2022: Le Grand Tour

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NEW: Ep. 105 – Pearls Of Peace

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 105 – Lynn Salvo – Pearls Of Peace

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In November 2018 I was contacted by an American woman called Lynn Salvo. She had just read my book Spain to Norway… in which I recounted my journey in 2015 from the southernmsot point of Europe at Tarifa in Spain to the continent’s northernmost point at Nordkapp in Norway. She explained that she was thinking of completing the route from north to south herself. Lynn is a peace activist in her 70s and she had already cycled extensively in North American before setting her sights on Europe. Over the years we kept in contact. There were setbacks along the way – notably the COVID pandemic in 2020 – but she’s a determined woman and in 2024 she finally cycled from Nordkapp to Tarifa, in the process becoming the Guiness World Record holder for the oldest female to do so.

Cycle Touring Inspiration: A Map, Two Festivals And Four Books

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You wait all week for a piece of cycle touring news that will inspre you, then three arrive all at once; there’s news from the European Cyclists’ Federation, news from the newly formed Cycle Touring Festival committee and there’s news from me. What links all three pieces of news is that they all provide travel inspiration, in three different ways. And what better time of the year to start planning future adventures on two wheels than the autumn as the days get cooler and the nights begin to draw in…

The Power Of Cycling: Official Launch Trailer

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Here’s what the European Cyclists’ Federation have to say: What if the bicycle could help shape healthier people, stronger communities and more sustainable places? “The Power of Cycling” is a new digital series from the European Cyclists’ Federation and Content With Purpose exploring how cycling is transforming everyday […]

Episode 105: Lynn Salvo – Pearls Of Peace

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In November 2018 I was contacted by an American woman called Lynn Salvo. She had just read my book Spain to Norway… in which I recounted my journey in 2015 from the southernmsot point of Europe at Tarifa in Spain to the continent’s northernmost point at Nordkapp in Norway. She explained that she was thinking of completing the route from north to south herself. Lynn is a peace activist in her 70s and she had already cycled extensively in North American before setting her sights on Europe. Over the years we kept in contact. There were setbacks along the way – notably the COVID pandemic in 2020 – but she’s a determined woman and in 2024 she finally cycled from Nordkapp to Tarifa, in the process becoming the Guiness World Record holder for the oldest female to do so.

The Numbers Behind The 2026 Road World Championships In Montréal

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The UCI Road World Championships return to Montreal in September, 52 years after Eddy Merckx won the rainbow jersey on the city’s Mount Royal circuit. Nearly 1,000 riders are expected to compete across the elite, under-23 and junior categories during eight days of racing. Thirteen routes have been prepared for the championships, which take place between 20 and 27 September. The programme includes individual time trials, road races and the mixed team relay. The elite men’s road race closes the event on the final Sunday.

Montréal Prepares For A Demanding 2026 Road World Championships

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The UCI Road World Championships return to Canada between 20 and 27 September, bringing around 1,000 riders to Montréal for eight days of time trials, road races and the mixed team relay. This will be the first Road World Championships held in Canada since Hamilton hosted the event in 2003. Montréal has an even longer connection with the competition. In 1974, it became the first city outside Europe to stage the championships.The elite men’s road race on 27 September will cover 273.7 kilometres and include 3,803 metres of climbing. Those figures point towards a selective contest suited to strong Classics riders rather than pure sprinters.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 104 – Heinz Stücke / Robert Dudley / Saillink / Chris & Nicky Clark

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In episode 104 of The Cycling Europe Podcast, in an interview from episode 024 of the podcast recorded in 2020, the long-distance cyclist Dr. Stephen Fabes talks about meeting the world-recording-breaking cyclist Heinz Stücke who died in July 2026, Robert Dudley argues that it should really be ‘touring on a bicycle’ (as opposed to ‘cycle touring’), Andrew Simons updates us on the future of the Saillink channel crossing boats that featured in episode 091 (and we hear the words of satisfied customer John Metcalfe) and last, but by no means least, Chris and Nicky Clark reflect on their experiences as tandem cycle tourers (or should that be tourers on a bicycle?).

Episode 104: Heinz Stücke / Robert Dudley / Saillink / Chris & Nicky Clark

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In episode 104 of The Cycling Europe Podcast, in an interview from episode 024 of the podcast recorded in 2020, the long-distance cyclist Dr. Stephen Fabes talks about meeting the world-recording-breaking cyclist Heinz Stücke who died in July 2026, Robert Dudley argues that it should really be ‘touring on a bicycle’ (as opposed to ‘cycle touring’), Andrew Simons updates us on the future of the Saillink channel crossing boats that featured in episode 091 (and we hear the words of satisfied customer John Metcalfe) and last, but by no means least, Chris and Nicky Clark reflect on their experiences as tandem cycle tourers (or should that be tourers on a bicycle?).

Episode 103: Rob McIvor – What Goes On Tour

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In episode 103 of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Rob McIvor discusses his new cycling novel, What Goes on Tour; “In July 1977, Harry Chatham is on the brink of becoming the first British winner of the Tour de France when a crash on a twisting mountain descent ends his life and consigns him to a footnote in sporting history, but decades later…”

Cycling Europe: Late-Summer Update

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I predicted a few weeks agp that it would be a summer of no (long-distance) cycling, and that’s certainly turned out to be the case. Today is Sunday 23rd August and there’s a week of the school summer holidays left before I return to work as a teacher on September 1st. Much of my summer has been taken up with recording the audiobook versions of the three ‘on a Bike Called Reggie’ books of course. The first two books – Crossing Europe… and Along The Med… are complete and 55% of Spain to Norway… is also done. It’s a shorter book that the others so I’m hoping that tomorrow – my final scheduled day of twelve in the studio – will see us complete the remaining 45% of that book as well. The final book – Le Grand Tour… is going to be recorded over several Fridays in September and October (as I don’t work on a Friday).

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 102 – Chris Molland – Trip Planning

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In episode 102 of The Cycling Europe Podcast we meet Chris Molland. Chris hasn’t written a book, isn’t a YouTuber and doesn’t produce podcasts. He’s a touring cyclist from the south of England with a story to tell and excellent advice to share. This is a longer episode of the podcast so you may want to listen in instalments and it’s a fascinating delve into the mind of an ‘ordinary’ cyclist. Perhaps Chris should write a book after all…

Episode 102: Chris Molland – Trip Planning

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In episode 102 of The Cycling Europe Podcast we meet Chris Molland. Chris hasn’t written a book, isn’t a YouTuber and doesn’t produce podcasts. He’s a touring cyclist from the south of England with a story to tell and excellent advice to share. This is a longer episode of the podcast so you may want to listen in instalments and it’s a fascinating delve into the mind of an ‘ordinary’ cyclist. Perhaps Chris should write a book after all…

Welcome To The Summer… Of No Cycling?

