Cycling Operators Outside UK

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Cycling Holidays Cycling Operators Outside UK Saddle Skedaddle 

	Saddle Skedaddle
110 Ouseburn Building, East Keyside, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE6 1LL			MAP
tel: (0191) 265 1110

Style

Self-guided and group tours, some off-road itineraries also available. Reports a lot of families book the weekend breaks, and recommends Ireland and Norway, but have had families on all their holidays. Tours are graded for difficulty between 1-5, where grade 1 average 15-25 miles a day. They find that the children usually cope better than the parents, and states that, for the group tours, ‘there's always the support vehicle to carry you and the bike if you fancy taking it easy'. Self-guided ‘Easy Rider' is also suitable for families, with gentle cycling, detailed maps and luggage transport. Groups normally average 6-15 people and most trips have two guides who are first-aid trained and take care of all the details, including fixing punctures.

Accommodation

Varies with tours but includes camping to B&Bs, homes or cabins in rural communities, and local hotels. Most tours include 80% or more of the meals but will probably go out for a couple of nights to sample local cuisine.

Age Accepted

Have had children as young as nine.

Bikes

Sponsored by Giant so all are their bikes, with front suspension at least and on off-road holidays full suspension. Can also bring own bike. Helmet included.

Where

Anywhere from Cuba to Malaysia, Borneo, Japan, Tuscany, Norway, France, Spain, Chile, the US, and Ireland. Also all over the UK on weekends, including Bank Holiday weekends, elsewhere from one to three weeks.

Dates

All year.

Sample Price

Self-guided 8 day tour in southern Norway £995 including hotels, breakfast and transfers. Flights are estimated at £150 and bike hire is £120 extra.