Organised Bike Tours .....

[Rusty]

There is a site that may be of interest to many of you out there ... Just go and Google "British Bike Tours". I have had no dealings with them but I have to say it looks good. They clearly cater for differing levels of riding and that is reflected in their costs and locations.
I have been away with friends from work to France and Spain, and a bit of Wales this year and of course planning and mapping your routes etc is half the fun, but you know as I get older I think " why not let someone else sort that bit out ? ". So maybe next year I shall go and have a taster for a few days and see what I think. Anyone used them before ?
What do you think ... too much to pay or would you be happy for someone else to do all the work ??

[Lonewolf]

Rusty, I've got to admit that the furthest I have ever been on my bike was to ST Tropez in the South of France. I went on my own, I planned it on my own and I loved it. There is a sense of achievement in doing it all yourself. I have looked into some of these organised trips but I find them quite expensive and I can imagine they would be quite restrictive. I like to stop when I like to stop, not when it fits into the schedule somebody else has created.

[Rusty]

Mr Wolf .. I understand entirely what you mean ! North Wales a few weeks ago with guys from work and the scenery was breathtaking... I had to go back a few times and get the camera out as we were whizzing past some great stuff. The "planners" usually like to organise it all and so we just meet in the pub and they get the maps and itinery out and just show us where we are going.. I nod my head and say " lets' go !!!!! ". i think you are right when you talk of expense but I can feel a trip coming on in the next couple of years or so ... try most things once !

[Lonewolf]

Snowdonia National Park, Bala, etc, I love going round those areas. I'm fortunate that I get lots of time off work, sometimes weekends, sometimes days off during the week when it's obviously quieter on the roads. I usually take advantage of this and either pop upto The Lakes or do North Wales. Any opportunity to get out riding.

[Kwikasfuki]

There's nothing better than waking up and deciding today I'm going on some random route. Last time I did that I ended up all the way in Aberdeen, stayed over at relatives and drove back the next day. I can see why you would want to do a organised tour, but if I were to go to Europe I'd want to do it pretty much ad-hoc.

[Rusty]

NB ... that is on the menu too you know !  I think in a few years time when i retire/have more time on my hands I am going to be a little nomadic.
As I say to the chaps at work..... take a Ferry, a map, credit card cash and top box and come back in a couple of weeks. That's got to be good as well ... just sod off and stay where you like and when you like and for how long you like.   
The complete opposite to an organised tour but I am always up to try something different.