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Well, summer started a few weeks ago but I’m a teacher so in my world, ‘summer’ begins when then final school bell of the academix year tolls. “Alexa? Cancel all alarms!” can be heard across the land as educational professionals take leave of their classrooms and, if they are lucky, their senses too for a carefree, student-free six weeks of… Err?

Crossing Europe… / Along The Med… / Spain To Norway… / Le Grand Tour…: The Audiobooks Are Coming!

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Last weekend I published the 100th episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast. If you listened to it, you will already know all about this exciting news; the audiobook rights for my four books have been purchased by a publishing company and, all being well, they will be available to streama and download later in the year. I’ve been asked to record the books myself (Stephen Fry wasn’t available…) so I’ll be spending quite a few days in an audio studio at some point over the summer doing just that.

Why Lightweight Electric Bikes Are Becoming Essential For Everyday Cycling in UK Towns

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Across the UK, cycling is gradually evolving from a purely recreational or fitness-oriented activity into a more practical form of everyday transport. While much attention has been given to infrastructure changes in major cities, a quieter shift is taking place in smaller towns and suburban areas. In places like Exeter, as well as similar medium-sized towns across England, lightweight electric bikes are becoming an increasingly relevant part of how people move through daily life. This shift is not driven by cycling enthusiasts alone. Instead, it reflects broader changes in lifestyle, housing, commuting patterns, and transport affordability. As daily journeys become more fragmented and flexible, the demand for simple, portable, and efficient mobility solutions continues to grow.

How Electric Bikes Are Changing Cycling Routes Across Europe

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Cycling has always been deeply embedded in European culture. From the canal-lined streets of Amsterdam to the alpine passes of Switzerland, bicycles have long been both a practical transport tool and a recreational symbol. However, over the past decade, a quiet but significant transformation has been reshaping how people cycle across the continent: the rapid rise of electric bikes. What was once considered a niche alternative for commuters is now influencing long-distance touring, urban transport systems, and even the design of cycling infrastructure itself. As electric bikes become more capable, more accessible, and more widely accepted, they are redefining what it means to explore Europe by bicycle.

Where To Cycle In Sicily With Friends And Family

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It’s common to see cyclists gathering along Sicily’s coastal roads early in the morning, just before the day’s heat begins to build. Some are heading towards fishing villages where market stalls are being set up for the day, while others are climbing inland through vineyards and olive groves. Part of Sicily’s appeal for cyclists is how quickly the scenery changes. A ride that begins beside the sea can end among Baroque towns, rolling countryside, or volcanic landscapes. Families, groups of friends, and cycling clubs will find plenty of variety here. Between rides, there are historic centres to explore, beaches to enjoy, and villages where daily life still revolves around local squares and bustling markets.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 100 – Richard Fairhurst / Cycle.Travel – Mark Skidmore / Cycling Podcasts

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It’s episode 100 of The Cycling Europe Podcast! Whether you’ve been listening since episode 001 was published in September 2017 or whether this is the first episode that you have discovered, you are all very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to spend an hour or so in the company of me, Andrew Sykes, and my guests. In this episode, the podcast chats to Richard Fairhurst, the man behind the excellent navigation website and app, Cycle.Travel. We also hear from long-term listener and podcast enthusiast Mark Skidmore; what other cycling podcasts should you be listening to? There is also exciting publishing news regarding the four cycling travelogues that I have written over the past 15 years.

Episode 100: Richard Fairhurst / Cycle.Travel – Mark Skidmore / Cycling Podcasts

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It’s episode 100 of The Cycling Europe Podcast! Whether you’ve been listening since episode 001 was published in September 2017 or whether this is the first episode that you have discovered, you are all very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to spend an hour or so in the company of me, Andrew Sykes, and my guests. In this episode, the podcast chats to Richard Fairhurst, the man behind the excellent navigation website and app, Cycle.Travel. We also hear from long-term listener and podcast enthusiast Mark Skidmore; what other cycling podcasts should you be listening to? There is also exciting publishing news regarding the four cycling travelogues that I have written over the past 15 years.

How Overnight Ferries Shape Long-Distance Cycling Routes In Europe 

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Europe has long been a dream destination for long-distance cyclists. The continent offers a dense network of bike-friendly roads, historic cities, coastal landscapes, etc., that stretches for thousands of miles. A report on the European declaration on cycling confirmed cycling’s role as a clean, affordable, and health-boosting way to travel. There are over 900,000 km of cycle paths now mapped across the continent. 

Two-Wheeled Touring: Five Scenic Destinations For A UK Cycling Holiday

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Cycling holidays work especially well in the UK because the scenery changes quickly from one region to the next. Quiet lanes weave through rolling farmlands in the Cotswolds, coastal roads hug the cliffs in Devon, and mountain passes in Cumbria quickly test even experienced riders carrying loaded panniers. Touring by bike also changes how people experience these places. Riders stop more often, notice small details more easily, and spend time in villages and market towns that rarely appear on standard travel itineraries.

Rain, Headwinds, And Still Happiness: Why European Cyclists Are Grateful For Every Kilometer They Travel

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European cycling routes rarely offer ideal conditions: a drizzle in the Netherlands, a long climb under gusty winds in Normandy, or damp fog in the Alps. Logically, all this should deter, not attract, cycling. But it’s precisely on days like these that many cyclists experience a special feeling: not irritation, but an almost quiet gratitude for being alive, moving, and truly experiencing every minute of the journey. Nature ceases to be a picture behind glass and becomes an honest, sometimes stern, interlocutor.

Two Spains On Two Wheels: From The Basque Coast To Andalucía’s Back Roads

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Spain is easy to underestimate as a cycling country if you only think of it in fragments. A training camp in Mallorca. A few days around Girona. A sunny escape somewhere on the Mediterranean. All good choices, of course, but they only tell part of the story. The real pleasure of cycling in Spain is how much the country changes under your wheels. Ride in the north and Spain can feel Atlantic, green and dramatic, with mist on the hills, fishing towns, coastal roads and food that could make even a tired cyclist forgive another climb. Ride in the south and everything shifts: the light gets warmer, the roads stretch through olive groves, villages turn white against the hills, and the rhythm of the day becomes slower. There are three EuroVelo routes crossing Spain, including EuroVelo 1, which enters the country at Irún near the French border and runs all the way to Ayamonte by the Portuguese border. That route alone hints at the scale of the contrast: from the green north to the open south, Spain is not one cycling destination but several. Two regions show this especially well: the Basque Country and Andalucía.

