Up at 5am, hearty breakfast and then a 5 mile cycle to Slough station to catch an early train to Reading. Chased by an alsatian on the way to the station (didn't know that Thomas could cycle so fast!) and then someone tried to kill me by not looking and opening a car door as I was approaching. If this is how the trip is going to go perhaps we better head home now!
Checked with the ticket inspector where we need to put the bikes on the train. "No problem go anywhere and put them in the corridor between the carriages". Train duly arrives and the guard informs us they have to go in the cycle carriage at the front of the train. Great! So we're now trying to rush to the other end of the train pushing the bikes through a mass of Olympic fans who just alighted. Finally made it after a stressful few minutes and us delaying the train.
Arrived at Reading in plenty of time for the train to Newcastle. Boarding the train and loading the bikes was a much more leisurely affair and we settled into our seats for the 5 hour journey. Thomas was very good during a pretty boring ride and we arrived in Newcastle on time.
After some initial confusion I eventually found the right road down to the cycle route along the Tyne.
A great relief and sense of adventure to finally be starting the trip.
Never been to Newcastle before and I was very impressed with the scenic route along the river past lots of beautiful bridges and buildings, both modern and historic. Great to see a massive Olympic symbol hanging from one bridge.
17 miles along the Tyne to Tynemouth and onto Whitley Bay was a great start to the trip mainly on quiet, scenic cycle paths. Well done Sustran.
The hotel was great and we had a spacious room and secure storage for the bikes.
A fish and chip supper (well you have to when your at the seaside?) and an early night.
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