About

Lead Guide (working with Marmot since the start!)

I was born and grew up in the South West of England. From an early age I followed in the pedal strokes of both my father and grandfather by starting to cycle regular time trials of a Thursday evening at age 15. I also spent many years playing hockey which gave me the opportunity to travel and see many parts of the world. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and every day of holiday from my work as an engineer was spent playing sport or riding my bike.

In 1997, during a cycling trip traversing the Alps, I made the decision that Life had to change and I must live in the mountains!

Life did change, and in 2000 I gave up my job and set out to find a new home. After 6 months of exploring, I settled down in Ax les Thermes, where since 2002 I have been running the Alpage, a B&B providing evening meals. I met James in 2003 and started to host some of the Marmot Tours groups. I also started to lead trips the following year. In order to continue to lead trips and share my passion of the outdoors with others, I set about passing the French walking and mountain biking Qualifications. After 4 years of studying and hard work, I am pleased to say that I am now one of the only English people who have got this set of qualifications.

I still continue to compete regularly in local mountain runs, montain and road bike races, as well as the odd triathlon.

I look forward to meeting you in Southern France to show you around.

Alan

What our clients say about Alan…

Alan is great guide, competent and friendly. R Walker, Classic Cols of Corsica 2017

Great, couldn’t do enough to help and was very knowledgeable of the area and of riding in general. Peter, Classic Cols of the Pyrenees 2016

Alan was very supportive, always encouraging, giving tips, maintaining and managing the bikes and generally helping were ever he could….couldnt have asked for more…..from a personal perspective when I bonked on the climb to Col De Vars he came back and ensured I was hydrated and fit before proceeding and monitored me on the rest of that ride…generally felt he was safely managing the event. D Martin, Raid Alpine 2016

Calm, steady, reassuring support throughout, always cheerful and upbeat. T Sutherland Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Extremely professional while also being cool and friendly! Nothing was too much trouble for Alan. When we were cold and wet in the rain, there he was.  Amazing. N Cavill Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Assistant Tour Guide (joined Marmot in 2015)

Cycling is still fairly new to me compared to many of the Marmot team. A friend of mine had done three of the Raids with Marmot and I had always been intrigued about what he was doing but I was busy doing my passion of competitive skydiving. I learnt to skydive in 1996 and in 2005 took it up a level to train with 3 great team mates to win the World Championships in 2006. I continued to compete at World and National level winning several medals over the years, whilst also taking out a few years to coach at National and World Cup level too.

For various reasons I stopped competing and coaching. I loved every minute of what I did. It was as exciting to see a team I had coached achieve their goals as much as it was to achieve my own. But it was time for a change and new challenges so I ran my first and second marathon in 2012 and between these events my friend encouraged me to do more cycling and buy a new road bike and that was it…I was addicted. I signed up for the Raid Dolomites after just 3 months of cycling and one 60 mile sportive in the Cotswolds.

The Raid Dolomites was amazing, hard work but stunning scenery. After just a year of cycling I always knew it was going to be tough. Each day was a challenge but the tour leaders Merv and Nathan were amazing giving me a boost when I needed it.

I took this last summer off from my usual work as a Chartered Physiotherapist to work with Marmot Tours and to cycle in the mountains as much as I could. I wanted to be able to help others in the same way that the tour leaders had helped me on my Marmot trips. I loved seeing the skydivers that I coached achieve their goals and I hope that I can help you to enjoy your challenges that you take on with your Marmot trip.

I have now set up my own clinic, Bodyfit Physiotherapy (www.bodyfit.org.uk) in West Sussex and work closely with a local bike shop doing a ‘Physio Pro Bike Fit’. I will be back with Marmot Tours each summer to get my ‘fix’ in the mountains.

