Cycling 4 countries in 1 weekend

[@Kevh1963]

Another great video. Bruges is just fabulous. I believe the Dutch would prefer you called their country the Netherlands though 😉

[@londoncenturies]

Agh, you’re right. I think I said Holland, didn’t I? Oh well, they’re very decent people and I’ll make it up to them by going back and doing another one of their lovely country when the sun’s shining. Thanks for watching!

[@TheMrAPRise]

Another great and very entertaining vid.....excellent..!!

[@michaeldenton2581]

Another belting ride…..what a wonderful way to spend a weekend 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks for the comment Michael, glad you enjoyed it. Happy riding!

[@alexcarter1079]

Nice trip! Sample any Belgian beers while you were there?

[@londoncenturies]

D’oh! I knew I’d forgotten something. I’ll have to go back again!! 😃😃

[@colinwellman9480]

Always enjoyable to see the videos of your epic rides. Thanks once again.

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks for watching and taking the trouble to leave the comment Colin. Happy riding!

[@paperjourni8964]

what a trip! since I had to bike through Aachen (even before being clipped in!) I happily leave out cities

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks! Yes, it was a good one, although I was unlucky with the weather in Holland. It makes me want to go back and do another trip there. Maybe next year? Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@odetocycling]

Hope you didn't miss the chocolate shops in Brugges! Nice weekend jaunt. Another option (but still just 4 countries) is to get the ferry from IJmuiden to North Shields. Could be a stretch in 48 hours, mind you!

[@londoncenturies]

I looked longingly through a window of a chocolate shop - sad to say that's as close as I got! Now, the Newcastle-Amsterdam link is an interesting one, I've never seen a (sensible) way of building it into a route from London but you've got me wondering about a one-way coastal ride starting in the south and possibly focusing on the Zeeland islands but also the Frisian ones in the north of the Netherlands, and then coming across and finishing with the stretch up the Northumberland coast and finishing in Edinburgh. A sort of North European coastline ride. Maybe needs some time in development but it's got to be possible. Thanks for watching!

[@carl90210]

Inspirational videos. Just shows that most limits are ones we impose on ourselves in our minds. Look how much can be achieved with a real limit like 48 hours.

[@londoncenturies]

That's it! Nearly everyone has a weekend free at some point and the Dover ferries can be pretty good value. (I just wish the same would apply to the Harwich route which only has one operator and is way more expensive). Happy riding!

[@DIY-DaddyO]

What a fantastic human powered journey. I don't know how you knock it out so easily. Mind you, I did 72km the other day and felt fine the next day, so I'm getting there. Your travels inspire us to try.

[@londoncenturies]

Fantastic, and well done! Very glad to hear that the channel plants some ideas, just build up steadily and make sure you enjoy yourself, that's my motto. All sorts of things become possible. Thanks v much for leaving the comment again and happy riding! :)

[@DIY-DaddyO]

@@londoncenturies Cheers, another KZbinr said you should try and do an extra 10% each time you go out and it's working, mind you, if you did that you'd be off to the moon by Tuesday 😂😂 . Happy riding ✊

[@londoncenturies]

Yes, I’d say around 10% is about right but measure time, not distance (ie count the hours, not the miles) at least to begin with. Then when you’re happy with your distances, start putting in short sharp shock rides where you go very hard but not for long. Happy riding!

[@DIY-DaddyO]

@@londoncenturies sounds like a plan , thanks 👍

[@fuzzylogic1887]

Another fantastic adventure, you're a constant inspiration 👍

[@londoncenturies]

😃glad you’re enjoying the channel, thanks for watching and leaving the comment!

[@TheLongstaffaudaxer]

Love your ideas for rides,human powered journeys. Inspirational 👍🏾🚴🚴

[@londoncenturies]

Very glad you like the channel, thanks for watching!

[@davewatt8840]

What a great 48 hours trip you had, certainly a impressive journey 👌

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks Dave, yes that was a nice one, although I could have done without the rain in Holland. An excuse to go back for another try, though. Thanks for watching!

[@MP-th4nx]

Another brilliant video .... loved it.

