Womens Only Holiday/training Camp

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... I want a holiday where the host supports it as a safe space ...
Fair enough.

And all power to your elbow should you choose to suggest another "sector in a market", apparently currently ill-served. Go for it. Maybe somebody will take the bait and think about it. Again, go for it.

But ...
I think selling such things in the UK should lead to prosecution under the Equalities Act.
... is a recipe for Xmas goose, over-roasted, and horribly overdone. :tongue:
 

Rickshaw Phil

Overconfidentii Vulgaris
Moderator
Moderator note:

This thread has become rather sidetracked. The subject is whether a female only cycling holiday/training camp would be of interest.

Any further discussion about whether this suggestion is sexist and how it relates to British Cycling is not appropriate to the thread and will be removed after this point, as may be the person posting it.

Thankyou
 

Pat "5mph"

A kilogrammicaly challenged woman
Moderator
Location
Glasgow
@1234 I think yours is a good business idea if you can implement it properly to give maximum cycling satisfaction.
Forgive me if I missed it with the many ot posts, but what Greek island is it?
From my experience riding with female only and mixed groups alike, here is what I think would make your idea a success.
First, I would concentrate on attracting the intermediate riders that may want to incorporate cycling for fun in their holidays while exploring new places.
The more experienced, the pro or semi pro will already have their training plans, the fast amateurs mostly go to Spain, France or Italy to tackle well known hills for a challenge, I may be wrong, but they would not come to you.
Your ride leaders are crucial, they will make the rides a holiday to remember, to tell your friends about.
Be very clear in what rides you're offering but be also prepared to hear moaning about the routes after, sometimes people overestimate their capabilities, not much you can do about this.
You will need to have lots of bikes, or a nearby rental place that you could strike a deal with.
Me, I would be mostly impressed by little touches like my provided bike to have a rack, a pannier with pump, spare inner, tyre levers and multi tool for a deposit, free water bottle in my room on arrival.
In England Breeze rides are popular, while in Scotland we have the Belles on Bikes: each major city.region have their own groups with online pages: get posting about your holidays!
Women only activities are not normally my cup of tea, but this one sounds good, I could see myself going on one :smile:
 

alicat

Squire
Location
Staffs
I would want to know what facilities there are locally to cope with mechanicals. Greece isn't a cycling nation imho and I wouldn't like to be without a proper bike shop within a reasonable distance.
 

Cyclochef

Regular
I would want to know what facilities there are locally to cope with mechanicals. Greece isn't a cycling nation imho and I wouldn't like to be without a proper bike shop within a reasonable distance.

for our normal holidays there is a workshop on site will all the necessary tools, and a good bike shop providing full service close by.

for this sepcific womans week we are thinking of having a mechanic on site, and part of the week he will also provide various lessons, talks and seminars ( hes an ex greek cycle champion )

you are right about greece not being a classic cycle nation such as spain or italy, but as a sport its gaining huge popularity year on year, and is definatly an up and coming cycle destination, with some really good roads for cycling
 

Cyclochef

Regular
Brilliant! I have been on Evia Island, got some friends there, indeed was idly thinking about moving there if I get Brexited.

its a lovely island, not one of the famous tourists destinations but for me that adds to the charm
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
Peter, get in touch with Emily Chappel at Adventure Cyles Synicate and ask her advice. I am sure they could help.

http://theadventuresyndicate.com/
I've always wanted to say this...

"TMN to me"
:smile:

Adventure Syndicate ("a collective of extraordinary cyclists who happen to be women") ran something similar (possibly). "A womens specific winter training camp" Here: http://theadventuresyndicate.com/events/2016/11/13/winter-training-camp-girona

You might want to contact them to see if they'd be interested in using your services for a future event.
 
OP
OP
1234

1234

Active Member
@1234 I think yours is a good business idea if you can implement it properly to give maximum cycling satisfaction.
Forgive me if I missed it with the many ot posts, but what Greek island is it?
From my experience riding with female only and mixed groups alike, here is what I think would make your idea a success.
First, I would concentrate on attracting the intermediate riders that may want to incorporate cycling for fun in their holidays while exploring new places.
The more experienced, the pro or semi pro will already have their training plans, the fast amateurs mostly go to Spain, France or Italy to tackle well known hills for a challenge, I may be wrong, but they would not come to you.
Your ride leaders are crucial, they will make the rides a holiday to remember, to tell your friends about.
Be very clear in what rides you're offering but be also prepared to hear moaning about the routes after, sometimes people overestimate their capabilities, not much you can do about this.
You will need to have lots of bikes, or a nearby rental place that you could strike a deal with.
Me, I would be mostly impressed by little touches like my provided bike to have a rack, a pannier with pump, spare inner, tyre levers and multi tool for a deposit, free water bottle in my room on arrival.
In England Breeze rides are popular, while in Scotland we have the Belles on Bikes: each major city.region have their own groups with online pages: get posting about your holidays!
Women only activities are not normally my cup of tea, but this one sounds good, I could see myself going on one :smile:

You seem to have summed up our market position nicely.

Wrt the rides on offer, we really do have the full array of rides on offer, from short flat coastal routes to full on long hilly (and steep) rides. However given the nature of the island we are not looking to attract "novice" cyclists. A reasonable level of fitness is required to really get the most out of the island. However we have had guests who were happy to take all day and push on bits of the climb where necessary. In terms of size and elevation the island is very similar to Mallorca.

Where abouts in Evia are you familiar with? We are based in Eretria about 20k south of Chalkida. If you have been up to Steni and over to the gorgeous Hiliadou beach then you will know how testing a ride that would be.

All of our guests get a free GCH jersey and bidon, plus they are provided with a saddle bag with the required puncture repiar equipment. In the event of a more serious mechanical, Steve is there to collect you.

I hope this helps, please follow us on facebook and twitter to keep upto date, or contact me through the websote if you have any other questions.

Cheer
Peter
 
OP
OP
1234

1234

Active Member
I would want to know what facilities there are locally to cope with mechanicals. Greece isn't a cycling nation imho and I wouldn't like to be without a proper bike shop within a reasonable distance.

There is a local bike shop about 10km from the Villa who deals with our regular meachanical issues. In the event of something more complex there is a larger Bike shop in Chalkida (20Km), the Island capital, and failing that we are only 50 mins from Athens in the event of something catastrophic.

The island has a small but hardcore cycling fraternity based around a series of long distance Brevits that take place through out the year, on the island and on to the mainland. My Bro takes part.
 

alicat

Squire
Location
Staffs
There is a local bike shop about 10km from the Villa who deals with our regular meachanical issues. In the event of something more complex there is a larger Bike shop in Chalkida (20Km), the Island capital, and failing that we are only 50 mins from Athens in the event of something catastrophic.

The island has a small but hardcore cycling fraternity based around a series of long distance Brevits that take place through out the year, on the island and on to the mainland. My Bro takes part.

That's good to know. Thanks for the constructive reply.
 
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