French lifestyle Cycling
Just when you think there’s nothing new under the bike touring sun, a new idea puts a little grease in your gears.
Like – Why not make French bike tours a Lifestyle? Isn’t that just a vacation option?
Ok, not a new idea for me of course, but I am an exception. Not the rule. And also Darren Alff, Alastair Humphreys, Tom Kevill-Davies and Kate Harris. Four lycra-dyed, obsessive, passionate, take no prisoners cycle nomad/explorer/adventurer.
They each keep the wolf out of their saddlebags with websites/blogs/books related to their cycling adventures. Great for them, yes? So how does this affect you?
Well… now these “Fantastic Four” have morphed into life cycle evangelists. Encourage the “young” (hopefully “young at heart” too?) to follow in their footsteps.
Your “Mission Control” is the bike travel network. Managed to catch up with Tom Kevill-Davies, the “hungry cyclist” between bites recently.
BG – How did you get inspired to create it?
THOMAS- The cycling community is small and the four of us had been in contact for some time. Through the conversations it became clear that individually we were helping to encourage people to see cycling as a happy and healthy alternative, but it was also clear that working as four of us we had much more influence. So after a few emails traveled the world, we decided to pool our resources and try to make a collective difference. The result was The Bicycle Travel Network.
BG – Why the word “network” in the title?
THOMAS- A good question: the four of us received countless emails as we searched for a name, and in the end, the network seemed to work better. In addition to providing funding and assistance to first time commuters, one of our main goals was to create a network of next generation cyclists who are out there doing what they love and sharing what they learn from their experiences in an online environment. .
BG – What were some of the challenges you faced putting it together?
THOMAS- Can you think of a name? no, that was pretty simple in the end… – I think the biggest hurdle was trying to pin down all four founders at a given time to make decisions, hard to do when each of us spends most of our time in the highway. In search of adventures. But once we were all talking, it became very clear that we all wanted to combine our collective knowledge and experiences with other potential bike commuters; from that point on, the whole project took its own momentum and went downhill from there, so to speak.
BG – What experience/inspiration etc. Does each individual member of your team contribute?
THOMAS-The world of bicycle travel is small and we have all been in contact for some time. Knowing each other and our different offers, it became clear that each of us was making a good path in the same field and yet each with a very different approach. Darren was making headway providing first-class technical information for cycle tourists through Bicycle Touring Pro, Al leads his field in motivational advice and expedition planning, Tom has been showcasing the more enjoyable and cultural aspects of bike travel while Kate is out there like a terrain. smashing female adventurer. With these four areas of expertise covered, it was a case of ‘One for all and all for one!
BG – Why the focus on “youth”? that is, why not all people on the same wavelength?
THOMAS- This was a difficult decision. We were very keen not to discriminate based on age, but still, having given talks in schools and youth clubs to promote cycling, we knew that the younger generations needed help the most. Like so many things in life, if you can get the little push and encouragement you need when you’re young, the rest is history.
And so, by helping budding young riders, we hope to help riders of all generations in the future.
BG – Please explain your funding strategy/process. (i.e. how do you prospect donors? what is your return, if any, other than tax write-off?)
THOMAS- It is early days of the project, but we expect our main sources of donation income to come from the following sources.
1. Cost per click advertising revenue on a website dedicated to a niche market.
2. Donations of equipment from equipment companies in exchange for advertorials, field tests and advertising space on the website.
3. Old equipment donations and private donations from generous people who want to help change the life of a young traveler.
BG – What is your goal?
THOMAS- Making bike touring the first choice for anyone looking to have an adventure or see the world.
BG – How can people help?
THOMAS- Spread the word – put a link on your blog or website and tell your friends! If you’re a business looking for a targeted marketing opportunity for your products, get in touch! And if you have a few pounds to spend, make a donation today!
THROW ME A BONE HERE PEOPLE!
What are you thinking?