This is an article by our very own Phil Cree that recently appeared in the magazine, French Entree : 

“I have set up many cycling holidays in France, as head of Freewheel Holidays, so I’m able to pass on the things I look for when deciding whether a region or a set of cycle rides will appeal to our customers.

A cycling holiday may sound like a fairly straightforward idea but a good deal of planning and logistical effort needs to take place before a successful product is born. By listening to our customers and assessing their comments after their holiday, I would say these are the main factors which influence their holiday choice:

‘Interest factor’ Is this region interesting for me? What’s the scenery like? Are there places to visit en route? It’s impossible to say what each person will find interesting, but the more usual elements are historical and cultural or an interest in a specific subject like wine (usually well catered for in France!).

Accommodation What sort of places am I staying in? Hotel star ratings can indicate this, but, as any frequent visitor to France will know, there are some wonderful 2 star hotels and sensational chambres d’hôtes (French version B&B’s) which defy categorisation. Clients like to see where they’ll be staying by and large. Oh, and swimming pools are understandably important to many people, especially in the warmer months.

‘Difficulty factor’  Tough one this. Freewheel like to talk to clients about their cycling experience and capability so that we steer them towards the right holidays. ‘Difficulty’ is a function of how far am I cycling each day, am I cycling every day, and is the terrain flat, ‘undulating’ or hilly? Make sure you make an honest assessment of your own capability and then get the answers to these questions.

Will I be looked after well? Before you book your holiday a good cycling tour operator will have made you aware of all the points above, via information in their brochure or on their website, or through conversation with their reservations staff. Beyond that, good customer care will ensure your bike is well-maintained and suited to your size, that your luggage is moved efficiently between the hotels you’re staying at, and that you have good quality tour material (maps, holiday guides) to allow you to get the best from your holiday.

Suitability for children Cycling holidays are a brilliant way of spending time with your kids. The shared activity keeps you in a group for lengthy amounts of time – something which isn’t always easy to achieve with the multiple distractions around these days! Children as young as seven can tackle surprisingly long distances if they are used to cycling and if you break the day up with other activities. Again, not every holiday is suitable for children so careful assessment is essential.There’s no doubt that cycling is now considered ‘cool’. When I grew up in the 1970’s few people associated cycling with environmental concerns. If you cycled everywhere you were either too poor to afford a car or there was something wrong with you! Today there is a wonderful new enthusiasm for cycling. Cycling issues are rarely away from the news and provision for cyclists is improving everywhere.

France is a country where cycling is revered. ‘La petite reine’ (the little queen) is the affectionate French nickname for the bicycle. Why not take a look at the prospect of a cycling holiday in one of France’s wonderful regions? It could be your best holiday ever and certainly different from anything you’ve tried before.

If you would like advice on a one-to-one basis on any aspect of cycling holidays in France I would be delighted to speak to you.”

Phil Cree, General Manager, Freewheel Holidays Tel +44 (0)116 255 8417 http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/

         You can view the full article online at FrenchEntree.com

The Ave Maria is one of the boats featured in our increasingly popular Boat & Bike Holidays.  She is one of two vessels sailing along the River Po on the Venice / Mantova route. Recently, I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend moored in Mantova, a lovely town in the Lombardy province of Italy.  

We always get excellent feedback from our customers on these tours so I had high expectations as I stepped on board.  I was not disappointed.  Originally a 1970s sand digger, the Ave Maria has been completely re-modelled specifically for this type of holiday.  She has been equipped with sleek, contemporary furniture, comfortable cabins, a large sun deck and a spacious dining and lounge area.

I was allocated a single standard cabin and was most impressed by the facilities.  Although the cabin was small, it was so well designed that it didn’t feel cramped. There is plenty of storage space under the bed as well as a short hanging rail by the porthole and a compact shelving unit.  There are plenty of plug sockets too and free wi fi so it’s easy to stay connected should you need to.  

As a single traveller, I was slightly apprehensive about meeting my fellow cyclists but after a quick shower and change of clothes, I joined the rest of the group in the dining area. My fellow guests were a friendly mix of various nationalities and ages and after a couple of drinks from the honesty bar, we were swapping cycling anecdotes and discussing the evening’s menu.   Of course,  Italian cuisine is legendary and we certainly weren’t disappointed.  After 3 delicious courses I decided to call it a night and head for my cabin.

The following morning I headed upstairs for breakfast and was delighted to find the sun streaming in through the windows and a lovely spread of cereals, rolls, cold meats, yoghurt, cheese and coffee on tap.  You need to keep your energy levels up if you’re cycling all day!

Our route for the day took us through the heart of Mantova, a charming town that has recently been designated a Unesco World Heritage site.  Although in close proximity to Venice and Verona, Mantova remains relatively unknown and few British tourists venture here.  It really is a gem, with a lively street market, fabulous restaurants and numerous artistic and architectural treasures. Culture vultures will enjoy paintings and frescoes by artists such as Tintoretto, Mantegna, Rubens and Giulio Romano. Foodies will relish the opportunity to stock up on local delicacies such as tiny Ameretti biscuits and tortelli de zucca, pasta filled with pumpkin.

