Skedaddle Twaddle - cycling holidays, mountain bike holidays, mountain biking holidays

Skedaddlen C2C Cycling holiday featured in the National Geographic Traveller - Summer 2012 Family Edition

Skedaddle — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:22:58 +0000

Our C2C cycling holiday from Whitehaven to Tynemouth is featured in the Summer 2012 edition of National Geographic Family.

The edition is jam packed with superb ideas for the summer for you and your family and so if you don’t fancy the C2C (..although we find this hard to believe!!) there are lots of other great non-cycling options in the magazine too. After all it’s all about getting out there in the outdoors isn’t it!

Here’s what they said about us:

“Sustrans’ C2C 140 mile Irish Sea to North Sea cycle route is Britain’s most popular challenge cycling route, attracting 15,000 riders each year since it opened in 1994. You can complete the route with young children, although it may take a week. Saddle Skedaddle have guided and self guided C2C holidays, with choices of daily mileages. www.skedaddle.co.uk

For all our c2c Holidays click here : https://www.skedaddle.co.uk/searchresults.asp?searchtext=c2c

Skedaddle guides and customers take on the legendary Fred Whitton Cycling Challenge

Skedaddle — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:30:06 +0000

A few Saddle Skedaddle guides and customers took on the Fred Whitton last weekend and did pretty darn well - especially as it was pretty grotty weather wise.

Check out Steve Flemings photos on Flickr to see if you can spot a friend or foe and here’s the specific links to the Skedaddlers we spotted… do let us know if you were there.

Steve’s Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfleming/sets/72157628575304753/with/7195768082/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfleming/7195259158/in/set-72157628575304753/ Lesley Anne - Regular Skedaddler

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfleming/7195259148/in/set-72157628575304753/ Kevin - Regular Skedaddler

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfleming/7195127688/in/set-72157628575304753/lightbox/ Imogen - Roadie guide and past office ‘worker’…made nice cuppas though!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfleming/7195127624/in/set-72157628575304753/lightbox/ Isobel - Roadie and c2c guide and big but ickle sister of Imogen

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfleming/7195768082/in/set-72157628575304753/ Anne Woods - Road / mountain biking guide and fit as a fiddle Sportive and Event rider …keep up with her if you can!!

Many of you may be thinking where was Straws this year…rumour has it he was shopping at IKEA for chairs for the Cycle Hub… but we cannot comment!!

Cycling Holidays in Italy and Croatia with Skedaddle

Skedaddle — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:42:17 +0000

Cycling in Italy and Croatia with Saddle Skedaddle - the UK’s premier cycling holiday company
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If you enjoy the art of people watching (and
they are certainly beautiful people), if you enjoy
eating food which is prepared with generations of
tradition and passion, if you enjoy the climate that
allows anything you put into the soil to grow and interactions with strangers that pretend like they
are your closest family, Italy is for you!

It’s an open book and its countryside, like its
people, wears its emotions on the outside. If
you’re visiting for the first time, prepare to fall
hopelessly and blissfully in love. If you’re revisiting,
then it’s like calling in on an old lover!

Croatia has the same blood running through her
veins, but she speaks her own language and likes
things her own way and the quirky little differences
make Croatia intriguing; forests drop straight into
the ocean without the need for a beach and
towns and villages, whilst sharing similarities to
their Italian neighbours, still keep their own
traditions which form an integral part of a
Skedaddle trip here.

Here’s our easy paced cycling holidays …
Italy - Piedmonte - Tuscany - Lake Garda - Sicily -
Sardinia - Alps to Venice - La Via Claudia

Croatia - Backroads of Istria -
Guided and Self Guided

Skedaddle Photos

This email is from Saddle Skedaddle. If do not wish to receive emails again, then please send an email to info@skedaddle.co.uk with unsubscribe in the title box.

Saddle Skedaddle, Ouseburn Building, Albion Row, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE6 1Ll, UK
Tel : 0191 265 11 10 - info@skedaddle.co.uk - www.skedaddle.co.uk

Applause For The Azores - Andrew checks out our cycling holiday in the Azores

Skedaddle — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:25:03 +0000

Applause for the Azores - Well someone had to go !!

Andrew in steamy Furnas

Always ready to ‘take one for the team’, I recently headed out to the Azores to check things out for the season ahead and make sure everything was up to scratch with our tours in the Azores.

Hopping on the first flight of the season with SATA, the National Airline of the Azores I was able to fly directly to Ponta Delgada the capital and the capital of the Azores of Sao Miguel. In the past there have just been flights via Lisbon and Porto so being able to get there in around 3.5 hours was great.

