{"id":5003,"date":"2025-11-30T10:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T10:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/?page_id=5003"},"modified":"2026-01-01T12:52:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T12:52:01","slug":"international-tandem-rally-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/international-tandem-rally-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"International Tandem Rally 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ITR25 was held at a campsite near Barchem, Gelderland in the Netherlands. We decided to ride from home again, for our second foray onto the continent this year. As before, Harwich was our departure port of choice but this trip would be a little different, as we planned to meet up with John and Sheila Ward (J&amp;S) at Harwich and ride together on the Dutch side. Sheila is the Membership Secretary and Regional Officer Coordinator for the Tandem Club.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"International Tandem Rally 2025 Part 1\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lk4Q-thOJIE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Video clips from our ride from home to Harwich.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the trip, Sheila and Bob decided on a plan for the outward and return routes on the Dutch side. Bob planned the outward and Sheila the return, along with accommodation. This proved quite successful, as we ended up riding through very different landscapes. Once at the rally, we shared a chalet for the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-1024x536.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-2048x1071.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-01-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 1 \u2013 home to Lewknor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After routing through Reading and Marlow back in the spring, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/tandemtreffen-2025\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"4850\">on our way to TT25<\/a>, I decided to revert back to heading for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Mercure+Thame+Lambert+Hotel\/@51.6763567,-0.9625062,16.68z\/data=!4m12!1m2!2m1!1sHotels!3m8!1s0x487692aaf0662d99:0xced7477802d0d695!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d51.6774738!4d-0.9553098!16s%2Fg%2F1hc3n0hws?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTEyMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Mercure+Thame+Lambert+Hotel\/@51.6763567,-0.9625062,16.68z\/data=!4m12!1m2!2m1!1sHotels!3m8!1s0x487692aaf0662d99:0xced7477802d0d695!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d51.6774738!4d-0.9553098!16s%2Fg%2F1hc3n0hws?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTEyMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lewknor<\/a> for our first stop. The Mecure Lambert hotel isn&#8217;t bad and it&#8217;s pretty much the perfect distance from home for us. We crossed the Thames at Streatley\/Goring and stopped for a coffee just over the bridge. After that we took the Thames Path for Stoke then turned to follow narrow lanes through Ewelme. The last stretch is on the main road through Watlington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day coffee stop at Goring, just after the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.15.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At Stoke we turned away from the Thames Path to head for Watlington, running along at the foot of the Chilterns Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-1536x802.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-02-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 2 \u2013 Lewknor to Welwyn Garden City.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Setting off from Lewnkor, we headed for Princes Risborough but turned to climb into the Chilterns at Bledlow Ridge. Passing through the Chilterns is always the hardest day of our rides to and from Harwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coffee at Chesham. The route out of the town involved a steep climb on a busy road and I quickly resorted to riding on the pavement to prevent tailbacks. We rode it while it was empty as far as we could, but had to stop for some people walking down the hill so still ended up pushing for a short stretch as we couldn&#8217;t get going again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.16.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Once through the Chilterns, for the last 10 miles things get a bit easier and we can make use of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enjoystalbans.com\/listing\/the-alban-way\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.enjoystalbans.com\/listing\/the-alban-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alban Way<\/a>, along an old rail route. The hotel in WGC is one we&#8217;ve used before and there&#8217;s a pub just up the road for an evening meal as the services in the hotel are limited.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-03-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 3 \u2013 Welwyn Garden City to Braintree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving Welwyn GC the easy riding continues as we can make use of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hertfordshire.gov.uk\/media-library\/documents\/environment-and-planning\/cms\/cole-green-way-map-v3.0.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.hertfordshire.gov.uk\/media-library\/documents\/environment-and-planning\/cms\/cole-green-way-map-v3.0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cole Green Way<\/a> as far as Hertford. Hertfordshire and Essex are easier going. In Braintree we were booked in to stay at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greeneking.co.uk\/pubs\/essex\/white-hart-hotel?utm_source=g_places&amp;utm_medium=locations&amp;utm_campaign=PD_pubpage\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.greeneking.co.uk\/pubs\/essex\/white-hart-hotel?utm_source=g_places&amp;utm_medium=locations&amp;utm_campaign=PD_pubpage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White Hart in the town centre<\/a>. It&#8217;s another place we&#8217;ve stayed at before and I get discounts on any meals as a Veteran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.01-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Staying off the main roads and making use of country lanes sometimes means more meandering and longer distances, but the benefit is much less traffic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.essexhighways.org\/uploads\/files\/flitchway.