, I waited patiently until the gates to Holkham Hall were officially opened. Sneaking out of my bivvy spot, access was gained through a pedestrian gate. (The main gates were locked and any vehicles wanting access were required to contact security.)

Riding down a long, straight driveway that must have been over 2 kilometres in length, the sprawling hall eventually came into view. Standing on the banks of a large ornamental lake, it certainly was an impressive pad. Not many people draw their curtains every morning to see a large herd of deer grazing on their lawn.

After spending some time exploring the grounds and the quaint estate workers village, I rode to the beautiful West Sands Beach. Sheltered by sand dunes and pine forests, the beach is a wonderful place to sit awhile and relax. However, my stomach had other ideas so I pressed on to Wells-next-the-sea, in search of breakfast.

After recharging both my personal energy levels and my electronic devices, the route took me away from the coast again and I soon found myself exploring the site of Warham Iron Age hill fort, complete with deep defensive ditches and tall berms.

The rest of the day was spent riding quiet country lanes bordered by high hedgerows with an abundance of blackberries growing amongst them. Large, sweet and juicy, I stopped numerous times throughout the day to pick handfuls of the delicious fruits.

Passing Walsingham Abbey, where a large multi-National religious festival was taking place, I took the time to join the congregation and enjoy watching their joyous celebrations, whilst chatting to some of the people in attendance.

Arriving in Holt, and with some important calls to make, I settled down in a pub for an evening meal. By the time I left, Norfolk was enveloped in darkness.

Setting my lights up on my bike, an elderly lady enquired about my journey and asked where I was spending the night. When I told her that I was planning on cycling a few more hours into the night before stopping to sleep, she said that she would worry about me, and offered me a bed for the night. Thanking her for her kind offer, I explained that I’d be ok and rode on.

After a short while my route included a short diversion to Baconsthorpe Castle. Whilst it was pitch black I decided that I’d still ride to it in the hope that I’d see something by torchlight. Situated at the end of an isolated lane, the castle was an eerie place but I couldn’t resist spending a couple of hours exploring the ruins.

Whilst the castle would have been an interesting location to bivvy for the night, I cycled on. Our national treasures should be preserved and respected for all.

Whilst I had planned to keep cycling all the way to the coast before settling down for the night, a bus stop in the village of West Beckham was too good of an opportunity to miss. There was enough room inside for both me and my bike, and the wooden bench offered a suitable sleeping platform. Pulling on my warm clothing, I settled down for the remaining hours of darkness until dawn signalled a new day.