Iainj837
Guru
- Location
- Shepton Mallet Somerset
Do you prefer to do a diy cycling holiday or use a cycling holidays company
Cycling Holidays
- Thread starter Iainj837
- Start date
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vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
Always DIY.
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
DIY, Did holland last year only five days, booked the b&b before we went no probs, are doing the same this year but for a bit longer.we are also planning our two week main holiday, not sure were we are going yet.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
DIY every time, never really considered an organised holiday.
I like the complete freedom of DIY, stop when I see something interesting, change direction according to the weather, chat with strangers I meet and go home with them when invited, for tea or even overnight.
I like the complete freedom of DIY, stop when I see something interesting, change direction according to the weather, chat with strangers I meet and go home with them when invited, for tea or even overnight.
OP
OP
Iainj837
Guru
- Location
- Shepton Mallet Somerset
I have been looking @ a certain cyclist touring holiday company, as I was going to go on one of their holidays but I wanted to know every ones thoughts
So as I have never done a cycling holiday before not sure where to start
So as I have never done a cycling holiday before not sure where to start
lulubel
Über Member
- Location
- Malaga, Spain
You might have more luck posting in the general forum rather than touring.
Touring is generally thought of as doing it yourself, planning your own route, possibly making it up as you go, so those are the kind of responses you're likely to get here. I'm pretty sure there are people here who have done organised trips, but I'm not sure that they come to this part of the forum.
We did one of these when we became interested in cycling as a way of keeping fit. One week in the Lot valley in France. The bikes were not particularly well maintained. I had to cycle back 3 miles to the first hotel to get a spanner from my car, to fix the saddle on my wife's bike. The hotels were fine and the luggage was always there before us. The routes were reasonable for beginners and you could change them if you wanted to, but 4 miles for the last day was a bit pathetic. However, this was a long time ago and hopefully things have changed (although the company still exists!)
We went with a cycling company last summer to Slovenia, had an amazing time and it really took the stress out of it. We decided we wanted to go somewhere different and found this company online, was a bit unsure at first but glad we went with them. www.simplycyclingslovenia.com we got to cycle Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Croatia in the same week, INCREDIBLE!
Not sure where to go this year, any suggestions??
Not sure where to go this year, any suggestions??
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
If you want something done properly do it yourself. I think riding alone is far far better than riding in a group. I guess riding in a group is ok on the road as you'll probably just ride your own tours, but off the bike...all those restrictions and charachter clashes...no thanks.
CopperBrompton
Bicycle: a means of transport between cake-stops
- Location
- London
DIY every time. Generally, planning the trip is half the fun; you have more flexibility; and you aren't paying a premium for someone else's choices of everything from transport to accommodation.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
I can understand your concerns if you have not tried this sort of holiday before. Why not plan a short break for a start, perhaps just a long weekend?
It's not clear if you are thinking of camping/hostelling or using hotels/B&B. The B&B/hotel would be a good start if you have not done the camping before, less gear to carry.
Foreign or UK? Although many sing the praises of France, I much prefer the Netherlands, no problems with language, and hotels are used to having guests with bikes, also loads of excellent camp sites there.
The most difficult part of cycle touring is getting beyond the end of your street, after that it's great!
OP
OP
Iainj837
Guru
- Location
- Shepton Mallet Somerset
I am thinking for a first cycling holiday I thought the uk and I am thinking camping but like you said long weekend using B&B
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
Good! Now you might consider taking the bike in the train to somewhere, basing yourself in B&B and doing day trips out from a centre, which saves the faff of looking for a new B&B each night, or a moving on each night holiday.
Now that I think about it, my first cycling holiday was actually car assisted and B&B but I soon realised I could dispense with the car for the next tour.
OP
OP
Iainj837
Guru
- Location
- Shepton Mallet Somerset
Well car assisted isn't an option for me
I've done both. My first tour was with a now defunct company, from Krakow to Budapest. I had the time of my life with some people I still meet up with from time to time, 10 years later. I think I was lucky in the chancey game of meeting new people but we had a great time. I have never laughed or drunk so much and the cycling was a pain-free way of getting into touring.
Having said all that I wouldn't do it again now but it gave me the realisation that I'd enjoy touring and have done self-organised trips ever since.
They can be a good way of showing you what cycle-touring is about in an albeit slightly anaesthetised way, and were great for those who like company but have no-one to tour with.
Having said all that I wouldn't do it again now but it gave me the realisation that I'd enjoy touring and have done self-organised trips ever since.
They can be a good way of showing you what cycle-touring is about in an albeit slightly anaesthetised way, and were great for those who like company but have no-one to tour with.