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.17.02-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lunchtime stop at The Chequers pub in Great Dunmow \u2013 cash only, but luckily we had enough for a couple of drinks. Either side of the town one can make use of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk\/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network\/flitch-way\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=1371083005&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADsuKG3B9qHZW7PNK1Gif50AhgfbF&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAlrXJBhBAEiwA-5pgwmhSI2Qgn6EffJ8jlf7LP1xyF_SisbEN9fTy5bZ_a40bkij73zLtUBoC3ZEQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flitch Way, another old rail route<\/a>, though there are a few pinch-points and old gates to contend with.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-04-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 4 \u2013 Braintree to Colchester.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We could have carried on to Harwich as the ferry is an overnight one and leaves at 23:00, but it makes for a long day in the saddle, so we stopped at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a hotel in the University of Essex campus<\/a>. We arrived too early to check in so went for lunch in the up-market restaurant in the hotel and booked a table for our evening meal there too. We had time to sort out our luggage so, once on the ferry, we could take just one bag each up to our cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.01-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An old light ship in Colchester.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.18.02-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Wyvenhoe House Hotel was a nice stop-over, but I don&#8217;t think they are used to cycle-tourists turning up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-05-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-05-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-05-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-05-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-05-750x422.png 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-05.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 5 \u2013 Colchester to Harwich.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of my pedals had been complaining for the past couple of days and it was getting worse, so we first headed back in to the Colchester town centre to find a bike shop for some new pedals. No need for SPDs when we are touring with a trailer \u2013 flats are fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we had plenty of time to get to the port, I picked a route that avoided busy roads and took in a bit of countryside we hadn&#8217;t ridden on previous trips. I did make the mistake of using what looked like a good &#8216;green way&#8217; near Manningtree which was fine to start with, but gradually got less and less &#8216;loaded Pino-friendly&#8217;. Fine for mountain bikes but it was tricky for us. Later we stopped at an old pub that has been given a new lease of life as a community hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Community hub at Bradfield, not too far from Harwich.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At Harwich we were due to meet up with Sheila and John. They had mentioned a pub where we could wait and have an evening meal before heading for the ferry so we found it and parked up the bike to await their arrival. Fed and watered the four of us rode to the ferry terminal for our overnight crossing to the Hook of Holland. Having eaten in the pub earlier, there was no need to leave our cabin but it was nice to have a shower and just chill for a while before turning in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.19.02-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Queuing for the ferry with quite a few other cyclists. Some, like us heading off and others on their way home. J&amp;S&#8217;s packing was minimal compared to ours.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-06-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 6 \u2013 Hook of Holland to Schoonhoven.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was about 08:30am by the time we got off the boat, through passport\/customs and were on our way. The route followed the waterway into Rotterdam then ran beside the Lek to Schoonhoven. Stopped for a coffee and apple pie in Schiedam and again for some lunch at Krimpen aan de Lek. Very pleasant, sat in the sun for an hour or so. Had to dash back after a few minutes as Karon had left her jacket there. All good. We\u2019ve done this route a few times now and it\u2019s surprising and a little disappointing to see the amount of industry springing up on both sides of the waterway. In Schoonhoven we stayed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hotelbelvedere.nl\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.hotelbelvedere.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Belvedere<\/a>, right beside the river. Karon and I went down to the restaurant a little early for a pre-dinner drink and Sheila and John joined us after a walk around the town. Nice meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.20.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leaving the port and enjoying being back on great cycle infrastructure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-07-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 7 \u2013 Schoonhoven to Amerongen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After a good breakfast and loading up the bikes, we headed away from the river to cycle among the polders to the north. We covered several miles following narrow waterways with houses and farms on both sides. We rejoined the river Lek to the south of Utrecht and then followed it the rest of the way, with much of the route along the top of riverside dykes. It was a pretty breezy day which made for some hard work at times, even with the motor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.01-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leaving Schoonhoven, heading away from the river.