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JU252 South Midlands Heritage
JU 253 Isle of Man
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GW252 Exploring the heel of Italy - Less Hard
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Cycle Route Resources
Cumbria Cycleway
Arnside to Grange
Grange to Ulverston
Ulverston to Ireleth
Ireleth to Millom
Millom to Ravenglass
Ravenglass to Whitehaven
Whitehaven to Maryport
Maryport to Silloth
Silloth to Bowness-on-Solway
Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle
Carlise to Newbiggin
Newbiggin to Langwathby
Langwathby to Appleby-in-Westmoreland
Appleby-in-Westmoreland to Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen to Garsdale Head
Garsdale Head to Sedbergh
Sedbergh to Kirkby Lonsdale
Kirkby Lonsdale to Arnside
Wiltshire Cycleway
Bradford on Avon to Dilton Marsh
Dilton Marsh to Maiden Bradley
Mere to Donhead St Mary
Donhead St Mary to Broad Chalke
Broad Chalke to Salisbury
Everleigh to Great Bedwyn
Great Bedwyn to Malborough
Maiden Bradley to Mere
Yatton Keynell to Corsham
Corsham to Bradford on Avon
Devon Coast to Coast
Devon Coast Coast Ilfracombe to Barnstaple
Devon Coast Coast Barnstaple to Petrockstowe Station
Devon Coast Coast Petrockstowe to Okehampton
Devon Coast to Coast Okehampton to Tavistock
Devon Coast to Coast Tavistock to Plymouth
Cornwall Coast to Coast
Cornwall Coast to Coast Pictures
Avon Cycleway
Why go to Georgia ?
Why go to Morocco ?
Lands End to John O'Groats
South Somerset Cycleway
Yorkshire Wolds
About us
Bernie Curtis
Richard Dugdale
Tony Gore
Martin Jamieson
Steve Millard
William Miller
Sheila Simpson
John Upton
Greg Woodford
Colin Ward
Neil Wheadon
Harvey and Helen Bell
Harvey Dowdy
Colin Ward
Welcome to my tour page
Where am I going in 2025?
Very sadly and with regret, I feel that it is time to stop leading tours, it's been great fun
My experience and style
What to expect
Who am I?
One of my favourite activities is getting out on my bike to discover cycle routes that are new to me. The quieter and more rural they are the better I like them. When it's cold, dark and slippery, I like to spend time at home studying maps and guide books and computer based resources like street-view and RidewithGPS. Being a tour leader gives me the opportunity to share my discoveries with other cyclists
I am a former Royal Navy Artificer and Primary School Teacher. I'm married with grown-up daughters and young grandchildren. When I'm not out cycling, I'm an active member of my local Lions Club.
My tour leading style
Before a tour I send all participants the following:
· links to the routes on RidewithGPS (can be read on Smart Phones and I-phones)
· files to load onto GPS devices including .gpx, .fit and .tcx
· PDF maps, elevation profiles and cue sheets to print (useful if you don't have a GPS device)
Being in possession of these resources means that those who want to travel faster than the group can go on ahead and those who want to take their time can catch up later. Having said all that, I usually lead from the front at about 12mph and most cyclists like to follow me. We have plenty of stops for coffee, lunch, tea and to admire the landscapes, seascapes, buildings of interest etc. Some riders are avid BCQ hunters and routes can be adjusted or detours suggested to take these in.
The roads we take
I will always take country lanes in preference to main roads. I like cycle paths (there are a few of these on the Isle of Wight) but I prefer those with a smooth surface to the ones covered in gravel. Sometimes gravel is unavoidable so it's a good idea to have puncture resistant tyres. Marked cycle routes (like Sustrans) are often useful but only if they take us fairly directly to where we want to go.
The places we stay
I have planned and led a number of camping tours. I have a very sturdy tent made in Sweden to withstand the worst weather and I like to cook over my little twig-burning stove. I have also organised some tours with hostel accommodation and a communal kitchen. But, in recent times, I have come to appreciate the comforts of a nice hotel.
Where do I go?
In 2022 I will probably be sticking to the UK but I intend to take a tour to France in 2023 where I have covered some very enjoyable kilometres. France appeals to me because I like the food, wine and countryside
Where have I been?
I have led a number of tours in the south west of England and the Isle of Wight. I have also led three tours in South India. Independently, I have toured in France, Italy, The Netherlands, Denmark and Scotland.
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