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man in black shirt riding bicycle on road

How To Stay Safe On Your Next Cycling Holiday

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In the UK, cycling had been booming over the past few years as positive experiences during lockdown, increased cycling infrastructure and an ever-developing culture have opened the nationโ€™s eyes to the benefit of two-wheeled transport.ย If youโ€™re new to cycling or a seasoned veteran, perhaps you want to cycle out this summer on holiday with your bike. Going on a cycling holiday is an adventure that youโ€™re likely to remember for your whole life, and the UK offers many cycling routes that are rich in history and scenic views.

YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE: Episode 071 Of The Cycling Europe Podcast

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Mark Wedgwood had always been a lover of maps. In 2022, newly liberated from the constraints of a full-time job, he decided to cycle across every Ordnance Survey Landranger map of Britain. He spoke to The Cycling Europe Podcast about the challenge that took him from the northernmost point of Shetland (map 1) to Fowey in Cornwall (map 204)โ€ฆ the long way

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 070 – Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie – Part 1

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โ€œThe academic year must have been a difficult one as when the summer holidays arrived, secondary school teacher Andrew Sykes was happy to do as little as possible. But while sitting on his sofa watching the exploits of the cyclists at the Great Wall of China at the Beijing Olympics, he realised the error of his ways and resolved to put a bit more adventure into his life. Two years later, accompanied by his faithful companion Reggie (his bike) but only a rudimentary plan, Andrew set off for a trans-continental cycling adventure that would take him along the route of the Via Francigena and the Eurovelo 5 all the way from his home in southern England to Brindisi in the south of Italy. There were highs and lows, rain and shine, joy and despair and they are all recounted here in a light-hearted, brisk style.โ€

Episode 070: Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie – Part 1

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“The academic year must have been a difficult one as when the summer holidays arrived, secondary school teacher Andrew Sykes was happy to do as little as possible. But while sitting on his sofa watching the exploits of the cyclists at the Great Wall of China at the Beijing Olympics, he realised the error of his ways and resolved to put a bit more adventure into his life. Two years later, accompanied by his faithful companion Reggie (his bike) but only a rudimentary plan, Andrew set off for a trans-continental cycling adventure that would take him along the route of the Via Francigena and the Eurovelo 5 all the way from his home in southern England to Brindisi in the south of Italy. There were highs and lows, rain and shine, joy and despair and they are all recounted here in a light-hearted, brisk style.”

brown buildings on end of road under cloudy sky

Building A Cycling Utopia In The Netherlands …& In York?

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Back to the cycling after my few days of hiking and camping in The Lake District (see previous post). A couple of things have caught my eye this week. The first was a link sent to me by Simon Johnson. The link was contained in a short email that referred to The Netherlands being transformed into the cycling utopia that it is today and my initial reaction was that I had seen the video several times before. However, this was a new video put together by an American chap. It tells the same story but in a modern, refreshing style.

Camping & Hiking In Wasdale And Eskdale

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I’ve just made a return trip to The Lake District and the National Trust campsite in Wasdale. I stayed there for a couple of nights back in 2018 when I climbed Scafell Pike (see the film at the foot of this post). Last week I was there with a friend to do some hiking in and around the valley. I wasn’t on the bike so this is one for HikingEurope.org rather than CyclingEurope.org although we did drive up the Hardknott Pass, one of Britain’s more challenging cycling climbs. It was hard work in a car never mind on a bike but perhaps one to add to the list of future two-wheeled challenges…

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 069 – Susan and Ron Crump – Cycling Amsterdam to Athens

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In the autumn of 2022, Susan and Ron Crump, a retired couple from Kentucky in the USA set off on their first cycle tour. Instead of dipping their toes in the shallow end of the cycle touring pool, they plunged into the deep end by embarking upon a 3,500km cycle from Amsterdam to Athens. Along with two more experienced cycle touring friends – Pam and Ralph – this is the story of their trip; the preparation, the execution and the aftermath. They may have been jumping for joy upon arrival in Athens but were they jumping for joy throughout the cycle? And has the trip been a springboard for future rides or will their next visit to Europe be on a cruise ship?ย 

Episode 069: Susan and Ron Crump – Cycling Amsterdam to Athens

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In the autumn of 2022, Susan and Ron Crump, a retired couple from Kentucky in the USA set off on their first cycle tour. Instead of dipping their toes in the shallow end of the cycle touring pool, they plunged into the deep end by embarking upon a 3,500km cycle from Amsterdam to Athens. Along with two more experienced cycle touring friends – Pam and Ralph – this is the story of their trip; the preparation, the execution and the aftermath. They may have been jumping for joy upon arrival in Athens but were they jumping for joy throughout the cycle? And has the trip been a springboard for future rides or will their next visit to Europe be on a cruise ship?ย