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.02-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shiela and John ahead. There was a road on both sides of the small canal, but drivers were encouraged to use one side and cyclists, the other.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">South of Utrecht, &#8216;Lekboulevard&#8217;.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.21.04-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Wijk bij Duurstede ferry. We stayed this side of the river and turned into the town for a lunchtime stop in one of the main squares.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buitenlust-amerongen.nl\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.buitenlust-amerongen.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our Hotel\/Restaurant at Amerongen<\/a> was a little different from many places we stayed \u2013 more of a pub than Hotel with a few rooms up steep stairs, in the roof space. Our room was large but you had to watch your head on the beams. We secured the bikes overnight to the rear of the pub, behind a high fence, where the staff had a table and smoking area. It required a bit of re-arranging to get the bikes under cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-08-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 8 \u2013 Amerongen to Velp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Spent the day away from the river. It was a very different terrain to the previous day, which had been across open land and atop dykes. Today, after buying some snacks at a local supermarket, we entered forest pretty much straight away then crossed open farmland before riding under the trees again. Some of the tracks were sandy but had hard-pack or surfaced strips for easier going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vehicles to the left (on the sand), bikes to the right. Very different from the day before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.22.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fietsknooppunt 88 in the Landgoed Quadenoord. The track runs parallel to a railway and a brick structure provides an overlook. We met a Dutch pair out on a Pino&#8230; daughter taking her less-able mum for a ride.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meneerpos.nl\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.meneerpos.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our &#8216;digs&#8217; for the night was a B&amp;B<\/a>, so I had booked a table at a restaurant about a kilometre away, on the edge of the forest. It proved a good choice with a great atmosphere (open kitchen) and good food. J&amp;S walked there but as it was uphill and Karon would have struggled, we took the Pino. There was a function on in the breakfast room of our B&amp;B when we returned, and as we had arranged to keep the bikes there, we had to wait until the guests departed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-09-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 9 \u2013 Velp to Barchem.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Velp sits beside a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.topparken.com\/inspiration\/2021\/04\/this-is-why-the-posbank-is-among-the-most-beautiful-natural-areas-in-the-netherlands#:~:text=The%20Posbank%20is%20a%20nature%20reserve%20located,Veluwezoom%20National%20Park%20and%20well%2Dknown%20territory%20for\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.topparken.com\/inspiration\/2021\/04\/this-is-why-the-posbank-is-among-the-most-beautiful-natural-areas-in-the-netherlands#:~:text=The%20Posbank%20is%20a%20nature%20reserve%20located,Veluwezoom%20National%20Park%20and%20well%2Dknown%20territory%20for\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rare hilly area and it had been recommended we ride through it<\/a>. Evidently it&#8217;s a bit of a mecca for any Dutch cyclists who crave some contours. There&#8217;s a good network of surfaced cycle paths that wind their way up through the trees to a caf\u00e9 and open area at the highest point. J&amp;S opted to take the more direct and flatter route along the road, so we arranged to meet at a caf\u00e9 once we were back to the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.01-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The path that winds its way up the Posbank. There was lots of evidence of wild boar \u2013 there were patches of freshly nuzzled soil beside the track.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.04-750x563.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After climbing and descending the Posbank we stopped at a caf\u00e9 to wait for J&amp;S, who were bypassing the off-road bit. They rolled along just as we were locking up the Pino. There was nearly always apple pie with cream available at all the stops we made, and &#8216;La Maison du Steeg&#8217; was no different.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">J&amp;S on the ferry to cross the IJssel river we were now following for a while.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The IJssel on the left, up on a dyke and heading for the pretty village of Bronkhorst where we stopped for a wander.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1177-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The cobbled streets and low cottages of Bronkhorst \u2013 very popular with tourists.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.05-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heksenlaak.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Home for the week at De Heksenlaak campsite<\/a>, near Barchem. Kitchen to the left, lounge to the right with a couple of bedrooms and shower\/wc room behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.23.04-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Once settled and sorted, there was a &#8216;Welcome Evening&#8217; with a very glitzy band.