The Home Straight
Netherlands & Belgium: Stage 16 – Harlow to Chesham 63 Km (Sat 23 July 2022)
Weather: 14⁰C min – 24⁰C max, fine but overcast
“This isn’t a post to be “that guy” bragging about how my life is so much better than everyone else’s. I am just hoping to inspire others of all ages to take up bicycle touring and enjoy it as much as I do.”
And so ends another solo bicycle tour, one of the best I have had. Turning 77 next month I realise that there are not too many more tours left in these old legs, but meanwhile I’m living the dream while I can.
For the first 8 km the traffic was heavier than I like, so caution was required and I had to have my wits about me. Concentration was required to ride on the white line at the edge of the road, being careful not to stray into the traffic or drop into the ditch at the side of the road. My helmet-mounted rear vision mirror was helpful too, allowing me to take more of the road when safe to do so.
At about 9 km I crossed into Hertfordshire county and came to the lovely Dobbs Weir, where I couldn’t help stopping to take some photos to share with you.
Most of the rest of the ride was uneventful, just a few Tudor style houses that were worth capturing for the memory. It was a matter of just putting my head down and ploughing on, but it did give me a chance to reflect on the last 16 days of riding through the Netherlands, Belgium and England. I have never had a tour that has gone more smoothly or been more enjoyable. Perfect weather, no navigational problems, reasonable accommodation, fabulous towns, and lovely countryside.
So now it is back to reality, the dream is finished. Another four weeks in England and then we head back to Sydney winter. Hopefully the rain will have finished by then.
