An opportunity to remind you about episode 073 of The Cycling Europe Podcast… “Leigh Timmis was a round-the-world cyclist who upon his return, was searching for another challenge to sink his teeth into. A fortuitous meeting with the head of his local cycling club introduced him to the idea of turning his attention to a world-record โ namely The Fastest Cycle Across Europe (Cabo da Roca to Ufa).ย
Through the right perks, an employer can vastly improve productivity, morale, and staff retention. Anything that makes employees healthier and happier, and that costs very little to implement, is likely to qualify. Given its numerous benefits on employee health and wellbeing, both physical and mental, itโs no surprise that government-backed cycle-to-work schemes are growing in popularity.
Here’s a short teaser video for a film that I’m currently putting together to tell the story of my two-week hike along the Tour du Mont Blanc earlier in the month. Enjoy!
The writing is on the wall: Human-caused climate change is real. And according to the scientific community, weโre quickly running out of time. People are increasingly aware of this, changing their habits to limit emissions. Considering cars and airplanes account for a significant percentage of fossil fuel emissions, many are opting for eco-friendly ways to travel. Train journeys, for example, emit just 10% of the equivalent flight. But the clear winner is bike travel: hereโs how to do it sustainably.
Following my arrival in the Alps (see previous posts) I embarked upon a two-week trek along (most of) the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), one of the worldโs classic hikes. Keep scrolling for a selection of photos but before you do, I did manage to squeeze in some cycling whilst passing through Paris on my way home. Yesterday evening, with a hiking colleague from the TMB group who had also made the correct decision to take the train home rather than fly, I cycled from my hotel down to the Eiffel Tower. This morning I set off again on a short Parisian odyssey on one of the Vรฉlibโ eBikes taking in the Louvre, Champs รlysรฉes, Arc de Triomphe, Seine (a bit bumpy of the cobbles!) and back to the Gare du Nord.
If you are a member of Cycling UK and pay your ยฃ4 every month, you will hopefully have had the opportunity to read my account of last year’s Grand Tour that appeared in the June / July 2023 issue of Cycle Magazine. (If you are not a member, why not?? It’s a bargain and the magazine is one of the best cycling reads that you can get your hands on; real people, real cycling, real stories…)
This website tends to be about cycle touring and related matters, but quite often veers off in the direction of other cycling-themed areas, for example professional cycling. I can’t say that I follow professional cycling religiously. I have a reasonable passing interest in it and will take the time to follow if I can. I remember working in France in the 1990s and watching the Tour de France on the TV in the afternoons after work. It was – and remains – a brilliant way to get to know France! When Le Tour came to Yorkshire that was fun and last year on my Grand Tour of Europe I had the opportunity of visiting the world headquarters of the UCI in Aigle, Switzerland which was interesting (see video below).
Jetting off for an overseas cycling holiday is the perfect way to explore newย landscapes, embrace new cultures, and challenge yourself on two wheels.Flying with a bike can seem daunting if youโve never done it before.ย Whether youโre a leisure rider or seasoned cyclist, itโs important toย startย planning everythingย well in advance to ensure your holidayย goesย smoothly and your trusty steelย remainsย unscathed.