What our clients say about Amanda…

Amanda was so kind and considerate. She was attentive to your needs. A great advert for your company. D Cooper, Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2016

Always smiling and willing to help C Walker, Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2016

Great at keeping us organised and supplying food and warm clothing when required C Foott, Dolomites Minibreak 2016

Hotel Management & Trip Preparation

It was a love of Natural History that first bought us to the Ariege, France with our two daughters then 6 weeks and 2 years old. 17 years later we are still here, still rising to the challenge of living and working in France.  When I run along trails in the mountains past half a dozen species of orchids or walk by a hay meadow amongst clouds of butterflies I’m reminded of how truly lucky I am.
I hope to meet some of you this year as you pass through the area on your Raid Pyrenean or Classic Cols of the Pyrenees.

What our clients say about our admin team:

Responsive and great with the details to help with our prep. Annie & Jem, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Efficient and accommodating. Flawless. David, Classic Cols of Corsica 2017

Fantastic, swift, prompt and always clear and concise. Couldn’t be better. John, Raid Corsica

Very helpful and cheerful. It made booking the holiday easy and a pleasure.  Chris, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Always quick to respond to queries no matter how minor they were.  Emails very detailed.  Lillian, Classic Cols of Gran Canaria 2017

Administrative Director

I started off doing a Biology degree at Nottingham University.  I didn’t know I was going to become an Occupational Therapist but I fell into it volunteering in a school in Canada and ended up signing up for a 2 year Post Grad OT course with Brighton University, qualifying in 1998.  I went on to work for Surrey County Council as a Community OT for 7 years and loved my role and the people I worked with.

I moved to the Pyrenees to live with James (who I met in Nottingham) in 2005 and didn’t expect to become so involved in Marmot Tours, but now, 10 years down the line, I can barely remember doing anything else.  It is fabulous, challenging, demanding and rewarding.  I may be office based but it is our office, our business, our product, and we are proud of what we do.

The Open University Professional Certificate in Management course that I did in 2005 didn’t even come close to preparing me for the multi tasking, multi-faceted role that you have when you run your own company, but I admit that I am just a little bit addicted to the buzz and the work and I love that no 2 days are the same.

With 2 gorgeous little ones on the scene (Jack was born in 2008 and Sophie in 2011), I have my hands full but I am supported by the wonderful Sabine, Catherine and Kate.

I hope that you enjoy your experience of Marmot Tours – it completely matters to James and I that you do as the company is an extension of us both and we continuously strive to get it right.

Wishing you a very happy Holiday…

Lead Guide (joined Marmot in 2015)

Why be inside when you can be outside?

My passion for anything outdoors and spending as much time in the fresh air possible, started at a very young age. From the age of 6 I used to set off on solo camping adventures and in summer I never spend much time sleeping in a bed as I preferred a bivac in the farmer´s fields underneath the stars (and many rain clouds).

Dutch by nationality, I grew up with road biking, speed skating and horse riding. My parents encouraged a free spirit and as I grew older, I started extending my outdoor activities further away from home and chose to study tourist management to allow me to travel. As work experience I went to Austria and got addicted to the snow… 6 weeks after my first day skiing, I entered my first ski instructor exams! As you can imagine, it was a steep learning curve and being surrounded by some 300 Tyrolean ski heroes, type Herman Maiers, Franz Klammers, Marcel Hirschers, I felt pretty incompetent. I was always last, could really not ski that well and had ´great fun´ trying to decode the Tyrolean dialects! I ended up staying in Tyrol for 7 years! Spending my summers as a raft guide, climbing, mountain biking and enjoying yodeling on the Alm huts! My Tyrolean became excellent, my German improved and skiing is still my biggest passion every single day I am on the planks!!

