1: Who
is Bicycle Beano?
 We
are Jane Barnes and Rob Green. We started organising cycling
holidays in 1982 after working for Friends of the Earth etc.
Bicycle Beano was set up to be environmentally-friendly from
the beginning. In 1990, Bicycle Beano was nominated by Tourism
Concern for the green tourism award at the Berlin Travel
Show. VegNews magazine (USA) gave Bicycle Beano
a Top 10 Vegetarian Destination 2005 award. We have
remained true to our ethos for the last 29 years. Rob is co-author
of Cycle Tours Around Birmingham, published by
Phillips.
2012 will be our 31st season! We are only doing 3 beanos in
2012 as we have no desire to grow into a multi-national conglomerate.
We live in Mid Wales and only want to run cycling holidays in
Wales and the Welsh Borders of England. We enjoy the sociability
and the cycling. We cycle along on all the Beanos, and have
one or two helpers who 'sweep' at the back.
Check out our green credentials: Environmental
Policy.
See our Meaning of 'Beano' page
for a brief explanation of the word 'beano'.
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2: Who comes on Beanos?
All ages are welcome. There are usually 16 to 28 people on
each tour, depending on the size of the venue. On average there
are equal numbers of women and men. Usually about half the group
are solo travellers, the rest are couples, and sometimes we
have one or two families.
In our 29 years experience of running these holidays, it does
not seem to matter who comes on Beanos. The fact that we cycle
together and socialise together creates a cohesive group. Some
people have made life-long friends. For instance, one Beano
reunion group has been meeting up every year since 1988.
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3: What happens each day?
After breakfast we give everyone a specially designed map
and written route instructions. We start the day's ride between
9.30 and 10 am, after a brief talk about the route options.
We stop for rests, to visit something interesting en-route,
to look at a view, or for morning coffee etc. Lunch is usually
between 12 noon and 1.30 pm, mostly at country pubs where there
is a choice of meat and veggie meals. After lunch, whether you
are doing the short cut, main route or longer detour, we usually
meet up for tea or a late afternoon drink before returning to
base (between 5 and 6pm.) for tea and cake. Dinner is between
7 and 8pm depending on the ride. There is an optional bike-free
day on Wednesday.
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4: How are the rides organised?
Each day we do a circular ride of between 35 and 40 miles,
returning to the same venue each evening. Mileage depends upon
terrain; when it's flat we do more, when it's hilly we do less.
Most routes have one or more short cuts. There are also longer
detours for those who want extra mileage.
Everyone is given a specially designed map and written instructions.
We are inclined to split into groups of people who cycle at
the same pace as each other. You can choose whether to cycle
with a group or on your own if you prefer. There is no pressure
to keep up with the group. Whether you do the short cut, main
route, or longer detour, we all aim to have lunch and tea together.
This means that couples who cycle at different speeds do not
have to cycle together, but can still meet up en-route.
We (Jane and Rob) join in the rides and we have one or two
helpers who cycle along at the rear.
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5: When are the first
and last rides on each holiday?
People arrive at the venue any time after 4pm on Saturday for
tea and cakes. Dinner is at 7pm. The first ride takes place
after breakfast on Sunday. The last ride is on Friday. Everyone
leaves after breakfast on Saturday morning.
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6: Will I be fit enough?
You do not have to be super fit. As long as you can cycle
at least 30 miles a day without falling apart you will enjoy
a Beano – and remember you have got the whole day to do
it. Cycling with other people gives you energy – it's
easy to forget the miles when you are busy chatting and enjoying
the views. We have lots of breaks en-route so you can have a
rest from cycling. The beauty of cycling with a group is that
there is always somebody else who cycles at the same pace as
you.
Staying at just one venue for the holiday means that our routes
are flexible. Our rides are roughly circular and return to the
same venue each day. We usually have a moderate main route of
between 35 and 40 miles a day depending upon terrain, with short
cuts and longer detours available if necessary.
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7: I am an experienced
cyclist, will the routes be long enough for me?
Usually about a quarter of Bicycle Beano guests want to do
a bit more than the average 35 to 40 miles a day, so we provide
detours off the main route to accommodate them. On most of the
beanos you can choose to do 4 days of 50 to 60 miles a day.