EuroVelo Update: Galicia

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It’s a while since I’ve taken a look at the map of the EuroVelo network, but an email from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) a few days ago prompted me to do so. I first discovered the network way back in 2008 when I first came up with the idea of cycling from southern England to southern Italy. I thought my route-finding prayers had been answered when I stumbled upon the EuroVelo 5. My high hopes were dashed somewhat when I realised that much of the route (all of the route in Italy) was, at the time, very aspirational. When I did cycle to Italy in 2010 I made up much of the route myself. I didn’t see one sign for the EuroVelo 5 although quite a bit of the journey used already exisiting regional routes so I could at least follow them.

The Baltic Bikepack : Nida To Riga

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It’s always nice to recieve emails from people who have headed off on their bikes. James Pittendreigh – a listener to The Cycling Europe Podcast – has been in touch. He has noted that one of my failed plans for a long cycle tour was to circumnavigate the Baltic Sea. It was eventually replaced by my ‘Grand Tour’ of France, the Alps and the Rhine. James, however, did make it to the Baltic and cycled Nida (in Lithuania) to Riga (in Latvia) with a friend. He made a video about the trip and it’s worth a few minutes of your time.

Votre Premier Grand Voyage À Vélo À Travers L’Europe : Comment Transformer Votre Rêve En Un Itinéraire, Et Non En Une Source De Stress

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La première étape n’est pas de choisir un pays, mais de comprendre pourquoi vous souhaitez voyager. Certains rêvent de la route et du calme, tandis que d’autres privilégient les villes, la gastronomie et les rencontres ; d’autres encore veulent tester leurs limites physiques. Tout dépend de la réponse : longueur du trajet, rythme, budget, voire choix du vélo. Si vous souhaitez à la fois voir la moitié de l’Europe et vous « détendre », vous finirez fatigué et déçu. Il est bien plus honnête d’admettre que ce voyage est une introduction, pas une destination finale. Vous n’êtes pas obligé de visiter tous les pays en un seul voyage, mais vous pouvez concevoir votre itinéraire de manière à avoir envie de continuer ensuite, plutôt que de vous jurer « plus jamais ça ».

New Developments in Turkey: Advantages and Risks

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The primary real estate market in Turkey in 2026 has undergone a noticeable shift in its underlying logic. The strategy of quick resale, popular a few years ago, is giving way to a long-term ownership model. Against the backdrop of economic stabilization and the introduction of new government […]

The Ultimate Guide To The Best Cycling Routes In Europe

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Cycling across Europe brings you closer to the details that are easy to miss from a car or train. Towns unfold gradually, landscapes shift without warning, and small stops along the way are often just as memorable as the main destinations. In some regions, that means climbing into higher ground; in others, it’s following coastlines or moving between farmland and small villages.

Reviewing The Reviews: 100 Episodes Of The Cycling Europe Podcast

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As The Cycling Europe Podcast approaches its 100th episode, it feels like a good moment to step back and look not just at the stories that have been told but at how those stories have been received. Over the years, listeners have shared their thoughts across a range of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and elsewhere. Taken together, these reviews offer an interesting perspective on what the podcast has become.

100 Episodes (Nearly…) Of The Cycling Europe Podcast: A Journey Across A Continent (And Beyond)

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When I recorded the very first episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, I wasn’t entirely sure where it would lead. In fact, the question I posed at the very start of my podcast journey was: does the world really need another cycling podcast? Nearly one hundred episodes later, I think I’ve found the answer. What began as an experiment has grown into a rich collection of stories from across Europe (and occasionally beyond), told by people united by one simple idea: that a bicycle is one of the best ways to explore the world.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 099 – Gerald Huber – The North Cape 4000

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Gerald Huber is an Austrian living in Paris. He commutes to work every day by bicycle. Lots of people do. In 2025, however, he decided to go a little further on two wheels and he signed up for his first ultra-long-distance cycling event, the North Cape 4000 from Italy to the most northerly point of Europe at Nordkapp in Norway. 8 countries, 4000 km. According to the organsiers, it’s “a journey that will change your life”. He spoke to The Cycling Europe Podcast about his experiences and his plans to go one step further in 2026.

Episode 099: Gerald Huber – Cycling The North Cape 4000

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Gerald Huber is an Austrian living in Paris. He commutes to work every day by bicycle. Lots of people do. In 2025, however, he decided to go a little further on two wheels and he signed up for his first ultra-long-distance cycling event, the North Cape 4000 from Italy to the most northerly point of Europe at Nordkapp in Norway. 8 countries, 4000 km. According to the organsiers, it’s “a journey that will change your life”. He spoke to The Cycling Europe Podcast about his experiences and his plans to go one step further in 2026.

Top Charities & Grants That Provide Special Needs Tricycles For Families

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In 2026, the cost of specialized equipment shouldn’t be a barrier to mobility and joy. For families raising children or supporting adults with disabilities, an adaptive tricycle is often a life-changing investment—providing physical therapy, sensory regulation, and newfound independence. However, we know that high-quality electric tricycles and adaptive gear can be a significant financial commitment. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the top charities and grants currently providing funding for special needs cycles in the US and UK.

SailLink: Update For 2026

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Last year I was contacted by cycle tourist Helen Rivers. She was keen to tell me about a new ‘ferry’ service that had been set up for pedestrians and cyclists travelling across the English Channel. Helen and her husband Ben subsequently appeared on The Cycling Europe Podcast to talk about their extensive experiences of cycling in Europe over many years. It is the episode that was published twoards the end of January 2026, episode 98. However, as a result of Helen’s initial contact with me, I contacted SailLink and I included an interview with Andrew Simons, the skipper of the SailLink boat, in episode 91 of The Cycling Europe Podcast.

Europe’s Best Cycling Routes For 2026 – Selected By Cycling Thread

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There are hundreds of long-distance cycle routes in Europe, but not all offer the same level of experience, comfort and consistency. This selection was prepared by Cycling Thread – a platform focused on cycling tourism across Europe and based on first-hand riding experience. Instead of rankings or trends, we chose routes that feel rewarding to ride over longer distances. Some are well-known classics, others remain surprisingly uncrowded despite excellent quality. Together, they show different faces of European cycling – from alpine crossings to river valleys and coastal landscapes.

