In recent weeks, indeed since returning from my ‘Grand Tour’ of the continent early in September, I haven’t posted much to CyclingEurope.org. But I have been busy. Busy film editing… It was always my plan to make use of the significant amount of video footage – over 3,000 clips – in a film that retold the story of the epic cycle from The Hook of Holland to The Hook of Holland via much of France, Switzerland and the Rhinelands.
As a cyclist, you have probably contemplated a cycling holiday in Europe. It makes sense with all the beautiful landscapes, cycling routes, and exciting destinations. The only real problem is that it’s hard to visit all the countries in one go! As a first-timer, you likely want to tick off all the famous and exciting locations, preferably ones with plenty of cycling routes. Luckily, this list has all the best countries for a first-timers cycling trip in Europe.
There are over 100 deaths per year due to cycling accidents in the UK. In this article, we will explain what to do if you experience such an accident on the road.ย Almost everyone with a car has felt the road rage swell up within because of a bad cyclist. Likewise, most cyclists have thought up some choice words for dodgy drivers. Accidents between these two vehicles are far more common than the average person might think.ย
Later this year I will be releasing a film about my 5,500km journey by bicycle and train from the Hook of Holland, along the Dutch and Belgian coasts, anticlockwise around France, into Switzerland beside the Rhone and finally along the Rhine to Rotterdam. Editing takes time but, in anticipation of the full film being finished by the end of 2022, here’s a 10-minute segment of the film that tells the story of my cycle along La Vรฉloscรฉnie from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel via Chartres, Nogent-le-Rotrou and Domfront. Wacth out for the Musรฉe du Vรฉlo! The music is from the skilled fingers of Rob Ainsley and the audio commentary is taken from episode 054 of The Cycling Europe Podcast.
Gareth Dent has a long-term relationship with small-wheeled bicycles. Growing up in Stevenage in the late 1960s he made the most of the townโs futuristic network of cycle routes on his 14โ Moulton Mini. 40 years later he rekindled his love for small wheels during an organised folding bike challenge from London to Paris, in the process meeting a group of like-minded enthusiasts. It was with these new friends that , several years later, he started to cycle the route of the 1903 Tour de France, in stages, over 4 years.ย The interview was recorded in Halifaxโs covered market where we also bumped into Tony, the West Yorkshire townโs own proponent of small-wheeled cycling. He had much to sayโฆ
Gareth Dent has a long-term relationship with small-wheeled bicycles. Growing up in Stevenage in the late 1960s he made the most of the townโs futuristic network of cycle routes on his 14โ Moulton Mini. 40 years later he rekindled his love for small wheels during an organised folding bike challenge from London to Paris, in the process meeting a group of like-minded enthusiasts. It was with these new friends that , several years later, he started to cycle the route of the 1903 Tour de France, in stages, over 4 years.ย The interview was recorded in Halifaxโs covered market where we also bumped into Tony, the West Yorkshire townโs own proponent of small-wheeled cycling. He had much to sayโฆ
Although during the trip I posted short daily videos recounting the tale of my cycle around Europe this summer, the main reason for filming what I did was to make a film about the cycle from the Hook of Holland to the Hook of Holland. It’s quite a daunting task editing 2,500 videos into one film of about an hour but over the next few weeks that’s the plan. To whet your appetite, I have started by creating an into. You can watch it below.
Are you planning a cycling trip that you’re sure will be phenomenal? A cycling trip through Europe can be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. However, if you don’t plan properly, you may find that discomfort, anxiety, or missed opportunities get in the way of the trip of your dreams. Here are a few things to consider to set yourself up for an incredible cycling trip.
