WORDS & PICTURES MICHAEL MALINS
Michael Malins rides on hallowed ground on a short pilgrimage to some of England’s finest cathedrals.
A blessed change… I'
Arrivée153Autumn2021
VE BEEN RIDING round in circles since the 2020 lockdown, so in Bike Week this year I decided to tackle a ride which would actually take me somewhere – the Cathedrals Cycling Challenge. This event involves 42 cathedrals on a 2,000 mile route across the country. I didn’t try the whole thing – the course can be easily broken down into 200km DIY sections. I chose the section
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from Welling in south east London where the final section from Canterbury picks up the route. The official route uses cycle paths as much as possible but needs a bit of refining, I think. The route through London is fairly quiet but as soon as it crosses the M25 it parallels the A3 on a cycle path which resembled a jungle in June. Finally
arriving at Guildford cathedral I obtained a sticker for my Pilgrim's Passport (available online or at most Cathedral shops). Guildford has a modern cathedral, built with public donations, so sits majestically high on a hill rather than in the middle of the town. Town? I thought it had to be a city?
