On the afternoon of you arrival its time to collect your bikes in readiness for the first days travel. It�s also a chance for us to catch up with you and chat about your trip and also to advise you on the best places to eat and if required book them for you and answer any questions you may have, and finally transport your luggage between overnight stops.
Accommodation
You stay in comfortable family-run hotels, country inns, friendly guesthouses and farmhouse bed and breakfasts along the trail that have been carefully chosen for the warmth of their welcome, the quality of their accommodation and their accessibility to the trail. We always book en-suite rooms with private bathrooms where they are available, but some, in the remoter areas where accommodation is limited, may not have private facilities.
Extra nights
When booking your holiday you can customise your trip by building in extra nights for rest days or sightseeing. Please contact us if you would like assistance in deciding where to spend an extra night.
Single rooms
These can be booked on most routes - the supplement is �25 per night.
Meals
The holidays are run on a bed and breakfast basis. A full English breakfast is included in the price, but we leave you to pay for your packed-lunches and evening meals. Your Tour Pack contains information on places to stop for lunch or buy picnic materials also the best places to eat in the evening. Some of the guest houses we book can also provide evening meals, and we recommend you try this home cooking where available.
Luggage transfer
We transport your luggage between overnight stops (one suitcase per person). Every time you arrive at a new destination, your luggage will be waiting for you, so all you need to carry on your walk is a light daypack containing whatever you require for the day such as waterproofs, camera and picnic lunch.
Bikes & equipment
In conjunction with our partners we supply hybrid bikes that have been specifically designed for road cycling (but also cope with tracks, with care). We think they are brilliant, and a real pleasure to ride. If you prefer to use a mountain bike or tandem, please let us know when you book. They are provided with a helmet, pannier, lock, tyre levers & repair kit.
The Trail Pack
All the information you need for an enjoyable, worry-free cycling holiday is contained in the Trail Pack that we provide. This will be sent to two week before the start of your holiday
Please note that transport to the begining and from the end of the trail is not included in the price.
Call 01983 281662 now to book this holiday.
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Cycling Holiday - Taste Trail
As you travel along the Taste Round the Island Route, just off it or right on the route, you will find numerous food and drink locations. Many of these locations supply or serve local produce. Isle of Wight provenance food and drink has blossomed in the last number of years with many boutique and specialist suppliers investing in their particular food passion.
The Islands unique climate helps. In a maritime climate off Southern England, parts of the island receive more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the UK.
The Taste Round Island Route starts in Cowes and then continues anti-clockwise. This cycling holiday would be considered challenging for those new to cycling but of medium difficulty for those that have cycled before. It is possible to add extra miles on either of the days depending on your ability.
The 64-mile Round-the-Island Cycle Route was created by the Wayfarers Cycle touring club who developed the route for the annual Randonnee cycling event and is probably the best way to experience the variety of the Isle of Wight and to appreciate its true size. The permanently signed route (dark blue with white island) leads you along country lanes, through towns and villages, avoiding the busiest roads wherever possible. The verges of some country lanes are maintained for the benefit of wildlife are not cut until late summer.
There is plenty to see starting out with the Royal Yacht squadron as you leave Cowes. In addition to the world-famous Cowes Week in early August, there tend to be boating events on at most times throughout the season. The route then heads inland to Newtown the original Capital of the Island which was attacked by the French in 1377 and never recovered. The old town hall dates back to 1690,s and is now in the care of the National trust along with much of the surrounding land. Then passing through the small agricultural villages of Newbridge and Wellow before arriving in Freshwater Bay.
The next section of the route passes through the West Wight with far reaching views across the beaches and out to sea. Chale Bay was at one time known as the Bay of Death; sixty ships were lost here between 1746 and 1808. Nearby are the Wealdon Beds which have yielded fossilised remains of dinosaurs.
Niton is the Southern most part of the route and the south east coast town of Ventnor has its own Botanic Gardens thanks to the mild climate, the Garden contains palms and many other varieties of sub-tropical plants.
The route now heads inland along the base of the downs to Winford and Alverstone and continues onwards to the popular sailing town of Bembridge.
The final part of the route arguably keeps the best or at least the most popular, til last though. The stunning Osborne House, a favourite retreat of Queen Victoria is the singular most popular attraction on the Isle of Wight. Thereafter the route continues back to East Cowes and the end of the Isle of Wight Coastal Route.
Through out the route there are many opportunities to take detours into villages or local attractions. Whilst the main route is mainly road based we highlight any off road opportunities for those that fancy a little bit more of a challenge.
If you fancy longer days then no problem we offer various excursions off of the main route. This extensions to the route will always be from the main round Island route and circle back
To rejoin it either in the same place or a little further along. We will supply a list of these options when you arrive.