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-10-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 10, ride 1 \u2013 We&#8217;d cycled through Lochem a couple of times on previous trips, so were familiar with the area. Sunday&#8217;s ride took us in an anti-clockwise route to Vorden and back via Lochem. Look at that height profile!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The marquee acted as a meeting and information point with maps of the rides. There was a fridge and charging points which the tented campers could use. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phil and Julie ahead of a small group on Sunday&#8217;s ride.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.24.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Most folks left around the 10 am mark, so even though we rode in small groups, any stop along the way soon filled up with tandem teams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-11-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 11, ride 2 \u2013 Monday&#8217;s ride headed south east to Groenlo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many of the routes took in these narrow but mostly firm tracks through the fileds and alongside the waterways.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.02-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spoilt for choice!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.03-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">No comment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.04-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Another stop for apple cake and cream. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.25.05-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I enjoyed the twisty sections through the trees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-12-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 12, ride 3 &#8211; Tuesday&#8217;s  clockwise ride to Lochem then alongside the Twentekanaal to Diepenheim, Neede and Borculo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.01-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coffee stop (and apple cake) at Diepenheim.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.26.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Fire Service Museum at Borculo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5151\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-13-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 13 \u2013 Rest Day<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wednesday was a rest day with an organised trip but <a href=\"https:\/\/kristalmuseum.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Karon wanted to revisit Borculo<\/a> as she had spotted the crystal museum there, so we took a leisurely ride, locked up the bike and spent some time in the museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kristalmuseum.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Karon in the Crystal Museum at Borculo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Museum was housed in an impressive building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.27.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Later we sat and sketched this mill with twin waterwheels before revisiting a caf\u00e9 we had stopped at the day before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-14-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 14 \u2013 Ride 4. Thursday&#8217;s ride took us to Groenlo via Neede and Elbergen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1248-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Not far before reaching Neede where we stopped for coffee and apple cake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1249-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Large Mural in Goenlo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1251-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In the evening we enjoyed a challenging Quiz which necessitated us acquiring a Dutch helper as some of the questions were on Dutch history etc. The Thameswey members at the rally formed a team, and along with our Dutch assistance, we came second in the quiz!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-15-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 15 \u2013 Ride 5. Friday&#8217;s ride had to be cut short for us, as Karon&#8217;s insulin just didn&#8217;t seem to be working, so we had to take our leave from our cycling buddies and ride a direct route, as best we could, back to the chalet so she could replace the insulin in her pump with a fresh supply.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1260-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Just before a coffee stop we spotted this memorial to the crew of an RAF bomber, shot down by a night-fighter as it returned from a <br>raid over Cologne. <br>In remembrance of:<br>Sgt-pilot Peter Gordon Arthur Malin (23), RAF 1180129<br>Sgt-observer James Herbert Holmes (29), RAF 1181184<br>Sgt-airgunner Leonard Frank Cooke (19), RCAF R70432<br>Sgt-wireless operator\/airgunner Ronald Peel (22), RAF 1053426<br>Sgt-airgunner Raymond Catley (25), RAF 1305765 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1261-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">First coffee stop \u2013 and the only one due to our enforced early return to base. The farmer had set aside a small room at the end of the farm buildings which had public access and inside were a coffee machine, some vending machines with snacks and a freezer with ice-creams\/lollies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1264-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Friday evening \u2013 the day ended with a farewell BBQ. The following day \u2013 Saturday \u2013 was departure day and the end of the ITR.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-16-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 16 \u2013 Barchem to Ooij<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sheila had planned our return to the Hook of Holland route and booked the accommodation. We had kept the chalet fairly tidy so there wasn&#8217;t a great deal to do and we were away at a reasonable time. We headed south-west to cross the Waal by ferry and stop just short of Nijmegen. Rather than rigidly stick together with J&amp;S, we tended to cycle at our own pace and meet up for coffee stops along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1268-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">First stop at Hengelo and a second breakfast of apple cake and cream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">J&amp;S cross the Waal\/Rhine on the little ferry at Millingen aan de Rijn.  