Cycling holiday opinions wanted - Thanks!!

[1234]

Hi there,

Apologies for my first post being a bit needy but I hope you nice people can help me out.

My brother and I are considering starting up a cycling holiday business based out of a villa in Greece. If could provide me with your opinions on the following it would be gratefully appreciated:

Would the absence of a swimming pool put you off from booking, even though there is free access to a hotel pool or sea approx 2 km away?

How much riding would you want to do per day?

Would you prefer guided or self guided rides?

What would be your minimum service expectations from a cycle holiday?

What other aspects would you like us to provide eg catering wise, bar, etc?

Please feel free to add any other feedback you think might be useful.

Once again thanks for any feedback

Cheers.

 

[Milkfloat]

Hi there,

Apologies for my first post being a bit needy but I hope you nice people can help me out.

My brother and I are considering starting up a cycling holiday business based out of a villa in Greece. If could provide me with your opinions on the following it would be gratefully appreciated:

Would the absence of a swimming pool put you off from booking, even though there is free access to a hotel pool or sea approx 2 km away? - YES

How much riding would you want to do per day? - Varied, anything from 2 hours to 8 depending on heat, terrain, views etc

Would you prefer guided or self guided rides? - Both

What would be your minimum service expectations from a cycle holiday? Transfers, guided rides, route planning, packed lunch, basic workshop, access to hire bikes, local knowledge

What other aspects would you like us to provide eg catering wise, bar, etc? Options, not just a single package. Let people chose how much they want everything arranged

Please feel free to add any other feedback you think might be useful.

Once again thanks for any feedback

Cheers.

 

[1234]

Thanks very much.

Would you be prepared to pay a premium for the pool compared to the same offering without?

 

[Milkfloat]

Thanks very much.

Would you be prepared to pay a premium for the pool compared to the same offering without?

For me yes - a cycling holiday is not just about cycling. In fact I would be unlikely to stay somewhere without very easy access to a pool or the beach.

 

[mythste]

Would the absence of a swimming pool put you off from booking, even though there is free access to a hotel pool or sea approx 2 km away? Afraid so, Going away means having a pool as far as im concerned!

How much riding would you want to do per day? I think the ability to pick one of a number of routes that vary in length/climb/sightseeing would be nice, and the decision could be made post ride depending on weather/amount of beer still in system.

Would you prefer guided or self guided rides? The option to choose again would be good.

What would be your minimum service expectations from a cycle holiday? somewhere safe to stow the bikes.

What other aspects would you like us to provide eg catering wise, bar, etc? "scoped out" stop offs. Knowing that a lovely cafe/bar would be expecting us would be a simple but lovely addition.

Please feel free to add any other feedback you think might be useful.
Having a full knowledge and possibly helping to transport bikes/gear/people to and from Airports would be important to me, as someone that has never taken a bike abroad but would like to. Perhaps a hire bikebox? Would that be completely silly?

Once again thanks for any feedback

Cheers.

 

[TissoT]

Guided rides Is must as the riders will/may/don't know the area
Three groups going out 30/50/80+ hilly/flat.
A swimming pool/Jacuzzi to reflex in after the ride
A bar or somewhere to socialise with other riders in the evening
some where to store the bikes that's safe ..
Café/coffee stops on route (lunch)
Guides which mechanical experience

 

[1234]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

[s7ephanie]

where in Greece?

 

[roadrash]

I think @BigonaBianchi has started something similar in greece

 

[Dayvo]

Hi there,

Apologies for my first post being a bit needy but I hope you nice people can help me out.

My brother and I are considering starting up a cycling holiday business based out of a villa in Greece. If could provide me with your opinions on the following it would be gratefully appreciated:

Would the absence of a swimming pool put you off from booking, even though there is free access to a hotel pool or sea approx 2 km away? If I wanted to swim, I'd ride or walk to the beach, assuming it's not down a ruddy great cliff.

How much riding would you want to do per day? Depends on how hot it was, or windy, or how hilly. Anything up to a 100 -120 km a day depending on terrain.

Would you prefer guided or self guided rides? The option of having a guide would be good, thereby being able to take the once-cycled route at a quicker/slower/ pace, or with more stops on a solo ride or with a smaller group.

What would be your minimum service expectations from a cycle holiday? Clean, comfortable accommodation, in a quietish area, with options of restaurants or provided meals. Good, safe cycling, on well sealed roads (I'm talking with regard to road bike riding).

What other aspects would you like us to provide eg catering wise, bar, etc? Collection from airport or ferry port. Small cosy bar, with a 'library', maybe a small 'cinema' available.

Please feel free to add any other feedback you think might be useful.

Once again thanks for any feedback

Cheers.

Where abouts might it be?

Good luck!

 

[Dayvo]

I think @BigonaBianchi has started something similar in greece

North Cyprus, IIRC.

 

[1234]

Eretria, on the Island of Evia. About an hours drive from Athens airport.

Plenty of hills and scenic riding. :-)

 

[TissoT]

Is Greece a good place to ride ?
are the local motorist friendly to cyclist (bunch)

I ride in Mallorca a lot and the motorist there give way for cyclist its a fantastic place to ride

 

[1234]

Ive not ridden there much but my Brother lives out there and does a lot of riding.

 

[User269]

We usually do our own thing, self catering rented villa with pool, plan our own rides etc.

Wot @tissot said. From an organised 'cycling holiday' I expect; comfortable en-suite accommodation, half board, bar, pool (this is standard stuff, no premium to pay), airport transfers or affordable alternative (eg; taxi), choice of guided, self guided or no rides, option of bike hire, guided rides to include back up and refreshment stops, and to offer an option of distances from 40 - 70 miles depending on ascent.

It's a beautiful, quiet island, Evia, but I wouldn't choose it for road riding, but I bet it's brilliant for mountain/off road riding.

If these things aren't provided, I don't see the point; I can either do the usual thing with partner and friends, or just go on my own somewhere and check into a hotel.