Looking for a new experience I moved to France, Meribel, mainly to improve my French and worked for a French Ski school. Let us say, it was a ´Special’ and Real French Experience and left me with a better (and more selective) knowledge of French. For details, ask me sometime! In France I came in contact with Scots who brought me to bonny Scotland…

The first two years I combined the outdoors with my work as an holistic therapist but eventually returned to spending all my days in the hills: mountain biking, walking, climbing, skiing and camping, or on the water, rafting, canoeing and surfing as an instructor/ guide, sharing my knowledge and passion for the great outdoors with others as well as for personal fun. I did many of my outdoor qualifications here, for example the Summer, Winter and International mountain leader, Trail cycle leader and Mountain bike leader training. Scotland was the country that got me seriously back on my bike as it is the perfect country for the MTB. Living in Aviemore, we had a great team of riders and we used to do crazy things like night riding in winter or little 3 or 4 days bothy expeditions, which mainly consisted of carrying the bike a lot on our backs and trying to get the whisky and the beer in one piece to the bothy! Many of us have now got back on the road bike too.

10 years Scotland left me with a serious passion for whisky, an enormous bag of outdoor experience, the title of adopted Scot, a fine Scottish accent and top skiing skills on ice, windblown snow and heather! Whilst in Scotland I also worked a lot in the Alps and ski touring in the Oberland, I met some Basques who convinced me that their country was well worth a visit and soon I was invited to visit not just the Basque Country but also Asturias, Galicia, Cantabria and Pyrenees! I was sold, moved across, learned Basque and Spanish. The north has such a rich natural environment, spectacular mountains, a wild coastline with fantastic waves, delicious food and the perfect climate for being active that it wasn´t long until it felt like home, despite the struggle with the many cultural differences. The Basque Country and Spanish Pyrenees are where I am currently based and from here I run since 5 years my own little adventure and guiding company, Mountain Minds, specialized in skiing, snow shoeing, hillwalking, trekking and climbing.

In addition this year I am really excited to join the Marmot Team on the cycling front to support you during your cycling holiday and make sure you have a fantastic fun experience! I am looking forward to seeing you on your bike soon in some of world’s wonderful places!

Christel

What our clients say about Christel…

Wealth of experience, real enthusiasm and pleasure to be around.  Really nice manner while efficiently getting on with what was needed I MacCafferty, Classic Cols of the Picos 2016

Christel is a fab guide. So encouraging, never gives up on you & is always there to answer your questions!!  Her experience as a guide and her knowledge of the local area left you in no doubt that we’d still be having a great day’s cycling no matter which route we took J Burke, Classic Cols of the Picos 2016

Thank you Christel for your encouragement, photos and the laughter, especially when I dropped my multitool on my foot. Where was the first aider when I needed one ! oh yes, too busy laughing! R Wheeler Classic Cols of the Picos 2015

Lead Guide & Trip Development (with Marmot Tours since 2016)

It wasn’t until my late teens that I got bitten by the cycling bug. It was seeing the Tour de France on TV whilst I should have been studying for my music production degree, and then accidentally stumbling upon the Guildford town centre criterium races that convinced me that spending my student loan on my first road bike would be a good idea – well it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

I spent the next few years riding road and cross-country MTB with various local clubs before heading out to Corsica for six months in 2015 to work as road cycling guide, riding with the clients. It was this job that convinced me that it was in fact possible to look forward to going to work in the mornings, and that every day could be an adventure!

My role with Mamot Tours is year-round and split into two distinctive parts. I joined the company as a guide at the start of the 2016 season and enjoyed an extremely busy summer working all over, especially enjoying re-visiting Corsica another few times, an island I’ll never get tired of exploring.

Then, in winter 2016 I joined the team in the UK office to work in a trip development role. I’m responsible for creating many of the maps, profiles, GPS files and itineries you follow when out on the road.

Hills are my thing – I love pushing myself on the way up just as much as I enjoy descending the other side. I’ve not raced as much as I would have liked, but I won the local club hill climb series once upon a time, and I’ll be dining out on that for the rest of my days, thank you very much!

Commuting forms the majority of my riding when I’m in the UK, but I’m lucky to have the hills and lanes of Bristol and Bath in my way so it’s always ‘good fun’. This winter I’ve moved a bit further away from work to extend my commute a touch (forced training!) and if energy allows I intend on racing a bit of local cyclocross, and hope to get out to Belgium and watch some racing where possible too.