The Dutch\/German border is just upstream to the east of the crossing with Germany to the south.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lakes and wetlands (De Bijland) on the north bank which we rode around before arriving at the groyne that the small ferry departs from on the north bank. We were well ahead of J&amp;S, so we crossed, then found a table at the ice-cream caf\u00e9 that overlooks the river from the dyke on the south bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.30.03-750x563.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Just a small ice-cream while we wait. Photo courtesy of Sheila. They had turned up while we waited for our order.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our hotel for the night was in the small town of Ooij, a few km short of Nijmegen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-17-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 17 \u2013 Ooij to Zaltbommel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next morning we set off to follow the Waal along the south bank. As we came into Nijmegen there was a floating community under and beside the Waal Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Waal Bridge and De Kaaij \u2013 floating community and events area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08.31.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Not far short of Zaltbommel, at Rossum, we stopped for a drink while we waited for J&amp;S to regroup.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indeoudesmederij.nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our overnight stay in Zaltbommel was a B&amp;B<\/a> so Sheila had booked a table in a Brasserie, a short walk away. In the morning, our host delivered breakfast as we had the breakfast table in our &#8216;apartment&#8217; and John and Sheila, who had a room upstairs came down to join us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-18-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 18 \u2013 Zaltbommel to Dordrecht<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Day 18 was a day of ferries! We set off from Zaltbommel following the south bank of the Waal as far as Brakel where we crossed to the north bank with the route following the riverside dyke into Gorinchem. As luck would have it, there was extensive works all along the dyke from Vuren almost all the way into Gorinchem, so we were forced to detour along roadside cycle paths. At Gorinchem we met up with J&amp;S for a coffee stop in the main square before taking ferry number two back to the south bank. Sheila had planned to ride through the Biesbosch, a large wetland area and nature reserve. It was here we took ferry number three \u2013 a very small affair, just big enough for the two tandems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ferry number one of the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.02-750x563.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ferry number two.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was quite pleasant meandering along beside the waterways on one side and reed beds or crops on the other. The main crop here seemed to be red cabbages. There is a visitor centre and caf\u00e9 at the Dordrecht end which J&amp;S decided to stop at. As Karon&#8217;s blood sugar was high, we pressed on to the fourth ferry of the day to put us on the approaches to Dordrecht. Navigating unfamiliar towns is always a little tricky but we managed to find the hotel and check in. Having done that and dumped the bags, put the batteries on charge and showered etc., we went for a walk to find a bar before meeting up for an evening meal in a nearby restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.01.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thatched Molen de vervoorne polder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-19-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 19 \u2013 Dordrecht to the Hook of Holland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before breakfast I almost bumped into John as he returned from the bike park, but he warned me to keep a distance as he was not feeling 100% and didn&#8217;t want to pass anything on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sheila&#8217;s route took in the Kinderdijk but to get to it we had to double back a little and catch a ferry. At the ferry terminal Karon and I jumped on the wrong one, which put us on the wrong side of Papendrecht, which necessitated a quick detour to pick up the planned route. At the Kinderdijk the path literally runs along on a narrow strip between two waterways, along which the windmills sit. It&#8217;s very popular with tourists and the closer we got to the visitor centre and caf\u00e9, the busier it got and the more people walking we had to skirt around. We briefly stopped at the caf\u00e9 but it was very busy inside and as we discussed options, John came out from inside but we decided to continue riding and find somewhere less busy. If nothing came up, there&#8217;s a place at Maassluis that we have stopped at before and like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.01-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Kooiwijkse Molen \u2013 decorated for an anniversary I presume.