Whitby, The Jewel of Yorkshire, Coast 2 Coast Bike Ride

Having cycled 202 miles Coast to Coast, it cameindulged in this classic British dish. Feast we did on
as a pleasant surprise to arrive in the seasidethe piles of golden chips and delicately battered
town of Whitby.and lightly fried cod as many a drunken sailor and
Our team of 8 adventurers were bowled over byindeed tourist had done before us.
the traditional beauty and the cosmopolitanThere is something very special about Whitby. A
modernity dwelling side by side in this, the Jewelquaintly old fashioned appearance gives a
of Yorkshire. Passing through Lakes, Dales anddeceptive cover to the contemporary dining and
Moors we encountered scenes of dramatic naturalcafé culture that has swept through the
beauty, taking in three National Parks along thehistoric streets. Step out for an evening in Whitby
way we saw some truly breathtaking vistas.and you could just as easily be strolling though the
All of this culminated in a long winding road racestreets of any of Europe's best known capital
into Whitby on the third day of our Northcities. Whitby is a hidden gem that has managed
Yorkshire expedition. By the time we reached ourto preserve its charm and heritage in a traditional
destination - the Whitby coast - we were moreway with cobbled streets and the Swing Bridge
than ready for some refreshment. And wherereally adding to the character of a place that has
better to seek some fine ale than the harbourremained unspoilt by tourism and the passing of
side watering hole the Shambles.time. Whitby in a remarkable feat has managed
Just as promised on the grueling days ride weto combine the old with the new seamlessly to
found some of the finest real ales in Yorkshire, akeep the old guard happy in familiar surroundings
fine selection of India Pale Ale, stout andwhilst attracting a new generation of visitors for
moonshine, a truly impressive and invitingthe future. And with a calendar of events strong
prospect. We wasted no time in order in a roundenough to compete with any major tourist
of the local brew and before long the beer wasdestination Whitby can entice the intrepid and
flowing and the tales growing taller, good timesintrigued explorer alike.
and banter aplenty. Needless to say that after ofWe were moved by the way that Whitby
what some would call an intoxicating session ofdelivered a quintessentially English seaside
beers it was time to sample a bite to eat. Whitbyexperience in a modern and youthful way. A real
being a famous sea port for many hundreds ofmust visit destination that we will certainly return
years was clearly a place of tradition andto. Even if just to sample the fantastic fish and
nostalgia, offering up some of the best fish andchips once again! And so we were away. After
chips available in the United Kingdom.Yet theone brief but brilliant night in Whitby we were on
casual cool of the modern European eateries liningour travels again heading for the delights of Robin
the streets throughout the town had thereHoods bay and the contemplation of the journey
appeal, it would have been rude not to havehome.