Family cycling tour ideas

hammerite

Potentially looking at a cycling tour summer holiday, just a week, for 3 of us - myself, the OH and stepson who will be 11. Like the idea of a tour company who carry the bags, plan the route, accommodation and we just ride. Ideally in Europe and not in the UK, with maybe a day or two off the bike just doing touristy stuff.

Any recommendations of companies and specific tours we could do? Fine to ride 30-40 miles per day average, and maybe top out at 60 miles one day, would want reasonably gentle terrain, no Alpine cols, but don't mind the odd hill.

Redhog14

Hi, i am looking at the Bike Express guys www.bike-express.co.uk as for the cycling with an 11 yo not sure but ask them.

I did have friends who took their 8 yo on the Canal du Midi a few years ago (zero cycling experience at that time) and they loved it.
I found this which might help
http://www.best-of-cycling.com/gb/_sear ... fAodShjM4Q

keenancook

Hey there,

I'm not sure how far away from the UK you're looking at getting, but the Maritime's in Canada has some great cycling that's about your description - a few hills, but generally quite gentle, and great coastal scenery. I'm not meaning to be so blunt in self-promotion - I generally hate when people do that on forums - but I've just started a cycle touring company here giving supported tours, both camping or bed & breakfast, and we've got a few tours in the 30-40 miles per day category. And we'd have no problem having an 11 year old along.

Anyway, I don't want to go on and on, but feel free to check out our website and see what you think - www.maritimecycletours.com. And feel free to send me an email if you've got any specific questions, I'd love to help. Good luck!

jc4lab

Not sure of the age restriction with this company and if you son is too young but try this... a bit pricy though(used em twice)
http://www.explore.co.uk/cycling-holidays
A man with a teenage son on my last trip said he enjoyed the Danube cycling path bike ride very much.Lots of companys do that ride

apreading

If looking for something gentle and scenic, Skedaddle do a 'bike and barge' where your accomodation is there barge and it just meets you at meal times etc I think and transports your luggage. Might be too gentle though, but they do others. I have done their UK stuff and they are very good.

andymiller

I'd recommend Skedaddle as well (although I've not done a family-type holiday with them).

Apart from Skedaddle there's InnTravel, and maybe explore, but this is a market where there are a lot of people specialising in a particular area.

I seem to recall people saying nice things about Breton Bikes.

Beyond that, a quick search on Google ('self-guided cycle tours France' and 'self guided tours Burgundy' threw up lots of possibilities).

craker

We did the Tuscany coast a few years back - Levorno to Orbatello, (fly to Pisa) 30 miles a day or so for 5 or 6 days. Loved it. Pine forests, coastal roads and tracks. Beer, ice cream, beaches to stop at when the going gets hot.

I can't recall who we booked through, but the German company Rad und Reisen delivered the tour. Have a look here though I can't see the tour I did. They took our bags every day and left us to our own devices.

LeDomestiqueTours

hammerite wrote:

Potentially looking at a cycling tour summer holiday, just a week, for 3 of us - myself, the OH and stepson who will be 11. Like the idea of a tour company who carry the bags, plan the route, accommodation and we just ride. Ideally in Europe and not in the UK, with maybe a day or two off the bike just doing touristy stuff.

Any recommendations of companies and specific tours we could do? Fine to ride 30-40 miles per day average, and maybe top out at 60 miles one day, would want reasonably gentle terrain, no Alpine cols, but don't mind the odd hill.

Hi Hammerite

Just come across your post. We're presuming you've already sorted something but if not then send us a PM as we should be able to offer some suitable trip options (i.e. we don't just do climbing!) for you.

Thanks!

LDT