Riding Colle Delle Finestre in Italy in 2016 on my road bike inspired me to seek out some of the less-travelled routes to the top, so this year I took my cyclocross bike out with me and enjoyed riding beyond where the roads stop and getting right to the summits of the cols, all in between trips, of course!

When I’m not working, I enjoy stretching, bike mechanics, cooking (and eating!) tasty vegan food, listening to vinyl and I’m currently learning Spanish.

See you out on the road!

What our clients say about Gavin…

Brilliant in every way. Technically outstanding (how did he strip down and fix that bottom bracket so quickly and effectively?). I can do a job like that but not at the speed and efficiency Gavin displayed. Also a very decent, professional and caring person.  Raid Corsica 2017

Only half way through the Raid Corsica, our 4th with you guys. You have always been exceptional but Gavin has raised the bar. His Garmin routes are amazing. Never known anything like it. He has also taught me so much about configuring the device. Similarly taught me how to adjust hydraulic disk brakes after they have been in the hands of the airline. Add to that his photography skills & tireless efforts to accomodate my dietary requests. I  could go on but he is a level above even Marmot usual standards. A Brown, Raid Corsica 2017

Great enthusiasm and energy, wonderful positive attitude. T Sutherland, Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Gavin is a real asset to the company,  He may be young but he knows loads and is very tuned into what we cyclists want. N Cavill, Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Super-friendly, extremely hard-working and very knowledgeable about all aspects of the Raid. Always managed to be ready and waiting with the van at just the right moment and synced perfectly with the other van – really good teamwork. Did a great job of maintaining my hire bike too. B Cameron Raid Alpine 2016

Gavs a super star! Enthusiastic, very willing to help, very involved in everything going on, full of encouragement, and the best support any rider could ever hope for! He never tires and I would go to war with him, any day!! (I have been to war and I don’t often say that about somebody!) J Parkin Raid Dolomites 2017

Lead Guide (working with Marmot Tours since 2014)

I got lucky as a kid – I was brought up on the edge of Northumberland and within easy driving distance of the Lake District. Having a Dad who was a volunteer warden in the National Park meant I was exposed to the outdoors at an early age and by the time I got into my teens I was hill walking and cycling all over the north of England.

My school had an active cycling club and I enjoyed many exhausting trips out with them on my shiny Raleigh. That was my first intro. to cycling club life – the pleasure, the pain, competition, and cafe stops! Away from my studies, University life was mostly focused around the high life with the Mountaineering Club. Transit vans were pretty basic things in those days but we travelled miles in search of adventure, ending up in the Alps one summer.

That was my first taste of exploring the wild places on the Continent and beyond, which has stayed with me ever since. After a Physics degree at Durham University I moved on to a Post Grad degree in a management science at Lancaster University. My subsequent career in manufacturing and management consultancy took me all over the world and I developed a specialism in logistics management – in other words, getting the right things in the right place at the right time. Not a bad background for a holiday leader!

Bikewise I was an early adopter of the MTB. At the end of the ’80s I discovered a love of knobbly tyres which took me all over the UK – from the gloop of the Ridgeway to wild tracks in Scotland. At that stage my then road bike, a steel-framed Peugeot, was just an additional training aid which was brought out for the occasional long-distance adventure.

In 2004 my partner, Kerry, and I decided that France offered the lifestyle we both yearned for, and we moved to the western side of the Massif Central, buying a house in the Haute Vienne, a paradise for road cycling. At that point I became a “roadie” in every sense of the word. I’m an active member of my local cycling club, the Rochechouart Olympic Cyclo Club, training with them and competing in cyclosportives all over France. If I’m not on a bike, I’m building or working on a bike! Yes, I too have suffered on the Tourmalet, Ventoux and beyond…..

When I’m not spinning the pedals I still enjoy walking and leading others in the mountains. I hold the International Mountain Leader Award and the equivalent French qualification and have spent many happy times with groups in the high places of Europe. I’ve done many long distance treks and in 2014 I completed the Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP) – a bit like the Raid Pyrenean – just on foot and taking a little longer!

