Biker's Delight - Fun cycle tours

Summary:
A classic West Cotswolds cycling weekend based in the historic market town of Cirencester – the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’. Rolling countryside, honey-coloured villages and lively market towns set the scene for two days of rewarding riding. With café stops, cultural highlights and plenty of scenic lanes, this tour combines gentle adventure with time to explore one of England’s most picturesque landscapes.
Distances: 32 miles Saturday & 30 miles Sunday
Terrain: Rolling English countryside.
Path/Road: Quiet roads and off-road cycle paths. All bikes are suitable.
Physical difficulty: Moderate Saturday and Sunday. Cycling at a manageable pace for 3.5 hours Saturday & 3 hours Sunday. Everyone will be assisted but you must be competent on a bike.
Duration: Friday night to Sunday evening.
Accommodation:
Staying in a Premier Inn Hotel in the beautiful town of Cirencester.
Cost: £205pp, based on 2 people sharing a twin room (£50 single supplement).
Itinerary:
Friday:
Check in to the hotel and head to a nearby pub for meet, greet and socialise.
Saturday:
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off from Cirencester through classic Cotswolds scenery towards Painswick. You’ll pass through picture-book villages lined with golden stone cottages and rolling farmlands.
We stop at The Arts Café Painswick for morning refreshments. A perfect spot to refuel while enjoying the creative, village atmosphere. Painswick, often called “The Queen of the Cotswolds”, is known for its beautifully preserved architecture and ancient churchyard of 99 yew trees. You’ll have time to wander its narrow streets.
From there a flowing descent takes us into the Stroud valleys, following scenic roads dotted with old wool mills — a reminder of the area’s textile heritage.
We’ll stop to browse at ‘The Malthouse Collective’, a vibrant space showcasing local crafts, makers and independent shops. It is officially the largest Antiques centre in the Cotswolds!
Lunch is taken at a café in Stroud town centre and you’ll have time to browse its independent shops before we begin our return journey. The ride back to Cirencester mainly follows the Thames and Severn Canal tow path, rounding off a rewarding day in the saddle.
Back in Cirencester, unwind with a well-earned dinner at a nearby restaurant and perhaps a drink under the old market’s arches.
Sunday:
Today’s route heads east of Cirencester, weaving through open countryside and quiet villages.
After breakfast, we set off towards the Classic Car Hub, a perfect stop for elevenses. Enjoy the great cafe while browsing an impressive collection of vintage and classic cars set in a stylish space.
From here, the route continues through some of the Cotswolds’ most photographed scenery. We pass through Bibury, following the River Coln and soaking up the timeless village views. A stop at the Bibury Trout Farm gives time to explore the riverside setting and enjoy a relaxed break.
The afternoon ride carries us on to Fairford, where we stop at a local café for lunch and a chance to explore the town, known for its beautiful church.
After lunch, we make our way back to Cirencester via peaceful lanes and Roman roads, returning to the hotel in the mid-afternoon to share stories and say our goodbyes.
Bike hire:
We can arrange – £30 for the weekend.
Included:
2 nights accommodation.
2 breakfasts.
2 days fully guided cycling.
Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs.
Accident insurance cover.
Trained first aider.
Refund policy:
Contact us to cancel 2 weeks before event 100% refund, 1 week 50%, 2 days 25%, < 2 days 0%.

NOTE EVENTS ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO MEET UP SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE FEW ATTENDEES SHOWING

Markets:

Borough – Fine foods heaven

Broadway – eclectic mix for fashionistas and food lovers

Greenwich – Art works, rare collectables, fashion designs and unique gifts

Summary:

A big loop taking in the best Saturday sites in the East. Cycling through the City, along canal paths, under the glass skyscrapers of Docklands, through historic Greenwich, and seeing some great riverside views.

Distance: 19 miles

Terrain: Flat

Path/Road: On quiet road, cycle lane, canal path

Physical difficulty:

Easy: 2.5 hours cycling at a slow pace. As you will be on the saddle for a few hours padded shorts or a gel seat cover will be useful for those not used to it. You must be competent on a bike and have cycled a similar distance before.

Duration: 10am – 4pm

Cost: £30

Itinerary:

What a start! Borough market, voted visitor’s top attraction in London. Tastes and smells from the finest food producers in the land. Leave some room for lunch!

Then a rare treat, your chance to enjoy The City with not a suit in sight! We’ll glide around the empty streets past monuments and imposing architecture. Are the streets paved with gold?

Leaving the city we’ll take to the canal paths and head to an urban zoo. Animals, flowers and with a superb Italian cafe attached.

Broadway market beckons. A trendy's hang out adds to a brilliant vibe. Food, fashion, crafts and buskers. You could stay here all day!

Another relaxing canal ride takes us through Docklands. Marvel at the towers above you before you descend under the Thames. Bet you didn’t even know there was a foot tunnel!

