Travellers' Tales: North Circular

The pub landlady thought I was slightly nuts. ‘I’ve ridden here from Welton,’ I said. ‘But this is Welton,’ she replied. I smiled and told her I knew that, but I’d ridden from Welton on the north bank of the Humber, 75 miles away. I hoped this would be the catalyst for an interesting conversation. But no. People just think long-distance cyclists are weird. 

Last year, I stitched together a route that took in the cathedrals of Durham, Newcastle, Ripon and York. Then there was the Angel of the North to the Angel pub in Topcliffe. But my favourite themed ride was from ‘Washington to Moscow’, both in the UK.

I enjoyed a tailwind home: 130 miles of wonderful English countryside"

I became inspired to ride longer and longer events thanks to Audax UK. Since becoming a curate in the Church of England, my weekends have become busier, so I now tend to plan solo do-it-yourself events on my day off.

The ‘Many Weltons Circular’ was this month’s themed ride. It took me from Welton in Yorkshire, up the Humber Estuary and up the River Trent, crossing at Boothferry Bridge then Keadby Bridge, before following the pan-flat lanes to Gainsborough. Turning east, I climbed into the Lincolnshire Wolds and rode through Welton-by-Lincoln to Welton in the Wolds. Finally, I enjoyed a tailwind home: 130 miles of wonderful English countryside.