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The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 031 – Cycle Touring Accommodation Special

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Across the globe, the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 are beginning to ease. Foreign travel may not be an easy option for most people in summer 2021, but being able to explore your own country probably is. In this episode of the podcast, we look at some of the accommodation choices available to touring cyclists including wild camping, hotels, hostels and reciprocal accommodation sharing with contributions from WarmShowersโ€™ Tahverlee Anglen, wild camper Tim Millikin, the YHAโ€™s Simon Ainley and Simon Kershaw from Scarboroughโ€™s newest hotel, Bike and Boot.

Cycling The Outer Hebrides: The ‘Ready-To-Pounce’ Plan

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So… the Outer Hebrides. I have posted two articles recently about my proposed cycle along the Hebridean Way and, after a nice ride over the Pennine moors this afternoon, I am in the mood for adding a little flesh to the bones of my plan. It’s all weather-dependant of course. I have no wish to travel to the north-western corner of the British Isles if the outlook is not looking that great (I learnt my lesson the hard way back in the ‘summer’ of 2014…) but, whenever I do decide to go, I need to be able to pounce with a plan!

The Cycling Europe Podcast In 2021: The Story So Far

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It’s only April but in the last four months there have been six episodes of The Cycling Europe Podcast and we are now recognised as in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide! The guests in 2021 have been many and varied; if you are into your cycling, travel or adventure, you are certain to find something that sparks your interest. We have had the please to welcome Cycling UK’s new CEO, Sarah Mitchell, Suzanne Forup who is an active campaigner for cycling in Scotland, the academic and ultra-long-diistance cyclist Dr Iann Walker, travel writer and TV presenter Simon Parker, world bikepacker Markus Stitz, the ‘Tandem WOW’ team of Rachel Marsden and Catherine Dixon, round-the-world penny-farthing cyclist Joff Summerfield, Tahverlee Anglen of WarmShowers, the YHA’s Simon Ainley, Simon Kershaw from one the UK’s newest cycle-friendly hotels, Bike & Boot and the wild camper extraordinaire Tim Millikin. Quite an eclectic bunch!

Le Grand Tour: Day 49 – Aigle To Sierre (81km)

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On one level – the cycling level – it has been a pretty standard day. Dare I say boring? A flat ride, 90% off road on a good quality path beside the Rhรดne following the route of the EuroVelo 17 or, as it is known locally, national route 1. Sticking to just the cycling for a moment, I say โ€˜flat rideโ€™โ€ฆ I knew I was heading uphill but couldnโ€™t help feel that I was heading downhill. After the turn to cycle east following my brief pause in Martigny, the wind was behind me so this may have added to the sensation of cycling down a very gentle gradient but I think of more significance is the valley itself. Iโ€™ve experienced this before (although not that dubious โ€˜Electric Brayโ€™ place on the west coast of Scotland where I was singularly unimpressedโ€ฆ) in northern Spain in 2019. There too I was cycling through a valley, knew I was cycling uphill beside a river heading in the opposite direction, but had a distinct feeling of going downhill all day. Itโ€™s the brain seeing something – the narrow valley with steep slopes on either side – and convincing the body that it is indeed what the brain sees, despite conclusive evidence to the contrary.

The Great British Cycling Tour Returns – Definitely!

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I’ve done it! In our COVID world of 2020, having no accommodation booked in advance is not the best option for a touring cyclist so I have spent a few days sorting out my overnight stays. As you can see it will be a mixture of Warmshowes, campsites, youth hostels and one night with a friend in my old stomping ground of Reading. Some cheap – very cheap! – train tickets have been purchased and all I need to do now is start pedalling…

Le Grand Tour: Day 38 – Pouzols Minervois To Montagnac Via Sรจte (134km)

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Iโ€™โ€™m glad to have finished the Canal du Midi section of the Canal des Deux Mers cycle route. Now in Pรฉzenas – Iโ€™ll explain in a moment – the highlight of yesterday was cycling along the excellent voies vertes that brought me inland from Sรจte yesterday evening. Cycling at the end of the day is something that doesnโ€™t often happen (the way I tend to organise my days) but the advantages of cycling at that end of the day are similar to those of early morning cycling; quieter roads, cooler temperatures and the โ€˜golden hourโ€™ sunlight that washes a beautiful soft tint over the landscape. Itโ€™s also worth noting (and remembering) that the winds tend to die down in the evening. Mmmโ€ฆ Perhaps I should do night shifts on the bike.

Le Grand Tour: Day 33 – La Rรฉole To Agen (89km)

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There were times this morning when I thought this particular day – the whole trip perhaps – were being derailedโ€ฆ It all started by me heading over the bridge back in the direction of La Rรฉole. Oops! Wrong direction. No big problem; Iโ€™d only cycled perhaps 50 metres across the bridge and by doing so made a nice video clip (yep, you guessed it – watch the videoโ€ฆ).

Le Grand Tour: Day 48 – Aigle

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As I thought I would, I have spent the day in Aigle. It rained heavily overnight, continued raining this morning and this afternoon and only decided to stop at around 3pm. It remains very overcast with the clouds hanging around the mountains that surround the town on three sides and it wouldnโ€™t surprise me in the least if we are in for more rain later today. Tomorrow morning there is a chance of rain but things are looking much brighter for the afternoon and continuing into the weekend and next week. Back to you Huwโ€ฆ