Changing The Gear On A Rohloff Speedhub

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I do like it when I recieve an email by someone who has listened to an episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast and has picked up on something specific that has been discussed. It’s often by a person who is offering more information or clarification and such emails are always welcome. This week I receieved such an email from a chap called Emmanuel who is a cyclist from Belgium. He had listened to episode 098 of the podcast – the most recent episode – and was interested in the discussion I had with Helen and Ben Rivers about our touring bikes.

Boost Senior Health With Interval Training On Electric Trikes

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Staying active is essential for maintaining health and mobility as we age. For seniors, low-impact exercise that is easy on the joints is often the most effective. Electric tricycles, or three wheel bikes, are quickly becoming a popular option for older adults who want to combine fun, safety, and fitness. Among the many ways to use them, interval training on electric trikes offers an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health, strength, and overall well-being.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 098 – Helen & Ben Rivers

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Helen and Ben Rivers are a married couple from the south of England, retired professional musicians, but certainly not retired cycle tourists. They’ve been travelling Europe on their bikes for many decades and they have no plans to stop just yet. Sit back and enjoy their recollections of two-wheeled exploits that have stretched to all corners of the European continent. 

Episode 098: Helen & Ben Rivers

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Helen and Ben Rivers are a married couple from the south of England, retired professional musicians, but certainly not retired cycle tourists. They’ve been travelling Europe on their bikes for many decades and they have no plans to stop just yet. Sit back and enjoy their recollections of two-wheeled exploits that have stretched to all corners of the European continent.

Walking And Cycling Trips Across Ireland

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A distinct shift in tourism preferences has occurred across the island, with visitors increasingly prioritising active engagement with the outdoors over passive sightseeing. Travellers now frequently choose to explore the countryside on foot or by bicycle, seeking a closer connection to the terrain and local culture. This trend has driven a corresponding evolution in infrastructure, services, and regional planning to support self-propelled exploration.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 097 – Tristam Newey – Cycling On The Faroe Islands

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Civil servant Tristam Newey has a job that occasionally takes him away from home. On a recent trip to The Faroe Islands, he decided to take his Brompton bicycle with him and extend his stay by a few days. His plan was to head off and explore some of the verdant islands that make up the Faroes archipelago. Would he recommend it as a cycling destination? Listen and find out…

Episode 097: Tristam Newey – Cycling On The Faroe Islands

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Civil servant Tristam Newey has a job that occasionally takes him away from home. On a recent trip to The Faroe Islands, he decided to take his Brompton bicycle with him and extend his stay by a few days. His plan was to head off and explore some of the verdant islands that make up the Faroes archipelago. Would he recommend it as a cycling destination? Listen and find out…

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 096 – Tom Cartledge – Saddlesore – From England To India

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In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Tom Cartledge talks about his 6,000-mile, 18-country journey from England to India in 2012 and the book that he has written about his once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

“From Yorkshire drizzle to the deserts of Iran, freezing snowstorms in the lowlands, bullet casings in Serbia, firing ranges in Turkey, robbery in the Caucasus, and monkey ambushes in India—this isn’t a travel guide. It’s a ride through the bizarre, the beautiful, and the completely unhinged. It’s a story of breakdowns and breakthroughs, swearing and sweating, of strangers who saved us and hostels that nearly broke us. Of laughing through gritted teeth and cycling another hundred kilometres anyway—because turning back never felt like an option.”

Episode 096: Tom Cartledge – Saddlesore – From England To India

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In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Tom Cartledge talks about his 6,000-mile, 18-country journey from England to India in 2012 and the book that he has written about his once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

“From Yorkshire drizzle to the deserts of Iran, freezing snowstorms in the lowlands, bullet casings in Serbia, firing ranges in Turkey, robbery in the Caucasus, and monkey ambushes in India—this isn’t a travel guide. It’s a ride through the bizarre, the beautiful, and the completely unhinged. It’s a story of breakdowns and breakthroughs, swearing and sweating, of strangers who saved us and hostels that nearly broke us. Of laughing through gritted teeth and cycling another hundred kilometres anyway—because turning back never felt like an option.”

a cyclist on his bicycle

Cycling Underwear And Bib Shorts: The Comfort Basics Most Riders Get Wrong 

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If you’ve ever finished a ride thinking “my legs felt strong, but my comfort didn’t,” you’re not alone. Most cycling discomfort is not caused by the bike. It’s caused by small apparel decisions that seem minor until you spend two or three hours in the saddle. Two of the most misunderstood pieces are what you wear under your kit and what you wear as your primary contact layer: bib shorts.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 095 – Claire Davies – Braver Than You Think

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In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, we talk to Claire Davies, former diplomat, cyclist and writer. She chats about her journey along LEJOG and her ‘end-to-end’ cycles around Europe.

“Are you braver than you think? That’s the question Claire Davies began asking herself as she cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, ill-prepared, unsupported and alone. At a mid-life low point, craving space and time to think, or not to think, Claire decided that a long bicycle ride was what she needed. Setting off for Scotland just a few weeks later, on a bike named Trixie, guided by a gadget called Guillaume, she had little idea what she was letting herself in for. It turned out to be a journey not only to better physical fitness and mental health, but also to empowerment and self-discovery, partly through the eyes of the people she met along the way.”

Episode 095: Claire Davies – Braver Than You Think

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In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, we talk to Claire Davies, former diplomat, cyclist and writer. She chats about her journey along LEJOG and her ‘end-to-end’ cycles around Europe.
“Are you braver than you think? That’s the question Claire Davies began asking herself as she cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, ill-prepared, unsupported and alone. At a mid-life low point, craving space and time to think, or not to think, Claire decided that a long bicycle ride was what she needed. Setting off for Scotland just a few weeks later, on a bike named Trixie, guided by a gadget called Guillaume, she had little idea what she was letting herself in for. It turned out to be a journey not only to better physical fitness and mental health, but also to empowerment and self-discovery, partly through the eyes of the people she met along the way.”

