Where We Ride

Planning a group cycling trip for 20 or 30 people? How do you turn a WhatsApp group idea into a club trip that actually goes smoothly? In this episode of Where We Ride, Lee Bibring and Georgia Bullard share their practical advice on organising group and club cycling trips, from choosing a destination to getting everyone's bikes, bags and flights sorted. It's just as useful if you're heading off with five or six mates. From airport transfers and bike boxes to hotels versus villas, this conversation covers the logistics that make or break a group cycling holiday, plus some destinations beyond the usual Mallorca and Calpe. In this episode, you'll discover: - How to handle arrivals, transfers and bike boxes when everyone lands at different times - Why a bike-friendly hotel with half board often beats an Airbnb or villa for a group - Why riding as a group of 20 annoys the locals, and how to split into smaller groups - Route planning tips, including Komoot, gravel days and making the most of limited time in Tenerife - Why Emilia-Romagna in Italy is a great alternative, with riding towards San Marino and the Nove Colli hills - Hiring a bike versus taking your own, and the spares worth packing - How to plan your week, and why you shouldn't go mad on day one Whether you're the lead organiser or just along for the ride, this episode will help you plan a better club cycling trip. Where We Ride is powered by Love Velo, bringing you stories, insights and inspiration from the world of cycling. Subscribe to Where We Ride for more cycling adventures, destination guides and conversations with the people who make cycling special. #WhereWeRide #LoveVelo #CyclingTrips #ClubCycling #CyclingHoliday

Planning a group cycling trip for 20 or 30 people? How do you turn a WhatsApp group idea into a club trip that actually goes smoothly? In this episode of Where We Ride, Lee Bibring and Georgia Bullard share their practical advice on organising group and club cycling trips, from choosing a destination to getting everyone's bikes, bags and flights sorted. It's just as useful if you're heading off with five or six mates. From airport transfers and bike boxes to hotels versus villas, this conversation covers the logistics that make or break a group cycling holiday, plus some destinations beyond the usual Mallorca and Calpe. In this episode, you'll discover: - How to handle arrivals, transfers and bike boxes when everyone lands at different times - Why a bike-friendly hotel with half board often beats an Airbnb or villa for a group - Why riding as a group of 20 annoys the locals, and how to split into smaller groups - Route planning tips, including Komoot, gravel days and making the most of limited time in Tenerife - Why Emilia-Romagna in Italy is a great alternative, with riding towards San Marino and the Nove Colli hills - Hiring a bike versus taking your own, and the spares worth packing - How to plan your week, and why you shouldn't go mad on day one Whether you're the lead organiser or just along for the ride, this episode will help you plan a better club cycling trip. Where We Ride is powered by Love Velo, bringing you stories, insights and inspiration from the world of cycling. Subscribe to Where We Ride for more cycling adventures, destination guides and conversations with the people who make cycling special. #WhereWeRide #LoveVelo #CyclingTrips #ClubCycling #CyclingHoliday

The Étape du Tour 2027 route is here, and this sportive is a beast. On 11 July 2027, thousands of amateur riders will head to the Alps to tackle Stage 11 of the Tour de France, 154 km from Cluses to Les Saisies with 4,850 metres of climbing. In this episode of Where We Ride, Lee Bibring and Georgia Bullard focus on the big climbs on the Étape du Tour 2027 course, the ones that will shape your day. You'll hear what to expect on the Col de la Colombière and the Col de la Croix Fry, before the brutal finale: the Col du Pré, 12.6 km at 7.8%, straight into the Montée de Bisanne, 12.4 km at 8.3%, finishing on the Col des Saisies at 1,650 metres. It's the first time ever Les Saisies has hosted an Étape du Tour finish. We cover how to pace the big Alpine climbs, fuelling for a long day in the mountains, where the race is won and lost for amateurs, and how to start training now for July. Whether you've secured your Étape du Tour entry, you're weighing it up, or you just want to ride the Beaufortain and Haute Savoie cols yourself, this is your complete guide to the 2027 route. Listen, subscribe and tell a riding mate who's signed up. Plan your Étape du Tour trip or ride these Alpine climbs at your own pace with Love Velo: lovevelo.co.uk #EtapeDuTour2027 #LEtapeDuTourDeFrance #TourDeFrance2027 #Stage11 #ClusesLesSaisies #CyclingSportive #AlpineClimbs #SportiveTraining #CyclingPodcast #Cycling #RoadCycling #CyclingLife #CyclingChallenge #FrenchAlps #CyclingTraining