Even if there is not an official Beano detour, we can suggest
one.
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8: What happens if I have
a mechanical problem on the ride?
Our helper cycles along at the back of the group and will be
on-hand to help if anyone has a mechanical problem.
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9:
What sort of bikes do people ride?
Most people bring road touring bikes, hybrids, folding bikes,
or mountain bikes fitted with road tyres. Occasionally people
bring tandems or recumbants – we've even had a unicyclist.
All our routes are on tarred roads (apart from a few short sections
of easy-going off-road). Your bike needs to be suitable for
on-road riding.
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10: Can I rent a bike?
We do not provide bikes. If you haven't got your own bike,
or cannot travel with it, a limited number of hybrid bikes may
be available for rent from a another firm. Please contact
us for details.
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11: What do I wear?
It's usually warm enough to ride in shorts and t-shirts, May
to September. Cycling shorts with a padded insert are more comfortable
than ordinary shorts. Wear layers so you can peel them off when
necessary. Carry a fleece, and a lightweight waterproof (preferably
breathable). Lightweight long stretchy trousers are useful.
Shoes should have a hard sole, but ordinary trainers (sneakers)
will do. Cycle mits with padded palms keep your hands comfortable.
Do not cycle in jeans – they have uncomfortable seams
and are inflexible. Other suggestions are a hat with a small
peak and sunglasses. Helmet wearing is not a legal requirement
in the UK – it is your choice whether you wear one or
not.
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12: What will the weather
be like?
Average weather in spring and summer in Wales and England is
temperate, not too hot, not too cold – mostly benign and
ideal for cycling.
Here is an example. In 2002 we ran 3 week-long beanos and
4 weekends. During those holidays we had 2 mornings (on different
holidays) when it rained softly for a couple of hours, one day
when it rained intermittently, and one afternoon when it was
very misty. The rest of the time it was dry, with a mixture
of sun and cloud. By the way, it was warm enough for us to swim
in the sea.
And remember, as Shakespeare once said...
"There
is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."
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13: I am not a vegetarian
– will I like the food?
Yes. The food is so delicious, you won't even notice the lack
of meat. It is home-made, freshly-cooked, and often uses organic
vegetables and fruit from the venue's own garden (see a
typical menu below). Lots of meat-eaters return to Bicycle
Beano again and again because they like the food. Even though
all the food served at our venues is exclusively vegetarian,
we don't ostracise carnivores! A choice of meat and veggie meals
are available at the lunch stops.
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14: I am a vegetarian
All the breakfasts, afternoon teas, and dinners provided by
our venues are vegetarian. Vegetarian food is also available
from the lunch stops on our routes.
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15: Can you provide vegan
food?
Our venues are happy to provide vegan food as long as they
are given 2 weeks notice (to allow time to obtain some items
in more remote areas).
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16: What is a typical
menu?
All the meals provided by our venues are home-made and freshly-cooked,
using organic fruit and vegetables from their own gardens if
available – the Snowdonia and Ellesmere venues have their
own organic vegetable gardens.
Breakfasts are self-service buffets of cereals, muesli, yoghurt,
fresh fruit, toast, spreads and jams etc. A range of drinks
are available including fruit juices, herb teas, ordinary and
decaffeinated tea and coffee. At some venues we have free-range
eggs etc.
Dinners are lip-smackingly designed to satisfy cyclists' appetites
– delicious, nutritious, and plenty of it. Main meals
can be anything from Greek moussaka, roasted vegetables, Chinese
stir-fry and noodles, Hungarian goulash, to hazelnut roast with
all the trimmings. Puddings include fresh fruit crumble and
custard, home-made fresh fruit trifle, bread and butter pudding,
and chocolate roulade with cream. Yummy!!
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17: Can you take people
with disabilities?
Yes, as long as you can cycle you will enjoy a beano. Wheelchair
access is available. Please contact us to discuss practicalities.
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18: Where are the prices
for the tours?
The prices appear at the end of each tour description page,
which can be reached from the Tours
page.
A simple text-only programme of our holidays is available to
download.
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Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays
– green holidays since 1982
© Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays™ updated
15 April 2012 | www.bicycle-beano.co.uk
Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays, Erwood, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PQ,
Wales, UK | 01982 560471
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