Some reminiscences of Patricia and Tom Moriarty…

CAMPING LED TRIP FOR 2008

On all our other trips once you leave our base you are free of us unless you need help. On the led trips we get to come too! Apart from our sparkling company you also get the benefit of our nose for restaurants, unique knowledge of sub-e2 bottles of wine, scintillating camp-stove recipes and of course the unique camaraderie of other cyclists trying to out-eat each other... On these trips you’ll find men and women, couples and singles, of all ages and from wildly different backgrounds. Yet, without exception, the group soon gels and becomes a group of like-minded friends ‘lost in France’. Because of the nature of these groups the ‘route’ is very flexible, often a poster advertising a fete, or the prospect of another stunning day at the beach, will make us change our plans. These trips are strictly limited to fourteen people so don’t leave booking to late. For us these trips are the high point of the season, and are the ones that bring people back year after year, so if you want to join this select band don’t leave it too late. To give you some idea of the priorities of the group go and have a look at the Breton Bikes Gourmet Guide... Lastly although the mileage's are not great it is very important that you are capable of them as one ‘non-cyclist’ amongst the group will greatly limit our flexibility.

SEPTEMBER LED TRIP - Code - September Led - 14th to 26th September

Plan 'A' is to start at Poitiers and ride east towards, and hopefully reaching the Auvergne. Beyond route currently waiting for more research but it'll be fun as always...

As always this is a very vague plan that depends on the day-today progress of the tour. The terrain varies but is never 'mountainous' and so the tour will be less athletic than last year. However as always 50 miles a day may be necessary to string campsites together or to make up for easy days etc - I guess an average daily mileage to be around the 40 miles mark.

So be there or be square...

For those of you who have never been on one of the trips, they are populated mainly by people who have been on these trips before. Usually 4 or five people are Breton Bikes 'virgins' but the warmth of the group soon makes them part of the regular team. However be warned, once you've joined this happy band it's very hard to give it up... Hope to see you there. Cost 350 pounds

DISCLAIMER!

Only you can judge how fit you are. Please don’t assume a level of fitness when you haven’t taken any exercise for years - try a few rides at the maximum distance before you come. Remember that if in doubt choose an easy route. Please note the distances, don’t book a 30+ mile per day route if you don’t normally ride a bike, or an easy route if you’ll get bored... As a guide most beginners average around 8 mph and more experienced up to 12 mph. Thus a 25 mile ride will take around 3 hours. It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you choose a route at the limit of your ability you’ll have nothing in reserve if you get lost! On the other hand regular cyclists, even only a few miles a day, should have no problem with any of the routes. If you want harder cycling then by combining routes we can give you up to 80 miles a day.