Best Yorkshire Dales Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 081: Cycle Touring On Shetland (& Orkney) 54:15

1M ago54:15

54:15

Shetland is the northernmost part of the United Kingdom, 170 km from mainland Scotland and only 220 km from the Norwegian coast. Of its 100 islands, only 15 are inhabited (by a population of just over 20,000) but according to the local tourist board, the remote archipelago “…has everything a cyclist could hope for”. Tim Sanders, Anne Lawther and Ja…

1
Episode 080: Cycle Touring 1970s Style – Rob Ainsley 57:40

28d ago57:40

57:40

Writer Rob Ainsley has cycled from Barmouth to Yarmouth because they rhyme. He’s cycled from Britain’s smallest church in Rhos to its largest church in Liverpool. He’s cycled the London Monopoly board. And he continues to amass a long list of ‘end-to-end’ country cycles. So for Rob, cycling from Morecambe to Bridlington along the Way of the Roses c…

1
Episode 079: The Cycle Touring Festival / Albania 1:03:15

1M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Most episodes of The Cycling Europe Podcast know where they are going from the outset. This episode is slightly different. We start in the English Lake District to take in the sounds of the recent Cycle Touring Festival in its new home of Coniston. We then head to India to hear from long-distance cyclist James Thomas. He lives in a coastal town in …

1
Episode 078: Le Grand Tour On A Bike Called Wanda / Andrew P. Sykes 1:11:58

3M ago1:11:58

1:11:58

In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, guest presenter Andrew Edwards chats to Andrew P. Sykes about his 2022 cycle around Europe and his new book - Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda - that is published on May 1st 2024.By Andrew

1
Episode 077: Agathe Daudibon / Svetlana & Quentin / Seth Maltzmann 1:04:21

6M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

The Cycling Europe Podcast is back and for this first episode of 2024 we have a triple-whammy of cycling-themed chats and stories. The EuroVelo network is now 26 years old but it’s not resting on its laurels. Agathe Daudibon of the European Cyclists’ Federation is the person responsible for looking after the network and developing it further. She t…

1
Episode 076: Tim Sanders – The Parenzana Trail / Venice to Munich 1:00:13

9M ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Tim Sanders holds the accolade of being one of only two people to have attended every single Cycle Touring Festival since the event first appeared on the calendar in 2015. During this year’s event in Clitheroe he spoke to The Cycling Europe Podcast not only about the joys of the festival but also about a recent cycling journey that took him from th…

1
Episode 075: Craig Fee – Cycling Into The Unknown 1:03:47

11M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

In 2017, novice long-distance cyclist Craig Fee set off on a continental odyssey to cycle from London to his friend’s wedding in Florence, Italy. But had he bitten off more than he could chew? In his new book, Cycling Into The Unknown, he tells the story of the journey and in this episode of the podcast, he reflects upon the experience of setting o…

1
Yorkshire Day Special: Cycling The Way Of The Roses 1:16:46

12M ago1:16:46

1:16:46

To celebrate Yorkshire Day 2023, another opportunity to listen to a Yorkshire-themed podcast (albeit one that starts in Lancashire). "Andrew P. Sykes takes The Cycling Europe Podcast out on the cycle path and travels from Morecambe on Lancashire's west coast to the county's historical capital at Lancaster, across the Pennines and through Yorkshire …

1
Episode 074: Cathryn Ramsden / Dale Majors / Gavin McCulloch / Rich Jeffries 1:02:37

1y ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Cathryn Ramsden cycled with her husband and son from Calais to Annecy. Dale Majors has cycled with his wife and six young children on several long trips across Europe and in the US. Gavin McCulloch cycled to Moscow from Scotland in 1990. Rich Jeffries was reluctant to cycle across Belgium but loved it! In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast …

1
Episode 073: Leigh Timmis – The Race Of Truth 1:32:10

1y ago1:32:10

1:32:10

Disillusioned by life in the post-graduation rat race of the film industry, Leigh Timmis set off on his bike and spent seven years cycling around the world. When he finally returned home to the UK, he didn't reach for his pipe and slippers. Far from it... "In 2018, Leigh Timmis became the fastest person to cycle across Europe – in just 16 days, 10 …

