How fit do I need to be?
Completing a multi-day cycle tour is an endurance event and there is no question the fitter you are the more you will cope with and enjoy your holiday. You should prepare for your trip by gradually building up your mileages until you can comfortably cycle the daily mileage of your chosen tour.
We grade our trips 1-4 and the trip descriptions should indicate the level of fitness and experience required.
Can you advise me on pre-tour training?
Yes we can, we will send you a suggested training schedule and some notes on nutrition.
What sort of cyclists come on your tours?
We have a mixture, from the keen club cyclist through to the newcomer looking for a challenge. All suitable for a range of ages from teens to 70+.
How fast do we travel?
A touring cyclist will travel at around 10 to 12 miles per hour. So if a day’s ride is 60 miles you can expect to be cycling for a round 5 to 6 hours, plus food and rest stops.
Land's End to John O'Groats - how hilly is it?
From start to finish you will encounter hills. Bjork has fifty words for snow, we have fifty words for hills. Short and sharp, long and sharp, grinders, Welsh pulls. Also Scottish gruellers, nippers, big uns and little uns. Undulations, long downhillers, blighters, belly busters and of course General Wade’s. In fairness, some of the stages are long and not too hilly but there is never a day without hills! We like to think that for every big hill there is a downhill!
Do I need an expensive bike?
Absolutely not. A well maintained tourer or commuter bike will be just as suitable on most of our trips as a top of the range road bike. However for the trips with a lot of climbing a lightweight roadie with a good range of gears will make it easier!
Because our tours are designed to take in some of the best scenery we can find (and avoid traffic wherever possible) we use cycle paths wherever we can. This sometimes means a forest trail or gravelly path.
What about clothing?
We are also totally relaxed about clothing for cycling. We don’t believe that you need the full lycra kit to enjoy a day on the bike. Although we do like a bit of Rapha we reckon you’ll be fine in a T-shirt, shorts, trainers and a good waterproof jacket.
Do you take newcomers to cycling on your tours?
Certainly. Most of our trips will be suitable for beginners or returners to cycling looking to complete a long distance tour at a relaxed pace.
How do the lunches work?
We provide a picnic style lunch with sandwiches, fruit, snacks and hot drinks. From time to time we may arrange a cafe stop rather than picnic.
What sort of accommodation do you use?
Where possible we like to use locally run hotels and hostels however we also stay in chain hotels such as Premier Inns.
How much luggage should I bring?
Please bring no more than 15kg of luggage preferably in a soft, trek or duffel type bag, rather than a hard suitcase as this makes it easier to stow in our vehicle.
We accept no responsibility for damage to laptops, cameras or other valuable items while they are being transported. If you are bringing valuable items please make sure they are adequately protected. Also check with your insurer that these items are covered for accidental damage/theft while on holiday.
Mechanicals and should I bring some spare parts for my bike?
If you suffer a mechanical breakdown which can’t be repaired roadside, we will take your bike to the nearest cycle shop for repair (at your expense). It is worth bringing the appropriately sized speedlink for your chain (8, 9 or 10) as well as three or four spare inner tubes. If you ride with plastic cleats then a spare set will come in very handy.
Please ensure that you can repair a puncture and replace an inner tube before joining our tours.
Can I cycle at my own pace?
Of course, it’s your holiday and you can cycle as quickly or as slowly as you wish (with safety in mind). So if it is looking like you won’t reach the accommodation before dark and we consider that a danger then we will insist on you being picked up by our support vehicle.
Do you supply GPX Files?
We have GPX files to all our routes which we will supply. These are offered as a navigational aid only, the exact route for the holiday will be determined by your cycling guide and may alter from that planned due to changed circumstances.
Are all bike transfers free?
We offer free bike transfers if delivered to and collected from our Sheffield office or if we are able to collect/drop off on route to the start and back from the finish. Any other arrangements will be for an agreed fee. While we will take all reasonable care while handling your bikes, using padded covers and making sure they are securely stored, we are not liable for any loss or damage during transportation or storage. We recommend you have appropriate insurance.
Taking your bikes to the continent : as we are no longer part of the EU customs union, any bike we transport to Europe requires an ATA Carnet which incurs a fee of £40 per bike. This cost will be added to your invoice.
Why not check out our excellent range of walking and tailor made holidays at High Places?