Geraint Rowland

Photographing the Countrywide Great Tour 2015

In the summer of 2015 a small group of cyclists set off from Anglesey in North Wales for a 64 day journey, circumnavigating the coastline of Great Britain.  At the start of July the cyclists began their epic journey cycling the entire coastline of Wales, Scotland and England before finally arriving back at their starting point seven weeks later.  Over the course of the 6,700 kilometre journey they were joined by hundreds of fellow cyclists for various stages of the Tour.  Always cycling in sight, sound and smell of the sea, the Countrywide Great Tour celebrated the beautiful and varied coastline of England, Scotland and Wales.

In 2010 I took part in the original Great Tour as a cyclists in which I rode the entire coastline of Wales.  In 2015 I was invited by the Sweetspot group (organisers of the Great Tour as well as the Tour of Britain and the Tour Series), to join the Countrywide Great Tour as the official photographer.  Photos were published daily on their social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and their Flickr account.  In addition to images created for social media, a photo was also published in the Telegraph newspaper daily.  Click through the slideshow below for a selection of cycling photographs from the Countrywide Great Tour 2015:

The Countrywide Great Tour was an amazing experience and I recommend anyone to get involved in 2018 when the Great Tour is returning.  Cyclists can join for individual days, whole weeks or for the more adventurous: the entire 64 days.  The individual day stages are around 100km and are fully supported so are suitable for the majority of people regardless of your cycling experience.  It is an amazing way to get outside and experience the beautiful coastline of Great Britain on two wheels.  

I wrote an additional blog containing some landscape and location photos from the Countrywide Great Tour 2015 titled, 'Photographing the Coastline of Great Britain'.  In the meantime for more photos of the Countrywide Tour 2015 you can check my CGT2015 Flickr Album.  

More examples of my photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, and my Flickr account. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.