Cycling Operators Outside UK

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Cycling Holidays Cycling Operators Outside UK Cycling for Softies (Susi Madron's) 

	Cycling for Softies (Susi Madron's)
2 and 4 Birch Polygon, Manchester M14 5HX			MAP
tel: (0161) 248 8282

Style

Tour options range from the Super Softie, the whole stay at one hotel, (often chosen by families); to The Adventurer, arranging your own stays between the start and finish; plus tailor-made. Regional assistants based at a Home Base Hotel prepare bike and equipment, adjust it to fit, help with mechanical or medical issues, and local knowledge. Areas are graded from 1 to 3, with grade 1 being particularly suitable for children. The number of rooms reserved in each hotel are limited to three or four so never a group but can join fellow travellers. Also organises two small (max 10) group trips per year.

Accommodation

170 family-owned hotels ranging from two-star to de luxe; all en suite and inclusive of dinner.

Age accepted

From 3 years in child seats, possibly younger with family which has already tried a trip.

Bikes

Provides Dawes six-speed touring ratios. Equipment includes panniers, water bottle, tool kit and information pack. Smaller sizes available for children but not all have gears. Trail-a-long bikes for 5-8s and child seats for 3-5s also available. Can bring own bike. Helmets not provided.

Where

Most of France with suggested areas for children being the Venise-Verte south of the Loire, inland from the Vendee, as it's flat with lots of cycle routes through fields and quiet roads plus canals for boating; Mayenne and Sarthe, north Loire, as not hot and easy to get to, and very quiet with lots of swimming pools; Cognac as again flat, with lots of pools and well signed farm tracks.

Dates

April to September.

Sample Price

Three nights in Mayenne from £378 per person, seven nights £886. Children under 15 a reduction of £15 per night.