Sunday 21st April The big bike ride to the seaside

Cathy was on the doorstep as the bike rental shop opened at 9:30 to collect a trusty bicycle for the day. David geared up too with the route loaded onto his GPS. Aloak clung to the basket and whizzed along enjoying the views.

The bike routes are marked with numbers so we could have navigated by a list of numbers if we’d preferred. Lots of people of all shapes, sizes and ages we’re on their bikes. Even a man in his 70s in suit and tie with his wife peddling along behind.

When we reached the coast we navigated past a big marina and rows of high rise apartments shading the beach until mid morning. It was cold in the shade with a brisk wind, but ok in the sunshine. All sorts of pedal machines were out and about at the beach. We loved the pedal go-karts, complete with refueling stop for the kids. The beach boxes were all white but colorful areas with seats and umbrellas were set up to rent for the day. We continued up the coast past the port of Zeebruge to Knokke where we ate lunch in the sunshine. Then we headed back across the fields and beside canals to get to Bruges again. All up, we did 66km. It was great to be outdoors and riding again less than 6 weeks after my arthroscopy. Hoping to get back running soon too. I’ll need to burn off a few calories after my week of holiday eating and drinking.