1
Episode 072: Greg Yeoman – Cycling Across Russia In 1993 1:15:01

1y ago1:15:01

1:15:01

In 1993, recently graduated student Greg Yeoman set off with his Australian friend Kate Leeming on a cycling expedition of nearly 13,000km, from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. In a journey that is currently impossible, they pedalled across the entire length of post-Soviet Russia, exploring the landscapes and meeting the people as they went. 30 year…

1
Episode 071: Mark Wedgwood – Cycling All The OS Maps 1:08:52

1y ago1:08:52

1:08:52

Mark Wedgwood had always been a lover of maps. In 2022, newly liberated from the constraints of a full-time job, he decided to cycle across every Ordnance Survey Landranger map of Britain. He spoke to The Cycling Europe Podcast about the challenge that took him from the northernmost point of Shetland (map 1) to Fowey in Cornwall (map 204)… the long…

1
Episode 070: Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie – Part 1 56:07

1+ y ago56:07

56:07

"The academic year must have been a difficult one as when the summer holidays arrived, secondary school teacher Andrew Sykes was happy to do as little as possible. But while sitting on his sofa watching the exploits of the cyclists at the Great Wall of China at the Beijing Olympics, he realised the error of his ways and resolved to put a bit more a…

1
Episode 069: Susan and Ron Crump – Cycling Amsterdam to Athens 1:04:40

1+ y ago1:04:40

1:04:40

In the autumn of 2022, Susan and Ron Crump, a retired couple from Kentucky in the USA set off on their first cycle tour. Instead of dipping their toes in the shallow end of the cycle touring pool, they plunged into the deep end by embarking upon a 3,500km cycle from Amsterdam to Athens. Along with two more experienced cycle touring friends - Pam an…

1
Episode 068: Cycling Bilbao To Athens – Tony Lenihan 1:02:15

1+ y ago1:02:15

1:02:15

Tony Lenihan, a retired policeman, works for his local council in the English Midlands as their ‘Sustainable Travel and Wellbeing Coordinator’. He’s also a keen cyclist and, in the early autumn of 2022, after more than 40 years of work, he decided to take a career break and head off on a solo cycling adventure from Bilbao to Athens. It would be a 7…

1
EXTRA: Active Travel – Tony Lenihan 14:54

1+ y ago14:54

14:54

Tony Lenihan is a touring cyclist and in the next full episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast - number 068 - you will hear him talk about a journey he made 'from B to A' - Bilbao to Athens in the early autumn of 2022. The podcast was recorded at the same time as the British Chancellor of the Exchequer (the finance minister) was delivering his annual…

1
Episode 067: Cycling In Brittany – Tim Boden / Geoff Husband 1:13:03

1+ y ago1:13:03

1:13:03

In June 2022, Tim Boden - an experienced group cyclist - set off on his first solo cycle tour, to Brittany in north-west France. His route took him from the port of Roscoff along the Vélodyssée / EuroVelo 1 to Redon. He then joined French regional route number 42 to follow the coast to Saint-Nazaire before returning to the Vélodyssée for a cycle be…

1
Episode 066: Cycling On Tenerife 32:34

1+ y ago32:34

32:34

A few months ago I was approached by Jet2 Holidays who asked if I would be interested in discovering the joys of cycling in one of their winter destinations in southern Europe. Of course I said yes and had a look at the map. Where would be nice and warm in the middle of February? The Canary Islands seemed the most likely place to deliver good weath…

1
Episode 065: Matthew Sturgeon – Cycling To Mainland Britain’s Lighthouses 42:22

1+ y ago42:22

42:22

Matthew Sturgeon is an architect and cyclist from Ilkley in Yorkshire and he’s on a mission to visit every one of mainland Britain’s 186 lighthouses. Inspired by his late late wife Angela, who raised £40,000 for cancer research, Matthew is raising money for his A Bit Of A Break charity. It funds visits for cancer patients and their families to holi…

1
Episode 064: Laura Massey-Pugh – Around The World On A Tandem 56:16

1+ y ago56:16

56:16

An ever-increasing number of people have cycled around the world. Not many have done it on a tandem. Even fewer have broken a world record in the process. Laura Massey-Pugh was on the back and her husband Stevie was on the front of their custom-made tandem when, in June 2022 they set off from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, destination the Brandenb…

