5.30am this morning and we were off. The start of this year’s bikepacking trip.

Today’s goal was Newhaven, ready for tomorrow’s ferry to Dieppe. From there we’ll head up the French coast, into Belgium, across Holland, spend a few days in Amsterdam, then catch the ferry back to England from The Hook of Holland.

It was a glorious morning.

Once we escaped Bracknell, we were soon on bike paths and bridleways before joining the Downs Link that took us all the way to the coast. A left turn and we cycled through Brighton and then on to Newhaven, where we’re staying tonight before tomorrow’s crossing.

Perfect weather meant lots of dog walkers, runners and a few cyclists. Plenty of cheerful “good mornings” along the way and a few appreciative comments about our shirts no less. Life is so much easier when the sun shines.

A good first day. Back into the rhythm of life on the road.