Following Clearing customs and collecting my bags was a breeze and from touch-down to unlocking my hotel room was around half an hour…pretty darn good I’d say. Suitably showered I headed out with Rosa (one of our guides) for my first taste of Azorean cuisine and it was a rite treat. We started with what I think were barnacles though they might have been cockles that were sinking in garlic and sea salt and piping hot and were simply delicious. Next was Sea Bream and local veggies and all rounded off with the yummiest pudding imaginable…oh and a couple of chilled local Especial beers along the way.

As I plonked myself on my bed later that night, I remember thinking that if this was going to be the amount of food I was going to be consuming, then I’d better make sure we had full days out on the bike. Needless to say… I need not have worried.

Bright and early next morning the larger than life Nuno and Rosa collected me and off we went to Ribeira Grande on the Northern coast. Once there I hopped on my bike for the week (a brand spanking Specialized Hardrock) and we headed for the hills. A few kms on and we were at Santa Iria viewpoint and it was time for a quick snack and a gaze over the Atlantic. Our efforts of the morning making the muesli bar taste even sweeter than it already was. Next stop was Caldeiras and my first taste and smell of the volcanic activity that still emanates across the island. The strong smell of sulphur hit me as I made it to the village and soon I was marvelling at the gurgling and bubbling pools of mud there. With the steam rising from the pool, it was no surprise that Nuno told me that swimming was not allowed… ‘unless you want to be a skeleton’ and although a bit of a long pod, I kinda like what fat I have and so dutifully declined.

Next stop was the nearby dam, which we reached via a road which had steam rising all around it and then we rounded off the day with a superb smooth trail all the way back to Ribeira Grande and its famed surf beach. I couldn’t help but test the water temperature and it was already at this early part of the year warm. As I watched one of the locals dive into the waves with his board, I couldn’t help thinking that I might be able to sneak in a few hours surfing whilst here. After a Winter of north-east waves and 5mm suits, gloves and boots, it was practically Caribbean!

Nuno - Our very own WikiAzorean

Evening meal and I didn’t venture far. The hotel’s restaurant had been highly recommended and it didn’t disappoint – yet more yummy sea food and a couple of glasses of Frei Gigante from nearby Pico Island just the accompaniment that was needed.

Next day and I was in for a non biking treat. There had been some sighting of large groups of Fin Whales off the nearby coast, sea was calm and so we switched around our days and I soon found myself donning some waterproofs and a life jacket and heading out to sea following a safety brief and chat by the biologists about what we might see this time of the year and regulations about closeness of boats and general safety on board the boats.

A few minutes away from the marina and the keen folks with me had already spotted some dolphins and whilst I nodded in a ‘yeah I’ve seen them too’ way I had seen nothing but the back of my camera as I tried in vain to make space by deleting a few photos of my Uncle’s 90^th…I’m sure he’ll be ok with it!

I need not have worried though as ten or some minutes later, a large group of Fin Whales appeared before us and whilst I tried to be super cool and blasé I was there pushing small children out the way to get a glimpse of my first whales …sorry kids!! We followed the whales for what seemed like ages, though was in reality minutes as they appeared and the disappeared with the nonchalance something not caring we were around or not.

Sadly the whales kept on moving (how rude!!) and we headed off in search of dolphins. The lookouts formerly used for whale hunting are now used for whale spotting and so with the boat in regular contact with people back on the island, we were being directed towards Villa Franca to the east. Soon we were at Ilheu da Vila and accompanied by 50 or so dolphins. Unlike the whales which kept their distance the dolphins came right up to the boat, leapt in the air and generally had a fun time. It really was as if they were putting on a show just for us and who were we to complain!!

Dolphins Galore

After around 3 hours at sea we headed back to dry land and suitably warmed up with local green tea, we took another amazing lunch before heading off to Fire Lake by jeep. If I thought the views of yesterday were great then these blew it out the water and even though a bit misty this made it all the more atmospheric and intriguing. On the way we dropped into the local pineapple factory, where we learnt all about how pineapples are cultivated in the Azores and even had a taste of the local hooch…yes …it tasted like pineapples funnily enough and whilst not a tipple I could drink all night, it was certainly better than many local brews I’ve tasted over the years and that are currently gathering dust at home.

My next few days and I cycled to the major sight of the island including Sete Cidades and its Blue and Green Lakes , spend an afternoon lazing around in a piping hot swimming pool that was full of iron and which turned the white of my swimmers yellow (honest it was the iron!), ate a Cozido cooked in a naturally heated hole, visited the tea plantation of Gorreana, strolled around beautiful gardens and explored the beautiful and rugged Nordeste oh and ate yet more delicious food some of which I even recognised.

Rosa with the flowers

A week after arriving in the Azores, sadly I had to return back to the UK..hey someone has to make the tea back in the office, the only difference is that now it’s a special brew they made for me at the tea plantation. Rosa and Nuno had been fantastic fun to be with and I’d enjoyed my time with them immensely with Nuno’s knowledge of the Azores totally amazing…so much so I’ve nick named him the WikiAzorean.