See you on the trails and the roads – living it with you every pedal turn, cheering you on, and encouraging you to achieve whatever dream you are following.

What our clients say about Graham:

Graham was just brilliant at looking after things – he was where he said he would be, when he said he would be there and he was incredibly good at anticipating people’s needs during the day. His technical knowledge was evident and his attitude was supportive and positive throughout. D Unwin, Classic Cols of Gran Canaria 2017

Graham was an amazing guide. He made a complicated job look easy. He was a pleasure to have on our trip. B Elliot, Raid Pyrenean 2016

First time I have met Graham and he was brilliant. A great leader of the Marmot team and everything was well organised. great personality and was able to handle everything that was thrown at him. M Blenkinsop, Classic Cols of the Picos 2016

What a guy! such a great tour leader, always there to help, and always looking to go the extra mile to get you through a very tough week. H Bedwell Raid Pyrenean 2016

Brilliant – couldn’t ask for more. Nothing was too much trouble, and for the rider who was consistently last and often late home, I required more attention than everybody else. Graham got me through the Raid, sensibly safely and legitimately. A great asset to Marmot. Thanks Graham.  Raid Pyrenean 2016

Finance Manager

Hi everyone, my name is Graham and I am the new Finance Manager in the Marmot Tours office. By way of an introduction, here’s a bit about me:

Cycling has been a constant in my life; my first adventure on a bike without stabilisers ended when I rode straight into a privet bush. I’ve been hooked ever since! I grew up in Liverpool through the late 70s and 80s when the cycling race scene there, was at its peak and I fell in love with the high mountains watching the likes of Kelly, Hinault, Figńon and Roche tearing around Europe. I spent a year working in Perth, Australia before returning to the UK to study Electronic Engineering in Liverpool. I then worked in London for 15 years developing a career in Finance, working predominantly in publishing and media companies. Feeling the need for a career break, I moved to Andalusia and started a cycling holiday business running MTB and road trips in the mountains above Marbella which was amazing, exhausting and a lot of fun. I’ve been back in the UK for 10 years working in Finance around Cheltenham.

I raced for many years as a Junior/U23 and even won races here and there. I still occasionally race in the UK and travel to Europe to ride classic sportives. This year, for example, I rode Flanders and the Maratona. Sadly, I left my climbing legs in 1995!

I’m really excited to join the Marmot Tours team and I look forward to meeting everyone at the Staff Training. The Finance Manager role is new to the company but I will be focused on supporting James and the ops team to help grow the business further in the coming years.

Lead Guide (working with Marmot Tours since 2011)

Flat places make me feel a bit twitchy and like so many of the Marmot Tours family, I just love being out in the mountains! Outdoor sports have always been an important part of my life and I devote as much time as I can to mountain biking in the UK and the French Pyrenees, rock climbing in the UK and worldwide and as much snowboarding, telemark skiing, ski-touring and hiking as I can squeeze in in-between!

My work history is also strongly entwined with the outdoor life and so far includes scientific fieldwork in upland and Alpine ecosystems, the snowsports industry, and also project management, stone conservation and rope access work in the historic building conservation trade.

I am also a scientist – as well as a bachelors degree in Marine Biology from Liverpool and an MSc in Aquatic Biology (University of London), I hold a PhD in Biogeochemistry (Aberdeen) and have worked as a post-doc research scientist (Manchester).

I’ve been guiding for Marmot Tours for several years and derive a great deal of pleasure from working with enthusiastic cyclists and supporting them in their cycling adventures. I am delighted to now be working for Marmot Tours full-time as Operations Manager and Guide.