1
Episode 063: Beth Ward – Wales To Istanbul & Drosi Bikes 53:11

1+ y ago53:11

53:11

“Hours, days, weeks and months in the saddle does something funny to your brain. We came back from the trip convinced that cycling was the answer to all of life’s problems and that if we could convince every last one of you to choose a bike not a car, we’d be well on our way to saving the planet. Easy, right?!” Those are the words of Beth Ward who,…

1
Episode 062: Jeremy Wilson – Beryl Burton – ‘Britain’s Greatest Athlete’ 1:24:57

1+ y ago1:24:57

1:24:57

Beryl Burton was born in Yorkshire on May 12th 1937. Her upbringing was tough. Her school report described her as a 'stubborn little mule. At the age of 10 she spent 9 months in hospital and doctors told her never to ride a bike uphill. She went on to become one of Britain's greatest ever athletes - of either sex - and a cycling world champion seve…

1
Episode 061: The 1903 Tour De France… On A Brompton 1:19:28

2y ago1:19:28

1:19:28

Gareth Dent has a long-term relationship with small-wheeled bicycles. Growing up in Stevenage in the late 1960s he made the most of the town’s futuristic network of cycle routes on his 14” Moulton Mini. 40 years later he rekindled his love for small wheels during an organised folding bike challenge from London to Paris, in the process meeting a gro…

1
Episode 060: Cycling The Route of ‘The Wheels Of Chance’ By H.G. Wells 50:21

2y ago50:21

50:21

Tristam Newey is a science-fiction writer from Southampton who loves all things sea, air, space.. and cycling. Inspired by H.G.Wells' 1896 comic novel The Wheels of Chance, in July 2022 Tristam set off to retrace the journey of the book's main protagonist, Mr. Hoopdriver - a frustrated draper's assistant from Putney - from London to the south coast…

1
#3/11 Changes afoot in the Swaledale Museum 26:40

2y ago26:40

26:40

This episode is actually recorded in the museum and as you will hear it is a thriving visitor attraction.Today Susan talks with Dr Helen Clifford, who, with her husband Alan, runs the Swaledale Museum in Reeth. The Museum is based in the old Methodist School which was purchased in 1973 by the Law family who converted it into a Folk Museum. When it …

1
#3/10 Podcasting and Travels 5:01

2y ago5:01

5:01

In this short episode Susan gives a shout out to her first Patron after launching her Patreon site with extended content. The podcast is now listened to in 87 countries with the largest number of listeners in UK and second most popular being the USA. Susan reminisces about her first flight in an aircraft taking her out to America to join an oil tan…

1
#3/09 The Definition of Poverty has Shifted 50:38

2y ago50:38

50:38

About the Guest: Peter Heslop joins Susan in this episode talking about the changes that we are all becoming aware of, financial pressures experienced by a broad spectrum of individuals, and the need for support to help with living expenses. He is the Community Manager at Richmond's Influence Church whose staff and willing volunteers are doing ster…

1
Episode 059: Le Grand Tour, Part 8 – The Rhine Cycle Route / EuroVelo 15 1:59:03

2y ago1:59:03

1:59:03

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he concludes his ‘Grand Tour’ cycle around Europe. In this episode of the podcast, after completing his ride along the Via Rhôna / EuroVelo 17 in Andermatt, Switzerland, he sets off to cycle the Rhine from its source high in the Alps to the North Sea at Rotterdam. His journey takes him …

1
The Reluctant Conformist 20(ending purified) - I, Magnus’s pneuma (πνεῦμα) visits the ‘Ever When’: The Finale made complete. 16:27

2y ago16:27

16:27

Magnus’s nascent pneuma is captivated and charmed, yet senses utter isolation at his first encounter with ‘Liminal Time’. His habitation of the ‘Present Tense’ is somewhat akin to reading the final page of a ‘Who-Done-It’. He knows whose throat was slit and by whom, but remains clueless of the Who, What, Where, When, How and Why of all else! He’s i…

1
The Reluctant Conformist 18 & 19 (Chapter 10) should never have been divided into two episodes – here it is with truly thunderous TRUE IMPACT! 20:18

2y ago20:18

20:18

Magnus drifted through life with no defined purpose nor focused ambition. He enjoyed his own company and was perfectly content pursuing his current interests. One troublesome issue which dogged him throughout his life however, was the unwanted attention of others. These intrusions were generally sidestepped, but on occasion became difficult. Magnus…