I never did make it surfing in warm water, but am sure gonna get in some when I’m back there. As for now I’m more than content bobbing around in the sea at Tynemouth waiting for a wave and thinking about my time in the Azores and the fun time I had biking there.

For a few photos of my time there - Click Here

We’ve both guided trips here in 2012 and yes you’ve guessed it that my names on those trips, but if you fancy just doing your own thing or think I might pinch your barnacles when you are not looking (no pun intended) then let us have your dates and we’ll soon have you cycling self guided around this wonderful place.

Guided Tours Dates :

AZ012/02 – 23 June to 30 June
AZO12/03 – 01 September to 08 September

Click Here for more details - Click Here

Self Guided Dates

AZO12/SG – Throughout the year, but best to avoid July and August unless you like it hot

Click Here for more details - Click Here

Chile and Argentina Cycling / Mountain Biking Tour Confirmed for November 2012

Skedaddle — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:16:38 +0000

We’ve had a really busy April and start of April and now have just a few places left on our Chile and Argentina trip for November 2012.

The trip runs from 17 November to 01 December, which is a wonderful time to be in this gorgeous part of South America.

A few more details are below and if you can’t make this departure then we have both October and Christmas / New Year holidays scheduled here too :

CLD12 / 03 - 20 October to 03 November 2012
CLD12 / 04 - 17 November to 01 December 2012
CLD12 / 05 - 20 December 2012 to 03 January 2013

This holiday is superb mountain bike / cycling holiday journey through the Lake District of Chile and Argentina - a landscape of snowcapped volcanoes, deep valleys, lakes and monkey puzzle tree forests set against the awesome Andes.

Well paced, our route is on a combination of quiet gravel tracks and earth roads that skirt immense lakes and pass through sleepy villages, allowing us to absorb ourselves fully in the Lake District, its people and their way of life. Accommodation along the way is a combination of small hotels, lodges, cabañas and family run hospedajes (South American guesthouses), chosen for their location, hospitality and friendly welcome.

Our initial cycling takes us past the Parque National Alcerce Andino, before heading along the shores of Estero Relconcavi to arrive at Ensenada at the edge of Lago Llanquihue. Ensenada boasts superb views of the impressive Volcano Osorno and is close to the series of crashing rapids and waterfalls of Saltos de Petrohue.

The next day we head into Argentina, and Villa La Angostura, from where we move on to Bariloche, a place famed for its chocolates and Swiss style architecture. From here we head along the lovely Ruta de Las Siete Lagos‚ to San Martin de los Andes. Situated on the edge of Lago Lacar, San Martin is the perfect place to relax.

More incredible volcanoes and towering arucaria trees line our route back to Chile. Volcan Villarica beckons us to the picturesque town of Pucon. From here it’s a couple more days biking as we wind our way through stunning scenery to Temuco, where the tour ends.

Last places on our Exmoor mountain bike UK weekend 11 to 13 May - Yes this weekend!

Skedaddle — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:52:05 +0000

Loooking to get away this weekend then we have just two places left on the Exmoor Mountain biking weekend based in Dunster.

Exmoor continues to be a favourite Skedaddle UK weekend destination with it’s abundance of trails and variety of terrain.

During this mountain biking weekend, we climb the ridge of Grabbist Hill with it’s superb rocky descent to Wootton Courtenay, climb to Webber’s Post, and then assault Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor. The descent afterwards is fantastic, and gets us back to Dunster in time to sit in the hidden garden at the Luttrell Arms and sample some Exmoor Gold local ale!

On Sunday, we head for the sea, descending fantastic windy trails into Minehead before climbing North Hill with fantastic sea views, and returning to Dunster the way we started the weekend, perhaps spotting some deer along the way.

If you’ve found out how much fun you can have on a mountain bike on your local trails or at one of the many trail centres then why not head to the real countryside!!!??!

These fun weekends, are all fully guided with at least two MIAS qualified biking guides and fully supported with a vehicle and driver too. Based in quality B&B’s and pubs, train station pick-ups and drop-offs can be arranged. With hearty breakfasts and lush lunches the order of the day, all you need to decide is what to have as your evening meal and which local ale you’ll be sampling.

Exmoor UK Mountain Biking - Click Here

Skedaddle and Sustrans - Sea to Sea / C2C Fundraising Ride 2012

Skedaddle — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:46:00 +0000

Last year we helped launch the Way of the Roses cycle route with Sustrans and did a great few days of riding from Morecambe to Bridlington.

Skedaddle and Sustrans at the end of the Way of The Roses Ride 2011

This year we have moved a little further north and this year’s fundraising trip is on the C2C.

