Battlefield Cycling

Fantastic experience: What a wonderful week – I learned so much. The whole experience was really great! I will highly recommend it to friends and family as the best way to understand the war, not just from an Australian & NZ perspective, but also the impact to the local French people and their lives. I especially appreciated the detour to Le Quesnoy. Your knowledge, and also Mike and Neale, made all the difference.

Fantastic experience: I can very highly recommend John Phelan’s Battlefield Cycling tours. I was a participant in the 2023 tour of Belgium and France. John is passionate about military history and he has an extensive knowledge of the history of World War 1 and of the locations where the major battles were fought. The visits to the cemeteries in particular are a silent, tragic testimony to the scale of the loss of life. Even though the war was over a hundred years ago, seeing these places and learning about what the soldiers endured evokes powerful connections to the sacrifice made by our forefathers. The tour was extremely well organized and the itinerary had the flexibility needed for weather conditions. The daily pace, on foot or bike was very comfortable. Apart from the war sites and memorials, John made sure there was also a very enjoyable social agenda with great restaurants and introductions to some wonderful beverages. Belgium beer must be sampled! John’s wife Jo, was our outstanding chef who provided amazing meals that reflected the local cuisine. Accommodation was excellent which included experiencing the grandeur of the eighteenth-century Chateau de Contay. I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. Many laughs, great stories, much banter and a collective appreciation of the significance of the war. Top marks to John’s Battlefield Cycling Tours.

Fantastic experience: I did the 2 week tour of Belgium (Ypres Salient) and the Somme, incorporating both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix professional cycling races. The tour well exceeded expectations, and there are way too many highlights to list them all. However top of the list would be: - Being there where it all happened, having the battle strategies explained, hearing about the appaling conditions, and following the individual stories of some of the combatants. - Visiting the Australian War Memorial at Villers Bretonneux and experiencing 'that moment'. Was surprised at the affection still so publicly displayed for the Aussies. - There were so many other military cemetries - too many to mention. However Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth Military Cemetery in the world was a highlight, as was Langemark German War Cemetery. - Hearing the last post at Menin Gates, where it has been played every evening since 1928 (apart from WW2 times). - Enjoying Jo's sensational cooking which has left my Hello Fresh at home looking very ordinary. - Being roadside on the cobbles for Paris Roubaix. -Walking through the Battle of Waterloo with a retired RAF Group Captain - a bonus day. John's enthusiasm for the topic is infectious and his expertise in this area of history is extensive. I highly recommend this tour for those with an interest in modern history, cycling, cameraderie, and food.