Cycling Destination Approved – what is it?

Recently we have created a new section on Cycling Destination called Cycling Destination Approved. But what exactly is this? And how can you qualify for it? We will explain the concept briefly, so it is clear why a location can be or become a ‘Cycling Destination Approved’ destination.

You have to earn it

In short, Cycling Destination Approved is a quality label. It is a place where we, as a Cycling Destination, feel welcome as cyclists. A place where you get what you pay for, where the service is good and where they go the extra mile. Within this category, we distinguish several categories. The criteria for each category are more or less the same. The most important thing is: the label is NOT for sale. A paid partnership with our platform does not guarantee a mention in this beautiful list. It does, however, ensure that we will visit, but only then.

Categories

The categories to be distinguished in Cycling Destination Approved are as follows:

• Coffee shops
• Hotels/B&Bs
• Campgrounds
• (Bike) specialty shops

In the continuation of this article, we explain how we reach our judgment per category.

Coffee shops

In our opinion, a coffee shop is Cycling Destination Approved if it meets the following criteria:

• Quality coffee, so no D-E machine with pre-programmed settings
• Something delicious to go with it, homemade or from a local partner. No factory junk
• A lunch card is a plus, but it is not necessary.
• Place to store your bike
• Option to purchase a inner tube, a pattern or other emergency purchase
• Bike-friendly: as a cyclist, you can fill up your water bottle, for example, you can borrow a lock for your bike or other simple services.
• Bike-related decoration items in the shop are always a plus!

Hotels / Bed and Breakfast

To be recognized as a cycling destination approved by Cycling Destination Approved, the requirements are quite simple:

• Bike storage that can be locked up
• Bike pump and repair tools on-site
• Place to rinse and clean your bike
• Routes from the hotel for both race and gravel (downloadable or not)
• Possibility to stay only 1 night (for example, on a bikepacking trip)
• Breakfast (buffet) that is suitable for cyclists. Usually that means: yogurt/cottage cheese, fresh fruit, bread, good coffee and an egg
• Preferably, you can also arrange a few things at the hotel, such as having your clothes washed quickly if they are extremely dirty, or getting some supplies for a follow-up trip.

Read also: Basic packing list for a cycling holiday

Campgrounds

A campsite is of course a separate category. These are the most important criteria:

• Lockable bicycle storage
• Draining spot for your bike
• Laundry service for clothes
• Spacious tent spot or caravan spot so you can store your belongings
• Routes from the campsite for racing and gravel
• Breakfast service or a good nearby coffee shop with breakfast
• Emergency items for sale, such as a band, pattern, energy bar or the like

(Bicycle) specialty store

This category is somewhat more open-ended and therefore more subject to personal preferences. The most important thing for us is the following:

• Good and friendly welcome. Nothing is worse than walking around a store for 5 minutes and not being addressed.
• Prompt service: an appointment is an appointment, and if something goes wrong, we'd like to hear about it beforehand and not find out afterwards
• A shop ‘breathes’ cycling and passion. That can be seen in the stories of the owner/owner, in a cozy café, in beautiful items on the wall.
• Bonus points for an original name
• Bonus points for an original concept