Couple offering Wheely Wonderful Cycling holidays in 2021

An award winning business that provides cycling holidays in Wales and along the English border is gearing up for a busy 2021 after the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic this year.
 
Cyclists Chris and Kay Dartnell realised a dream when they escaped to the country and converted redundant buildings at Petchfield Farm at Elton, near Ludlow  as a base for Wheely Wonderful Cycling in 1992.
 
The couple, who love cycle touring, now offer a wide range of cycling holidays in Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire, focusing on spectacular scenery and great accommodation and food.
 
Wheely Wonderful’s holidays are supported by luggage transportation in an electric car, detailed route guides and a full back up service.  
 
“This area of the UK offers some of the best cycling holidays in Europe, with river valleys cutting through spectacular hills, dominated by ruined castles and, best of all, hardly any cars,” said Kay.
 
This year has not been without its challenges, however, as many tourism-related businesses have discovered during the pandemic.
 
“We opened for two months during the summer to provide cycling holidays and it was such a pleasure to be able to welcome customers back to enjoy the borderlands of England and Wales,” explained Kay.
 
“Bookings were frantic when the lockdown ended, as everyone wanted to recover some of the summer, so we were able to provide holidays at quite short notice. Ideally a bit more advance notice is preferable.
 
“For 2021, we will take a booking with a deposit and will not bill for the full holiday balance until six weeks before the holiday starts. Normally, it’s three months ahead. If a customer needs to change the date before then, they can do so free of charge.  
 
“We have updated our website - https://www.wheelywonderfulcycling.co.uk/ - with tours for 2021 and look forward to arranging a perfect cycle tour for customers when they are ready to book.”
 
The couple’s most popular tours in 2020 were based on hotels, country inns and great food. “The prospect of a good cycle ride, then being looked after at a hotel or inn, with delicious food and drink on tap, seemed to appeal,” said Kay.
 
“Our six-day Slow Food Cycle Tour gives customers a chance to eat at some great restaurants, visit a vineyard and several breweries and enjoy great cycling in fabulous scenery in Shropshire, which is renowned as a ‘foodie’ destination.
 
“We also have a perfect treat for a special occasion, with customers staying at two foodie destinations, The Lion Hotel in Leintwardine and The Stagg at Titley, combined with three days of great cycling around Herefordshire.”
 
The business also offers a wide range of cycling holidays in Mid Wales, including the Brecon Beacons and Elan Valley, and all the way to Anglesey. The Lon Las Cymru (Welsh National Cycle Route) is a signed cycle route through the whole of Wales.
 
Customers can choose from a short break to a longer cycling holiday of between 10 to 14 days.
 
Picture captions:
 
Wheely Wonderful Cycling – geared up for a busy 2021.