A European Visitor enjoys the TPT
May 19th 2004 - Going from Osnabrück (D) where I live to Amersfoort (NL) by car. There I took my bike and rode to Rotterdam/Europoort to get the night-ferry. 126 km 6:22 hours riding time.
May 20th 2004 - Starting at Hull ferry port I headed for Hull. I found the first TPT-signs in the city centre. The part between Hull and Howden is wonderful. Quiet roads and only few hills. From Howden I took a short cut via Boothferry Bridge, Airmyn, Newland to Carlton leaving out Selby. After doing some parts in really bad conditions near Dearne I put up my tent in Worsbrough at Green Springs Touring Park which is a nice quiet camping site. 142 km 8:34 hrs
May 21st 2004 - Got up early in the morning and headed for the Pennines. I enjoyed the section between Oxspring and Dunford Bridge very much. The steep hill after Dunford Bridge was not as bad as expected but I didn't like crossing the A628. Anyway, I continued over to Great Sankey, Warrington where I went to visit friends. 115 km 6:51 hrs
May 24th 2004 - Starting at Great Sankey I set off back to Worsbrough. But this time I took the A 628 between Hattersley and Woolley Bridge and again between Woodhead Tunnel Windle Edge. 108 km 6:18 hrs
May 25th 2004 - Same way as 20th. I got the night-ferry to Rotterdam again
May 26th 2004 - Same way as 19th. Got my car at Amersfoort and went home.
My bike was a recumbent bike type Optima Dolphin with two 20' wheels and two large panniers and a top-bag. All in all it was no problem riding the Trail but on one section I preferred taking the A-roads.
The best of all are the signs and the maps. Which are even better than in most parts of Germany and the Netherlands. I really enjoyed it.
Kind regards - Oliver Schauer