Sept 8 Wednesday 6th Day

Packed up as usual.  I carry nightshirt, tooth brush, staving soap and brush.  Arthur takes with him razor, sponge, night shirt, tooth brush, brush and comb (small).  Fairly fine outside but cold.  Had breakfast.  Peevish little man wanted to know if his bacon was alright.  started off out of town by 9.35. Market day evidently by the number of vehicles in the village.  Oiled up and cleaned outside.

North Allerton - Darlington

10.0 - 12.0 = 16 miles

Total (day) 16

Total 279

Rate 8 miles an hour

Started once more.  Did not feel very fit owing to saddle soreness and foot rests () would keep sliding down.  Past several little villages, and went through Croft the great mineral watering place.  Met several people walking up the hill having taken or with the intention of taking the waters.  Hope they like it.  Went over an ancient kind of bridge, and then followed a shallow stream which I well remember from the 1890 tour.  The road by Darlington bad, that I remember to.  Did not stop more than a few minutes  in Darlington its self but went in to a public house, meeting a number of men coming out of the works.

Drling ton - Durham

12.30 - 2.40 20 miles

Total (day) 36

Total 299

Roads undulating.  N. E. R. on our right.  Went down a steep incline and straight on instead of turning on corner and was promptly called back by Arthur.  Rode up most of the long hill near Durham.  Arrived in that City about 2.40.  Found a wedding party at the Three Tunns so decided not to go there. Finally we had a smashing lunch of duck at the Royal County Hotel where a very impatient little man amused us not a little.  After lunch we witnessed the marriage festivities.  The bridegroom was kindness it slf, he thew coppers to the admiring crowd (duty {?} >   Naturally enough his kindness was amply rewarded in that he had no peace so long as he remained in Durham.  We then walked about the Wear opposite the Cathedral and heard the bell going for Evensong, what reminded us that we ought to be making a move which we did accordingly. 

Durham - Sunderland

4.20 - 6.15 = 13 miles

total day 49

Total 312

Rate 6 3/4 miles an hour.

Long rough hill to walk up and soon found ourselves considerably above the Cathedral  Good view on the left with a monument on the summit of a hill.  Houghton Le Spring to walk up. Could ride if we liked. First sight of the sea.  Ran into Sunderland.  Very busy place, Had tea at a shop where was a nice looking girl with her young man. Started aft er half an hours rest.  

Sunderland - South Shields

6.50 - 7.30 7 miles

total (day 56)

Total 319

Rate 10 1/2 miles an hour.

Passed over the Weir.  Very much like the Tyne only on a smaller scale.

Enquired our way, when a cyclist said he was going there so went with him.  We took him along at a good pace, the roads being fair. Met heaps of cyclists mostly ladies.  Soon reached the outskirts of South Shields and made our way to the ferry.  Caught the 7.45 boat and landed at North Sields at 8.0.

North Shields - Tynemoth

8.0 - 8.20 2 miles

Total (day) 58

Total 321

Rate 6 miles an hour.

Walked to the tram lines.  Passed the low lights.  Very bumpy and kept clear of tram lines for fear of hot cinders.  Arrived at Tynemouth and soon found out Harry’s house but found that he had gone to meet us.  Waited til he came in.  Changed and had supper.  Saw quite plainly the wreck on the black Middens.  Turned in late and went to bed with Arthur again as my bedfellow and this ended our ride upt to Tynemouth, one of the most enjoyable rides I have ever had.  No punctures no unnecessary delays and mostly all fresh scenery.

Miles in the day 58

Total miles seen 321

Average daily run 64 1/2

Average rate per hour 8 1/2

(Exclusive of stoppages for meals.)

Sept 7 - Tuesday - 5th Day

Had breakfast in the commercial room.  Men seemed vey busy. We came down rather late looking very sleepy and put on his books in a hurry like I do sometimes when later for service.  Started out of Sheffield at 9.40 and stopped in suburbs to oil up.

Sheffield - Barnsley

10.45 - 12.20 = 15 miles

total(day) 15
Total 197
Rate 9 1/5 miles per hour

Very long hill up before clearing cycles. A long job owing to yesterday's rain.  Did not really get out of Sheffield until 10.45.  Frightfully hilly and walked a considerable amount, and were glad we did not attempt this journey last night as we intended.  At last we were rewarded with a very fine run down passing a traction engine on the way.  Very steep hill up through a village.  Met caravans coming down.  Went a long better now, and after a good bumping needed Barnsley, and entered the Public House close by the station where we had a drink , and 5 minutes rest, after with we moved on to Wakefield.


Barnsley - Wakefield

12.25 - 1.30 = 10 miles

Total (day) 25
Total 207
Rate 9 1/2

Went along well from Barnsley whilst noting particular happened.  Caught up two young ladies quite unconscious of our approach who were very much afraid of soiling their skirts.  Arrived in Wakefield in time for the commercial dinner which we very much enjoyed.  Wakefield very much the same as other places, and the Cathedral an ordinary parish church.