Greenwich market provides a perfect balance to your day with its array of arts and crafts. Plus you won't have far to carry back anything you buy!

We’ll ride back along the river and cycle paths to London Bridge.

Start and finish:

Start and finish at 'The Barrowboy and Banker' - 6-8 Borough High Street, SE1 9QQ

Bike hire:

We can arrange - £20 for the day (not included, contact us if you need to hire)
Included:

Fully guided tour

Places of interest pointed out

Basic tool kit carried and minor repairs undertaken

Accident insurance cover

Trained first aider

Refund policy:

Contact us to cancel 2 weeks before event 100% refund, 1 week 50%, 2 days 25%

NOTE EVENTS ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO MEET UP SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE FEW ATTENDEES SHOWING

Markets:

Columbia Road - a floral oasis, quirky shops, and barrow boy cries

Brick Lane - a varied mix of stalls, shops and markets in one long feast for the senses

Spitalfields market - 'Chic stylish and eclectic'

Summary:

Uber-cool East! Discover the latest street life, clothing, art and music trends. Vibrant stalls and unique clobber, who said Sunday’s were for resting! Plus take in the diverse sights of The City, St Katherine's Docks and Wapping.

Distance: 10 miles

Terrain: Flat

Path/Road: All on quiet road. Suitable for all bikes.

Physical difficulty: Easy. 2 hours cycling at a slow pace. You must be competent on a bike.

Duration: 10:00am – 4pm

Cost: £30

Itinerary:

A little less cycling in this tour, but that's because there are so many great distractions!

A winding trail through richly diverse sights. Starting with the financial powerhouses of The City and stately Squares, we'll move effortlessly into Shoreditch, the Capital of Cool! First stop Columbia Road flower market, a great place for all with flower and plant stalls and 60 interesting local shops. From cup cakes to art galleries!

A short ride to Brick Lane which you can walk down at your leisure. No longer just known as the curry capital, it's now a melting pot of street culture. Designer and vintage clothing, food markets, bars and clubs, it's all here!

Spitalfields market combines history with cutting edge style and creativity. Often voted Best London Market and fully justified!

A change of scene beckons as we head towards the water and St Katherine's Docks. A stunning location with its marina of boats and great views of the Thames. Along the waterfront into Wapping where you'll see the modern transformation of wharf buildings into designer riverside living. An ornamental canal provides a nice cycle path for us to head back and over Tower Bridge to the finish.

There are numerous refreshment places along the way and we'll ensure we have a proper lunch stop to suit the group. If time permits we'll try and finish with a stop at a riverside pub.

Bike hire:

We can arrange - £20 for the day (not included, contact us if you need to hire)

Start and finish:

Start and finish at 'The Barrowboy and Banker' - 6-8 Borough High Street, SE1 9QQ

Included:

Fully guided tour

Places of interest pointed out

Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs

Accident insurance cover

Trained first aider

Refund policy:

Contact us to cancel 2 weeks before event 100% refund, 1 week 50%, 2 days 25%

NOTE EVENTS ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO MEET UP SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE FEW ATTENDEES SHOWING

Summary:

Cycle the course of the famous Oxford v Cambridge boat race, see the grandeur of Richmond waterfront, enjoy the rural sights along to the majestic Hampton Court Palace, then finish through meadows and river locks.

Distance: 28 miles

Terrain: Flat

Path/Road: 3 miles of road, rest is path. Some of the path is quite rutted so thin road bike tyres won't be too comfortable.
Physical difficulty: Easy to Moderate, 3.5 hours cycling at a manageable pace. You must be competent on a bike and have cycled similar distances.
Duration: 10am – 4pm
Cost: £30
Itinerary:
The Thames Path stretches from the Thames Barrier in the East to Cricklade, the source of the Thames in the West.
On this stretch from Putney to Staines you will cycle the course of the famous Oxford v Cambridge boat race, and enjoy the grandeur of Richmond waterfront. You’ll have time here to explore the Farmer’s Market.
Moving on the route becomes more rural as you reach the majestic Hampton Court Palace, and then finish through meadows, and idyllic waterfront communities. The route is alive with people enjoying the river, both on it and off: rowers, sailors, walkers and cyclists.
Lunch is at The Angler's pub in Walton on Thames. A stunning riverside location.
At the end of the tour we’ll head back on the train to return the hire bikes or feel free to find your own way home.
There will be rest stops along the way, taking in the glorious riverside hospitality.
Bike hire:
We can arrange - £20 for the day (not included, contact us if you need to hire)
Start and finish:
Start at Putney train station.
Finish at Staines train station.
Direct trains back to Putney to return hire bike or regular trains to Waterloo.
Included:
Fully guided tour
Places of interest pointed out
Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs
Accident insurance cover
Trained first aider
Not Included:
Cost of train travel

Refund policy:

Contact us to cancel 2 weeks before event 100% refund, 1 week 50%, 2 days 25%, less than 2 days 0%