Our first road cycling tours of the spring are underway!
WHOOP! WHOOP! Team Marmot is back on the road for summer 2025!
Our spring tours have kicked off with cyclists having a blast this week in Sardinia, the Cévennes & Ardèche, and exploring the Verdon Gorge & Mont Ventoux. We’re just a little bit jealous, as we pen this newsletter from the office!
We were super-psyched to welcome Andrew Ridgeley of ’80s supergroup Wham! on our Sardinian Highlights tour this week, along with a bunch of his cycling mates. We’re yet to hear whether or not Wham! songs have been sung in the bar all week!
Next week we’ve got four teams in action. A bunch of mad-keen riders will attempt the Club des Cinglés du Mont Ventoux Challenge, plus there are three flexible-pace tours happening in Catalonia, Sardinia and in the Picos of Northern Spain.
Team Marmot annual training
Last week we had our bi-annual gathering of the whole team in the French Pyrenees, for our long-awaited in-person get-together.
Our focus this year was on getting to know each other. Over the course of three days we held refresher sessions on managing emergency situations, updates to the Marmot Tours Route Buddy App, GPS files and the latest Garmins. We also practised roof loading and other van issues (like changing a wheel), and communication skills.
It happened to be James’s birthday on the Wednesday so it was fantastic to be able to celebrate together that evening. The guide team pulled together an amazing BBQ, and let’s just say that there was much merriment among Marmots! Our guides – new and ‘old’ – are now super-charged and ready to support you on your tour this year. Let’s go!
Welcome to our three new cycling guides
We’re thrilled to introduce to you three new guides for this year’s tours. All are super-keen cyclists with guiding experience and are really excited to be part of Team Marmot this season.
First up is Xavi-Pol – or Pol, for short – a proud and passionate Catalonian and whose bio you can read here. Pol’s first trip will be in the Picos next week with Helen and David and we know you’ll have an awesome time, if you’re booked on that tour.
Next up is Anna, who lives in Edinburgh and claims her heart is in the mountains! Anna’s other job is as a photographer, so you’re sure to get some amazing pictures of your tour if she’s guiding you. Head over to our About page to check out her bio. Anna’s first tour is Raid Pyrenees on 7th June with Helen and Neil, and she can’t wait to get started!
Last but by no means least is Levi, who hails from the USA but now resides in beautiful Girona. With bags of guiding experience, you’ll be in safe hands with Levi, and guaranteed a great time on your cycling tour! You can read more about him on our About page. His first trip is our Catalonia & Girona tour with Tim and James next week. Bring it on!
Late availability road cycling tours in Europe
Are you still hoping to get away this year? If you’ve been holding back on booking a holiday, you’ll be pleased to know that we still have some late(ish) availability on a number of tours. Is it a timed challenge you’re up for? Or would you prefer a Marmot Tours classic, flexible pace tour where you’ve got a number of routes to choose from each day? Take a look at the tours below by clicking on the links, and let us know if you’re keen to get involved. Just email the team by clicking the ENQUIRE NOW button from the tour webpage, and Kerstin or Sabine will usually respond within 24 hours.
RAID PYRENEES: 7 – 13 June, and 13 – 19 September
SLOVENIA & MONTE ZONCOLAN: 14 – 21 June
SWISS ALPS: 5 – 11 July, 12 – 18 July, and 27 July – 2 August
RAID ALPINE: 19 – 26 July
PICOS & ANGLIRU: 21 – 28 September, and 28 September – 5 October
CLUB DES CINGLÉS DU MONT VENTOUX CHALLENGE: 4 – 7 October
All our other tours are either fully booked, or have less than a handful of places left on them, so do get in touch quickly if you’d still like to come away with us in 2025.
Our latest blog by guide Tom Mutton is essential reading before heading off on your cycling holiday with us! How to pack your bike for your next cycling trip contains tips to ensure a stress-free set up once you arrive at your start hotel, giving you more chill-out time on your first evening, and of course, a safe and smooth ride for the rest of the week. Make sure you read this one!
