A Cost Sharing, Four Day,

Group Cycling Holiday

in

‘Target Price’

(see notes)

‘Sociable Cycling’ is what a Cycle Nuts Group Holiday is all about. The bicycle, really, is only an excuse for the social occasion. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you cycle, there is usually someone who travels at your pace. You can ‘pootle’ along enjoy the scenery and chat to the friends cycling with you, or you can do your own ‘balls out’ head down, mini Tour de France, it’s entirely up to you. There are two full days of cycling and you have a choice of 3 routes on the first day and 2 on the second ranging from 20 miles to 60(+). Route maps and itineraries are supplied to every rider and a support vehicle acts as ‘Muzzer-en’ (Mother Hen). There is a recommended mid morning and mid afternoon break, and a lunch stop - common to all routes – where we partake lunch ‘a-la-francaise’ i.e. bread, cheese, ham, pate, etc.

After a ‘hard’ day on the road, a quick wash and brush up – or whatever else takes your fancy! – and the socialising continues. We will usually meet in a bar before proceeding to a restaurant for our evening meal.

Our venue this year is again the small, typically French town of Compiegne situated on the river Oise 45 miles northeast of Paris. Compiegne has its own Royal Palace used by the ‘French Royals’ of yesteryear as a retreat from Paris, and is set on the edge of the Forest of Compiegne. For the cycle ‘buffs’ amongst you, the annual Paris – Roubaix doesn’t actually start in Paris but on the cobbles right in front of the Royal Palace, here in Compiegne.

In true Cycle Nuts tradition, we have a Tin and Iron route for both days of cycling.

On Day One the routes are structured around our lunch stop by the wonderful Chateau at Pierrefonds, about 12 miles to the east of Compiegne.

The Tin Route follows the valley of the Aisne to the east and then cuts south to Pierrefonds. After lunch it winds its way through the Forest back to the Aisne Valley and past the Clairiere de l’Armistice railway carriage into Compiegne. About 35 miles in all, and apart from a short climb out of the valley, it is in the main easy and pleasant cycling along the river valley.

The Iron Route goes further North into some ‘undulating’ countryside before cutting back to Pierrefonds for lunch. It also then returns to Compiegne via the Aisne valley. About 62 miles.

With a signposted cycle path that runs through the Forest of Compiegne to Pierrefonds, we also have a third option for day one. I quote from Lonely Planet guide ‘Cycling France’ – "Effortless cycling is the order of the day. The trip is peaceful and easy: a paved, signed bicycle path on flat terrain is interspersed with small detours to appealing villages." At just over 20 miles (return), this is a nice easy ride even for non-cyclists. I will call this the Wood Route.

On Day Two, the Tin Route follows the valley of the Oise south of Compiegne, then east along the valley of the Automne for lunch near the small village of Morienva. After lunch, it returns along the Automne valley and routes back to Compiegne through the forest. As yesterday, a bit of a climb out of the valley into the forest, but on the whole, gentle cycling along the river valley. About 40 miles but can be increased to 50.

The Iron Route is again a bit more adventurous, heading west from Compiegne before returning to follow the Automne valley to the lunch stop. It then continues east before looping south to Crepy, then north to join the Tin route through the forest back to Compiegne. About 62 miles.

If there is enough interest, I can also put together a Wood Route for the second day. It would be a simple out and back to lunch at Morienva, but would be a little further (and a little more ambitious) than yesterdays Wood route. However - - - if you feel you have been bitten by the bug - - - - - - - . About 30 miles.

The support vehicle has always been a central philosophy of the Cycle Nuts Holiday, and its job is to cater for your every need - - well - - within limits!!!! We will see everyone off from the Hotel, do the shopping for lunch, and then sweep both routes to the mid morning break to make sure everyone is OK. The same again as far as the lunch stop where we ensure that everyone is fed and watered. If anyone doesn’t turn up I will come and find him or her. More of the same on the homeward journey – sweeping, feeding, sweeping. We will have a Bike Rack on to the back of the support car allowing us to pick up anyone who does develop a problem.

Unfortunately, the Coach that we have used for the last three years is not available this year. It will be back at the factory having its gear box mended whilst we are in France.

I have come up with three other options on which I need your opinions. Let’s call them plans B, C and D. (Plan ‘A’ was the Coach!).

Plan B. I hire a Van in the UK (which will also act as Muzzer ‘en in France) and meet you all at (say) Ashford Station. Here I will take your bikes and luggage and transfer them onto the Van. There is room for 3 people in the Van, the rest of the group take the Eurostar to Paris (Gare du Nord). There you transfer on to the local train, which in about 40 minutes takes you to Compiegene. From Compiegne Station it is only a short walk to the Hotel. I would talk to Eurostar and book all the tickets in advance at (hopefully) a ‘group rate’.