1
Episode 058: Le Grand Tour, Part 7 – La Via Rhôna / EuroVelo 17 1:58:09

2y ago1:58:09

1:58:09

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he cycles on his ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. In this episode of the podcast he sets off from the Mediterranean resort of Sète and follows the EuroVelo 17 - the Rhône Cycle Route (known as the Via Rhôna in France) - to Andermatt, high in the Swiss Alps. Over 12 days he travels more than 1,00…

1
Episode 057: Le Grand Tour, Part 6 – La Véloroute Des Deux Mers From Bordeaux To Sète / Canal De La Garonne & Canal Du Midi 1:14:45

2y ago1:14:45

1:14:45

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he cycles on his ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. He has now arrived in Bordeaux at the start of the ‘Two Seas’ cycle route - La Véloroute Des Deux Mers - that will take him along the Canal de la Garonne to Toulouse and then the famous Canal du Midi to Sète on the Mediterranean coast. As he cycl…

1
#3/8 Access the Dales with Debbie North 39:23

2y ago39:23

39:23

This episode features Debbie North, founder of Access the Dales, who, since becoming a wheelchair user, has campaigned tirelessly to break down barriers in all aspects of promoting accessibility for all. After discovering in 2008 that she needed spinal surgery and fearing that she would never be able to walk on the fells again Debbie initially beca…

1
Episode 056: Le Grand Tour, Part 5 – La Vélodyssée From Morlaix To Royan / EuroVelo 1 1:01:43

2y ago1:01:43

1:01:43

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he cycles on his ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. After a day off in Morlaix, Brittany, Andrew sets off cycling south along the EuroVelo 1 - known locally as the Vélodyssée - following a disused railway track and then the Nantes-Brest Canal before continuing along the west coast of France to La …

1
#3/7 Tom Addison| Fell Runner and Throne Maker 25:10

2y ago25:10

25:10

In this episode Susan interviews Tom Addison over in Wensleydale. Tom is the creator of unique and bespoke items of fine furniture. Tom did his apprenticeship with the renowned Peter Hall and Sons, over in Kendal, before relocating and setting up his own business, TA Fine Furniture, near Askrigg in the Yorskshire dales. As a youngster Tom was a kee…

1
Episode 055: Le Grand Tour, Part 4 – La Vélomaritime From Mont-Saint-Michel To Morlaix / EuroVelo 4 54:51

2y ago54:51

54:51

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he cycles on his ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. In this fourth part of the ’Grand Tour’ series, we follow Andrew’s progress as he rejoins the Velomaritime near Mont-Saint-Michel and cycles west along the route as far as Morlaix in Brittany. This section of his cycle sees him encounter hills fo…

1
Episode 054: Le Grand Tour, Part 3 – La Véloscénie From Paris To Mont-Saint-Michel 55:14

2y ago55:14

55:14

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he cycles on his ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. In this third part of the ’Grand Tour’ series, Andrew sets off along the Veloscenie cycle route from the historic city of Chartres to its fellow UNESCO World Heritage site at Mont-Saint-Michel. It’s a journey of four days with overnight stops at …

1
Episode 053: Le Grand Tour, Part 2 – The Belgian & French Coasts To Dieppe / EuroVelos 12 & 4 / L’Avenue Verte To Paris 50:47

2y ago50:47

50:47

The Cycling Europe Podcast continues to follow Andrew Sykes as he cycles on his ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. In the previous episode, he had travelled through his first country, The Netherlands. In this episode he continues his journey south along the coasts of Belgium and France following the […]By Andrew

1
Episode 052: Le Grand Tour, Part 1 – The Dutch Coast / EuroVelo 12 43:21

2y ago43:21

43:21

The Cycling Europe Podcast enters a new era with this episode. Not only recorded on tour, this episode has also been edited on tour! Throughout July and August, new episodes of the podcast will be published telling the story of Andrew P. Sykes’ ‘Grand Tour’ through The Netherlands, […]By Andrew

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The Reluctant Conformist 17 “It’s not A Picasso; I believe it to be The Picasso!” 11:44

2y ago11:44

11:44

“Whilst perusing the Willie Leece photographs online(http://willieleece.blogspot.com), I noticed your other blog: Is this a Picasso?. (http://picassoceramic.blogspot.com) What the story?” “It’s a magnificent piece,” Dorothea enthused. “It’s even more wonderful than I imagined.”By Richard H Cowley

