Herefordshire Beano, Mon 5th - Fri 9th June 2023
Green valleys, cider orchards and misty hills
We return to Bicycle Beano’s old home territory – some of the earliest Beanos took place in this region – but we’re at a new venue in the countryside just north of the market town of Ledbury. Around us is the lush countryside of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, set in the border country between the Malvern Hills and the distant Black Mountains of mid Wales. It’s a land filled with rolling hills, farms, apple orchards and hop fields.
To the west our rides take us through cider orchards to the banks of the River Wye. To the north we explore the twisty lanes and low hills around Bromyard. To the east, the Malvern Hills await: a stiff climb but well worth the effort for the breathtaking views as far as the Cotswolds.
Our base for the rides is Pegs Farm, a large Grade II Listed farmhouse in the classic “black-and-white” Herefordshire style, dating back to the 13th century. The accommodation is split between the house itself and the converted barn next door. Both have been modernised sympathetically with comfortable twin- and double-bedded rooms, some with ensuite bath or shower rooms. There are comfortable lounges and gardens with views across to the mountains. We’ve space for 20 or more people in this venue.
Doing the catering for us will be Pot & Page, the renowned vegan café and bookshop in nearby Ledbury. They specialise in delicious plant-based catering, with the emphasis on seasonal and local produce. (Yes, that means the breakfasts and dinners will be vegan. We will be providing a supply of dairy milk for those who can’t contemplate anything else in their cup of tea! As ever on a Beano, our suggested lunch stops will generally have meat and veggie options available.)
This is a weekday Beano: we arrive for tea on Monday afternoon and leave after breakfast on Friday morning. In between we have three all-day rides on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, exploring the area by bike and returning to the the farm at the end of each ride where tea and cakes will await us.
The rides are mainly on country lanes, with a few short sections on gravelled cycle paths and easy bridleways. Daily distance is 30-40 miles, though we always build in detours and short cuts so you can make your ride longer or shorter. Some of the detours may involve stretches of offroad cycling but there will always be on-road alternatives. We avoid main roads as much as we can but we occasionally have to use short stretches of busy road to reach the really good bits.
When
Mon 5th – Fri 9th June 2023
Arrive Monday evening. 4 night stay; 3 days of cycling; depart Friday morning.
The rides
Main route each day is 30-40 miles (50-70km) at your own pace. Optional detours and short cuts available. Rolling hills with some flatter sections.
Availability
Sorry, fully booked! We sometimes have cancellations or changes, so contact us if you’d like to go on the waiting list.
Prices
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Single room with shared bathroom [sorry, all booked] [£650]
Single room, shared bathroom facilities
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Sharing a twin room (shared bathroom) [sorry, all booked] [£550]
Per person in a twin bed room; shared bathroom facilities. If you're travelling solo but prepared to share a room let us know.
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Single room with ensuite bathroom [sorry, all booked] [£750]
Single room, ensuite shower/bathroom [sorry, all booked]
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Sharing a twin or double room with ensuite bathroom [sorry, all booked] [£650]
Ensuite shower room/bathroom. If you're travelling solo but prepared to share a room let us know and we'll charge you the shared room rate even if you get a room to yourself. [sorry, all booked]
Prices are per person and include dinner, breakfast, and tea & cakes after the ride. They don’t include bike hire (most Beanoers bring their own bikes) or the cost of lunch/coffee stops during the rides.
