A week`s journey by bike towards Birmingham 2021 Cycling to Leamington Spa mainly by canal towpaths... June 2021....... David Johnson I wanted to cycle towards Birmingham mainly by canal towpath from Southampton. I had to cycle to Hook near Basingstoke by road, to begin with. I had to take the Red Funnel ferry from East Cowes to Southampton, then I tried to follow the cycle route 24 towards Hook. I got hopelessly lost with the signs but headed north towards Winchester. Later headed towards New Alresford, then Preston Candover, and into Hook. The Innkeepers Lodge I stayed at the Wight Hart Hotel that had another name the Innkeepers Lodge. I was allowed to keep the bike inside my room. The distance from Southampton to Hook was 50 miles so I was quite pleased to get to the hotel. King John probably left from this castle to sign Magna Carta O...