It is limted to 30 cyclists and takes place over the weekend of 21 to 23 September this ride will start at Whitehaven, before heading eastwards into the wide open spaces and dramatic scenery of the Lake District, Cumbria and the Pennines and ends 3 days and 140 miles later, on the North Sea coast at Tynemouth.

It is suited to those who get out on their bike regularly or those that put in the training to be able to cycle at least 40 miles comfortably in a day. There are some steep climbs, eased by long descents, sections of easy flowing cycleway and quiet traffic free tracks.

Itinerary

Day 1, Friday 21 September – Whitehaven to Penrith, 53 miles.
Day 2, Saturday 22 September - Penrith to Stanhope, 43 miles.
Day 3, Sunday 23 September - Stanhope to Tynemouth, 41 miles.

What’s included
Two nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation
Breakfast and lunch plus en-route refreshments (both healthy and not so healthy)
Luggage transfers between accommodation
Full support including guides, qualified in first aid and bike maintenance with a support vehicle (that carry your bags, snacks and lunch)
Exclusive Sustrans Sea to Sea T-shirt and route map
People and bike transfers from Penrith and Whitehaven train stations and to Newcastle station from Tyne

The total cost of the ride is £300 – this will include a £100 donation to Sustrans as Saddle Skedaddle have kindly subsidised this ride to help us raise as much money as possible for the charity. To make your donation go even further be sure to tick the gift aid box to enable us to claim an extra 25% on your donation.

It would be great if you would like to make a larger donation or would like to raise sponsorship on this challenge ride. Sustrans can send you a fundraising pack, with lots of ideas on how to raise money from your friends and family for those who wish to raise more - and there will be some exciting prizes for the top fund raisers!

This will be a challenging and rewarding trip and one which you will not want to miss out on. There are limited places on this exclusive event so book now to secure your place and be part of this fantastic and memorable fundraising challenge ride.

For more information about this ride please email us on info@skedaddle.co.uk the office on 0191 265 1110 - except at weekends as we are out and about on our bikes!! - or book online by clicking here

Skedaddle Cycling / Biking Holidays in the latest SagePay Moving Money Magazine

Skedaddle — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:45:37 +0000

Skedaddle’s Andrew Straw waxes lyrically about all things Skedaddle-wise in the latest edition of SagePay’s Moving Money Magazine.

Shame his craggy (distinguished some might say!!) face didn’t make the grade in the article, where as David Hall’s fine physique did as did the lovely long ’spaghetti’ legs of Naomi from Skedaddle Italia… sorry Straws, thems the breaks!!

Hear Andrew chat about SagePay http://www.sagepay.com/case-study/saddle-skedaddle

Gorrick 100 Enduro Mountain Biking Event - Entries on the day still available

Skedaddle — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:37:09 +0000

Too far to go to the Kielder Reavers Border Raid in Northumberland as you are in the south…then head to the Gorrick 100 Enduro at Swinley Forest, Rapley Farm, Bracknell Road, Bagshot, Surrey/Berks. on Sunday May 6th

http://www.gorrick.com/racing/news_item.php?id=467 for details and in support of the Kent, Surrey Air Ambulance too

How to get here : http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=489554&Y=165385&A=Y&Z=120&ax=489554&ay=165385

Have a fun day of mountain biking and spot any Skedaddle shirts on the course and do say hello…as you pass them!!

Kielder Border Raid is this weekend - Still time to enter this fantastic mountain bike enduro / ride

Skedaddle — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:09:52 +0000

Join Skedaddle’s very own man of Kielder Andy Scott and the the team at Kielder Trail Reavers over the Bank Holiday weekend on the fantastic Border Raid
Here’s the blurb…

The Border Raid (not Riad as they are in Morocco and not in Nortumberland!!) is the second round of The Bike Place Marathon Series and takes riders across the border into Scotland and back in one circuit of over 50kms. Using parts of the man made trails in Kielder and at Newcastleton with lots of superb riding in between - this is one to be missed at your peril!!!

This mlountain bike event is planned on the basis that each biker is self-sufficient with regards to food and drink for the duration of the ride, and also in respect of minor repairs / punctures / mechanicals etc. The course will be marked with Day Glow Arrows, and will be made up of forest trails, green roads and man made (by the guys at the Reavers!!) sweet singletrack.

Solo entries only for this event, due to being one large single lap course.

The Angler’s Arms in Kielder village, will be host for this event…. Nice post ride pints here!!!

Date: 5th May

Race Sign-on: 8.30am - 9.30am

Race Start: 10.00am

Rude not to we’d say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For more info click below and can’t make this one, then they’ve lots of other events too

http://www.kieldertrailreavers.co.uk/index.php/marathonseries