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 24 – The Hook Of Holland, The Netherlands

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It was almost precisely midday when I set off along the 5,500km loop that, if all went to plan, would see me return to The Hook of Holland in two months. I was fully expecting to retrace my route back to the small ferry at Maassluis where I planned to cross – again – the waterweg to Rozenburg on the southern side of the estuary. It would be a 15km cycle through familiar territory and, as Wanda’s robust touring tyres rolled over the rough concrete of the wide path beside the water, I began to contemplate what was to come over the next few weeks. The known knowns, the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 23 – Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, France

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When topography does you no favours – there were no mountains to feast upon in this part of France – the other facets of geography need to put in extra effort if they are to impress. On the morning of July 30th, they were sweating their assets hard. Within a matter of minutes of leaving the campsite at 7.30 am, I was on a dusty path, pine trees to my right and a meadow awaiting its grazing horses to my left. In the distance a few trees softened the line between land and sky and beyond them, across the vastness of space (and a just little bit of time), the yellow globe of the sun had started to glide effortlessly across the sky. Its golden influence washed across the field, its countless rays crashing and splintering as they came into contact with the cushion of mist on the ground. Above everything and beyond a transition from orange to yellow to white was a developing blue sky, unblemished by even the bravest of clouds. It was a scene that would have had J.M.W. Turner erecting his easel and mixing his paints without a moment of hesitation. Yellow ochre, raw sienna, burnt sienna, olive green, cobalt blue… This was a scene to exhaust the palette. And aside from an invisible Joseph and me, there was not another soul to witness the early morning spectacle. Beautiful.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 22 – Perros-Guirec, France

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Adopting the roads as it did, the route was set back slightly from the sea, often through wooded areas or gently undulating suburbia where it was difficult to judge where I was or how far I had travelled. But then I would descend slightly and find myself confronted with a picture-postcard view of a coastal village or an otherworldly beach. This was especially the case as I approached Tourony, but before I could explore, I noticed some familiar faces.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 21 – Ritzingen, Switzerland

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The final 10km of the day saw a return to more modest – but no less spectacular – climbing. Along quiet roads and mountain tracks the route linked village to village beside lush late-summer meadows. On the northern side of the valley the red and white trains continued to glide up and down on their spotless tracks. No leaves on the line here in Switzerland. The businessmen in their Ferraris roared up and down the road. On my side of the valley there was just me, a few other cyclists and the cows ringing their bells. This was peak Switzerland. All that was missing was a cuckoo telling me the time.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 20 – Bordeaux, France

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Nearly twenty years later I was back. Arriving beside the River Garonne the previous evening it had been immediately obvious that the frenzy of work in the first few years of the 21st century had not been in vain. A wide esplanade which had previously been the fiefdom of the car had been transformed into gardens, fountains, walkways and, much to my delight, a long, wide cycleway. It guided me beside the river and into the imposing expanse of the Place de la Bourse. When I was here in 2003 I was not even allowed to step foot in the square as it had been entirely fenced off and gaping holes had been dug deep into the ground. On this occasion, once I had negotiated the relatively narrow width of the road and tramway I was able to cycle freely, taking in the magnificence of the 18th-century architecture surrounding me. I circumnavigated the flamboyant fountain with its revealing Three Graces extolling mirth, elegance and beauty with not a hint of modesty. With a smile on my face, the virtues of the three young women seemed an apt metaphor for what I was experiencing.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 19 – L’Avenue Verte, France

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More farmland came and went and although I was rarely afforded the opportunity to cycle through it, there was clearly a lot of forest, especially to the south between the Avenue Verte and the Seine. The increasingly predominant crop was sunflowers, their heads drooping slightly under the weight of their seeds. They were now at the point where the sun had done its work and they seemed desperate for the bees to take their pollen, the birds to eat their seeds or a farmer to decapitate them and turn them into a tub of Flora. But as of yet, no semi-detached houses, tree-lined cul-de-sacs, excruciatingly polite dinner parties or seething resentment of the people next door. Suburbia had yet to be reached.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 18 – Alzonne, France

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I found Camping l’Escale Occitane around 3km north of the canal on the far side of Alzonne. It was, perhaps, France’s only airline-themed campsite. Rémy and Nadia had both worked in the airline industry before deciding to leave the jet set to run the campsite and restaurant. Air France memorabilia was strategically placed in the bar, including a row of seats from an Airbus. I could not spot the Airbus itself but would not have been at all surprised if it was on Rémy’s list of future purchases. It would make an interesting addition to the range of accommodation options that the campsite offered. This included an area set aside for cyclists and I pitched the tent as the sky was just beginning to take on a pinkish hue generated by the slowly setting sun. As I glanced towards the horizon I could see the hazy silhouettes of the foothills of the Pyrenees. They would always remain distant on this trip but, as I neared the southernmost point of my Grand Tour of Europe, it was a reminder that the greatest physical challenges of the journey were still ahead of me in the Alps. It was Sunday 7th August. I had now completed just over five weeks in the saddle and there remained only four weeks to complete the cycle. Had I bitten off far more than I was capable of chewing? On which thought I went to order some airline-style food in the restaurant.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 17 – Basel, Switzerland

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I was, for the first time on my Grand Tour, lost. Not in the middle of a forest or on a remote mountain path but in Switzerland’s third largest city. I turned right for the simple reason that I would be heading north but there were no visual hints that I was making a good choice. Five minutes later I crossed back into Germany. I had envisaged cycling from Basel straight into France. This was not part of the plan but I continued cycling north. Eventually I noticed a sign for the EuroVelo 15 and turned left. This took me to a hydroelectric barrage across the Rhine and back into France.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 16 – Sault-Brénaz, France

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All that remained was to cycle the final few kilometres of the day to the campsite on an island to the south of Sault-Brénaz. It was somewhat busier than the Lidl. The enterprising owners of the campsite had cut a meandering narrow channel across the island through which the fast-flowing waters of the Rhône were able to flow. The result was a very popular wild-water canoe and kayaking course, the Espace Eau-Vive. After such a quiet, sedate day on the bike it was very much a shock to the system to be confronted with people and noise, but welcome nevertheless. There was ample space for camping at a suitable distance away from the hullabaloo and after a beer in the bar, I set about making camp for the night.
It would be the usual fare of spaghetti and pesto (with the added delight of Lidl Parmesan cheese) but what was not so usual was the cool evening. The sunset came and went at around 9 pm and thereafter the temperature dropped rapidly. After so many nights spent simmering in the tent, as I headed further and further into the mountains, things were gradually changing and it was not just the colour of the water.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 15 – Dangu, France

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The coastline was more built up than it had been after crossing over the border from the Netherlands. Not that this made for unpleasant cycling; far from it. In most seaside towns the motorised traffic had been shunted inland by at least one block of flats worth of land. What I assumed to have once been the coastal road had been transformed into a wide active travel paradise with plenty of space for pedestrians, cyclists, café terraces and the forecourts of shops that hired out vibrantly painted four-wheeled pedal-powered karts. These contraptions could seat an entire family and there seemed to be an unwritten rule that the member of the family who possessed the lowest level of driving skill should be in charge of the steering wheel. For anyone on a cycling mission to get to the French border in one piece – that would be me – they made for potentially treacherous adversaries but, mercifully, I survived.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 14 – La Réole, France