After lunch, we cycle away from the cobbled streets and make our way to the Mantuan Lakes.  It’s an easy ride along the lakeside paths and through the open countryside.  The guides are mindful of our mixed abilities and the unseasonably warm weather so there are plenty of rest breaks en route. 

Although we have only cycled around 25 miles, we arrive back at the Ave Maria that evening with a great sense of achievement.  There is time for a quick spruce up and a stroll around the port before we sit down to a convivial dinner.   

My last day on the Ave Maria and again the sun is shining.  Today we are cruising along the Po delta before heading out on the bikes. The boat sets off at 8am so we make our packed lunches and enjoy a pleasurable breakfast watching the countryside pass by.

There is a great sense of excitement as we enter a huge lock alongside our sister ship, the Vita Pugna.  Everyone rushes onto the sundeck and a herd of goats clamber down the bank to watch our progress.  The goats and their kids are so charming,  we dash off for our cameras and are soon plying them with scraps of food.

Eventually we moor and then it’s back onto the bikes for a short 10 mile ride to visit one of Northern Italy’s most beautiful villages, San Benedetto Po.  Here we spend a wonderful couple of hours exploring the monastery and cloisters before settling down in the sun to eat our packed lunches.

After a quick trip to the Gelateria, we set off en masse for the last time.  We arrive back at the Ave Maria and sadly hand back our bikes, collect our luggage and say goodbye to our excellent hosts. 

I sincerely hope to be back on board the Ave Maria again soon and judging by my fellow cyclist’s enthusiasm, I’m certainly not the only one hoping to return. 

For more information on our fully inclusive Boat & Bike Tours in Italy, please visit our website: http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/   

You can reach our friendly Reservations Team on +44 (0) 116 2558417

We don’t have an automated service, so you can speak to a real person!

Laurence is one of our Tour Hosts in Austria, this is his personal account of his experiences in Austria.

“Having left a dreary England behind, I emerged from Salzburg airport to a blisteringly hot day to pick up my hire van for the summer. And my first sight was mountains, lots of them. As a boy from the south coast, I’m not quite sure where this obsession comes from, but for years I’ve just wanted to live in the mountains. As I drove southeast from Salzburg, the mountains got more and higher, I remember the disbelief that I would be paid to live and work in such a place!

On past shimmering lakes and sweet villages to the mountain town of Bad Aussee. I pulled up to the unassuming 70s holiday apartment that I would call home for the next four months and opened the balcony shutters to see the shining bulk of the Hallstatt glacier, and immediately texted the picture to all my friends.

With less than a week until the first guests arrived, I was very busy dusting off the fleet of bikes, riding the route to check for any changes, and checking in with our hotels along the way. Riding the whole thing in two days was a bit of a blur, and I envied the guests who would have nine leisurely days to explore. The scenery got prettier and prettier as I rode past glorious flower meadows, snow dusted peaks, and ancient timber buildings. I had to discipline myself to stop taking photos or I wasn’t going to make the last train back. My arrival in Schladming brought the first of many surprises of just how hospitable Austrians are; when I eventually found the tourist office at 5:59, the girls in their pretty dirndls were just locking up, but were more than happy to reopen the office to supply me with maps and information. I could just imagine the response back home; sorry mate we’re closed, come back tomorrow. Here it was no problem, and all done with big smiles. 

I was slightly nervous about the arrival of my first guests, but needn’t have been. Without exception everyone was lovely, and it genuinely was a pleasure to introduce them to a country that I was rapidly considering “mine”. From calming fears about how tough the cycling would be (it wasn’t) to recommending restaurants and recounting local history and customs, my job was simply to help them enjoy their holiday and absorb the relaxed Austrian way of life – including the two hour lunch breaks and compulsory coffee and cake mid-afternoon. I was touched that one family were in tears (really) to be leaving Austria, and wondered if I’d feel the same when I came to leave. 

One very satisfying part of the job was seeing how riding brought the families closer together – the children weren’t bored any more, and were able to burn off their energy during the day. I think some parents saw their children in a whole new light, as they achieved what for an eight year old were quite substantial distances with big smiles on their faces, even in the occasional rain the puddles just made it more fun!I felt sorry for the families – even those from more rural areas – who said they were unable to ride safely at home, and it was a real pleasure to introduce them to the Salzkammergut, and its extensive and safe network of paths.

The real star of the area was of course the scenery and the feeling of being surrounded by nature. On my birthday I hiked up a nearby mountain, and saw a golden eagle and four chamoix, capped with a fantastic lunch at the mountain hut with views over several lakes. The heat of the summer (often over 30° C.) was best alleviated with dips in the clear lakes, which are surprisingly warm due to the low churn. 

The summer is full of local festivals, starting with the Narcissenfest, where locals make amazing sculptures out of flowers and parade them through the town on car roofs, then on boats on the lake. With a group of eight Australians I went to a mountain music festival, where a collection of alpine huts hosted musicians in traditional dress playing brass instruments and accordions – and yodelling! Despite not having had a monarchy for nearly 100 years, the Kaiser’s birthday is still a cause for celebration, especially in imperial Bad Ischl, and horse parades and battle re-enactments were watched by bewhiskered gentlemen in period costume. 

