Day 7 & 8. Bradford - Wakefield

My seventh day of travelling I had spent repairing my bike and ...... repairing my stomach:)

I even washed my bicycle as it was covered in mud

During the washing a little problem was discovered. One of the chain links was burst. I was very lucky that I spotted it before leaving Bradford.

Meanwhile my friends Max and Igor were fixing the wheel rack which I had broken a day ago. They were using power tools and magic to remove broken bolt from the fork...

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ

********@********@@@@@@@

And of course they succeeded

I was very happy and later fixed all my punctured tubes

Next day I had to make longest journey in my live from Bradford to Wakefield. A very long 12miles :)))))
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Day 8
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Road from Bradford to Wakefield took me less then 2 hours. And during my "long" trip I only made 1 picture. Batley is a litle town between Bradford and Wakefield. It was full of people and police officers standing along the road. First I was thinking they came to see me. The famous Traveller Alex!!!...... then I noticed that no one was after my autograph or picture with me. They all came to see Olympic torch:(

Yes, it so interesting:)))))

Hmmm....Ok. Never mind




This is me At Wakefield. As all travellers I never shave

 This is Rolland my very good friend who's hosting me at Wakefield

I'm planing to stay here for another 3-4 days then cycle to Sheffield to visit my other friends....
Stay tuned.....

Day 6.

Day started great and finished even better....

My bike clock showed 237 miles when I started another day

Road was going along A167 I had to pass a couple of towns. One of them is Northhallerton.

There are some pubs here

a church

and Sainsbury's

all that the tourists need

Also this place is very famous for a battle that happened here some time ago. England VS Scotland

1:0 to England:(                                                                                                   wiki link for a history lovers

After a short history lesson I continued cycling until I saw a pub in a small town called Sandhutton. I was hungry and decided stay here for a breakfast.

This is Raymond the pub owner

His wife Lesley

and their son/chef/cyclist Alex

 morning coffee:)

calories :)))))))))))))

These awesome pictures were hanging in the toilet.

weather was great

rain and wind was keeping me fresh

At Bishop Monkton giant apples used as banners

 Trees grow only  halfway

or on top of the bridges

and of course my friends - cows were happy to see me

Like It!

A Lonely horse

Some time later I reached Harrogate. I was lost here and had to cycle extra miles trying to find a road going to Bradford where my friends were waiting for me and having BBQ. So I had extra motivation to get there quicker.Soon my troubles began. First bolt holding my racks with panniers broke.

I had used all my fixing skills.

Great Job!

I had to cycle only 12 miles to reach Bradford when I had a puncture (Number 6). Repair job under the rain took me 15-20 min. I was all soaked and tired and I started loosing my patience. As result when trying to fix a tyre I punctured new tube while replacing the old one. I noticed it 10 minutes later when my tyre went flat again:(

I could see Bradford Airport. I was close. I didn't want to unload the bike again to replace the puncture so I pumped up the wheel  and continued cycling. I had another 8 miles to cycle but it was the longest and hardest miles I've done.

I had to stop every 10 minutes to pump my wheel. Bradford is the worst city for cycling. Hills were killing me a few times I had to get out of my bike and walk uphill. I also used my phone as a navigator to find my friends house, but at first it took me to the motorway, then I changed settings for walking and my phone brought me to the farm road.

And then through narrow and muddy path:)

And again I went through all difficulties and obstacles and reached my destination:)

Day 5. Somewhere, somewhere.....

Healthy breakfast gave me a lot of energy for my next day's trip. After a quick look at the map and a few advises how to find the way out of New Castle from Paul and Liz I was ready for the long day of cycling. Of course I forgot everything they told me and 20 minutes later I was cycling uphill in the wrong direction.

After 40 minutes and 4 extra miles I was lucky to find my way out 

I was following direction to Durham and expecting to see a beautiful city.

From the long distance this town was looking great

A closer look just confirmed it

 Cheerful  man with accordion entertained the public

I'am lovin'it

I'am lovin'it more:)

Great Latte made me very happy and I was ready to continue my olivetrip

Now I understand why not many people are going to New Castle. They're all going to Durham and I wish I could stay longer...Love this place....Need's to be visited again...

Ok. Next town on my way Darlington. Road to this place was boring and rainy

I even had to stop beside the main road for the quick lunch as I couldn't find any better spots

This is Durham. Can't say nothing interesting about this town. Don't go there..... boring....

I was very pleased to finally leave Durham behind.

countryside house was the only attraction


Sainsbury's selling the trees at the local forest. This day they were on offer for only £0.99 per kilo.

Weather was very bad. It was raining all day and also there were some very strong wind's. I was exhausted and still had no idea where I'm gonna stay overnight. Clock showed 5pm and I wanted to cycle for at least two more hours but strong wind changed my mind. Cycling along busy road became dangerous. I began to look for the place to set my tent.

I was passing farm houses and I came up with an idea to ask people to stay at there barn or shelter cause wind was getting stronger and black clouds didn't promise anything good.

Few hundreds miles  meters later I stopped next to one farm house and decided to try my luck and ask if I can stay there.

I was very lucky that Marry owner of the farm allowed me to stay there for £5. For that money I could set my tent, use the kitchen at the barn and also use a shower, I was so happy that I could stay here and wait for the storm to pass.

My new tent mate-cat. His/Her name is Cat

 Inside the barn was a comfy couch 

and a little kitchen

Weather outside was bad and the internet inside was the same....slow

Outstanding view from my tent

better inside:)

 By the way I have decided to change my route and not go to York. Hmmmm. No one is waiting for me there...My new plan is Bradford or Wakefield, I've got some good friends at both of these towns.