[@londoncenturies]

Cheers MP, thanks for watching and leaving the comment!

[@jackseph03]

I went to watch Paris Roubaix last year and stayed in Belgium (to please the Mrs). Bruges and Gent. Bruges was impressive, but Gent was next level. I think I might have had a similar impression of it as you did before visiting - farmlands, mud and dour Eddy Merckx. Like you I was happy to be proved wrong.

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks for the tip! If it’s better than Bruges it must be fantastic. It’s on the list!

[@johnaldred6864]

That was Epic ....! I Don't know how you do it.....well done You. .!

[@londoncenturies]

Well thanks very much much John, appreciate you leaving the comment! Happy riding!

[@josephlyne8290]

Fantastic. Super inspiration fuel ! Thank you

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks for watching and commenting again! :)

[@hectorhazard904]

Another brilliant cycle video/vlog that manages to mention nothing about cycling.. excellent))

[@londoncenturies]

😃😃😃thanks!!

[@kaffeemitcola6506]

☺Yes you found the one beautyful road in Belgium, I am just kidding. Thats awesome and you made the right decisions but there is some truth about that. On Begium I have a very divided attitude on one hand there are lovely routes along the rivers or canals and in the Ardennes and things like the Venn traintrack cycleroute wich are really awesome and on the other hand disgraceful roads nasty traffic and a pain in the ass riding over some belgish what they call Tarmac but thats life touring after all and all the Chips are a compensation for that🍟.Netherland a complete different animal and always a pleasure for cyclists if you ride in the right direction 😁. Thanks for sharing this trip and I looks so easy how you did it and how your bike tolerated parts falling apart. Liebe Grüße🙋‍♀

[@londoncenturies]

The chips! That's one thing I forgot to do when I was in Belgium, I'll have to go back! And yes, I think I know what you mean about the wind in the Netherlands. Sounds like you have a lot of experience riding in that part of the world. I'd love to be able to explore more, and to go to Norway would be fantastic but it's quite expensive from here, unless you fly which I'd much prefer not to do . Thanks for watching!

[@johnvine5731]

What a great idea, well executed. 👍

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks! Next time I’ll just have to arrange the weather, too. 😃

[@garethwoosey]

Love this. what an amazing adventure.

[@londoncenturies]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching and taking the trouble to leave a comment! Happy riding!

[@simonsaville9962]

Awesome! Would not like the prospect of cycling 100km+ into the rain and a headwind. Got it done though, proper job.

[@londoncenturies]

That was a heavy stretch, to be sure. Not much scenery for the camera sadly so I hope to go back at some point and get luckier with the weather!

[@irlgriff]

This is great timing, we are doing 5 countries in 5 days starting this weekend. Can I ask what route you take to Dover from London? That's the only bit I'm really struggling to plan.

[@londoncenturies]

Fantastic plan, hope it goes brilliantly for you (with better weather than I had in the Netherlands!). Yes, London-Dover is one I've ridden plenty of times, different route every time, but every time I've come away thinking I should have taken it more seriously. It always takes longer than I expect. My exact route for this video is here: www.strava.com/activities/11482611629 (ignore the detour into Ashford, I was hungry and needed to buy food; likewise in Dover itself to the kebab shop, which is so much cheaper than eating on the ferry!), but I don't think I'm particularly recommending it. It was ok but had some rough cycle path sections which I'd change. It's hilly whichever way you choose! Good luck with your ride, let us know how it goes!

[@23Gears]

Great concept and looked like a fun ride.

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks and yes, it's very good cycling country over there. Cheers!

[@23Gears]

@@londoncenturies I looked at the map from where I live in Gothenburg thinking one could do Sweden Denmark, agerande and perhaps Poland. ButvInrealisedbthe distances are much greater.

[@junedullah5481]

That was great well done.

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks for watching and happy riding to you!

[@fidelcastro9579]

Excellent again. 👌

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks Fidel! 😃

[@garysladek9110]

Thanks. I really enjoy your human powered trips, and look forward to each new one. I am hopeful that more people will also enjoy watching them. Cheers.

