Reviews

Start Hendaye

Coast to coast ride French Pyrenees 2011

Hi Marion and Peter 
                     

We all had a great time on the cycle tour. Things were done not only as we expected things to be done, but we got a whole lot more from you. 

The initial email contacts and planning, the changing of the dates due to Michelle's changed work commitments, our many queries and requests were all dealt with very professionally and with such ease that we always felt very confident that the tour would go ahead without any stress.

The tour got under way absolutely smoothly, with Peter arriving at our pick-up point ahead of schedule. Getting the wrong address in the busy Barcelona traffic and having to make a 15km detour through the city to collect Ciaran and stopping for some last minute shopping did not phase Peter at all (I would have been biting snakes at this point had I been the driver).



Breaktime

Peter's duties as back-up driver went exceptionally well. He was always available at the roadside as we'd arrange, and always with a big smile and encouraging us to keep going in sometimes appalling and miserable weather conditions. What a great and pleasant surprise we all got after our first long, cold and wet day to arrive at the camp site to find the tents already pitched - a lovely unexpected 'extra' we certainly appreciated!  That good habbit of his was ongoing for the following camp sites too.  Pete didn't fail with the 'extras', such as doing the occasional shopping for essentials like beer, wine, groceries and more beer. Pity he could never find bread though, but keeping the beer cold in the camper fridge made up for that.
Peter further assisted greatly with laundry duties. He has the ability to get clothing dry in pouring rain - by hanging it inside the van while driving to the next overnight stop.

changing

                                                        

What put your arrangement way above that of other cycling companies we contacted to assist us with the tour was that no-one but you was flexible with their dates. We had to go with their tour dates and itineraries, they could not adapt their plans to suit our needs. Plans could also not change during the tour with these companies. With your organisation nothing was a problem - when the weather was too foul at the bottom of Col de Tourmalet to carry on cycling, we could stop the ride and adapt our plans. When we decided to combine 2 days into one towards the end, again no problem, Peter went along as per our changed plans. That was a great bonus for us.



Lunchstop

If I may make a suggestion to further improve your service to future tours, it may be worthwhile to get a trailer to cart the cyclists' stuff. That way there's no need to unpack the van every evening, and load it again in the morning. The trailer can remain at the overnight stop, cyclists' gear can be kept secure and dry, and the driver will be less likely to be disturbed late at night when a cyclist needs something from the van.
You may want to also offer to supply meals with the tours. That will make life easier for the cyclists, but more work for the driver. You could possibly offer it as an optional extra, which of course should be added to the tour cost. That extra service should give you an extra profit.

In closing, we thank you both for a very well managed tour. I will certainly recommend your service to others - you may quote me as a reference if you wish.
Next time we plan a similar tour in Europe, you'll be the first to know.

Kind regards   

Geert and Mary         

After nine days at the mediterranean