Cycle Touring (Wishful thinking)

CycleTouring as it not done in the UK

But could be.

Take any town in Holland, Belgium, and Germany, especially at the weekend, on a fine day and apart from a few exceptions it will look something like this:-

 This Market square is surrounded by hundreds of parked bicycles.

Bikes outnumber cars, they ride against the flow up one-way streets.

Cafes do a roaring business.  All ages are cycling.   During a period of about an hour we saw lots of cyclists coming and going, but only one Lycra clad.   

Cyclists were coming and going continuously, few, if any were obese.

Bikes can be very personal and something of a fashion statement. Note that this one has two baskets, handy for carrying shopping or dogs.

In Germany it is much the same, the facilities are generally excellent.  The two dogs arrived in this market square in those wicker bicycle baskets.  But, it is in Germany where Touring Cycling is in a big way.

This grand display of key cycle routes (maps and information packs) is In a typical book shop in Germany.  Touring cycling is Germany's number one leisure activity and they have the cycle network to match it.

   every two minutes a touring Cyclist travels along the Weser Radweg in Minden.  Which means 25,000 to 35,000 cyclists need provisions and accommodation, ll good business for the local economy.

Touring cyclists explore the town, Take photos, buy a meal, etc.

A family of cyclists arrive at the Tourist Information Office.

 many stop for a snack.

Touring cyclists of all come in all types and classes of society.

It is nice to see so many families of cyclists touring together, and this is not in a town which is renowned for cycling.