I'm a double cancer survivor, cyclist and walker who does various challenges for different charities, mainly cancer-related.

In 2016 I climbed every single 'Birkett' in the Lake District - all 542 fells over 1,000' within the National Park, including all 214 Wainwrights. I've also done a three-week cycle tour of Tasmania in February 2015 and amongst other things, I've cycled from Land's End to John o'Groats (2003), Rotterdam to Lemvig (Denmark) (2005), walked the Pennine Way (2008) completed (my first) ascent of all 214 'Wainwrights' in the Lake District in only 55 days (2009), cycled 4,500 miles around the coast of Great Britain (2011), cycled all 42 of the accessible Western Isles of Scotland in under a month (2012), twice abseiled 230 ft from the top of The Big One in Blackpool, cycled the WWI Western Front from London to Compiegne via Ypres and Arras (2014), cycled 750 miles in the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton (2014), done a bit of sky-diving and cycled Australia's Great Ocean Road - just before lockdown in 2020.

Altogether I've raised over £120,000 for my charities including The Christie, Cancer Research UK, the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, and ABF (The Soldiers' Charity) and I was mightily chuffed to receive the British Empire Medal in the 2014 New Year's Honours List.

I'm a Rotarian and give illustrated talks about my adventures in exchange for a donation to charity, so if you're looking for a speaker leave me a message. I am also Event Organiser for the Ribble Valley Ride Cycle Sportive, to be held this year on Sunday 5 September 2021 - more details at www.ribblevalleyride.org

You can also follow me on Twitter - @CancerBikeMan and on Facebook - just search for Bill Honeywell

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research, whilst The Rosemere does fantastic work for patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Saturday 11 June 2011

Day 30 – Dunstan Hill (Alnwick) to Seaton Sluice (Whitley Bay)

45 miles; total mileage 1,965

Got up early to see if the young swallows had flown, but they were still on the nest.  The plan was to cycle about 6 miles (it turned out to be 12) to Alnmouth and meet up with Russell and Martin from yesterday, together with son Mark, who you may remember was driver of the week last week.

Russell and Martin had stayed in a B&B in Alnwick last night, where, naturally, they found a few pubs to visit. Mark had arrived in Alnmouth the night before by train and spent the night listening to noisy women talking outside his billet, the Schooner Inn.



















At Boulmer RAF Station there is a superb McDonnell Douglas Phantom parked at the entrance, then just before I got to Alnmouth a Barn Owl flew along the side of the road in front of me.  A rare treat to see, quite ghostly-looking.  By the time I found Mark, the ‘crew’ had changed over the pedals on my spare bike for him; I adjusted his saddle, Russell and Martin arrived, and we were off again.

After a brief look at Alnmouth, our next stop was Warkworth Castle – a superbly preserved fortress built by the Percy family and well worth a visit. We had our own personal guide in the form of Doctor Mark PhD, so learnt all about the history of the Percy family, Wars of the Roses, etc.
































It started raining.

Down the road from Warkworth is the coastal town of Amble, on the mouth of the River Coquet; we carried on past, then had a quick brew and bacon butty at Widdrington before carrying on along the North Northumberland Heritage Coast through Cresswell, where an articulated tandem (yes!) passed us in the opposite direction.



















Now we ended up on some busy dual carriageway, but managed to leave and follow the NCN1 through Bedlington before reaching Blyth, back on the coast.  It’s quite a mixture of industrial and seaside resort around here, with some old remnants mixed with new developments.



















A final rainy run down the coast led us to the wonderfully-named Seaton Sluice, where we parted company with Russell and Martin, who had decided to carry on through Whitley Bay to Newcastle to catch their train home.

Being Saturday, we had a change of crew:  Peter & Gerry, after a week of cordon bleu service, returned to Clitheroe, to be replaced by Logistics Manager & brother-in-law Alan plus Peter & Joan West – who will soon be wondering what they have let themselves into!

Tomorrow sees more cyclists again!  James and Jill Alpe are joining me for three days, as far as Hull.  And for tomorrow only, son Mark is joined by Chris Toop, who arrived today and serviced both bikes into the bargain – thank you Chris!  Three long days now – 76, 90 and 92 miles – so here’s hoping for some good weather and a following wind!

3 comments:

  1. Bill, Following your trip everyday - truly inspirational.

    I am circulating to friends etc & encouraging to view / sponser.
    I completed LeJOG in April this year (http://willard-stevelejogblog.blogspot.com/) & covered much of the west highlands in previous years - so recognise much of your route.
    Will keep following each day - pedal safely.

    Steve Hails - Newcastle upon Tyne.
    PS - Sorry the NE weather has been poor.

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  2. You missed my niece Carol who lives at Amble........oh dear...... Then there is Linda Rana who lives in Tynemouth......and then Chris and Elfi Lynton who lives in Hunammby and has a business called Creative Crafts in Scarborough

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