Just when you think there’s nothing new under the cycling sun, a new idea puts some grease on your gears.

I like: why not make bike trips Lifestyle? Not just a vacation option?

Ok, not a new idea for me, of course, but I am an exception. It is not the rule. And so are Darren Alff, Alastair Humphreys, Tom Kevill-Davies and Kate Harris. Four dyed lycra, obsessive, passionate, take no prisoners nomadic / explorer / adventurer cycle.

Each one keeps the wolf out of their saddlebags with websites / blogs / books related to their biking adventures. Great for them, right? So how does this affect you?

Well … now these “Fantastic Four” have morphed into cycle lifestyle evangelists. Encourage the “young” (hopefully the “young at heart” as well) to follow in his footsteps.

His “Mission Control” is the Bicycle travel network. I managed to catch up with Tom Kevill-Davies, the “hungry rider” between bites recently.

BG – How did you get inspired to create it?

THOMAS – The cycling community is small and the four of us have been in contact for some time. Through the conversations, it became clear that individually we were helping to encourage people to view 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 crossed 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 them sent us 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 bike riders, one of our main goals was to create a network of next-generation bike travelers who are 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 in 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 pinpoint the four founders at any given moment to make decisions – it’s hard to do when each of us spends most of our time in the road looking for adventure. But once we all talked, it became very clear that we all wanted to combine our collective knowledge and experiences with other potential bike travelers; thereafter 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 touch for some time. By getting to know each other and our different offerings, 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 moving forward by providing top-notch technical information for cyclists through Bicycle Touring Pro, Al leads his field in motivational counseling and expedition planning, Tom has been showing the more enjoyable and cultural aspects of bike travel while Kate is there as ground. breaking female adventurer. With these four areas of expertise covered, it was a case of ‘One for all and all for one!

BG – Why focus on the “youth”? that is, why aren’t all people on the same wavelength?

THOMAS – This was a difficult decision. We were very interested in not discriminating by age but having given talks in schools and youth clubs to promote bicycle trips, we knew that the younger generations were the ones who needed the most help. 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 bike commuters, we hope to help bike commuters of all generations in the future.

BG – Explain your financing strategy / process. (i.e. how do donors prospect? What is their return, if any, in addition to a tax write-off?)

THOMAS – Your first days for the project, but we expect our main sources of income for donations 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 advertising, field tests and advertising space on the website.

3. Donations of old equipment and private donations from generous people who want to help change the life of a young traveler.

BG – What is your goal?

THOMAS – Make the bicycle trip the first option for those looking to live an adventure or see the world.

BG – How can people help?

THOMAS – Spread the word: open a link on your blog or website and tell your friends. If you are a business looking for a targeted marketing opportunity for your products, get in touch with us! And if you have a few pounds to spare, make a donation today!

THROW ME A BONE HERE PEOPLE!

What are you thinking?