Published September 14th, 2015
Cornish Cycle Tours this week welcomed a group of 24 Australian cyclists from Melbourne’s Whitehorse Club for a 177-mile tour of Cornwall.
With an average age of 68, the young at heart cyclists are tackling legs of the county in a fortnight-long trip organised by founder of Wadebridge-based Cornish Cycle Tours, Lanyon Rowe. Their collective aim is to explore both the county and their Cornish ancestry.
Cyclist Russell Hick, 73, says: “My family left Cornwall in the 1850s and five of us have relatives who came from the county. A lot of Cornish people emigrated at the time of the Gold Rush. This is my fourth visit here and we’re looking information up as we travel around.
“We’re enjoying the countryside, meeting people and chatting. Lanyon has done a great job organising it all for us. Cycling is the best way to take it all in and see the county and it’s much better than a coach. We don’t worry about the Cornish hills as we’re taking it easy – we ride or walk up.”
Cycling is popular in the group’s home city of Melbourne where there has been extensive investment in cycling infrastructure.
Russell adds: “Our families back in Australia love that we cycle – it keeps us healthy and they don’t have to worry about us so much, so they’re happy we’re doing this. We’re in touch over email and phone.
“My tip for a great cycling break here is to just take it easy. We’ve had a pasty or two and taken in some Cornish ale!”
This is the first time the group has cycled in the UK; their previous adventures include mainland Europe and Asia. A second group from the club is currently cycling in Russia.
Highlights of the group’s tour have been a visit to a performance at the Minack Theatre, discovering St Michael’s Mount and a trip to the Isles of Scilly. The fantastic September weather so far has been a bonus.
Cornish Cycle Tours offers bespoke group packages all year round. This includes novice cyclists and the more experienced. Routes range from relaxing three-day leisure tours to a 14-day trip which includes the Isles of Scilly.
For more information visit www.cornishcycletours.co.uk.
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