Headwater

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Cycling Holidays Cycling Operators Outside UK Headwater 

	Headwater
The Old School House, Chester Road, Castle, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 1LE			MAP
tel: (01606) 720 199

Makes a point of offering holidays ‘even for the person who does nothing more active than rush round the supermarket once a week' as well as those wanting more of a challenge.

Style

Independent with local briefings, luggage moving, and collection of wine purchases. Car hire also offered. Routes graded from one to three bikes, the first offering just enough exercise to work up an appetite, longer options 30-50km. Recommends the Orginal Tuscan Cycling Tour in Italy, or Abbeys and Vineyards in Burgundy, both the easiest standard.

Accommodation

Mostly three-star small family-run hotels, meals included. The odd four-star option plus farm and villa hotel.

Age Accepted

8-plus on easiest routes, 11-plus on mid-range. Up to 4 can provide child seats to attach to adult bikes with which only easier routes are recommended.

Bikes

Provided are Giant's Squadron to combine tourer and mountain bike qualities, with handlebar mounted map holders, panniers, repair kit and water bottle. Special children's mountain bikes and child seat's available. You need to bring your own helmet.

Where

Where Austria, Cyprus, France, Gozo, Italy, Spain. The Salzburg Lakes Cycling tour is recommended for families as it's easy flat valley cycling with things to do on the way such as riding, lake paddle steamers and mountain railways. The Bays of Brittany route, with its sandy beaches, is also recommended for children.

Dates

Mid-April to end October.

Sample Price

Venetia trip would be £934 per adult, £564 per child sharing including scheduled flights, transfers and half board. The Burgundy trip would be £569 per adult and £319 per child sharing, self-drive, £693 per adult and £454 per child with flights.