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Marmalade
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PostPosted: 22:19 - 01 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

of you could not pay for someone else to have a 5* holiday and either go off with some mates, on your own or with a bcf group
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nelmo
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PostPosted: 17:37 - 03 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Those organised tours are great - much less stressful than having to navigate yourself, finding your own accommodation, food etc. But you do pay for it...

I've done a couple and they were great but I'm not a great fan of large group riding anymore just because I prefer going at my own speed which is rarely the same as the group.
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daviedevs
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PostPosted: 19:00 - 03 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Marmalade wrote:
of you could not pay for someone else to have a 5* holiday and either go off with some mates, on your own or with a bcf group


possibly..but this is what we enjoy so its what we do.
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kitty kat
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PostPosted: 19:14 - 03 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have always found the fun part of a biking holiday is working out where you want to go and finding out about the area and tailoring your tour with places you wish to see, not those that others think you want to see. Just my Penny Coin Penny Coin but then I have always been an independant type of girl that likes to be in control, not controlled.
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raesewell
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PostPosted: 19:18 - 03 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Planning the trip is almost as much fun a doing it.
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Ammoman
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PostPosted: 22:27 - 03 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

raesewell wrote:
Planning the trip is almost as much fun a doing it.


Totally agree Thumbs Up
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nelmo
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PostPosted: 15:59 - 04 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

raesewell wrote:
Planning the trip is almost as much fun a doing it.


True but the couple of times I've done it alone, I've always wondered if there was some great road or sight I just rode past. On an organised tour, you're also paying for local knowledge and experience to get the most out of where you're going.

Swings and roundabouts...
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exmil
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Joined: 20 Jan 2011
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PostPosted: 19:03 - 11 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

nelmo wrote:
raesewell wrote:
Planning the trip is almost as much fun a doing it.


True but the couple of times I've done it alone, I've always wondered if there was some great road or sight I just rode past. On an organised tour, you're also paying for local knowledge and experience to get the most out of where you're going.

Swings and roundabouts...


Guided professionally led tours are NOT for everyone. I run a motorbike tour company (Extra Mile Bike Tours) and we know that there are many different reasons why people book them, ranging from not wanting to ride alone, find it difficult to find groups who can get the same time off work, to not wanting the hassle of organising, those that want the group dynamics particularly each evening and those who are not yet confident enough to tour alone.

There are those that are not great at planning and hate the thought of just rocking up somewhere when it stats to get dark or they are feeling tired and have yet to find a place to stay. For some that is al part of the "adventure" whilst for others it's their idea of a "nightmare"

Then there are those who don't book them for the exact opposite reasons. Because they love the planning or the unknown or like to be on their own.

Yes of course you are paying more than you would if you did it all yourself. It's a business after all.

Yes you also have that knowledge of roads you may have not found (as long as its a tour company that avoids motorways as much as possible)

We also realise that long term repeat business is unlikely in MOST cases. As when they have toured with us two or maybe three times they begin to feel confident enough to do it on their own.

And good luck to you once you make that move.

We are pleased we have helped you along the way!

Each to their own for where they are right now in their riding experience and abilities.

Ride Safe whatever your choices
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alan29
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Joined: 04 Nov 2014
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PostPosted: 13:46 - 12 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really good points in the previous post.
I must admit that I did my first France trip solo this year and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. But then we have been camping/caravanning in France for the past 30 years, so the only new bit of the adventure was the biking bit. But what a different experience it was!!!
My one thought on meeting a large tour group in France was that they didn't seem to know exactly where they had been or where they were going except that it was to be a hotel in town "X." For me, doing the map bit is a massive part of the enjoyment ..... but that's probably just me.
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daviedevs
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PostPosted: 18:43 - 12 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends on what the tour company give you.

Once the balance is paid we get a full itinerary with maps and routes and sat nav downloads. Plus all the info on which hotels we are stopping at.

This gives us time to peruse the locations and decide if we wish to stop at certain points along the way. We dont always stay with the group.

Its the way we like it at the moment..once we have got a bit more confidence we may do our own tours. Time will tell.
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exmil
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PostPosted: 18:55 - 12 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

We have come across a number of tours (usually with a large number of bikes) where nobody seems to know what's going on where they are going, been or anything else for that matter.

And whilst there are those that don't care and happy to just tag along, a number of those we met have been disgruntled.

It's important if you are not using satnav co-ordinates /routes that you not only get a detailed itinerary before leaving, but also that at the start of each day (we do it over breakfast or immediately afterwards) the tour leader goes through the days itinerary and route using maps if necessary

We also usually discuss each stage of the route that we have just covered and the next stage we are about to cover whenever we stop for tea, coffee or comfort breaks,

We find it also gives the opportunity for the group to interact throughout the day rather than just in the evenings.

Time allowing then, if there any specific sights or places enroute that individuals feel that maybe we should consider we put it to the group and time willing we try to accommodate them.

Our tours are not a race nor an endurance test, they ar eholidays and social events..oops sorry started to go into a sales pitch there. Right I'll get off me soap box!

I think the key is before you choose which tour company to go with ask plenty of questions.
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chickenstrip
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Joined: 06 Dec 2013
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PostPosted: 19:00 - 12 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I'm a little bit jealous of those who do bike tour guiding for a living. Got any jobs going exmil? Laughing
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daviedevs
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Joined: 30 Oct 2014
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PostPosted: 19:03 - 12 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

exmil wrote:
We have come across a number of tours (usually with a large number of bikes) where nobody seems to know what's going on where they are going, been or anything else for that matter.

And whilst there are those that don't care and happy to just tag along, a number of those we met have been disgruntled.

It's important if you are not using satnav co-ordinates /routes that you not only get a detailed itinerary before leaving, but also that at the start of each day (we do it over breakfast or immediately afterwards) the tour leader goes through the days itinerary and route using maps if necessary

We also usually discuss each stage of the route that we have just covered and the next stage we are about to cover whenever we stop for tea, coffee or comfort breaks,

We find it also gives the opportunity for the group to interact throughout the day rather than just in the evenings.

Time allowing then, if there any specific sights or places enroute that individuals feel that maybe we should consider we put it to the group and time willing we try to accommodate them.

Our tours are not a race nor an endurance test, they ar eholidays and social events..oops sorry started to go into a sales pitch there. Right I'll get off me soap box!

I think the key is before you choose which tour company to go with ask plenty of questions.


Its our 3rd time with the same company....its spot on for us..the way its ran and the locations..once weve done all their tours we may try others...depends where we want to go.
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exmil
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PostPosted: 20:48 - 12 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Totally agree Daviedegs its down to the way they are run. There are some great tour companies out there and we would never dream of pointing the finger.

I think I said in an earlier post maybe 3 tours with the same company is about the most we would expect. Then the natural inquisitive instinct of the biker wants to know what else is out there Wink
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daviedevs
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PostPosted: 20:04 - 13 Nov 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

exmil wrote:
Totally agree Daviedegs its down to the way they are run. There are some great tour companies out there and we would never dream of pointing the finger.

I think I said in an earlier post maybe 3 tours with the same company is about the most we would expect. Then the natural inquisitive instinct of the biker wants to know what else is out there Wink



Well its 3 so far..depends which new tours they put on in 2016!
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