BOYSGONEBIKING

The Rebellion Way 2023

Having tried a few times to work out how we can cycle the planned Normandy tour, all without success, we have decided to stay at home for our 2023 ride otherwise we run the risk of not being able to do one at all! We have chosen another Cycling UK route for 2023, called "The Rebellion Way". At 232 miles long, it is another circular route but this time in Norfolk, a part of England that is famed for its lack of significant hills. The route starts and ends outside the railway station in the city of Norwich, looping in a clockwise direction down and then up to the west and north coasts of Norfolk before closing the loop back in the city. The route gets its name from not one, but two rebellions that took place in the area. The first was Queen Boudicca who sought revenge against the Romans after her husband, the King of the Icini, upon his death, left control of the Kingdom in part to the Roman Emperor and also to her. The Roman Emperor was not happy with this arrangement, so ordered the flogging of Boudicca and the rape of her daughters. As a result of her treatment at the hands of the Romans, she lead a revolt against them destroying towns incuding London, killing a reported 80,000 people and almost causing Nero to abandon his conquest of Britain. Kett's Rebellion was the second rebellion to give the route its name. Robert Ketts was a wealthy landowner in Wymondham. Following the fencing off of common land on his estate and the complaints of his tennants, rather than fight back against the tennants he listened to their concerns and agreed to lead them in rebellion as they marched to Norwich. The culmination of the rebellion was the Battle of Dussindale where the rebels were defeated and Kett was captured. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London and found guilty of treason, being hanged from the walls of Norwich Castle. The area is stuffed full of history so the ride should be an interesting journey of discovery as well as a superb ride from start to finish through amazing scenery - and no big hills!