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to cycle 1,000km across some of the toughest mountain passes in Europe? In this episode of Where We Ride, Lee Bibring and Georgia Bullard are joined by endurance cyclist, entrepreneur and founder of The Col Collective, Mike Cotty, to explore the mindset, resilience and personal experiences behind some of cycling's biggest challenges. Mike takes us through his incredible 1,000km Road to Mont Blanc challenge, riding across 21 mountain passes, climbing around 24,000 metres and completing the entire journey without sleep. He shares the mindset that allowed him to keep moving forward, why he focused on taking the challenge one pedal stroke at a time, and how sometimes the biggest battle is simply staying present in the moment. The conversation also explores Mike's journey from engineering and British Aerospace to working in cycling marketing and eventually creating The Col Collective, one of the best-known resources for cyclists exploring Europe's mountains. Mike opens up about the more personal side of cycling too, including losing his brother and how a 2011 ride across the Pyrenees became a turning point in processing grief, changing his perspective on life and beginning a completely new chapter. From endurance cycling and mental resilience to mountain adventures, cycling as therapy and finding purpose through exploration, this episode offers plenty of inspiration for anyone looking to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. In this episode: • Mike Cotty's 1,000km Road to Mont Blanc challenge• Cycling 21 mountain passes and 24,000m of elevation• Riding 1,000km without sleep• The mindset behind ultra-endurance cycling• Taking challenges one pedal stroke at a time• Mental resilience and staying focused under pressure• Cycling as escapism, therapy and creativity• Mike's journey from engineering to the cycling industry• The story behind The Col Collective• Processing grief through cycling and adventure• Why bigger and harder challenges aren't always the answer• Exploring Europe's greatest cycling climbs• Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Col de la Nivolet and Nebelhorn• Preparing for the Étape du Tour• Fuel, heat, altitude and managing risk• Adventure cycling, self-discovery and pushing beyond your comfort zone Where We Ride is one of the UK's favourite cycling podcasts, powered by Love Velo and bringing you inspiring cycling experiences, unforgettable cycling journeys, and the people who make cycling what it is. #Cycling #CyclingPodcast #MikeCotty #EnduranceCycling #AdventureCycling #CyclingMindset #BikeTravel #CyclingAdventures #LoveVelo #WhereWeRide

Have you ever wondered why Calpe has become one of Europe's biggest cycling destinations? In this episode of Where We Ride, Lee Bibring and Georgia Bullard take a deep dive into cycling in Calpe, exploring the roads, climbs, cafés and cycling culture that have made it a favourite with professional cyclists and riders from around the world. Georgia shares her experience of living and training in Calpe during her professional cycling career, from riding the famous Coll de Rates to discovering coastal routes, hidden gems and some of the area's best cycling cafés. The conversation explores why professional cycling teams choose Calpe for winter training, the best time to visit, where to stay and what makes the area such a versatile destination for both serious training and cycling holidays. In this episode: •⁠ ⁠Cycling in Calpe, Spain •⁠ ⁠The famous Coll de Rates climb •⁠ ⁠Cumbre del Sol and other challenging climbs •⁠ ⁠The best cycling routes around Calpe •⁠ ⁠Winter cycling and the best time to visit •⁠ ⁠Why professional teams train in Calpe •⁠ ⁠The best cycling cafés and coffee stops •⁠ ⁠Where to stay in Calpe and nearby towns •⁠ ⁠Coastal cycling routes and hidden gems •⁠ ⁠Calpe's cycling culture and pro cyclist hotspots •⁠ ⁠What to do in Calpe off the bike •⁠ ⁠Why Calpe is perfect for a cycling holiday Where We Ride is powered by Love Velo bringing you inspiring stories, unforgettable rides and the people who make cycling what it is. #Cycling #CyclingPodcast #Calpe #CyclingSpain #RoadCycling #CyclingHoliday #BikeTravel #CyclingRoutes #LoveVelo #WhereWeRide