THE delights of Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast are to make headlines abroad after visitors got into gear for a Dorset tour.

Tour de Manche, part of the European-funded Cycle West project, links up cycling routes in South West England and France – via ferry crossings – and is helping to boost tourism as adventurers explore Normandy, Brittany, Devon and Dorset by bike.

The latest visitors to enjoy the route were a group of international journalists who cycled part of the route through Dorset and stopped off in Weymouth and Portland.

As well as visiting Chesil Beach they had lunch at the Oasis Bistro at Weymouth harbourside.

Among the group was Dutch regional newspaper reporter Rik Booldink who said of Dorset: “It’s a lovely place with great views.

“Walking along Chesil Beach was strange. Walking over the pebbles felt like being in a ball pool.”

He added: “I found there were more cycle lanes here than in France and the signs are better.

“We cycled a few miles through Purbeck and there were so many different landscapes.”

German journalist Harald Rief, agreed, saying: “We cycled though very interesting landscape, it changes often.

“It was a surprise to come here. I don’t think people in Germany realise England is such a cycling country.”

Coverage from the nine journalists will reach in excess of over 1 million readers via national and local newspapers and dedicated cycling magazines.

The visit was arranged by Visit England with assistance from Dorset County Council and Weymouth-based cycle holiday company Signpost Cycling.

Jacqui Gisbourne from Signpost Cycling said: “The group said the Dorset leg was the best section so far because the route changes so much.

“They came across on the Sandbanks Ferry and went through the Purbeck heaths, saw historic Corfe Castle then the Jurassic Coast and down to Chesil Beach before visiting the seaside at Weymouth. They absolutely loved it.

“The weather has really helped too.”

The 1200km/745miles Tour de Manche goes from Plymouth to Poole, crossing the Channel to Cherbourg and finishing in Roscoff.

There is also the option of the Petit Tour de Manche which starts in Weymouth and goes to Poole before crossing to France and the Channel Islands.