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.02-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The windmills of the Kinderdijk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.03-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rotterdam skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Cycling through Rotterdam isn&#8217;t too difficult. It&#8217;s innevitably busy with lots of junctions to negotiate. We pushed on through without stopping as Karon&#8217;s blood sugar was ok but once through, we stopped at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandcafethoofd.nl\/reserveren\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grand Caf\u00e9 &#8216;t Hoofd in Maassluis<\/a>, as planned. Too chilly to sit outside under the awning this time but being mid afternoon, it wasnt busy inside. Ordered some bitterballen and a drink. Later J&amp;S came in and sat at a different table as John was still feeling under the weather \u2013 but looked better than he did first thing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.02.04-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rotterdam cycle path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once at the Hook of Holland, we had time to kill before boarding so popped in to the &#8216;Harwich&#8217; pub \u2013 another place we are familiar with \u2013 for a drink and loo stop. Later Sheila messaged us with the location of a place they were going to stop at, so we headed for it and sat at the next table for some nibbles and drink. On a nearby table were some friends of theirs who were heading home too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once on board there was no need to wander and we were both ready for a shower and bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-20-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 20 \u2013 Harwich to Long Melford.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I was awake before the early morning call and disappointed to open the blind and peer out through a rain splattered window at a rain splattered port. Said our goodbyes to J&amp;S as we untied the bike, re-attached the trailer and got ready to disembark the ferry. Luckily, by the time we did get off, it had pretty-well stopped raining and, once clear of customs and control, we set off for Manningtree where we hoped to find some breakfast. Once there we spotted a place but still had about 15 minutes before it opened. The nice lady opening up let us in early to sit and wait inside in the warm until they were ready for our order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.03.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Boxford.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The ride to Long Melford was pretty uneventful but we dodged several showers. Having started the ride pretty early and despite our breakfast stop, we were still to early to check in if we got to the Crown Inn in Long Melford, so we stopped in a caf\u00e9 in a small industrial estate for a light, late lunch. Returning to the bike, we discovered the trailer wheel had punctured. Took a lot of huffing and puffing to get the tyre off the rim!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecrownhotelmelford.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">At the pub (inn)<\/a>, I managed to get the bike under cover and fairly secure for the night and after changing and relaxing for a bit we went down to the bar for drinks and food in the restaurant later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-21-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 21 Long Milford to Melbourn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Woke to the sound of rain on the window (again) and the rain radar on my iPhone suggested it should move away at 10:30. Whatever did we do before mobile phones and their mini-computer abilities?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Checkout was until 11:00 so we took our time over breakfast and I moved the bags downstairs ready to load up. Sure enough the rain stopped bang on time and we loaded and set off. Our route for the day was determined by the first of two BCQs that we wanted to pick up on our way across country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.01-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A wet start was avoided. We waited until it stopped before setting off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was another day of passing showers and at one point we stopped to avoid the rain inside a bus shelter but though the skies looked ready to dump, they never did, so after 10 minutes we carried on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A morning of threatening skies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our first BCQ was at Saffron Walden but before that we stopped at Haverhill for some lunch. As we entered the town, we got chatting to an old fella on the pavement. He recommended a &#8216;new&#8217; place in the High Street, so we took his advice and looked it out. Very busy but we were given a table. Just as we set off again it started to rain. My 3\/4 length &#8216;troos&#8217; were soaked but they dried out pretty quickly once it stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Later the skies cleared and though there was a stiff breeze, it stayed dry and was quite nice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.04.04-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A quick loo stop for me and for Karon to check blood sugars.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sheenemill.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our room for the night was in an old mill with rooms and a restaurant<\/a>. It seemed that much of their business was wedding parties but luckily not that night. We found a table that looked out over the mill-pond and garden and enjoyed a drink before dinner. I tried sketching the scene but it was a bit of a disaster. Still, the ducks provided some entertainment and we even spotted the colourful flash of a Kingfisher diving for his supper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-22-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 22 \u2013 Melbourne to Luton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next morning we sat at the same table in the restaurant and were pleased that we had blue skies overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The mill pond at Melbourne.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Not long after setting off we saw <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk\/memorial\/151349\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a large memorial by the side of the road<\/a>. The fields to the south were an airfield during WW2 and a base for both RAF and US aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Memorial at former RAF and US base Steeple Morden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A little further on and we bagged our second BCQ of the trip at Ashwell. There was a stiff climb out of the village after \u2013 the first big climb on our return leg. As we headed for Luton the hills became bigger and more frequent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.05.03-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After picking up the BCQ at Ashwell at the top of the climb after the village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The ride into Luton wasn&#8217;t great but it was made a little easier by a stretch along the Harpenden-Luton Greenway. