“On our 'day off' in Castelpers, the weather forecast was not good and in the morning we decided to visit Rodez instead of cycling. We needed to get to the train station in Naucelle. Despite best efforts from the hotel, no taxi was available to take us there. Therefore, monsieur took us in his car and collected us from the train station in the evening, taking a different 'scenic route' each way. We also learned some interesting new french words, as he commented on the driving skills of other road users on the way! ”
- MR HAMMOND & MS BURGERT 1ST HOLIDAY

“We thoroughly enjoyed cycling on the rural French roads. No traffic, beautiful scenery. The holiday lived up to the brochure! On our day off in Castelpers, we wanted to visit the Chateau du Bosc. Madame told us the road 'monter' so we asked in our very poor French if it would be better to walk. She said yes, it would be very hard on the bikes. .at least that was my interpretation from our fractured conversation. So we set off to walk the 9km uphill. As we neared Camjac, we stopped a car which happened to be the waitress who had served us breakfast at Castelpers and she gave us a ride for the last kilometres. After our tour of the chateau, we started our walk back and met on the road a Dutch couple who now live in Camjac. We had a very lovely conversation and they kindly offered to drive us back to Castelpers! When we arrived back, the madame was mortified that we had walked!! She said that after we left and she saw our bikes in the garage, she realized that we had misunderstood each other. She had meant that we should walk our bikes up the hill, not just walk!! But now we have made friends in Camjac!! ”
- MS M LAMB 1ST HOLIDAY

“It was an overall good time, from the service from the UK to Peter and Margaret at Ambialet. Food, hotels, region, plus the cycling; it all added up to excellent. It also gave a great sense of achievement and although physically at times we were tired, it gave us a good sense of wellbeing. We think that the people 'on the ground' are key to a good time. Cycling from Ambialet toward Arthes, on a very hot, sunny day, we climbed a hill into 'Longayrou', a very small hamlet overlooking the Tarn. Walking amongst rows of vegetables through his tiered garden, a farmer was watering his tomato plants. To protect his head he wore a sunhat, and to keep his feet cool, he wore an old pair of sandals. He wore nothing else!! My wife, following on behind me, obviously noted the name of the hamlet, as on the way back, she slowed to first gear and trailed behind for some distance. Alas for her, the farmer was not in sight, as the rain had probably driven him inside. ”
- MR D VAUGHAN 1ST HOLIDAY

“Great fun, very well organised, wonderful to have bikes and be so flexible about where we visited and for how long. ”
- L & C WOOD 1ST HOLIDAY

“The concept appeals - you earn your evening meal. We wanted an area with variety of landscape which the Tarn certainly provided. You never have to think - what shall we do today? St Antonin may not score highest but it was absolutely marvellous for ambiance, location and sheer style. ”
- MR & MRS DEARING 1ST HOLIDAY

“Well thought out route in terms of distances travelled and variety of roads to choose from. Carefully selected hotels each with their own character and charm. The character of the towns exceeded our expectations. A number of years ago, we had considered purchasing a property in France but this was not in our minds as we started our tour. During the first week, we took an increasing interest in 'a vendre' signs. At Najac, we made tentative inquiries and the ideas blossomed about owning a property in this wonderful area. On our last 'off' day of the holiday, we hired a car and found a bat's residence previously inhabited by cows with glorious views over the River Lot. Two days later, our final day, the deal was signed with the Notaire. What a memorable holiday!! ”
- MR & MRS ROOME 1ST HOLIDAY

“The country roads are still quiet and you could only have noted over 70 flowers from a bicycle in a beautiful region. We wouldn't have been on Susi holidays for thirteen years if they hadn't been such an ideal energetic rest! ”
- MR & MRS HOBSON 13TH HOLIDAY

“Accommodation and region as excellent and as varied as ever; scenery superb. No organisation is perfect but if you were not as good a set-up as you patently are, with many years of experience, then we would not have had six holidays with you. ”
- MR & MRS O'HARE 6TH HOLIDAY

“Hotels well spaced and in areas where there was enough to do when we stayed 2 nights. ”
- MS O'DONNELL & MR BOLTON 1ST HOLIDAY

“Well organised. Wonderful scenery. Wide variety of excellent accommodation ”
- MR & MRS WOODS 1ST HOLIDAY

“Terrific company. Excellent routes and wonderful hotels. Excellent bikes and panniers had enough space. ”
- MS THOMSON 1ST HOLIDAY

