Cycling Tour of the British Pubs. Cost US$3,750 or $2,895
July 31 – August 11, 2013: 12 days, 11 nights
or August 5 – August 11, 2013: 7 days, 6 nights
Includes all lodging, hearty breakfasts, ride support and professional coaching, all transfers and luggage handling, entry to scheduled tourist venues, beer and food tasting, 4 evening dinners, pre tour area and historical guides + much more! * Based on double occupancy. Single supplement $545 / $399
OVERVIEW OF THE TOUR
Cycling through some of the most picturesque parts of England. You will ride to, and stay in, pubs and old coaching inns in quaint English towns and villages, experiencing the best of British hospitality with a hand pulled beer at the side of a roaring fire in the evening, after a rewarding day on the bike.
AIRPORT ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CITY
London, Heathrow International Airport
AVERAGE DAILY MILEAGE AND TERRAIN
Rides each day of 40 to 90 miles, over a mixed terrain of rolling hills and some steeper climbs. The routes are designed that you can do a shorter option or a longer option, and professional coaching is included everyday for those that want it. Roads are selected to provide the safest and most enjoyable cycling routes while seeing the beauty of the English countryside.
WEATHER
August is the best month for weather in the UK, with temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees. It’s the UK so we can’t promise sun every day but August is usually a nice month for cycling and we generally have many beautiful days to enjoy. And, if the weather does happen to be bad for a day, what better excuse do you need to spend the day sitting next to the fire in the local pub with a pint of ale, a sloe gin or a glass of red wine.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY*
*Full confirmed itinerary to be provided upon registration.
Day 1:
Arrival into London Heathrow Airport, pickup and transfer to our lodging in Oxfordshire. Our lodging has been selected to offer a 4* experience in what was once a 13th century coaching inn, nestled in a picturesque village close to Blenheim Palace.
Bikes will be assembled and a light ride offered for those that want it, followed by a group dinner in the evening at the village pub.
Day 2: 
A light ride of 30 – 50 miles around the Oxfordshire countryside and a visit to historicBlenheim Palace, home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
Day 3:
Ride through Oxford and on to Henley on Thames for lunch at a pub by the river. This market town lies on one of the prettiest stretches of the River Thames and is the location for world renowned Henley Royal Regatta.
Day 4:
Transfer to Melton Mowbray in Northamptonshire. This bustling market town, with its historic buildings and traditional markets selling everything from clocks to cattle, is close to the picturesque Vale of Belvoir, which literally translated means ‘beautiful view’. Steeped in rural tradition, this part of the county is famous for its fine food and drink, including the famous Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, Stilton cheese and locally brewed ales, wines and Sloe gin. Opt for the full bike ride to Melton of approx 90 miles or ride some of the way and shuttle the rest in our support van.
Group dinner in the evening at the local village pub.
Day 5:
An easy day either off the bike or with a light ride in the rolling Northamptonshire hills. Today we visit Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray to see how their famous, hand raised pork pies are made, and taste them. We finish the day with a trip to the local brewery which includes a tasting tour.
Day 6: (Or day 1 for those on the 6 day option)
Today, we move to the beautiful Peak District. A ride of about 50 miles through the rolling hills of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
This area is home to the Peak District National Park, an area of great natural beauty with rugged peat-covered moorlands and magnificent limestone dales, as well as picturesque villages and of course… the local village pub.
For those arriving today, we will collect you from London Heathrow Airport and transfer you to The Peak District (approx 3 hour transfer time).
Days 7, 8, 9 & 10 (or day 2, 3, 4 & 5):
Explore the Peak District by bike including: Chatsworth House (home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire); Haddon Hall (film location for Jayne Eyre and Pride and Prejudice); ride through the rugged moorlands covered in purple heather (which blooms in August and September); visit the famous Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop (be careful not to confuse this with Bakewell tart within earshot of the owners!); and visit local towns steeped in history, many of which were founded in Saxon or Roman times.
Each day we’ll convene at local pubs and inns to share stories from the road over a well deserved pint. Riding is not obligatory and anyone who wants a day off the bike to explore on foot is welcome to do so.
Day 11 (or day 6):
Transfer to London to spend your last afternoon in England’s capital city. Bikes will be stored for you as you explore London by open top bus, tourist bike, on foot or by boat. Join us in the evening for one final group dinner to celebrate the end of an amazing 12 day tour.
Day 12 (or day 7):
After one final full English breakfast we depart from London Heathrow Airport. For those that wish to stay longer in London we can arrange a ‘London bonus’ package by request.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
- Lodging in carefully selected country inns and pubs
- Substantial breakfasts every day
- 4 evening dinners
- All transportation and luggage handling
- Pre tour: you get a copy of the CCSD guide to the areas we travel through, their history and the main attractions
- Experienced ride readers and coaches on the road with you
- Professional coaching, on-the-road clinics, and ancillary written or electronic training material
- Daily GPS files
- Snacks, drinks and all sports nutrition on the ride each day
- Light mechanical support
- Melton Mowbray Pie Shoppe tour and tasting
- Brewery tour and tasting
- Visit to Blenheim Palace
- Visit to Chatsworth House
- Bakewell Pudding tasting
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare.
- Lunches are on your own, so you have maximum flexibility in your day (however we usually stock the support van with lots of delicious treats!).
- Some evening dinners
- Bikes (bike rental can be easily arranged though – please contact us for details)
- Personal incidentals, telephone, hotel mini bar charges, etc.
- Travel insurance
NON CYCLING PARTNERS
This trip is designed around a cycling itinerary to country pubs, cultural sites and interesting towns and cities. However, there are numerous other activities to occupy a non-cycling partner and the areas we stay in are steeped in legend and history. We can design a non-cycling itinerary by request. Please contact us for details.
For more information, contact jo@ccsd.com
REGISTRATION
Places are limited on this trip as country inns and pubs tend to be small, with a limited number of rooms. We therefore advise early registration to hold your place.
FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS
Please contact us before booking your flights. We will advise of the best arrival time to match our arranged pick up and transfer times. Arrival outside of scheduled times may incur an additional charge.