1
#3/6 Beat the Cost of Living Crisis 21:21

2y ago21:21

21:21

In this episode Susan talks to Mike Sparrow, deputy Chairman of Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership about the forthcoming event being held at Tennants in Leyburn to help beat the cost of living crisis. If you are worried about increases in the cost of living - fuel, energy and food, and need to know what help is available, if you're struggling…

1
The Reluctant Conformist 16 is this a Picasso? Magnus believed so. See for yourself: -(http://picassoceramic.blogspot.com) 15:39

2y ago15:39

15:39

“It reads like a Picasso. It’s right in its vocabulary; more painting than ceramic,” the Sotheby’s connoisseur affirmed enthusiastically, holding the plate securely in the crook of his arm. “It’s alive with his wit and playfulness. Where did you get it?” The Paris based Picasso Administration’s swift reply stated, ‘From the information provided, an…

1
Episode 051: Freewheeling In France With Lyn Eyb 1:06:31

2y ago1:06:31

1:06:31

France is a top destination for cycle tourists and, with its great diversity of landscapes - from windswept cliffs in the north to vast swathes of forest in the west to sun-drenched villages in the south to vertiginous climbs in the east - it has (almost) everything that a traveller on a bicycle might want to discover. Lyn Eyb from FreeWheelingFran…

1
The Reluctant Conformist 15 a LOST MASTERPIECE (?), with Basque hospitality spiced up with chili peppers. 14:28

2y ago14:28

14:28

Meet our vibratingly sexy Sybil Fawlty lookalike landlady who instigated the ‘dookling foot’ episode. And: - At the back of the shop, on a chair seat, alongside a red rusty, two-metre-tall, cast iron Jesus sat a grubby heavily glazed ceramic plate which catapulted Magnus deeper into the secretive, murky and unregulated world of fine arts.…

1
The Reluctant Conformist 14, the McAulay’s sanctuary became Robin’s Croft in the postal district of Kerrowdhoo, Onchan Parish. 15:12

2y ago15:12

15:12

Robin’s Croft was a dilapidated seventeenth century stone cottage with the luxury of a cold water tap, but having no kitchen, gas, electricity nor sanitation. However, they’d survived the war and had a roof over their heads. For the first time four-year-old Magnus had a friend his own age. Andrew lived nearby beneath the trees of Fairy Glen and was…

1
#3/5 Young Entrepeneur has success in Yorkshire Dales 30:33

2y ago30:33

30:33

In this episode Susan talks with Ed Taylor, an inspirational young entrepeneur, who, in spite of all the challenges going on recently, has actually set up his own successful business. At the age of 26, and with just two years running the company under his belt, Ed has 8 employees and is currently recruiting for more. Having been brought up in Leeds…

1
The Reluctant Conformist 13 Magnus’s adventures along a coastal pilgrimage trail. 16:44

2y ago16:44

16:44

Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) may activate Arterial Fibrillation amongst susceptible pilgrims. A cubist inspired shrine in which 80year old Yoko Ono’s power of imagination shine. Magnus is one of millions who remain impacted by Hitler’s ambitions.By Richard H Cowley

1
Episode 050: Cycling The Way Of The Roses 1:16:46

2y ago1:16:46

1:16:46

To celebrate its 50th episode, Andrew P. Sykes takes The Cycling Europe Podcast out on the cycle path and travels from Morecambe on Lancashire's west coast to the county's historical capital at Lancaster, across the Pennines and through Yorkshire via Settle and Ripon, completing his trip in that county's historical capital at York. The Way of the R…

1
#3/4 Home Start wins Queen's Award 28:48

2y ago28:48

28:48

Today's episode is with Yvonne Macdonald, one of the coordinators running Richmondshire's branch of Home Start. This is a charitable organisation supporting families with young children and their aim is for every parent to have the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. Home Start is a global organisation and star…

1
The Reluctant Conformist 12, an art exhibition by one of ‘His Majesty’s Most Loyal Enemy Alien’ WW II internees, sparks a treasure hunt for a missing masterpiece. 12:54

2y ago12:54

12:54

Magnus records the unique artistry of Willie Leece, the modest creator of a unique style of rural assemblage sculpture. The ‘Hedge’ art works of this quietly thoughtful Manx farmer are selected to be hung alongside a blockbuster travelling Tate Gallery exhibition for a giant of the twentieth century’s artistic fraternity, Herr Kurt Schwitters. An u…

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