In 2019 I decided I wanted to cycle the entire coastline of Britain and to do it in stages so that the adventure would last many years (and I had a job to go to on Monday!).

    Starting off at the foot of the Blackpool Tower, I headed north along the Lancashire and Cumbrian coastline for my first leg of the journey – finishing in Gretna Green. On the way, I zipped through the seaside resorts of Blackpool, Morecambe and Grange over Sands, and along the North West’s nuclear coastline of Heysham, Barrow in Furness and eventually Sellafield. This video is the first part of that journey, with a few bits of history thrown in alongside moaning about weather, hills and how tired I was at the time!

    Enjoy!

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    29 Comments

    1. Hi Chris,
      It’s funny I know exactly the way you feel and love about Blackpool growing up in a village on the outskirts of Liverpool Blackpool was our go to treat/special day out! As a kid it felt like Blackpool was a long long way away sitting in the back seat of our family car with my little sister playing who would spot the tower first! It was a family tradition to go and see the famous illumination’s (lights) usually around October every year and since having my own family we have always kept the tradition going and even though my three sons are in their twenties they still look forward too that special day out to see the illumination’s and a chippy meal of pie and chips to finish the visit.
      Love the channel the thought and effort you put into each video cheers.

    2. Well I've done the entire length of the south coast, and if anyone wants to avoid main roads, you're looking at more than a year to do all of Britain, because following the coastline without using main roads (which often cut well inland) – effectively doubles your total mileage.!!!!!!
      I also had to use several ferries in order to hug the coast and to avoid falling back onto main roads.
      And another thing – I can't imagine anyone wanting to continue right through the winter – what can you see?
      So, for that reason as well, we're talking about a second year.

    3. Great idea and great vid there! I grew up just outside Blackpool but never cycled up the coast. A lot of familiar places there and really looking forward to the next part!

    4. First: Love the Ghostbusters shirt. "It's not cheating–It's not cheating" Hmmmm, really Ollie? You are so lucky to have so much history to enjoy on your ride. Really enjoy the "one man-one camera" type videos, they are more spontaneous and personal. Someday I would like to hike the River Thames and Hadrian's Wall, and that just to start… "Someday"

    5. just so lovely to share your journey, it has inspired us to cycle more along the coast, as it is not too far away from The Dales where we live. Keep up the great work Ollie, we so enjoy your videos and stay safe!

    6. Great video, living in Blackpool I've do the coast ride up as far as Lancaster, when I have time ill push up to Grange over sands. Keep up the riding mate

    7. Excellent video, thanks. My friend and I have been doing rides like this for a while. We're just back from Lancaster to Liverpool via Blackpool and Southport, for example So the scenes are familiar and great to watch. Riding 50 miles then sleeping in a tent is difficult though! I love your videos by the way… the histories of Manchester, Liverpool and other Lancashire towns, old railway tunnels, canals and so on are right up my street. I'm your man if you'd need a like-minded companion on another bike ride

    8. Just in case anyone wants to visit Peel Island, don't go to the massive building (that's the Lifeboat Station) the ferry pulls into the low landing stage in front of you.

    9. We have a really interesting coast full of old industry, it's beautiful in its own way. In last many years we tried to explore the north West coast since I hadn't seen much of it. We found places like Silloth that's like a time capsule of a Victorian spa resort, with an incredible view across the bay of Scotland. It has the best subsets, that remind me of being in Greece

    10. Congratulations on a brilliant idea. Hope it is going really well. Exactly 10 years ago I set off from London following the road nearest the coast all the way round Britain, most of the Scottish islands and Ireland. It was a 6 month trip living in a Ford Transit van and I enjoyed every minute so I hope you do too. First video is just brilliant, that coast with its old industrial history is fascinating. I eventually wrote a book on the trip called The Road Next The Coast and it's on Amazon if you want to have a look. Now just waiting for the next vid. All the best, Chris

    11. i've done a bit of this kind of thing and it's always been the hardest when I've neglected the planning side of things. Having an overall mileage goal for a set time period of days or weeks rather than following a strict timetable has usually worked out best. Working with the weather rather than fighting it. Knowing the places along the way can be helpful. No point in making extra ground if you end up in the middle of nowhere with no facilities. Good luck.

    12. I've watched this after part two, Ollie. Thank you for producing this and showing us some most unusual artefacts along the way. Very interesting indeed.

    13. Very informative and very enjoyable to watch. I like the things you choose to highlight, and your musical choices go well with whatever you are presenting. I'm looking forward to more.

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