Escapes

As a regular reader of Shape Magazine, I came across a new segment called Escapes: Reader's Postcard. The editor wrote: "Share with us the picture that best sums up your favourite active holiday, along with a short description of it."

Just then, I was reminiscing about my summer vacation last year and decided to write in on a whim. A couple of days later, the editor wrote back asking for a hi-res photo. I didn't even know I won a bag until I saw myself in the magazine later.

Here it is. It's an excerpt from the story "Let's hit the road" which I submitted to Intrepid Travels. My entry was selected as one of the winners of "City encounters". You can read it here.

I went on two cycling holidays in France last year. We had long days of cycling with some steep hills to climb but wonderful views to compensate. Strong winds, hot days and dramatic descents along winding mountain roads made some routes very challenging but it was worth every turn of the pedals. It was really sensational cycling. We traversed through vineyards, orchards with silver green olive trees, pine forests, quarries, gentle hills and mountain ranges, magnificent ravines and valleys, forts and unmade roads.