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The coastline was more built up than it had been after crossing over the border from the Netherlands. Not that this made for unpleasant cycling; far from it. In most seaside towns the motorised traffic had been shunted inland by at least one block of flats worth of land. What I assumed to have once been the coastal road had been transformed into a wide active travel paradise with plenty of space for pedestrians, cyclists, café terraces and the forecourts of shops that hired out vibrantly painted four-wheeled pedal-powered karts. These contraptions could seat an entire family and there seemed to be an unwritten rule that the member of the family who possessed the lowest level of driving skill should be in charge of the steering wheel. For anyone on a cycling mission to get to the French border in one piece – that would be me – they made for potentially treacherous adversaries but, mercifully, I survived.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 13 – Ostend, Belgium

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The coastline was more built up than it had been after crossing over the border from the Netherlands. Not that this made for unpleasant cycling; far from it. In most seaside towns the motorised traffic had been shunted inland by at least one block of flats worth of land. What I assumed to have once been the coastal road had been transformed into a wide active travel paradise with plenty of space for pedestrians, cyclists, café terraces and the forecourts of shops that hired out vibrantly painted four-wheeled pedal-powered karts. These contraptions could seat an entire family and there seemed to be an unwritten rule that the member of the family who possessed the lowest level of driving skill should be in charge of the steering wheel. For anyone on a cycling mission to get to the French border in one piece – that would be me – they made for potentially treacherous adversaries but, mercifully, I survived.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 12 – Pouzols-Minervois, France

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It would be an early start for me, one of the earliest of the trip. A symptom, perhaps, of my enthusiasm to move on to pastures new or at least to be cycling somewhere other than beside the Canal du Midi. Shortly after 7 am, I was standing at the gate of the campsite looking directly towards the rising sun. It was a moment of quiet contemplation. The previous two days had been hard work and, with Sète still 100km away, it seemed likely that today would be no different. My willingness – eagerness even – to give the towpath yet another opportunity to redeem itself was as annoying as it was bewildering. Before setting off from the UK, the Canal du Midi was firmly lodged in my mind as a highlight of the entire journey around Europe. Yet here I was just wishing for this section of the ride to be over and done with. I was annoyed with myself for having had such high expectations. I was annoyed with the authorities for not making any effort to accommodate cyclists. I was annoyed with the canal for having been built in an age when towpaths needed to be nothing more than rough paths for towing.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 11 – Goedereede, The Netherlands

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To get to Ouddorp and my campsite, this bit of humanity on a bicycle needed to cross the first of my four dams, the Haringvlietdam. As you might expect, the Dutch had afforded cyclists much more than a painted line on the road. We had our own two-way segregated lane and the only force of nature I had to contend with was that of the wind which was doing its best to toss me over the edge of the dam and into the lake on my left. It was not difficult to see why the concept of the windmill had taken off in such a big way in these parts. There was a particularly stunning example of one such windmill as I passed through the outskirts of the village of Goedereede. It stood, motionless, at the far end of a busy field of allotments which was dominated by a pleasingly chaotic display of red, orange and yellow wildflowers alongside more disciplined rows of vegetables. In a day that had already exposed me to many of the delights of the Dutch nation, this was perhaps the finest and I paused to appreciate it in all its glory.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 10 – Canal De La Garonne, France

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After my experiences along the Canal de Nantes à Brest, the Canal de la Garonne felt familiar. It made for easy, comfortable cycling; the towpath was well maintained and mature trees provided ample, almost continuous, shade from sun. It was also very straight. I could see on my map the River Garonne wriggling erratically along a seemingly endless number of meanders while the canal continued a sensible path heading south-east. The canal presented as a parent on a mission to get to the shops, the river as a young child who simply wanted to have a bit of fun running up and down the pavement despite being firmly attached to its mother.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 9 – Brittany, France

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It was almost inevitable that I would encounter more disused railway lines in Brittany and that was the case as I cycled towards Yffiniac. Although the Vélomaritime vaguely followed the route of the old railway from Matignon to Yffiniac – it was only in operation for a short period between 1924 and 1948 – visual evidence of it doing so was thin on the ground. Perhaps a piece of civil engineering that had been abandoned before it could celebrate its 25th birthday was easy to erase. Or rather most of it. As it passed along the coast, long passerelles were required to lift the line above the soggy landscape and two of these structures were still in use ensuring that I too was able to keep my feet dry. They were not inconsequential structures. The Passerelle de la Côtière extended over 150 metres. It was built from reinforced concrete, manufactured offsite and “assembled in the manner of Meccano”. Yet as with most baguette-straight constructions of this type, travelling over them is rarely the best place to appreciate their architectural glory. Not so, the Viaduc des Pont-Neufs further along the line near Coëtmieux. Here, the engineers had foreseen my inquisitive arrival a century in advance and had kindly built their stunningly elegant bridge along a curve 30 metres above the ground allowing me to pause and admire it even from the cycle track. After a long day in the saddle, it was much appreciated, even if it too resembled something that might have been inspired by a box of Meccano. 

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 8 – Saint-Fort-Sur-Gironde, France

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The final few kilometres of the ride were somewhat less spectacular but pretty nevertheless through parched fields of sunflowers and past occasional clusters of brown cattle. I arrived at Port Maubert near Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde in the mid-afternoon, exhausted, not by the cycle from Royan but from the cycle to Royan on the previous day. It was time for a late afternoon off the bike and, after erecting the tent under some handily located trees at the local campsite I lay back on the grass and snoozed. It was a world away from the people, fireworks and rampant sex of the previous night. But the night was yet young.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 7 – Arnhem, The Netherlands

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Beyond the western suburbs of Arnhem was an area of dense woodland. That in itself was not surprising. What was surprising was just how hilly it was. After so many days of cycling on the flat, it was a delightful novelty to find myself freewheeling down paths in the forests and trying to use my momentum to carry me part of the way up the next hill. It did not last for long but whilst it did, was good fun. Then, suddenly, I was flung back into suburbia. It was perhaps not quite as well-heeled as its counterpart near Arnhem, but nonetheless pleasant and eminently liveable. The changing environment was being tossed in my direction at an alarming rate and I was loving it. 

