|
I’d already planned a cycle ride
across England to the east coast then north along the coast to
Scarborough. After checking the weather forecast for 3 days ahead I
decided to change the direction from riding east to riding to the
west. The reason was an increasing NE wind. Meaning riding into a
strengthening headwind the whole way. To start from the east coast I
needed to get the train to Scarborough. |
|
The impressive York Railway Station |
|
I left home at 8am and
cycled to Blackburn Railway Station to catch the 08:55 train to
York. The single ticket to Scarborough was £22.90. The train arrived
on time and I was surprised how short it was at only 2 carriages. I
enjoyed the ride because it travels through some of my favourite
scenery. After Burnley there are the wonderful views of lost
industrial building on the approach to Todmorden then the lovely
station at Hebden Bridge. |
|
|
|
|
York Zero Post.
The centre of York station was the
Zero Point for the measurement of town of the North
Eastern Railway's lines, including those to Beverley,
Harrogate Newcastle, Normanton and Scarborough. |
|
We continued through Halifax, Bradford,
Leeds and to York where the train terminated. It was my first visit
to York Railway Station and I was very impressed with the
architecture. I had over half an hour to wait for my next
connection. The 11:40 to Scarborough was due to leave from platform
5B. I was on the same platform and glad I didn’t have to get my bike
over to the other side of the tracks. I parked my bike on the
platform and had a wander around to look at the station. With 10 mins
to go I looked at the departure board to see the train departure had
changed to platform 3 and I’d need to cross the lines.
The lift took me to an underpass which was quick and easy. On the
platform the information board was inaccurate saying the train had
arrived when it still hadn’t turned up. It arrived 5mins late and so
many people waiting that it soon filled up. We arrived in
Scarborough 10mins late. I was disappointed to see some teenagers
getting ready to leave the train already clutching an unlit
cigarette in one hand and a lighter it the other.
The Scarborough station was fairly dull in comparison to York and
didn’t impress me enough to qualify for a photograph. I walked
outside into the sunshine and smell of cigarette smoke. I set off
south and descended to a bridge. A left turn took me steeply down to
the seafront and beach. The warm sunshine had brought many people
out to cover the sands. Riding back up the hill I followed a higher
road running parallel with the shore. |
|
The pleasant riding soon ended
when I reached the A165. Occasional cycle paths where like the Will
o’ the Wisp as they’d appear and vanish without notice. Some
stretches were almost overgrown with brambles and weeds. I was glad
to reach the roundabout where I turned off onto the A1039 to Filey
and a much quieter ride. The only time I’d ever visited Filey was on
a family holiday in the late 50s when we stayed at the Butlins
Holiday Camp, though I believe the holiday camp is now long
demolished. |
|
|
Approaching the town I followed a
cycle trial sign only to see the next sign saying cyclists dismount.
I returned to the road and headed to a large open field car park
where many people were enjoying the sunshine. I filled my large
plastic bottles with water at the public toilets ready for an
overnight camp. The toilets were filthy, disgusting and stank. Yet
all the parking spaces around were pay & display, even though its
just an open field. Some of the money should be spent on cleaning
the toilets. |
|
|
I wheeled my bike along the
path over a narrow spit of land with steep cliffs both sides. There
is even the location of an old Roman Signal Station. It was an
impressive location and after going as far as the path allowed I
found a minor path along the north cliff top. I found a location to
pitch my tent but had to do a lot of work clearing the sharp
thistles amongst the grass. There were a few people around and most
had dogs with them. |
|
|
|
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
