Before setting off, I viewed the Windsor to Dover leg of my journey as a mere commute. The plan was to reach Dover as quickly as possible, eager to embark on the proper adventure awaiting me in mainland Europe.
As I began my ride, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being unprepared. It was my first time riding with a fully loaded bike, carrying three full water bottles and as much food as I could cram into the pannier bags. The bike weighed a hefty 40 kilograms, and after conquering the first hill of the day, I realised I needed to shed some weight before tackling the daunting Alps.
This new chapter in my life was commencing just as the previous one was concluding. I pulled over to the side of the road to check my university finals exam results, which had been released that morning. Thankfully, I was pleased with all of my results, allowing me to end my university chapter with a sense of accomplishment.
The route I had chosen to Dover primarily followed the scenic North Downs Way. This off-road cycle route promised to showcase the stunning beauty of the Surrey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, after enduring an excessive amount of single tracks and steep hills for about 90 kilometers, all I yearned for was the smoothness of tarmac. I decided to swap the off-road trails for a more direct route to Dover, promising myself that I would return one day with a mountain bike to conquer those missed scenic trails.
I eventually found a secluded woods to spend the night, having covered approximately 140 kilometers on my first day. It was more than I had initially planned, but I wanted to push myself to accomplish a substantial distance, ensuring I would catch the ferry the next afternoon.
The following morning, I needed to replenish my water supply and stock up on snacks for the day. I stumbled upon a post office that conveniently doubled as a corner shop and café. Explaining to the shop assistant that I was embarking on a journey to Australia after just one day of cycling made me feel somewhat self-conscious.
Arriving in Dover ahead of schedule, I managed to secure an earlier ferry than the one I had booked. As the ferry departed, I glanced back at the iconic white cliffs of Dover, uncertain of when I would return to the UK.
Will Scam 