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 6 – The Furka Pass, Switzerland

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The road to the Furka pass is only open for around five months every year but in late August 2022, there was not a hint of inclement weather. Although the air was cool and the wind had been gradually gaining strength throughout the day, the sky remained predominantly blue and the views that it afforded were, from the perspective of a cyclist with limited experience in the high mountains, unprecedented. After several kilometres of contouring beside the railway line east of Gletsch – its tracks crossed the road before shooting off into the Furka Summit Tunnel – I hit the wall of rock and the final series of switchbacks kicked in. Eight corners in total, each flipping my direction (great for an even tan!) and finally an opportunity to gaze at the view back down the valley. I could trace my route since Gletsch and far below me on the valley floor was the Rhône, meandering its way across the plain as a freshly born offspring of the still unseen glacier.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 5 – Mont-Saint-Michel, France

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The sun was now at its highest and strongest. Not the best time to be moving away from the shady protection of the trees but I had little choice. For the next few kilometres, I followed the meandering path of the ever-widening river as it made its way towards oceanic freedom. However, it was not until the river had melted imperceptibly into the sea and I had turned to head west along the coast that I found what I was looking for. It had been in the back of my mind since leaving Paris: the Mont-Saint-Michel.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 4 – Toulouse, France

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I had wanted to start my day by returning to the Place du Capitole to fly the drone so as to capture the glory of the town hall – le Capitole – in the golden-hour light of the morning sunrise. Alas my plans were scuppered by the constant stream of revellers who, at 8 am, were making their semi-drunken way back home. One young guy seemed particularly keen to ride Wanda around the square but I managed to persuade him otherwise. I could only imagine that his enthusiasm for flying – and no doubt crashing – the drone would be even greater. He stayed off the bike and the drone stayed stowed away in my front-right pannier bag.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 3 – L’Avenue Verte, France

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It was with a certain sense of reserved contentment – that feeling you get after having finished your first beer – that I climbed the hill away from the Avenue Verte in the direction of the centre of Forges-les-Eaux and Camping de la Minière. It was still only 3 pm and the distance cycled had been a modest 57km but to continue would risk not finding a suitable place to stay as well as potentially tainting the experience of the day’s cycle. I suspected that from here to Paris, however wonderful sections of the route might be, it was unlikely that the Avenue Verte would be so enduringly glorious as it had been today. Quit while you are ahead, happy and famous.

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 2 – The Rhine, Germany

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I paused briefly for breakfast at a bakery in Stockstadt am Rhein, a small town which was no longer on the Rhine thanks to canalisation work. I was delighted to discover that the cycle route now seemed to be devoid of the horrible concrete slabs that had blighted much of the previous afternoon. As the path followed the course of the severely emaciated meander of the old Rhine, it did so along wooded paths, quiet roads and at one point over some comically bone-shaking cobbles… but no slabs of concrete. I was not quite ready for that torture again. 

Le Grand Tour Advent Calendar: Day 1 – Andermatt, Switzerland

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As I packed up the tent at Gotthard Camping, I had some decisions to make. A helicopter hovered above the campsite picking up metal girders from an adjacent field and flying them off into the mountains to be deposited elsewhere. Every few minutes it would return to repeat the operation. I fell into conversation – when it was possible – with my neighbours, Rich and Becca from Ilkley, the posh bit of my home county of West Yorkshire. They were also travelling by bike and had set off from Nantes earlier in the summer. Their route would eventually take them to Rome but up to this point, it had been almost identical to my own. 

Cyclo Camp: “Welcoming Spaces For Cyclists”

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I don’t often use LinkedIn (mainly because I don’t really understand it, which is a lame excuse but there you go…), however I do receieve notifications via email from time to time and one arrived a couple of days ago that caught my eye. Why? Well, something in the pictures seemed familiar… The notification came in the form of an invite to follow an organisations called Cyclo Camp. A French outfit based in La Rochelle. Initially I thought they were a campsite themselves but no, they weren’t. I clicked through to their website and started reading…

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 094 – From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads (Revisited)

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In 2020, episode 23 of The Cycling Europe Podcast featured a chat with cyclist and David Bowie fan James Briggs. Inspired by the lyric of his musical hero, David Bowie, James set off on a cycling odyssey from Ibiza… to the Norfolk Broads. At the time he was writing a book about his music-inspired journey and now, five years later, it has just been published. According to the blurb, “Criss-crossing Europe, he visited French chateaux where Bowie recorded, Spanish Olympic stadiums he played, former communist states where his music was banned, and the Berlin Wall he helped topple – all while navigating angry Soviet ballerinas, suspicious village mayors, and an irate Cliff Richard fan.” In this episode of the podcast we listen to what James had to say back in 2020 and catch up with him again about what happened next. We also hear from Rob Ainsley who in episode 23 provided his own suggestions for lyric-themed cycling adventures. Will James find inspiration in any of Rob’s ideas for his next long-distance cycle?

Episode 094: James Briggs – From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads (Revisited)

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In 2020, episode 23 of The Cycling Europe Podcast featured a chat with cyclist and David Bowie fan James Briggs. Inspired by the lyric of his musical hero, David Bowie, James set off on a cycling odyssey from Ibiza… to the Norfolk Broads. At the time he was writing a book about his music-inspired journey and now, five years later, it has just been published. According to the blurb, “Criss-crossing Europe, he visited French chateaux where Bowie recorded, Spanish Olympic stadiums he played, former communist states where his music was banned, and the Berlin Wall he helped topple – all while navigating angry Soviet ballerinas, suspicious village mayors, and an irate Cliff Richard fan.” In this episode of the podcast we listen to what James had to say back in 2020 and catch up with him again about what happened next. We also hear from Rob Ainsley who in episode 23 provided his own suggestions for lyric-themed cycling adventures. Will James find inspiration in any of Rob’s ideas for his next long-distance cycle?

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 093 – The English Lake District – Eskdale & Wasdale

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In this episode of the podcast, Andrew Sykes takes an autumnal short break in the English Lake District. Staying in a camping ‘pod’ at the National Trust campsite in Eskdale, Andrew sets off on two rides as described in Jack Thurston’s Lost Lanes North. ‘Still Glides The Stream’ takes him on a figure-of-eight loop from Eskdale to Broughton-in-Furness and up the infamous Hard Knott Pass with its 30% incline. ‘Mountain High’ is a there-and-back roller-coaster of a cycle along Wasdale, to the coast at Seascale and south to Ravenglass before letting the miniature train take the strain on a chilly carriage ride back along Eskdale and the warmth of the pub in Boot.