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks for saying so Gary, there’ll be another one up before too long. Happy riding!

[@johnpart8229]

Great ride and idea. Similiarly, I have a ride called 5 nations. Looking to run it as a 400k belgian audax event next year. BE, FR, LUX, DE, NL.

[@londoncenturies]

Sounds like a great idea, but riding to/from the UK would add quite a bit of time, I guess.

[@philtucker856]

Shows what can be done although I misread the title and I thought you were doing 4 counties 😂😂. Thought not very ambitious 😅

[@londoncenturies]

Well, I don't know, Phil, but you just gave me an idea. How about Kent - Cornwall - Lancashire - Northumberland??? :)

[@orban3228]

What a great video! 😅

[@londoncenturies]

Thanks Orb!

[@wilfwilliams]

Could do Dunquerke > Bruges > Aachen > Luxembourg ( ps I live in Luxembourg) but getting back in 48 hours would need a train I guess

[@londoncenturies]

You're right, but I'm looking at the map and trying to figure out different loops from the French ports, there's lots to explore. Thanks for watching, happy riding!

[@marklepine1]

Excellent. Used to do a bot of work over there and places where you can stand in France/Germany/Lux at the same time. Not in the spirit of what you're doing but very good. I do wonder how many British counties you could do in the same time?

[@londoncenturies]

British counties! Well now, there’s a thought! I have absolutely no idea but I can feel a map-gazing session coming on. Thanks!🤩

[@marklepine1]

​@@londoncenturiescathedrals?

[@londoncenturies]

@@marklepine1 :) I've got a friend who did that, from Truro to Canterbury anyway. But the midlands and north would be better, I reckon. York, Durham, etc?

[@marklepine1]

@@londoncenturies maybe turn left towards Worcester brum Lichfield etc then up north?

[@josephlyne8290]

Are you still on Hutchinson sector tubeless? I’ve been using them and have come to trust them. Availability however is low! Any alternative recommendations? Thank you

[@londoncenturies]

Hi Joseph, yes, still on those, in 32mm. Like you I’ve come to trust them - although I hardly dare say so in case I invoke the wrath of the puncture gods. I tend to snap them up when I see them available. I do have a set of spares (unused) of another brand, can’t remember what though and they’re untested so no, I can’t recommend anything else. Sorry! (And even then I don’t think I’d recommend something before putting at least a year or two on it).

[@josephlyne8290]

@@londoncenturies super thanks for confirming. Let’s hope all the relevant gods are satisfied with our commitment! And praying for a surplus of stock to arrive!

[@williamwood6795]

What is your average speed? What saddle do you like?

[@londoncenturies]

I’m away right now and can’t tell you my average speed although it won’t be terribly high, I just keep plodding really, i don’t go particularly quickly at all, but minimising stops makes a massive difference. Saddle: for the last few years I’ve been on a leather one, it’s a French one I got during Covid. Don’t believe the crap about having to break them in - I’d put about half an hour’s riding on it when I rode it to Milan , it was fine. Bit heavy, though. Thanks for watching!

[@kennybalding]

Any link to route/strava?

[@londoncenturies]

There you go: strava.app.link/HmqHlq4MIKb

[@kennybalding]

@@londoncenturies Thank you!

[@RobinDS-m1g]

credit where credit's due!

[@londoncenturies]

...and thanks for watching!!

[@RobinDS-m1g]

You must be made out of superman.

[@londoncenturies]

No, not at all! I mean it. Ok, I have a general level of fitness but one of the reasons I do this channel is because I'd like to plant the idea that 'long distance' cycling is much more accessible and places like the highlands of Scotland or parts of northern Europe are within reach for lots of people with a few days or a week off work.

[@RobinDS-m1g]

@@londoncenturies I did cycle from Leeds to Fort William by as many hills as possible once (not in one day though), and Italy's Northern Lakes down To Florence and Tuscany - great adventures.

[@londoncenturies]

@@RobinDS-m1g Oh wow, they sound like fantastic rides. Leeds - Fort William certainly has a lot of hills! And northern Italy is about as close to my idea of heaven as it's possible to get. Hope you've got some more adventures planned?