Wakefield - Wetherby

2.30 - 5.25 = 23 miles
Total (day) 48
Total 230

Rate 8 miles per hour

Continued our journey after an hour's rest.  Some more steep hills.  Turned to the right and by mistake went the long way round thot Atherton.  Only made a difference of a mile or so.  Saw the NER in the distance.  Asked an old man the way.  Soon cut into the Old North Road.  Splendid hill down.  Going quietly but quickly through a village an old woman threw a pail of water across the road which went a yard in front of me.  I think she must have thought that I came out of the pail.  Road now bumpy, hilly and straight and uninteresting and in time ran into Wetherby and had tea at the Angel Hotel. Began to rain which seemed rather a dismal outlook.  Rested our legs on the chains and after an hour's stay moved on determined to reach North Allerton if possible.

Wetherby - North Allerton
6.30 - 10.0 = 33 miles
Total (day) 81
Total 263

Rate 9 1/2 miles per hour.

Roads wet but surface good.  Rain finished.  Made splendid time doing the first 8 miles at 15 miles an hour.  Ran over several thorns.  Passed over Railway. Whizzed through Boroughbridge.  Found a difficulty seeing mile stones.  Lighted lamps.  Occasionally had to dismount to read sign posts.  Splendid run , and at 10.0 ran into North Allerton thus completing my second day's run having travelled 81 miles.  My former best was 74 miles in 1890 from Broxbourne to Stamford in route for Edinburgh in company with George and Arthur.  Re{?} the old inn where we had lunch in 1890 ( the Red Lion).  Had supper off a huge joint of cold meat.  Had a smoke in ling room with funny partitioned seats, had found very cold so soon turned in after some other men led departure.  I was rather annoied with one of them as he was simple enough to take me as 16 years old which I hardly considered a compliment, however it did not much signify.

Miles in the day 81
Total miles run 263
Average daily run 65 3/4

Average rate per hour (exclusive of stoppages for meals)  9 miles an hour.

Sep 6 - Monday - 4th Day

We were glad to find it a fairly fine morning.  Had breakfast and started off as soon as we could on the wrong road, but we were pulled up in time and left Lichfield for ever (so we hoped) at 10.0 having sent on bag onto Tynemouth.

Lichfield - Burton on Trent
10.0 - 11.20 = 13 miles
Total (day) 13
Total 133
Rate 10 miles an hour.

Anyone who as a taste for the country had better go to Lichfield.  On the roads they will find herds of straggling cows and thousands of sheep coming up in millions.  Stopped to oil up on bridge near the NW main line station (Trent Valley).  Roads afterwards turned out good, and the day was lovely for cycling, there being a cool side to the breeze a little {?} in front of us. We soon along the side of a little canal with whitewash bridges which looked rather picturesque. We discovered afterwards that the canal is the Grand Trunk Canal.  We saw no traffic on it.  Churches occasionally seen on the hills on {?} side
 Burton chimneys soon in sight.  Very busy place.  looks like one huge brewery, at least the beer part.  Each department has its rails and plenty of them to cross.  Burton proper rather nice. Only stopped for a {?} for half a pint of bitter at Burton Brewery and delicious it was. Turned my bicycle upside down as it squeaked occasionally, then bade farewell to the damsel who seemed very pleased to see us, although she had never seen us before. and felling better for the "Burton half" we started for Derby

Burton-on-Trent - Derby

11.45 - 12.45 =12 miles
Total (Day) 25
Total 145
Rate 12 miles per hour

Another grand ride, the scenery being pretty and the roads good with the canal still beside us.  We were now in the thick of the Midland District again, having left N Western at Lichfield.  Grinded a long steep hill from the top of which we saw Derby in the valley beneath us, a mass of red brick.  Ran down in a zigzag fashion, and were rewarded with a lunch at the Bell Hotel arriving there at 12.45.  Having done 25 miles we took our time.  I had a good wash and was rather alarmed at a {?} young commercial traveller (hat on back of his head and one hand in his pocket) with second rate servant.  Did justice to the table d'hôte lunch.  Plenty of commercial men about.  Smothered my coat with red paint on a newly painted door.  There is little consolation from the thought that the door will have to be painted again.  Lunch over we made tracks for Chesterfield.

Derby - Chesterfield
2.15 - 5.20 = 25 miles
Total (day) 50
Total 170
Rate 8 miles per hour.