Episode 093: The English Lake District – Eskdale & Wasdale

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In this episode of the podcast, Andrew Sykes takes an autumnal short break in the English Lake District. Staying in a camping ‘pod’ at the National Trust campsite in Eskdale, Andrew sets off on two rides as described in Jack Thurston’s Lost Lanes North. ‘Still Glides The Stream’ takes him on a figure-of-eight loop from Eskdale to Broughton-in-Furness and up the infamous Hard Knott Pass with its 30% incline. ‘Mountain High’ is a there-and-back roller-coaster of a cycle along Wasdale, to the coast at Seascale and south to Ravenglass before letting the miniature train take the strain on a chilly carriage ride back along Eskdale and the warmth of the pub in Boot.

A Short Eskape – Day 3

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If yesterday was spectacular, today was fun. Lots of speedy riding along up-down twisty roads, multiple pit stops for coffee, vegan cake, hot chocolate with marshmallows, Kendall mint cake and a couple of beers back in the Boot Inn. Not forgetting a train ride ‘home’ from Ravenglass. I was following another of Jack Thurston’s Lost Lanes North routes – number 3 – ‘Mountains High’ – but the title is somewhat deceptive. There was less than half as much climbing as yesterday’s jaunt south then north and nothing like the 30% incline of the Hard Knott Pass.

A Short Eskape – Day 2

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What a ride! Everything seemed to come together in perfect linemen’s for this first ride of my short break in Eskdale. The campsite is magnificent, the weather almost perfect for mid-October (no rain, no wind and, if not hot, certainly not cold), the route – Jack Thurston’s ‘Still Glides The Stream’, cycle number 2 in his highly recommended Lost Lanes North book – a mixture of challenging climbs and gentle valley saunters, and the landscape… well, this in the Lake District but even the high bar of Cumbria can seldom be surpassed more than by this remote south-western corner of the National Park. 

A Short Eskape – Day 1

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To Eskdale. Get it? Anyway, the burgers of the Together Learning Trust (my employers) have given their staff a day off. Yippee! As I’m now working only Tuesday to Friday, I have a four-day weekend and am hoping to make the most of the opportunity by ‘eskaping’ to the western Lakes. And here I am, in the pub in Boot.

Why Eye Protection Is Essential In Mountain Biking: Tips And Best Practices For Riding Safely

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When we think about mountain biking gear, the helmet and gloves immediately come to mind. Yet, one crucial element often escapes our attention: protecting our eyes. Between dusty trails that blind us, sneaky branches appearing out of nowhere, and mud splatters turning our vision into a muddy kaleidoscope, our eyes endure a constant bombardment on every ride.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 092 – Cycling La Vélo Francette

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In this episode of the podcast, Andrew Sykes sets off with Tim Sanders to cycle the length of La Vélo Francette in northern France. After taking a ferry to Cherbourg, the dynamic duo headed east by train to Bayeux before mounting their bikes and continuing on two wheels. At Ouistreham on the Normandy coast they started their journey south along La Vélo Francette, a 600 km route that travels inland to La Rochelle on the French Atlantic coast. Would they arrive in time to catch their trains and ferries home? It’s over two hours of cycle-camping adventure (with two hotels thrown in for good measure) interspersed with the music of the incomparable Rob Ainsley. Put your earphones in, sit back and let Andrew and Tim take the cycling strain…

Episode 092: Cycling La Vélo Francette

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In this episode of the podcast, Andrew Sykes sets off with Tim Sanders to cycle the length of La Vélo Francette in northern France. After taking a ferry to Cherbourg, the dynamic duo headed east by train to Bayeux before mounting their bikes and continuing on two wheels. At Ouistreham on the Normandy coast they started their journey south along La Vélo Francette, a 600 km route that travels inland to La Rochelle on the French Atlantic coast. Would they arrive in time to catch their trains and ferries home? It’s over two hours of cycle-camping adventure (with two hotels thrown in for good measure) interspersed with the music of the incomparable Rob Ainsley. Put your earphones in, sit back and let Andrew and Tim take the cycling strain…

Cycling La Vélo Francette, France, August 2025

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Before setting off to France to cycle the length of La Vélo Francette from Ouistreham to La Rochelle, I posted a few pieces to the website about my plans. In two key ways this cycle was going to be a little different. Firstly, I was cycling with someone else. All of my previous tours have been done solo with just the occasional day or few hours spent cycling with another cyclist. The other aspect of this tour that was different was that I didn’t post updates to CyclingEurope.org as I have done in the past. Cycling with someone else made this difficult; I simply didn’t seem to have the time to do so. I did post a few pictures to Instagram (@CyclingEurope) which in turn were posted to the Facebook pages but there was no detailed description of what had happened each day.

From Handlebars To Hardcover: Turning Your Cycle Touring Memories Into Beautiful Photo Books

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Cycle touring offers more than just a ride; it is a journey marked by unexpected turns, breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable memories. While you may capture snapshots with your camera or phone, they don’t always give the whole story. Continue reading to understand the benefits of turning those memories into a stunning photo book you can share and treasure.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 091 – Cycling Solo… Or With A Friend? / Saillink

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In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Andrew Sykes and Tim Sanders – both experienced solo cycle tourers – contemplate their upcoming joint cycle tour along La Vélo Francette in France. Does artifical intelligence have all the answers? What advice can Rob Ainsley offer? Plus, Andrew Simons discusses being the skipper of a new Dover-Boulogne ferry service aimed at pedestrians and cyclists.

Episode 091: Cycling Solo… Or With A Friend? / Saillink

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In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Andrew Sykes and Tim Sanders – both experienced solo cycle tourers – contemplate their upcoming joint cycle tour along La Vélo Francette in France. Does artifical intelligence have all the answers? What advice can Rob Ainsley offer? Plus, Andrew Simons discusses being the skipper of a new Dover-Boulogne ferry service aimed at pedestrians and cyclists.

Yorkshire Day: Tour De (West) Yorkshire

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I didn’t set out with the intention of cycling very far; just a short trip down the valley to Brighouse, along the Spen Valley Greenway and perhaps pay a visit to the new market in the centre of Bradford. Well, I did all that… but kept going. By later in the afternoon, via several coffee stops, I had clocked up nearly 103 km in what turned out to be a long Tour de West Yorkshire. Admittedly most of it was along familiar routes although not all. Some sections seemed familiar; the long climb out of Keighly for example, which I’m sure I’ve cycled before… but in the opposite (easier) direction. For a county that most in the country probably percieve as an urban post-industrial sprawl, it’s much more green and pleasant than dark and satantic. Full details below.

Tyre Glider: How Is It Used?

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It might be worth reading the previous posts first. Done that? The Tyre Glider arrived yesterday. Here’s the official video explaining all… LATEST CYCLING EUROPE POSTS: Subscribe to the Cycling Europe YouTube Channel Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda, was published in May 2024 and recounts […]