We believe that our region of France provides a perfect environment for the touring cyclist. The rolling terrain, embracing pasture, woodlands and coastal areas, provides the touring and leisure cyclist with a landscape of stunning scenery and fantastic rides.
We offer a week-long, self-guided, fully supported tour of the region with all the rides starting and finishing in the Norman town of Saint-James, providing circular daily rides of between 56km (35 miles) and 72km (45 miles).
We run the tour for both groups of up to 12 people and individuals once a month between April and September. (See DATES). If none of these weeks are convenient for you, we will endeavour to arrange tours at other times by mutual agreement during the aforementioned months.
The routes we have selected follow virtually traffic free, well surfaced roads and former railway lines converted to cycle tracks which provide excellent conditions for the use of touring or hybrid bicycles, including tandems and recumbents. We have endeavoured to design rides which pass through the areas that provide the best scenery and places of interest for your enjoyment. There is riding on five days, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We think that it is a good idea to have a rest or “do your own thing” day on Wednesday, when you can perhaps go sightseeing, visit a local market, go to the beach or even go for a cycle ride if you wish!
Each day's ride is not a race, and we encourage you to travel at a leisurely pace so that you can enjoy both the cycling and the scenery. You can stop for breaks as many times as you wish, either for a rest, refreshments, to visit a site of interest or just to look at the view. On each day's ride there are places for you to stop for food and refreshments, or alternatively, we can provide you with a packed lunch.
You will be provided with comprehensive and easy to follow route guides/maps and have access to backup/support should you require it for each day's ride.
We provide five self-guided, fully supported cycle rides, including comprehensive and easy to follow route guides/maps. We can also provide hire bikes for your use at an additional cost (see BIKES & OTHER EQUIPMENT). Packed lunches can also be arranged at an additional cost. Please note that we do NOT arrange your accommodation. (See ACCOMMODATION).
Children are very welcome. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and be used to cycling safely on public roads. Children under the age of 10 must be fastened to an adult's bike, for example by using a trailer bike, buggie or similar.
BIKES & OTHER EQUIPMENT
We prefer you to bring your own bikes, as we believe that it is better to cycle on a machine that you are familiar and comfortable with. However, if this is not possible, we can supply bikes at an additional cost. If you decide to go with the hiring option, you may like to bring your favourite saddle or pedals which can be fitted.
SAFETY
You cycle at your own risk. Although we endeavour to ensure that our rides are as safe as possible, we cannot be held responsible for the state of the roads or the condition of your own bicycles, nor for any damage, loss or injury. If you use your own bike, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is in a roadworthy condition. When cycling, you must ride in a responsible and safe manner, with respect for your fellow road user and complying with all French traffic laws and regulations.
ACCOMMODATION
As we are not a licenced travel agent/tour operator, we are unable to accept payment for your accommodation, and therefore the PRICES we quote represent solely the cost of the tour. We are happy to contact the proprietors of the establishments listed below on your behalf to provide you with details such as availability and prices, if required.
There is a variety of categories of accommodation available in and around Saint-James, including the following:
HOTELS
- Le Lion d'Or
29 Rue de la Libération
50240 Saint-James
Tel/Fax. 02 33 48 31 41
Proprietors: Anita & Didier BEBIN
- Hôtel Saint-Jacques
49 Rue de la Libération
50240 Saint-James
Tel. 02 33 48 31 01
Proprietors: Christine & Dominique LEMESLE
- Normandie Hôtel
2 Place Bagot
50240 Saint-James
Tel. 02 33 48 31 45
Fax. 02 33 48 31 37
Website: www.hotel-normandiehotel.com
Proprietors: M. & Mme. TOUTAIN
Each of the above hotels has a bar and restaurant and offer both traditional French cuisine and specialities of the region from a range of fixed priced menus or à la carte.
