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 

Le Grand Tour… In 57 Varieties

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Well, images… I’ve just written something for the June / July edition of Cycling UK’s Cycle Magazine (the April / May edition landed on my doorstep yesterday morning as I was typing) about last year’s Grand Tour of Europe and I was asked to provide some images. The magazine doesn’t need anywhere near 57 images so I thought I’d share them here. You will, of course, have to wait until June to read the article itself. In the meantime you could catch up on the Grand Tour podcast and films. All the links are below…

The Scariest Post Yet On CyclingEurope.org

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Cycle touring is a type of travel that involves exploring a destination on a bicycle. It is an excellent way to experience a new place in a unique and authentic way, while also promoting physical activity and sustainability. Cycle touring can be done solo or in groups, and can range from a weekend getaway to a months-long adventure.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 068 – Tony Lenihan – Cycling Bilbao To Athens

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Tony Lenihan, a retired policeman, works for his local council in the English Midlands as their โ€˜Sustainable Travel and Wellbeing Coordinatorโ€™. Heโ€™s also a keen cyclist and, in the early autumn of 2022, after more than 40 years of work, he decided to take a career break and head off on a solo cycling adventure from Bilbao to Athens. It would be a 7-week ferry-hopping Greek odyssey that took him through northern Spain, to the islands of Sardinia and Scilly, across the heel of Italy to Brindisi before sailing the Adriatic to his final destination of Greece. He talked to The Cycling Europe Podcast about his continental experiencesโ€ฆ but also about โ€˜active travelโ€™ in the UK and how the country measures up (or not) to its European neighbours.ย 

“Cycle Touring And Bikepacking – What’s The Difference?”

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In yesterday’s weekly email from Cycling Uk, there was a link to a video explaining the differences between cycle touring bikepacking. I’m certainly in the former camp but I did dip my toe into the bikepacking world a few years ago. It didn’t last long. I just found the whole thing a bit inconvenient. But each to their own. The video is worth a few minutes of your time. I suppose it’s been made in the context of many of the ‘hero’ routes that have been created by Cycling UK in recent years which tend to be more off-road than on…

Episode 068: Cycling Bilbao To Athens – Tony Lenihan

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Tony Lenihan, a retired policeman, works for his local council in the English Midlands as their โ€˜Sustainable Travel and Wellbeing Coordinatorโ€™. Heโ€™s also a keen cyclist and, in the early autumn of 2022, after more than 40 years of work, he decided to take a career break and head off on a solo cycling adventure from Bilbao to Athens. It would be a 7-week ferry-hopping Greek odyssey that took him through northern Spain, to the islands of Sardinia and Scilly, across the heel of Italy to Brindisi before sailing the Adriatic to his final destination of Greece. He talked to The Cycling Europe Podcast about his continental experiencesโ€ฆ but also about โ€˜active travelโ€™ in the UK and how the country measures up (or not) to its European neighbours.ย 

Comfort And Convenience In Clothing For Cycling โ€” Tips And Tricks

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Most people engage in cycling for many reasons. Some cycle for fun or physical health benefits, while others do it for charity. Regardless, participants should wear appropriate clothing for comfort and convenience as well as safety. If you are relatively new to cycling or just participating in cycling for charity for the first time, then this article is for you because it shares tips and tricks when choosing cycling clothes for comfort and convenience.

“One Of My All-Time Favourite YouTube Videos… Epic Stuff!”

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On July 3rd 2022 I set off from The Hook of Holland in The Netherlands, turned right and pedalled off in the direction of France. It was an anti-clockwise tour of the continent; the EuroVelo 12 along the Belgian coast, the EuroVelo 4 to Dieppe, Lโ€™Avenue Verte to Paris, La Vรฉloscรฉnie to Mont St Michel before rejoining the EuroVelo 4 to Morlaix, the EuroVelo 1 / Vรฉlodyssรฉe to Royan, the Canal de la Garonne to Toulouse, the Canal du Midi to Sรจte, the EuroVelo 17 beside the Rhรดne to Andermatt in Switzerland and finally the EuroVelo 15 / Rhine Cycle Route back to The Hook of Holland and the return ferry to Hull on September 3rd.