Chasing the sun

If you want to cover as many miles in one day as possible, there's only one day in which to do it

- Roger Williams

Sunrise; 04.35. Lowestoft, Ness Point; 1.45.46E. Britian's most easterly point. The first place in the UK to see the sun rise. On the promenade there's a diverse crowd of about 100 people. Seemingly all here for the same thing - to experience the summer solstice. I scan the gathering, looking for East Anglia's most famous druid and his dog: Cathbad and Thing. But they're not here. The word solstice is derived from the Latin, solstititum, which roughly approximates to 'sun stationary. In the summer the solstice represents the longest day. Prior to the solstice the days are lengthening, whilst after the solstice they become shorter. Like your nan used to say in July: "I'll put the sprouts on, it'll soon be Christmas."

If Ness Point is the best place to witness the sun rise, perhaps the best place to see it set is Britain's most westerly point. If we're talking mainland Britian, then that's generally held to be Ardnamurchan; -5.58.59W. But for a day ride that's more than a decent slog, although a chap on a Tiger 850 was doing just that. I offer him my best wishes as he departs for his charity fundraiser. Being a far lesser man, I opted for something a tad more manageable. Most extreme east, then travel as close to due west as practicable until the land runs out. Using my old school ruler, and an AA road atlas, feet would get wet in Cardigan Bay. Nearest settlement, Tywyn. -4.05.34W. At 52.58N it's slightly further north than my start at Lowestoft; 52.48N. But, for my purposes, it's close enough to being due west. Between both, the aim is to keep my route on roughly the same latitude, whilst avoiding motorways and dual carriageways.