CHAMBRES D'HÔTES
The English owners of this chambre d'hôte are both fully trained chefs, and as well as bed and breakfast, offer gourmet evening meals encompassing traditional French, British and ethnic cuisine. Special dietary requirements can be catered for.
CAMPING
If the outdoor life is for you, this small scale farm has six informal pitches in its orchard with electricity points available if required. The farm is situated 5 kms (3 miles) from Saint-James, and produces mainly organically grown saffron, fruit and vegetables. This and other produce can be bought directly from the owners.
Overnight lock-up facilities for bikes are also available at all the above premises.
4. For your comfort and safety we recommend the wearing of suitable cycling clothing, particularly padded shorts, and gloves. It is also better to wear shoes designed for cycling rather than trainers, but this is not essential and is up to the individual. Please bring clothing to cover all weather conditions. If you do not wish to wear a helmet, it is advisable to wear some other form of head gear to protect you when it is sunny. Also, it is advisable to wear a pair of cycling glasses to protect your eyes from the sun, flies and dust.
9. If you are happy to cycle the specified distances and have an approved method of carrying your daily needs, then a mountain bike will be fine. However, if your bike is currently fitted with knobbly tyres, we would advise you to replace these with tyres suitable for road and cycle track use.
TRAVELLING TO SAINT JAMES
The town of Saint James is conveniently situated close to junction 32 of the A84 motorway. The most convenient channel ferry ports are situated at:
- St Malo (80kms/50miles) - Brittany Ferries (www.brittanyferries.com) from Portsmouth and Condor Ferries (www.condorferries.com) from Weymouth, Poole, Jersey and Guernsey
- Caen (Ouistreham) (120kms/75miles) - Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth
- Cherbourg (145kms/90miles) - Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth and Poole and Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.com) from Rosslare
- Le Havre (220kms/138miles) - LD Lines (www.ldlines.com) from Portsmouth
There are also airports at:
- Dinard (80kms/50miles) - Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from East Midlands, Birmingham, Bristol and London Stansted, and Aurigny (www.aurigny.com) from Guernsey
- Rennes (75kms/45miles) - direct flights from Southampton, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne with Flybe (www.flybe.com) and from Dublin with Aerlingus (www.aerlingus.com)
It is a good idea to check with the operators, as new routes are being introduced each year. We are only too happy to give advice regarding travel arrangements, so please do not hesitate to contact us.
PRICES 2008
All prices quoted are per person per week NOT including accommodation.
|
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept |
Tour |
100€ |
130€ |
130€ |
150€ |
150€ |
130€ |
Adult Bike Hire |
55€ |
55€ |
55€ |
55€ |
55€ |
55€ |
Tandem Bike Hire |
110€ |
110€ |
110€ |
110€ |
110€ |
110€ |
We require a deposit of 10% of the total cost when making your booking
, which will be deducted from the total price. The balance is payable 6 weeks before the start date of the tour. If you are booking within 6 weeks of the start of the tour, then the full cost of the tour is required.
Children are welcome, and the following discounts based on the full adult price apply:
- Under 3 years of age - 85% discount
- 3 to 5 years of age - 60% discount
- 6 to 12 years of age - 20% discount
Currency Converter - www.xe.com/ucc
CANCELLATION INFORMATION
Cancellation by client
If you cancel giving at least 8 weeks notice prior to the start date of your tour, we will refund your deposit, otherwise the deposit is forfeit. Advice of cancellation can be made by telephone or e-mail, but must be confirmed by letter. The following cancellation terms will be applied based on the date of receipt of your letter.
If you cancel 42 - 22 days before the start date of the tour, we will refund 90% of your payment (less deposit).
If you cancel 21 - 8 days before the start date of the tour, we will refund 70%.
If you cancel 7 days or less before the start date of the tour, we cannot make a refund.
Cancellation by us
In the unlikely event of us having to cancel your tour, we will refund the full sum you paid us.
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Copyright © 2008 Brittany Borders Bicycling
A French registered company - Siret No. 502 804 933 00013
