CYCLING TOURISM | FOCUS DUE A HOLIDAY?
Guides of Bhutan: Phone: 02071935239 Email: Philip@guidesofbhutan
Max Bikes PR/ Lima: Phone: 07531627433 Email:
team@maxbikespr.co.uk
Saddle Skedaddle: Phone: 01912651110 Email:
info@skedaddle.co.uk
>>> that with a little bit of luck his
business could eventually revolve around spells in the Alps leading a pack of trail-hungry cyclists through some of Europe’s most lusted after scenery. “I have been riding for many years and have
built up a wealth of routes both on and off- road in the areas we serve. I really wanted to share these and ride with varied people who are both experienced and novice cyclists,” said Jepson. “I work in the cycling industry with a PR and marketing consultancy and this seemed like a fun way of diversifying my business and getting more riding in.” Further to touring the rolling hills of
Shropshire and the Cotswolds, Lima will also offer cycle skills coaching, tips on fitness training and cycling technique, as well as cycle maintenance skills sessions. Asked whether he foresees making a killing
from the new venture, Jepson concedes that again, “I can only hope for the business to do well financially, largely this is a lifestyle choice, though. We can cater up to 15 to 20 riders with say a large corporate group. For that size group we would have a minimum of three guides.” Further afield and having set out in the
tourism business more than a decade ago, Guides of Bhutan, operated by Philip Bowen was a pioneer of cycling in the region, prior to setting up his stall as a cycle tourism guru for the region.
“I worked as a trekking and biking guide all
over, from Morocco to Nepal for many years,” Bowen told BikeBiz. “Initially I was based in Bhutan for eight years, up until about three years ago. When I first arrived, there were only a handful of bikes in the country. Seeing the potential I taught five of my guides to ride bikes and we imported a fleet of Konas for hire, the first-ever in the Kingdom.” Conceding that Bhutan generally attracts
only the seasoned tourist, Bowen’s typical crowd will happily spend entire days in the saddle navigating the best of the terrain at a relaxed pace, absorbing the immense views the landscape has to offer and wherever necessary, stopping for photo breaks. “These days there are three shops in the
capital Thimpu, which has now been designated a ‘bike city’, with the police patrolling on two wheels and a growing interest in biking,” adds Bowen. “Cycling is slowly taking over from the national sport of archery in popularity. Having pioneered bike adventures for the five-star hotel Uma Paro, we finally branched out on our own as a guide co-operative in 2010 and have thankfully been doing very well since.”
26 BIKEBIZ MAY
A cyclist navigates Gold Hill (top left)
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and offers plenty to cyclists
Ladakh, where this picture was taken, translates to “land of the high passes”
“When I first arrived, there were just a handful of bikes. These
days there are three bike shops and Thimpu is a ‘bike city’.” Philip Bowen, Guides of Bhutan
BIKEBIZ.COM
© Skedaddle
© Skedaddle
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