Cycling and Happiness

A recent survey confims what we as cyclists already knew: that cycling and happiness are correlated - in a good way.
The happiest cities according to John Helliwell of the University of British Columbia, all have a high number of cyclists. Denmark routinely tops the list of the happiest countries in the world with Copenhagen having one in three of its inhabitants cycling to work or school. I'm fortunate as I don't have to commute to work at all and there are still many reasons I could list for a link between happiness and cycling.

Cycling somehow clears the mind and frees it up. Imogen Heap, an eccentric British singer who wears odd clothes and feathers, ribbons and butterflies in her hair, has said that she pedals her bike to and from her recording studio in London as a creative exercise. Lyrics come to her as well as snatches of musical phrases.

There is a woman I sometimes see in my neighbourhood, who rides her bike through the traffic, seated upright in her saddle, wearing a dress and nice shoes, her purse in the basket on the front. Smiling and helmet-less, she is fearless and graceful as a swimmer doing a gentle, steady crawl through a choppy sea. l like what it suggests: that you’re confident, oblivious to the chaos, trusting in others’ goodwill and courtesy, at one with your bike. From the comfort of a car, it looks like an existential statement.

My quick list of further cycling pluses would also include:
+  good exercise whatever the speed you choose
+  very sociable - a great way to meet the locals
+  very sociable - a great way to spend a day out with your friends
+  inspirational - nature has so much to offer

What's on your list?

Cycling on Cold days

It's not something I love but it's easier if there's a reward somewhere other than just excercise and fresh (very cold) air, as here at present -. barely above freezing all day.
We're lucky here as we have Rumsey's Chocolaterie an ace establishment with cafes in Wendover and Thame where their hot chocolate goes down really well on icy days. Ride into Thame along the 8 mile Phoenix Trail from Risborough or if narrow bridge holes don't spook you, follow the Wendover Canal to find their other shop. Of course you'll be tempted to leave with a bag of their exquisite handmade delights and maybe sign up for one of their chocolate workshops.
You can also visit them on our new tour - The Chiltern Challenge.

Websites for Cyclists

There are a growing number of really useful sites for cyclists but THE one for us is Bikehike - its just totally brilliant. Essentially its brilliant because it uses both google and OS maps and so for those of us using bridleways, forest tracks and bike paths as well as roads we have the best of all worlds. Google has its limits when things go off road.
What's even more brilliant is that I found it cruising around another website that I love - slowcoast
These are two very special sites!

War Horse Walks and Rides

War Horse bowled me over a while back when I saw the first stage production at The National Theatre. The puppet horses were the stars then.  Now with the film, glorious England is the star - notably Dartmoor and Castle Combe. I know them well as I've pedalled through both locations with our tours in  Devon and the Cotswolds. We're planning a guided tour of all the War Horse fim locations for those who want to be driven through the stunning landscapes, villages and historic houses used in the film. But if you have just a half day and are in the Dartmoor vicinity then go to www.moorlandguides.co.uk for a guided walk by a Dartmoor Ranger or to Shilstone Rocks Stud for a ride on 4 legs.

Devon Coast to Coast Links to The Americas Cup

Now is the perfect time to consider riding the Devon Coast to Coast tour. Finishing as it does in Plymouth on a friday, you will be perfectly placed from your hotel on the Hoe to view the opening day of races for the Americas Cup which takes place this year off  Plymouth Hoe on Saturday September 10. A week on, as the competition reaches its climax you have a further opportunity to see the top six teams battling it out for the Plymouth Americas Cup prize on Saturday September 17, whilst The World Series Championship is held on the Sunday.  With 15 teams competing from 12 countries it promises to be an exciting finale to an already great biking adventure.
Photo attributed to Martin Bodman

Historic Kent

 Organisers of Kent’s most popular community festival have announced that the 2011 Whitstable Oyster Festival will take place between July 23rd and 29th. In recent years organisers have more than doubled the amount of events within the festival, broadening its appeal and enticing more people to the picturesque Kentish town. The entire festival is still structured around the traditional local customs of the oyster fishing industry but the event now includes family and arts entertainment, and food and drink alongside local heritage and history. As a result, Whitstable’s Oyster Festival has become a major tourist attraction, bringing many thousands of visitors to Whitstable each year. Whistable is passed on many of our tours including Historic Kent which journeys from Dover to Canterbury. Old maritime ports, mining villages and the stunning Kent countryside are all en route.

50 Best Travel Websites

Rhiannon Batten of the Independent has done all your legwork for you in her recent listing of the 50 best travel websites.  A useful example is www.tablethotels.com which has an interesting selection of designer hotels.  www.insideragency.com is an innovative idea which hooks you up with locals wherever you may be in the world and allows you an insider's view of the local area.  If you need to organise a jourmey by train or boat www.seat61.com offers all you need to know.  Happy browsing!.