Relaxed and adventurous, I enjoy riding with the group to chat and find out who the riders are and to hear about their cycling stories. I create tours that I love riding and go to countries that fascinate me. Half the fun of being a tour leader is having the idea, then visiting the country and finding the people, routes, hotels and attractions that will come together to make a fantastic tour. I like to make sure that GPS and tour routes are accurate and daily briefings let everyone know about the plan and timings for the day ahead. Everyone feels part of the group and no-one gets left behind.
I really try to put together rideable routes and good reconnaissance visits are essential to ensure the best ones can be followed. Occasionally in places like Morocco a short vehicle transfer may be needed where I feel it isn't sensible to ride a particular section of road. With my holidays generally having a support vehicle and local guide I tend to favour challenging tours which are accessible to most reasonably fit riders. The tour information makes it crystal clear whether the route is paved or mixed surface, and also includes advice on suitable bikes, tyres, kit and spares.
I will move heaven and earth to get WOW accommodation wherever possible but in the world of cycle touring sometimes a bed and enough dinner will do. I can usually cater for everyone’s tastes as long as I know well in advance. Shared rooms are normal with limited single rooms on request at extra cost.
I run many of my tours in collaboration with seasoned Bikexplore tour leader Greg Woodford and you will meet me assisting on many of Greg’s tours. I will be concentrating on Morocco, a country I know really well with fixed centre, mixed routes and possible bikepacking wild camping happening late in 2021. New High Atlas routes are under construction and should roll out in 2022. Sardinia, Turkey, Portugal and End to End France are also possibilities for the next couple of years. I live on the edge of the Chilterns where a bikepacking weekend event is in the pipeline, along with some weekend staycation mini tours of the area too.