My summer ended with the Zeltfest in Altaussee; the locals build a beer tent, get dressed up, and there are oompah bands, singing and dancing on tables etc and a great feeling of togetherness no doubt helped by the refreshing local brew. On my way home I visited old friends in Munich, coinciding with the legendary Oktoberfest. Overcrowded, overrated and the most English I’d heard in four months. It was then I realised what a little gem Austria was, and vowed to return.”

If you would like more information on our cycling holidays in Austria, visit our website http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/  or ring us on +44(0)116 255 8417

The Queen begins her Diamond Jubilee Tour later today with a visit to our home town of Leicester.  Sadly, HRH won’t be dropping into our offices but we will be sending a delegation from Freewheel HQ into the city centre to join in the celebrations!

http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/

A vast limestone plateau and acres of rocky scrubland may initially seem an odd choice for a cycling holiday, but take a closer look at this fascinating region and you’ll understand the appeal.

The Burren, situated in the west of Ireland, is actually a complex ecosystem boasting a diverse range of flora & fauna.  May & June are the ideal time to visit as the plateau bursts into life with an array of wildflowers and butterflies. You may even be lucky enough to spot one of the species of rare orchids that flourish here.

Our cycling holiday leads right through the heart of the Burren, to Ireland’s most famous megalithic monument, the Polnabrone Dolmen. The name translates as “the hole of sorrows” and dates back to 2500BC.  The monument itself is easily accessible and the perfect place for a rest stop and a few photographs before you cycle onwards to the traditional village pub at Carran.

If you would like to learn more about the Burren, you can visit the National Park website: http://www.burrennationalpark.ie/visit.html

If you would like more details on our cycling holidays in Ireland, you can contact us here

A dislocated shoulder did not stop Nina Patel – Mawji from completing the One Big Bike Ride for LOROS in memory of her aunt.

Despite only learning to ride a bike recently and sustaining a dislocated shoulder, Nina managed to raise £3,500 for the LOROS cancer charity.  As the event’s top fundraiser, Nina also won a Freewheel Leisurely Loire Cycling Holiday which was presented to her by our General Manager, Phil Cree.

For details of this year’s One Big Bike Ride, see: http://www.loros.com/

Photo by Will Johnston

Our new Burgundy Waterways holiday offers the chance to experience the delights of this wonderful  region from a different perspective.

Cycling along towpaths and past vineyards, your route takes you alongside the tranquil Canal du Nivernais, widely regarded as the most picturesque waterway in France.  Our 6 night itinerary includes the medieval towns of Tonnerre, Joigny, Auxerre and of course the jewel in Burgundy’s crown, Vezelay with it’s half timbered buildings and ancient ramparts.

For more details on our new 2012 cycling holidays, visit http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/

On Phil’s recent trip to New Zealand, he encountered quite an unusual sight. After driving for miles without passing another car, he came across a lone rider dressed in Victorian clothes pedalling into Taupo on a full size Penny Farthing.  Further investigation was required ….

Mr David Wilson is not your average cyclist, for he is the Captain of the Oamaru Ordinary Cycle Club and he is currently cycling 2000km from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga in order to promote tourism in Oamaru. 

David won’t have the comfort of a gel saddle and Shimano gears, for “Pioneer Spirit” is an 1880s style 54” high wheeled Penny Farthing replica with solid wheels, fixed pedals and a very primitive brake.  There will be no padded Lycra for David either, he will be dressed in 1880’s style breeches and knee socks for the duration of his journey. 

We wish David the best of luck with his journey but this is not something that we will be encouraging our Freewheelers to imitate!

David’s ride started on November 12^th 2011 and is scheduled to end soon.  If you would like to follow the last few days of David’s journey, you can follow his blog here:

http://pennyfarthingexpedition.wordpress.com/2012/01/

The BBC have launched a 3 part series “Sicily Unpacked” exploring the fascinating culture of the island.  Episode 2 airs on Friday 13th and explores the town and traditions of Modica which features in our “Sicilian Adventure” cycling holiday.

Not only is Modica known for it’s Easter celebrations, the residents have maintained the original chocolate making techniques of the Aztecs, mixing cinnamon, vanilla and chili pepper for a mouthwatering flavour. The traditional way to sample the chocolate is by mixing with hot milk - the perfect restorative after a long day of cycling!

For details of our Sicilian Adventure cycling holiday, you can contact us on +44 (0)116 255 8417 or visit http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/italy-sicily 

If you missed the first episode of Sicily Unpacked, you can view it online athttp://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/

Next week sees the return of the London Bike Show and we can’t wait to visit! This is definitely a great day out whether you are new to cycling or a hardcore bike enthusiast.

There will be various cycling demonstrations, competitions and a chance to meet the  cycling experts. There will even be the opportunity to try out Bike Polo, although I don’t think this is something we’ll be introducing to the brochure any time soon! 

The exhibition is open from the 12^th to the 15^th January and you can visit www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk for more information.

If you are feeling inspired after the show, visit http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/ for the latest updates on cycling holidays in Europe.