Cycling UK Forum

I'm in the YHA..........and have looked-up the few hostels somewhere close to my route, and others way off my route but I could get to them....and most of them are closed for the Winter. Closed to individuals anyway.

Is there a list of bike-friendly B and Bs in England on here somewhere?

I remember getting hold of a list when I did the LEJoG..........but I want to head down the center/East of England from North Yorkshire to London.

Yes, that works. Thank you so much.

James

I've done a quick search on this....but obviously to no avail. How does one change ones account or contact details on here? I've changed my email address and cant figure out how to change it on here.

I ended up taking the A20 and A25 then cut north-west through Purley. Lots of lovely, noisy traffic all the way.........quite direct though......The Sustrans route would have put another day on my journey.
I like the look of the Twickenham route though. I might take that next time I head for the ferry. I came through Kingston and Twickenham to get to Hounslow.

A follow-up to my post...........

Two days ago I took the ferry from Dunkirk to Dover.

I didn't pre-book as I had no on-line internet access. I rolled up at the port (Dunkirk) and asked at the counter how much was 1 man and 1 bike, one-way.............the answer was 29 euros.
I noticed a couple of ticket machines in the lobby so thought it would be worth checking them out to see if the price would be different. It was - the price - 19 euros! But I couldn't get the next crossing, but the one after. I figured they'd let me on an earlier boat - and they did. So no problem there.
Main problem I thought would be to retrieve my booking reference as it's sent to your email address, but again - no problem as it gives you your booking reference on completion of booking.....then and there, on the machine , in the reception area next to the counter.

I'll post this as a new post also and let the powers-that-be delete whichever one they believe inappropriate.

FYI.....I called in at Zeebrugge to get a price for me and the bike to Hull..........198 euros...ONE WAY !!!!!!! Unbelievable! At the moment they have a special offer on - 2 people, RETURN, 79 pounds........but me + bike one-way 180. Go figure.

Good stuff. I like the idea of following the Thames.

So it's looking like the A2 or or A20 though to at least the M25........

I haven't planned anything but I figure it's about 100 miles so a couple of days should do it. I'm hauling camping gear but hopefully wont be using it. When I get some idea which way I'll be going, I can check out couchsurfing or warmshowers and see if I can get a bed for the night on the way through.

Any recommendations for a route cycling from the Dover area to Heathrow/Hounslow area of London? I'm only familiar with the A2 and A20 down that way.

I'm only trying to get from A to B......not touring around sightseeing. And preferably not too hilly as my bike will be loaded to the hilt....and I'm getting old!

Booking a passage on a freighter is not as fast or easy as booking a flight or ferry on-line. Usually it takes about a month to organise and usually you have to do it through agents....of which there are few.
I know only a couple of shipping lines with whom you can book direct. Grimaldi, which goes to various places in West Africa and South America being one of them. I used them to get to West Africa and back earlier this year.

Cabins and food are usually very good on board.....don't imagine you'll be cramped in a bunk bed with the crew! Even the crew dont live like that anymore. Think of it more like a cruise, but without the people.
Ships usually have a gymnasium, a TT table and room, sometimes there's a pool...and a sauna.....usually a recreation room with big TV to watch movies (always lots of DVDs on board) or play video games.

You generally have free access to most of the ship. The chief engineer will usually give you a tour of the engine room......which for me is always a highlight. The next ship I'm on only has a 15,000 horsepower engine!!!! Last year I took a massive new container ship to Korea that had a 100,000 horsepower engine!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine that? It was awesome (and I use that word rarely).
Usually....I keep using that word because it's not always the case.........you have access to the bridge too, which is where you get to know what's going on.

You always dine with the officers in their mess room, though if you want to, you can eat with the crew in theirs, which is often more interesting. Crew are usually Philippinos......so you wont want to be eating what they eat for long.....and I dont care how adventurous an eater you are. Philippino food is awful.

As for cost, don't think it's a cheap way to travel. Budget on about 100 euros a day.

Booze is cheap of course......which is a bonus for me........

Thanks for all the above replies.

The DFDS fare does seem to be the cheapest option......19 euros one way, booked on-line. Dunkirk to Dover.

Not sure why someone suggested the flights when I said I don't fly.........I don't need trains either.....I've got a bike.

10 quid for a crossing sounds as good as it's likely to get. I'll check that out.



As for the suggestion of taking a freighter...........such a short journey would be VERY expensive.......I know - I travel by freighters all the time as I hate flying!
The reason I will be in Antwerp is because that's where my freighter unloads from the USA.........I get on in Philadelphia in a couple of weeks

I came to USA from Amsterdam in April on board a different ship that goes to Cleveland,Ohio... through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal to the Great Lakes etc. Interesting trip if anyone fancies that kind of thing.

Bikes usually travel free on freighters.

Hi folks.

Mid-October I shall be wanting to get back to the UK from Antwerp with my bike. Was wondering which crossing/operator is offering the cheapest deal for 1 person and a bike - one way.

I'm from Yorkshire so Zeebrugge-Hull would be ideal.......but I ain't paying such a price (about 100 quid).........so any Channel crossing suggestions? I have a friend in London I shall probably visit before heading North, so anywhere on the south coast is OK.

Sorry........Mick. Typo, not a subtle put-me-down!

Thanks mick. Obviously I don't know my way around this forum too well as I posted in the wrong place.
Anyway, glad it's not just me having the problem.