Father and son near Banbury complete epic 335-mile cycling challenge to the Netherlands for charity

Michael and his 15-year-old son, Alfie, completed the five-day trip over the Easter holiday, powered only by cake, bacon sandwiches and a desire for adventure.

The pair set off from their home in Mollington on April 1, with the goal of celebrating Easter at their aunt Anna’s home in Utrecht and raising money for the Katharine House Hospice.

Alfie is a passionate cyclist who trains with Stratford Cycling Club and holds an interest in cyclo-cross, mountain biking, and pedal car racing.

The father and son team have completed several other challenges over the years, including cycling to Birmingham and London, but this challenge, which they named ‘Operation Orange Egg’, was by far their most challenging and rewarding.

Michael said: “His aunt is living in the Netherlands, so that seemed to be right for the next challenge.

“So, with a little bit of organising, booking people to be in the right places, ferries, hotels, etc., ‘Operation Orange Egg’ evolved for Easter weekend this year.”

The first day saw Michael and Alfie navigate the rolling hills of South Northamptonshire, where they were joined by one of their training partners for five or so miles.

They then crossed the Nene Valley before taking a well-earned coffee and cake break at St Neots.

After refuelling, the pair pushed on for the last 20 miles into Cambridge, taking in some of the scenic college back roads in the city.

Day two would see Michael chase the speedy Alfie out of Cambridgeshire and into rural Suffolk.

Michael adds: “We rode through some beautiful picture postcard villages and rolling valleys. The little man (Alfie) was eager to keep going to reach the ferry, thus pushing the old man to a well-earned halfway stop at Long Melford for soup and hot chocolate.

“After our rest, we had a short climb out, and the weather brightened up, we pushed on over the rolling hills down to the coast at Dedham and onto another stop to slow the ‘tiger’ down with a drink and cake stop at Mistley.

“The little man was now refuelled and ready to go! He then dragged his father over to Harwich, making some good time and arriving early at the Harwich port.”

At Harwich, they met with Alfie’s mother, Louise, on board the ferry, and the two adults enjoyed a small nightcap, while Alfie settled down for the night with a hot chocolate.

Following an early start, they departed the ferry at the Hook of Holland, where they had to battle against strong side winds.

After covering miles of glasshouses and canals, they were met by Aunty Anna, who had cycled out from Utrecht to meet them.

Michael said: “What a nice surprise. She announced to the little man that she had hidden a small number of Easter eggs around trees, signposts and benches for the last six miles, a great motivation to get him to Utrecht.”

Following a day of rest, the pair fixed their panniers to their bikes and saddled up for the trip back to Marylebone Station, where they would travel by train back to Banbury.

On the famously flat and fast Dutch roads on the route back to the Hook of Holland, Alfie was able to pick up the speed, leaving his father in the dust.

Michael added: “The little man decided he would jump on the back of a couple of cycling groups and disappear up the road at great speed with them, then slowing down to wait for the old man to catch up.

“We finally made it to the beach at the Hook of Holland for an ice cream.”

The final day of the adventure saw Michael and Alfie depart the ferry early in the morning at Harwich before tackling the 90 miles to Central London.

It was not smooth sailing, as the pair had to first stop to repair Alfie’s twisted chain and then, shortly after, stop again to attend to a puncture on his tyre.

However, several stops for bacon sandwiches later, the pair found themselves on the outskirts of London.

“We finally made it under the M25 and found ourselves travelling through one of the parks around Harold's Hill, and the little man spotted a massive herd of deer.

“We nipped and tucked around the east end of London, which headed down the long drag of the A118. It was rush hour, so using the cycle lane with a tired teenager behind me was interesting.

“Before we knew it, we had made our way into the Olympic Park and the Velodrome. It was time for a well-earned rest and a burger for final refuelling,” Michael said.

The father and son duo then took in some of London’s famous sights before heading to Marylebone Station and then home.

Michael said: “We had a fantastic ride seeing the sights: The Tower of London, The Embankment, the London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. It was quite magical in the evening sunshine.

“The final day finished with 13 hours of cycling!”

In total, the pair completed around 335 miles on their trip and so far have raised an impressive £1,696 for Katharine House Hospice.

For more information about Michael's and Alfie’s epic cycling trip or to donate to their fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/little-man-cycle-to-holland