Author: Alessandra Yang

Admiring Tavistock on the last leg of my journey And here I find myself on a flight out of Exeter en route to Philadelphia via Dublin. Did I really climb 17,000 feet and 215 miles around Devon in five days? Sunday’s fifth and final leg out of Tavistock contained a humdinger in the form of…

I’ve gotten lovely and encouraging comments on the Crowdfunder page but can’t access emails to write everyone who has contributed; I wanted you all to know that I see them, and thank you! Andy also tells me that some of you have contributed in other ways. All of this gives me a real shot in…

I didn’t do sports in high school. I’m ashamed to say I looked down on athletes while I spent all my time practicing viola or studying. My sixteen-year-old self might be mortified to see me now.  Part of this was because I am dreadful at any sport involving a ball (pretty much all American team…

Another tough day, this time starting at the hotel’s front door in Lyme Regis and going straight up for miles, the worst climb of the route.  Hill after hill followed until it started to level out and became lumpy rather than hilly in north Devon. I wound up on some highways, which was terrifying, but…

Sarah, Pip, Deborah, Rob, Heather looking fresh at 9 am Day one is done! I’m sitting in a little hotel in Lyme Regis digesting an enormous pork chop and potatoes and like to think I earned it after near 5,000’ elevation and 55 miles. I had a lovely send-off this morning. Pip made a chocolate…

The weirdest photo shoot I’ve ever done Standing inside a hot air balloon with a bicycle and a viola – that’s not something you do every day. We had the official launch (pun intended – groan) of my circumnavigation of Devon by bicycle. Sarah and Heather put this together, bless them; that’s a proper send-off.…

Sunday, 11 May 2025 I arrived in Ashburton a few hours ago, my usual taxi driver and buddy Dave Ward at Tarka Taxi in Newton Abbot picking me up. I sat in front and we compared notes on our favorite Star Trek characters. It is a good omen for this trip to start in such…

Saturday, May 10 2025 Test ride in New York City a few weeks ago Pre-trip Bike and kit are packed away, I’ve checked the list once, twice, three times – I don’t want to forget anything but also want to make sure I’m not carrying too much, either. The race bike looks pretty cool with…

Official ACMF blog coming soon! Artistic Director David Yang starts his cycling journey this coming week, on Wednesday, May 14. Follow for his updates here!

Join us for the sixth annual festival featuring eminent international musicians in intimate venues in and around Ashburton! Including music by J.S. Bach • Ludwig van Beethoven • Oliver Knussen CBE • Gabrielle Mills • Dmitri Shostakovich • Augusta Read Thomas • Tom Vignieri Save the dates: 18 – 27 July 2025 For more information or to…