Plan C. We hire a Van and a 17 seater Minibus in the UK. The Van would take the Bikes, Luggage and 3 passengers, and the Minibus would take the remainder of the group. This would however limit us to 20 in the group – roughly the number of people who have indicated an interest so far.

Plan D. In groups of 2 or 3, people make their own way to Compiegne, in their own (or shared) cars. You would make your own booking with the Ferry Company of your choice – very easy on the Internet. We did this for the Amiens trip and it worked very well. From the ‘organisational point’ this is probably the easiest option for me - the holiday would start and end in Compiegene - but more of a hassle for everyone else.

With regard to total cost, plans B, C and D should be within 10% or so of plan A (ie if we were taking the Coach).

The intention is that our ‘base’ this year will again be the 3 star Best Western Hotel Les Beaux Arts. It is ideally situated on the river and right in the middle of Compiegne. Bikes will be booked into the hotel garage for safekeeping.

We will use three different restaurants for the three nights, each with at least a three course menu, and inclusive of an aperitif, wine (not unlimited!), water and coffee. We need to choose our menu before we depart, and I have to fax our choices to the restaurants by the end of April. This worked extremely well in previous years, and I will be asking those coming along to choose about three weeks before we depart.

Because Compiegne has so much going for it, non-cycling partners may well enjoy coming along this year. Paris is 45 minutes away by train and Compiegne itself has some wonderful shops and cafes, as well as its fair share of ‘tourist attractions’ – the Royal Palace being just one.

I’m hoping however that some non-cyclists may be tempted to try the 20 mile Wood route through the forest to the Chateau at Pierrefonds and join us for lunch (see ‘The Cycling’ Day One). This would still leave you day two free to ‘recover’ - - - - -.

I have been organising these ‘group’ bike trips for 13 years now (I think?) and before that Minibus camping holidays to Greece, Morocco and Yugoslavia, as well as Motorcycling trips to Europe. The one thread they all have in common is the ‘cost sharing’ aspect. My reason for organising these holidays is not to make money but just to go on holiday with a group of friends and have a good time. (OK, I do enjoy the organising them – it must be the German in me!). The basic thinking behind them all however remains – "Add up all the costs and divide by the number of people coming along", it couldn’t be simpler.

Why am I telling you all this?

To make sure that the Tax man doesn’t think I’m making a fast buck and demand a load of tax from me, and

2.) To explain that unlike a commercial Tour Operator I do not have a profit margin to fall back on. In other words, if you cancel out after I have made the bookings, someone needs to cover your costs (and it ain’t me), unless of course between us we can find someone to take your place. I have to admit that it’s not usually as bad as that, the hotels will take a cancellation until fairly late and I don’t give final numbers to the restaurants until about two weeks before we go. But with regard to any of the shared costs - the Coach, the food kitty, the Recce, etc, etc, - the ‘penalty clause’ would apply’. Other peoples costs should not go up because you drop out at a ‘late’ stage’. This is no different from previous trips, but I just thought I would spell it out.

For the last couple of years I have actually been calculating the total cost in advance and - if you like – ‘packaging’ the trip before departure. Up until then, I merely paid for everything on my credit card as we went along and then divvied it up on return. This year I will again stick with the ‘package’ idea because that worked very well, and I will be asking for a deposit and full payment before we depart. Again, because of the no profit margin clause, a final adjustment may have to be made after the trip. In the past however this has more often been in your favour.

Last years costs worked out at around £275 per person fully inclusive. Allowing for the strength of the Euro this year I have estimated £295 for this year (+/- 10%)

Despite all the calculations however and because of the ‘no profit margin etc’ this has to remain an estimate. If unforeseen expenses crop up - - - - . In the past my estimates though have nearly always been over the top and the final price has worked out less. The added problem – as I go to press – is that the £ is in free-fall against the Euro, so that may also have a bit of an effect.

What is not included however is Holiday Insurance – so please make sure you arrange that yourself.

If we go for Plan C (minibus) places will be limited to 20 so it will have to be on a first-come-first-served basis.

If we go for plan D (taking your own cars) you would make your own ferry bookings and these would not be included in the ‘inclusive deal’. The cost per person for the rest of the trip would therefore be correspondingly less.

Regards

Ron

or 7 Thames Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3DP, Tel 01635.827532.

For those who don’t know – I have just taken early retirement can therefore no longer be reached at LTCC.

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