The lovely warm spring of 2012 brought an interesting international party of cyclists onto the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route. Various travel writers from Germany and Switserland were invited by https://ebaconline.com.br/autocad Visit Cornwall and Visit Devon to explore Britain’s southwest. At the end of their 5 day tour via major tourist attractions like the Eden Project, Tintagel Castle and Newquay, it was the turn for North Devon Plus to show some highlights of their area. My EOS Cycling Holidays was asked to provide a day activity for the journalists and this is how it happened that a Dutchman showed around the German-Swiss delegation on British territory!
Yvonne Beck of the Swiss glossy magazine Prestige was not terribly keen on the pedalling adventure, but very quickly the charm of the tranquil Tarka Trail convinced her she was up for a special day. The former railway tunnel halfway between Bideford and Torrington took the party deep into Devon’s glorious countryside. It was only a matter of time before I was chatting away on the bike with people like Stefanie Schudlich of German PR agency BZ.COMM and Sabine Gudath of the Berliner Kurier. Christian Altmeier of the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung told me how the German town of Heidelberg is buzzing with cyclists despite its rugged nature and how the Devon Coast to Coast Route would definitely be to the interest of German cyclists.
Lunch was kindly provided by David and Charley Job of Yarde Orchard. Their cafe and grounds are the funkiest place to eat and stay on the whole Devon Coast to Coast route. The Yarde Orchard buffet with great hand-made pizzas, locally produced apple juice and much more was thoroughly enjoyed by the party who previously had high-profile meals in establishments like Plymouth’s Barbican Kitchen and Newquay’s Headland Hotel.
After lunch, David Job showed everyone around on his premises. Especially Geraldine Friedrich of the Basler Zeitung proved to have a keen interest in his eco-bunkhouse and cool Mongolian yurts. The unique purpose built eco-drainage system, which uses natural gravity for water flows and reedbeds for filtering, was an important topic of conversation. David also revealed how he has started to work on a treehouse project, which will be available for overnight accommodation in the future. On most EOS Cycling Holidays Devon Coast to Coast Tours a stay at Yarde Orchard is included, with the Tarka Adventure minibreak package being the ultimate family-friendly option to introduce younger children to the Great Outdoors!
The last stop of the German/Swiss delegation on their Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Tour was the Meldon Viaduct. This former railway bridge provides stunning views over Dartmoor National Park and is a historic piece of architecture in its own right. I explained how the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route has 9 stunning bridges of this kind on its route and also how near Tavistock a new purpose built cycle bridge is nearing its completion to replace the original bridge which was blasted away only about 20 years ago; how things can change!
With the image of the spectacular Meldon Viaduct on their minds the German/Swiss delegation and I parted in Okehampton. Hopefully they will write inspiring pieces for their audiences about England’s Southwest and the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route in particularly. Our EOS Cycling Holidays is now fully available in German, just as it is in English and Dutch. Routebooks on all EOS Cycling Tours are now provided in all these three languages. With new presence on Facebook and Twitter for every language as well, there is no reason to miss out on our latest cycling gossip and special deals!
What about going for a traffic-calmed cycling holiday with one of my "Cycling Dutchman" guidebooks?
Cycling in Amsterdam and The Netherlands - The very best routes in the cyclist's paradise makes you travel beyond Dutch cliches like clogs, windmills and the Amsterdam red light district, allowing you to truly explore the lowlands. The book features 1064 kms of routes and has special chapters explaining the unique Dutch cycling-minded traffic rules and its cycle route signage systems; 164 pages, colour, wiro bound, fits in standard handlebar bag, see also http://www.cyclinginholland.com.
Cycle paths and cycle lanes; the full story!
Sharing the road or segregated cycle paths? Well it is both!
Dutch style bike rides in the United Kingdom:
What about going for a traffic-calmed cycling holiday with one of my "Cycling Dutchman" guidebooks?
The London - Land's End Cycle Route Book is designed for those who LOVE cycling, but don't like traffic. The book takes you onto the most beautiful cycle routes of southern England, including the Camel Trail, Devon Coast to Coast Route, Bristol and Bath Railway path, Thames Valley route and many more! What makes the book unique is that the route is completely continuous, including detailed directions and local knowledge all the way. Get inspired; choose your favourite route sections or go for a full summer holiday adventure; 164 pages, colour, wiro bound, fits in standard handlebar bag, see http://www.london-landsendcycleroutebook.com.
Other popular Cycling Dutchman blog articles:
Other popular Cycling Dutchman blog articles:
Explaining Dutch cycling infrastructure:
Cycle paths and cycle lanes; the full story!
Sharing the road or segregated cycle paths? Well it is both!