Started up tyhe street taking a long time to clear Derby, but at lenght after passing over a very steep railway bridge we were free.  We found the wind stronger but still more sideways than in front. Also we found an old friend, the canal still with us.  Noticed several large railway viaducts.  Neither of us felt very fit, and only looked upon the afternoon's work as a gentle movement towards our destination.The scene now changes.  Collieries, coal and iron works began to crop up, all of wich seem very busy.  The {?} lick the {?} into fits, and by the way they look at you they seem a murderous crew.  We ran through several villages all choke full of children.  Passing through Alfreton we passed one man wheeled on a herse, who and met his death in some mine.  Roads too were not so good.  Nothing else of interest until we sighted Chesterfield, when we were struck with the funny appearance of the spire on the principle church which leans to one side.  Roads jolly. Had a wash, then tea.  Hotel a dirty place.  Ii am fermented and the waiter conspicuous for his absence, whilst to make things worse we cow find no bell in the room to wake him up.  Started again after an hours rest.

Chesterfield - Sheffield
6.40 - 8.15 =12 miles
Total (day) 62
Total 182
Rate 7 3/4 miles per hour
After leaving Chesterfield tree miles behind it began to drizzle and get dark.  Lighted ulamps and I jumped over the wall.  The rain then came down in torrents and were were soon wet through, but this did not stop our pace.  There were several steel hills to be ridden.  We accompanied two ladys for a mile or so who had cycled from Derby.  They must have enjoyed their wetting. The rain stopped as we approached Sheffield and after another {?} we reached this great city and put up at the _______ Hotel.  Before engaging beds we were told we could only do so for one night, as all were engaded the next night by racing men staying for the Doncaster races.  Had supper and then strolled about the newly made "City".  Serious thought of a music hall but being wet we lounged about the streets keeping on the move for fear of catching cold.  Turned in about 11, sleeping separate rooms going to sleep with the suspision that Sheffield was not so interesting as I expected it to be.

Miles in the da 62
Totoal miles run 182
Average daily run 60 2/3
Average rate per hour ( exclusive of stoppages for meals) 9 miles an hour.

Sept 5 Sunday 3rd Day

A most beastly day.
Had breakfast at 9.  Then a smoke, after which we went off to the Cathedral for 10:30 service.  Funny old chap preaches.  He gave us seven points in his sermon and he kindly disposed of the whole lot in 14 minutes.  We were the only men in cycling costume. After service strolled about.  Looked at the lake on one side of the road which looks like a river on one side.  Went back to Hotel and were glad to here the bag had arrived. Changed and then had table d'hôte in company with another man who was served by another servant for not turning up for breakfast.  He certainly was to blame and he took very kindly.  Had a cigar and tried to make our miserable selves happy, but what with the rain and the uncomfortableness of the hotel we war fairly sick of the place.   Went to 4.0 service at Cathedral.  Lucknock preached a good service. Ventured out afterward but were constrained to take shelter in railway station.  Smoked & read.  Then came supper.  Went up in bedroom to smoke, packed up and prepared for an early start.  Glad to get in bed after passing a regular soaking day.

Sept 4 - Saturday 2nd Day

Breakfast about 8.30.  Started raining.  Two men kindly gave it as their opinion that it would continue all day.  Both of us felt very cold, so bought a vest each over the way.
Cleaned up our bicycles, using tooth brushes for the chain, an admirable idea of Arthur's. Plenty of traffic through the archway of the hotel.  Rain continuing and after a through clean up we started rather late at 11.30

Northampton - Daventry
11.30 - 1.45 = 12 miles
total 73
Rate 5 1/3 miles and hour

We found a gentle drizzle, a long steep hill and a very strong head wind. awaiting us.  Simply crawled along. Nearly stopped dead sometimes, but the view was fairly good.  thoroughly in the North Western district having left the Midland at Bedford.  Brought some post card at Weedon & posted two.  This is the veritable Weedon where the old lady wanted to get out "She cried Weedon Station, they make no observation".  We kept dry this far, but now rain more pronounced especially in the valleys on our left. Had a [?] after leaving Weedon.  Unexpectedly escaped most of te rain.  Came across some barracks in a desolate looking country. Hope they enjoy themselves there  We war a long while reaching Daventry, owing to the wind, but at last we arrived there and put our bicycles in the stables of the Peacock Hotel where there were plenty of flies. The church we noticed had a golden knot on spire or something to that   effect.  Had lunch on a very large steak which we managed to do justice. Starting for Coventry at 2.55

Daventry - Dunchurch
2.55 3.50 = 9 miles
Total (day) 21
Total 82
Rate 10 miles an hour.

An old white horse hand carriage seemed very keen on catching us up. It Passed us toiling up a long steep hill, but we soon left behind when once we had gained the summit.  Roads very good.  Passed un the Central Railway, thought of the millions of trains that wold pass there in the future. Only stooped 5 minutes at Dunchurch sitting on a seat around a big tree.  No refreshment.