“The bicycles and equipment were the best we have ever had on a cycling holiday. En route to St Antonin, after climbing up to Roc d'Anglers approach road, we stopped for a rest and flopped on the grass. A concerned English couple in a Volvo drew up and pointed out that their car indicated it was 92F in the shade and would we like some cold water. When we said 'yes thanks', they handed us six 500ml bottles of lemon Volvic! Drank some, but still had difficulty fitting the rest on the bikes! ”
- MS REYNER & MR HILL-SMITH 1ST HOLIDAY

“The speed of response to first enquiry was excellent. Use of internet to make enquiries helped a lot being so far away (South Africa). We had been looking forward to the last day - the long ride (60km) from Cordes to Ambialet - with trepidation. It was 3 times longer than any of our other days and even in our 'training' before the holiday, we had not even half covered this distance. However, as it turned out it was no problem! We left Cordes in the pouring rain with a temperature of 7C. It rained all the way but the temperature rose to 12C! We found that all our concentration was on keeping warm and moving. Almost without noticing the cycling effort, we covered the 60km in 5, very wet hours. We feel very proud of ourselves and now feel able to conquer anything! ”
- L SHACKLETON 1ST HOLIDAY

“It has been a first!! The possibility of a holiday with built in exercise was intriguing. Each hotel was extraordinary in one way or another so that each visit was special. ”
- G BRUNDRIT 1ST HOLIDAY

“Great way to travel in France, for all ages. ”
- S WORMALD 1ST HOLIDAY

“Able to get away from main roads and see quieter lifestyles of the locals. Having a comfortable place at the end of the day and reliably good food meant you looked forward to the ride each morning and stop each night. ”
- A MACHIN 1ST HOLIDAY

“Wonderful region, even for those with an aversion to hills. We appreciated a tailormade itinerary to suit aging cyclists. ”
- MR & MRS KING 7TH HOLIDAY

“I liked the freedom within organised constraints and knowing I'd have to 'work' for my enjoyment. I think the whole Susi Madron idea and its implementation is terrific. ”
- M CLARK 1ST HOLIDAY

“We were pleasantly surprised at the charm of the hotels in general, the hosts and their chambre d'hotes were individually unique and gave us a good feel for the areas we visited. We had an exceptional time staying at Mas de Jouas, St Remy with our hosts Guy and Crystal. They had 3 dogs, but the one we fell in love with was a black medium-sized poodle called Dolley who we took for a walk along a local river, which was a lovely break from cycling. When the time came to leave, we said 'We love your dog Dolly and would love to take her back to Canada'. He shot back 'non, non, monsieur, if you want a souvenir, you take Crystal!' ”
- MR & MRS EPSTEIN 1ST HOLIDAY

“Excellent panniers - can fit in so much. ”
- MR D BROWN 2ND HOLIDAY

“We know from experience that we can rely on 'Susi' to arrange the type of holiday we enjoy. ”
- MR & MRS BROWN 9TH HOLIDAY

“From more or less one phonecall, our holiday was organised and from previous experience, we knew we could trust your judgement regarding hotels/route etc. The selection of hotels and location was superb. They were all uniquely splendid. The hotels we stayed in were an excellent range of styles. The cycling distances were spot on, given the grading and the terrain. Keep up the good work! ”
- MR & MRS McAWEANEY 2ND HOLIDAY

“Excellent mixture of challenge, exercise and being 'spoilt' in nice hotels. Food wonderful. ”
- MR & MRS CLARK 1ST HOLIDAY

“We were fortunate to see lots of village fetes, weddings (in Belcastel) and the marvellous Son-et-Lumiere in Ambialet. ”
- MR & MRS BARROW

“I was able to arrange it at the last minute. The arrangements were excellent. The countryside was beautiful and cycling was a brilliant way to see it. Hotel du Pont was really helpful in accommodating a gluten-free diet. Also the staff remembered any request from dinner to dinner without ever needing to ask again.”
- DR BINGLEY

“Chateau de Salettes was a wonderful hotel in a beautiful area. The staff were cheerful and helpful and didn’t laugh at our bad French!!”
- MS THORNTON

“Excellent combination of cycling and welcoming hotels and food. The Tarn area is so remote and spectacularly beautiful.”
- MS SHACKLETON

“We stumbled upon the most delightful Fete when we reached the village of Monesties, which we had initially thought of bypassing. Besides the fact that this was probably the prettiest little village we visited, it is always a delight to witness such a completely authentic local event.”
- MR & MRS CARDWELL.

“Local knowledge by Peter and Margaret was extremely useful and made life easier on arrival and getting started on the right routes.”
- MS PICKERING

“A wonderful experience and incredible fun. A gastronomic and scenic gem!”
- MR YOUNG

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