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Bicycle touring, biking vacations, short breaks in the Cotswolds, Heart of England and Lake District

Cotswold Cycling Tours

Cotswold Country Cycles

Julia in Cuba

 

View over Longlands Farm

 

Ian at the Artic Circle

Jim and his trusty steed

About Cotswold Country Cycles

 

The cycle centre is based at Longlands Farm 2 miles from Chipping Campden. Ian is a fourth generation tenant of the Earl of Harrowby. The Harrowby family owned vast tracts of the surrounding land on this escarpment during the 19th century. The family home, Burnt Norton house, the subject of T S Eliot's famous poem, is situated next door to Longlands Farm and it is pleasing that after many years empty our Lord Sandon and his young family are now resident close by. Longlands is one of the remaining farms on the Harrowby Estate in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

 

With a young family holidaying in France, we found ourselves cruising about in a car with little opportunity to converse or interact with the locals. Having cycles was a revelation for us. We got to know the area and the people in a way impossible by car. Evening meals were a treat as everyone had a hearty appetite.

 

On our return cycling became our passion. Having turned our hobby into a small cycle hire business some years ago, we have progressed to organising tours for the past 5 years. It is important to understand our cyclists' needs and aspirations and in order to keep faith, we believe in experiencing the 'tour ethos' ourselves. This gives us the insight to make sure we 'deliver the goods'. OK we admit it - we like to have fun too. Julia has recently returned from biking the eastern side of Cuba and also cycled in Morocco. Previously she had tourned across western Cuba as well as biking in Andalusia, Spain. Ian has completed a 28 day, 13,500 mile ride across the US to Alaska/Artic Circle and back by motorcycle. Winter of 2002 saw him tour the North and South Island of New Zealand - again on motorcycle.

Jim, who has helped in the development of routes here in the North Cotswolds took up a different challenge during September 2006 when he cycled from the Canadian to the Mexican border, a total of 1970  miles.  His trusty Dawes cycle saw him through with only 1 puncture!  The scenery was breathtaking and dramatic, not as cosy as here and the wildlife impressive - an adventure of a lifetime.
 

 

For 2008 we have two new exciting tours - Castles, Palaces and Spires and As You Like It - for those cyclists who are interested in architecture, history and antiques.

 

 

Amongst our bikers were honeymoon and Silver Wedding anniversary couples - its true the Cotswolds are a very romantic destination and as such, we try to find the most charming accommodation.