Dunchurch - Coventry

3.55 - 5.20 = 10 miles
Total(day) 31
Total 92
Rate 7 3/4 miles an hour

Went along quietly, but were soon roughly awakened by a most fastly noise ahead. Turned out to tbe two motor cars which came round a courner at a frightful pace and left the atmosphere pretty thick behind them.  Roads uninteresting, and becoming very bad towards Coventry.  Sa te town from a good height. Ran into the heart of the cycle manufacturing district and found electric trams working on the same principle as at Havre.  Had tea at the {?} Hotel a very expensive place. Looked at the spired churches from outside and then we came to the conclusion that there was nothing else to be seen so moved on for Lichfield.

Coventry - Coleshill
6.35 - 7.35 = 12 miles
Totla (day) 42
Total 104
Rate 12 miles an hour.
Our usual long hill to climb aft the meal, however when that was over we had a glorious ride. overtook a young lady who we observed rode very strongly up hill.  Turned o the right off the birmingham Road at Stone Bridge. Found the new road narrower but the scenery prettier, especially  the panorama our right.  Soon the heavens became dark. Trees on both sides of the road reminding us of our Hatfield Road. Here a Midland Train, all lighted up overtook us and looked very fine. Stopped at Coleshill for 5 minutes to light up.

Coleshill - Lichfield
7.40 10.0 = 16 miles
total (day) 58
Total 120
Rate 7 miles an hour.

Coleshill indeed.  No mistake about there being a hill as we found out.  Arrived at the bottom safely, to find ourselves on uncertain of our road. Knocked at a cottage for to enquire before going up a steep hill.  We had to go up it though and were not encouraged by being told that it was bad all the way.  They were bad, but not so as much as we expected.  Came to another stope at a junction of the main roads.  Again we asked at a house, and afterwards our lamps went out but apparently only by accident as they were alright afterwards.  The next thing to do was to run over thorns but although several twigs cut from the hedges were taken up by our tyres they luckily were not puctured. Fet a little bit tired, and was glad to see the lights of Lichfield as tehy cheered us up after a somewhat cheerless road. Put up at the _____ Hotel.  The bags had not arrived.  Had the same kind of supper as at Northampton but somehow or another we did not feel so hungry.  Sat in the Bar and smoked.  People here very casual. In fact one of the servants told us it was stime for us to go to bed.  We were to her, of rather suspicious character and having warned the lady of the house against our robbing the till she departed.  We were the only people in the hotel, hence here show of temper.  Turned in about 12 with the feeling that there was no prospect of decent clothes to put on before lunch as the statin (NW Trent) was 1 1/2 miles off.

Miles in the day 58
Total miles 120
average daily run 60
average rate per hour (exclusive of stoppages for meals 7 1/2 miles an hour)

Sept 3 (1897), Friday, 1st Day

Packed up two bags sending on to Tynemouth and another to Lichfield.  It was some time before we got off as we had made no arrangements beforehand.  Started at 2.45, having previously had lunch with Arthur as my companion.

Broxbourne - Hitchin

2.45 - 5.5 = 22 Miles
Rate 9 1/2 miles an hour.

Walked up Hoddesdon Hill. Very jolly ridethe country about Hertford and Waterford with its steams looking very fine.  Went along well to Broadwater but from this place to Hitch the roads were rather bumpy and the wind in our faces decidely stong.  At Hitchin we had tea hoping that the wind would fall towards sunset and so be able to make up the lost time.

Hitchin - Bedford

6.0 - 7.40 = 18 miles
Rate 11 miles an hour.   Total 40

Started from the Cock Hotel after an hours rest. We noticed plenty of good [?] where at [?] we were glad to find that the wind had dropped considerably.  Soon cleared the town and found ourselves by the side of the Midland Railway and soon overtaken by a train which we caught up again at the station.  Roads splendid.  Passed through pinewoods and rushed down a steep hill.  Lighted our lamps before going into Bedford on the North Western bridge

Bedford - Northampton
7.50 - 9.45 = 21 miles
Rate 11 miles an hour.  Total 61

Did not stope more than 5 minutes.  Bedford very lively and rowdy place.  Sometime leaving it behind.  Lovely night when clear of the town with the new moon.  Few clouds about and occasional flashes of lighning which told a storm was not far off. Stopped occasionally and once to look at a jonah in the middle of a stream.  Passed through several little intricate villages having very steep corners.  Gradually neared Northampton and alt last ran in close to where Will and Maggie used o live.  Put up at the Angel and had a splendid supper of cold beef tomatoes {?} and ginger beer the appreciation of the repast being due to the fact that were simply ravenous.  Sat in the bar room for a pipe and then turned in to a double bed with Arthur as a bedfellow.

Miles run in the day 61
Total miles run 61
average daily run 61
Average rate per hour (exclusive of stoppages for [?]) 10 1/4 miles per hour