Dutch head to North East England in search of hills
The first Dutch package holiday mountain bikers gather at Kielder Castle, ready to hit the trails after arriving on the overnight ferry from Holland (Mark Pinder)
Olympic mountain biker Bart Brentjens led a party of nearly 50 Dutch cyclists on a package holiday to North East England.
They also had a masterclass from Brentjens, gold medallist for Holland at the 1996 Atlanta games.
They were visiting on the the first ever – and oversubscribed – tailor-made biking holiday to the region.
The trip was organised by ferry company DFDS and regional development agency One North East, and supported by Newcastle-based cycle tour organisers Saddle Skedaddle.
Helen McLoughlin, international marketing manager at One North East, said: “Mountain biking is an increasingly popular sport and as Bart’s visit shows, North East England is attracting riders from across Europe.
With further off-road routes set to open this summer, scores more European bikers are expected to cross the North Sea to hit the region's trails between now and October.
Alex MacLennan, recreation, tourism and communities manager with the Forestry Commission, said: “With a strong euro, the region has never been more attractive to European visitors, but the real draw is the fabulous new biking facilities.
"Many bike tourists already visit under their own steam, but having a well marketed vacation package will do wonders for the region's profile and boost the local economy – good news at a crucial time for businesses.”
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