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lintonhotel.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In the hotel, I&#8217;d asked for a ground floor room<\/a> but they obviously thought us disabled and the room had a wet-room\/wc. Not the best we had&#8230; by a long way, but at least I didn&#8217;t have to lump bags up stairs. No covered area for the bike but it was behind a gate and I padlocked it to some fixed garden furniture. Food and service in the evening was great  \u2013 Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-1536x803.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-2048x1070.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-23-750x392.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 23 \u2013 Luton to Lewknor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lots of contours today as we left Luton to cross the Chilterns. Our hotel was close to the town&#8217;s fringes, so it wasn&#8217;t long before we were back on quieter country lanes. At Ashridge we turned off the road to grab a coffee at the caf\u00e9 near the Bridgewater Monument, but it being the weekend, it was heaving with a long queue, so we made use of the loos and carried on, dropping into Aldbury and passing a previously collected BCQ. Progress out of the village was slow, as there were so many vehicles on the narrow lane and we were following a horse-box which caused lots of hold-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pitstone Hill, from the lane out of Aldbury, is near the start of the Ridgeway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.02-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spotted this between Cholesbury and St. Leonards and stopped for some lunch at the White Lion pub shortly after.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.03-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Near Wendover, not far from where I was born. The huge scar across the country that is HS2 \u2013 and the start of the Chiltern Tunnel \u2013 the hills are behind us.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.04-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Beacon Hill near Ellesborough. Shortly after there was one short but steep climb that had us grind to a halt \u2013 luckily right beside a driveway where we pulled in to let following traffic past. Once the cars were gone, we set off in a lower gear and got going again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.06.05-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A few miles north-east of Princes Risborough we finally dropped off the last of the Chiltern Hills and followed the road along the foot of the ridgeline. We&#8217;ve stopped at this spot on previous trips, not too far from the hotel at Lewknor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There was a wedding on at the hotel, and the chap behind the desk rightly didn&#8217;t want the bike parked within sight of the garden proceedings. Fortunately we had time to leave it outside the accommodation block while we unloaded and some of the early guests took an interest, so I spent time chatting with them. Then I tucked the bike away in a spot we&#8217;ve used on previous stays, under cover and out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-1024x534.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-1024x534.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-768x400.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-1536x800.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-2048x1067.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Day-24-750x391.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 24- Lewknor to home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We were now on very familiar roads and lanes for the entire day, though I still managed a wrong turn in Watlington. This was almost a return along our outward route on the first day of the trip, almost a month before. At Goring we stopped at a caf\u00e9 for coffee\/cake\/loo and the bike once again attracted some interest. This time from a chap on a folding e-bike who was on a mini tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.01-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heading for South Stoke to join the Thames path into Goring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our final stop of the day was at the Rowbarge pub, at Woolhampton, for a celebratory drink before we tackled the last climb of the ride up &#8216;Back Lane&#8217; and through Baughurst into Tadley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/09.07.02-750x563.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Rowbarge at Woolhampton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In all we covered 842 miles over the 24 days, with 85 and a half hours of riding and climbing 20,200 feet, averaging 9.8 mph. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/holidays\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"21\">Back to Holidays<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ITR25 was held at a campsite near Barchem, Gelderland in the Netherlands. We decided to ride from home again, for our second foray onto the continent this year. As before, Harwich was our departure port of choice but this trip would be a little different, as we planned to meet up with John and Sheila &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/international-tandem-rally-2025\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5003","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","nodate","item-wrap"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5003"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5292,"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5003\/revisions\/5292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}