A now rare combination of cycling and photography of the Suffolk countryside.

Note to self: this is cycle ride #25...#24 was a 35 mile charity ride but no pictures from that were uploaded here!

It’s still August but this was my last major bike ride of the 2011 season due to having no more free time. Objective was to find a place called “Sanctuary Bridge”. Took 4.5hrs and the eventual destination was disappointing. The ride was good overall except for an early crash, my first in a long long while. Went too fast down a hill which had a ford (stream) at the bottom where I slid off but escaped with only cuts and bruises. The last few miles were also very punishing.

Total length 35 miles. Here’s the list of villages: Knodishall, Benhall, Farnham, Stratford, Great Glemham, Parham, Kettleburgh, Letheringham, Easton, Wickham Market, Campsea Ashe, Tunstall, Snape and Friston.

Could be my last ever major bike ride with the long trusted Halfords bike as now it’s damaged and I would like to invest in a road bike next year, which I hope to start in March 2012.

A 2hr 10min ride of around 25 miles with about 1/4 offroad. Didn't really plan this one so well, but still managed to get a nice photo or two! Took the wrong turn more than once which meant going miles in not the right direction so planned route went out of the window (if bikes had windows). Had some slightly worrying moments with tractors trucks and the A12, but fitness is improving.

Can't escape those powerlines but still some stunning photo's in this 2hr bike ride estimated to be 16-18 miles in length. Route mainly involved heading to the southernly most point in Aldeburgh then up to Thorpness and back home. 50% offroard, including heavily sanded routes and pebble beach. Fitness ok though later suffered painful cramp in my right leg in the middle of the following night :(

Images are mixed up as uploader was playing up.

Starting the cycling season late for a second year running, this was my first proper bike ride of the year. An estimated 20 mile ride over 2hrs on 50% tarmac / 50% offroad. I foolishly left my drinks in the fridge and after 1.5hrs I was badly in need for a drink. In the end I pulled into the Crown Inn in Snape who kindly gave me a J20 for 50p (all I had!) which I downed instantly!

Photos taken on the above camera while out and about.

Trip to LA 2011

Trip to Wembley to see Brentford lose 1-0 to Carlise in some lower league cup final.

GC 2010

Photo's taken on a 2-megapixel phone while out and about.

Taking just under 5 hours, this was my 20th recorded adventure in the countryside over the past three years. Heavy rain over the past day and prior to leaving meant some huge puddles to negotiate through/around and so this probably wasn’t the best time to travel through some marshes on the coast! Towns and villages passed through included Eastbridge, Dunwich, Walberswich, Southwold, Reydon, a picturesque Wangford, Blythburgh, Westleton, Middleton and Theberton.

Once again I had a butter and jam scone and also a chocolate crunch cake at the Dunwich Heath tea room for an early lunch. I did however have to power through 3 miles of cycling on the A12 with some close overtake encounters. This left an agonising 6 mile cycle back home. Unfortunately the camera was low on juice so photos were limited in number. This was my last cycle of the season, with 2010 being slightly disappointing in terms of fitness and weather, but I look to correct that in 2011 :)

Woke up at 5am, travelled down to this nice little spot near Iken overlooking the River Alde and took 104 snaps between 5:55am and 6:25am. These are the best final 26 pictures of the sunrise and surrounding area.

A 4.25hr cycle ride through Snape Maltings, the scenic Iken, Sudbourne, Orford and Tunstall. Had a delicious butter and jam scone for lunch with a delightful fairy cake for afterwards. Om-nom-nom.

A very technical 2hr 45m cycle ride through Benhall, Sweffling, Rendham and Carlton, where getting lost was always going to be on the agenda. This resulted in a dangerous ride which involved dealing with a moody farm lady, light rain showers, crossing railway lines, A-roads, cows and goats.

A short 1.5hr cycle ride through Aldringham to the scenic Thorpeness. Route was a figure of 8.

2 months behind schedule, this first cycle of the year - and indeed first cycle since moving house - saw the sights of Knodishall, Kelsale, Saxmundham, Benhall and Sternfield. An unfit start to the cycling season meant a tough ride into head winds resulting in the legs becoming shot half way around. Still, some nice long downhill sections and classic sights made this a great cycle ride :)

In no particular order, these are my tourism photo's from the trip to Cologne, Germany, in 2009.

A 6hr cycle adventure of around 40 miles (including 2 miles ferry). Cycled down to Felixstowe in an hour, crossed via ferry to Harwich, had a quick 45mins look around, crossed via ferry to Shotley, up to Ipswich and back home again. Oh and tastey Egg Benedict for lunch. Last cycle of the year.

A 28 mile loop to Bramford and back. Stopped in town half way to get some stuff for the Germany trip next week, which bumped the trip to 4.25hrs. Had an embarrasing moment where I managed to go back on myself without knowing, but a Subway lunch by a stream under the shade of tree was nice.