What our clients say about Helen

Helen, what a woman, what a personality, always calm and considerate. The group is her main objective, going from safety, van organization during the day, supporting Sam, organizing the hotels, the departure, the arrival, the lunch, making sure everyone made it, making sure no one forgot to eat and drink or forgot to put warm clothing on the descents … Her nature makes her doing this all not using an impersonal manager style but in warm friendly humane style. P Verhoeven Raid Pyrenean 2016

I felt Helen offered brilliant support in a professional, friendly, thoughtful manner. Could not have asked for more than Helen gave. Raid Pyrenean 2016

Helen was really encouraging on the last day when we ascended the west side of Mortorolo, and so glad we did! Also she was there every few km up the Stelvio with the camera recording it all!  Also came and rescued us on a navigation error on day 2. Clearly works really hard and nothing is too much trouble. Annette, Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2016

Happy, friendly, approachable, supportive, organised and other great adjectives. A Stephens, Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Operational Director

I have had many an adventure on a bike, both road bikes and mountain bikes. I cycled 4000 miles from the UK to Jordan once with 2 mates on a custom built tandem and single bike. I can’t remember not having bikes in my life as they offered me independence when I was younger – a free way to travel round the countryside. Cycling from Nottingham, where I was studying Environmental Engineering, home to my parents’ place in Cornwall never seemed like a mad idea at the time.

So you could say that I am passionate about cycling. But this pales in comparison to my passion for providing the best possible cycling holidays for Marmot clients. I love cycling up a col, but I love seeing a client arrive at the top of a col with a huge grin on their face even more. To share in their achievements and to take pride in providing our clients with a constantly evolving and improving product is my goal.

Never really cut out for a desk job, my years of working as a guide for Exodus travels took me to places far and wide but I came back to settle in the French Pyrenees where Cathy and I lived for 9 years before moving back to the UK.

I love maps and exploring as well as carefully crafting routes that showcase an area. I am a perfectionist and take pleasure in the detail. I don’t know still if I am cut out for a desk job but I do have a head for logistics; getting your support vans, hire bikes and guides to the right place at the right time is like a giant and satisfying game of chess.

I never expected Marmot Tours to grow into what it has become but I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and will continue to evolve our company to be the best it can be.

What our clients say about James

Outstanding, as you would expect!  Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Great sense of humour and wonderful organisational skills.  C Gillham, Classic Cols of Corsica 2016

Worked hard. Always seemed to be there when needed. Informal yet treated you like a customer, wanting to ensure we all enjoyed our experience. Sorted out a mechanical issue I had, and quickly got me back on the bike. He really loves what he does and that helps to give a positive and friendly environment.  I McKenzie, Raid du Massif Central 2016

Invoicing & Finance 

Says yes to everything, then works out how on earth to manage it!

I live in rural Devon with my husband, 2 sons, 3 dogs and about 14 complete bikes, plus extra bits and pieces everywhere and a new eBay delivery seemingly every other day. James, my husband (George) and I were all tour leaders for Exodus in the years before Marmot Tours was born, and have been friends ever since. George is lifetime cyclist who builds retro steel beauties and whose passion means that I shamefully rarely clean my bike or fix a puncture. I took up cycling to see more of him, but usually only see his back and rear wheel, that’s if he’s within sight at all. I love the Dartmoor countryside and hills, walking the dogs, growing veg, working for Marmot (of course), Tae Kwon Do training with my sons, and painting my toenails with all that free time on my hands!

What our clients say about our admin team:

Responsive and great with the details to help with our prep. Annie & Jem, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Efficient and accommodating. Flawless. David, Classic Cols of Corsica 2017

Fantastic, swift, prompt and always clear and concise. Couldn’t be better. John, Raid Corsica

Very helpful and cheerful. It made booking the holiday easy and a pleasure.  Chris, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Always quick to respond to queries no matter how minor they were.  Emails very detailed.  Lillian, Classic Cols of Gran Canaria 2017

I’m brand new this year to the Marmot team and already feel like part of the family.

I’m relatively new to the industry, having worked as a management consultant at Accenture for 3 years up until April 2016. This is where I discovered triathlon, road cycling and training camps. I enjoyed it so much that I took over the running of parts of our small but keen club. But it wasn’t long before I realised that I was by far happiest outdoors, on my bike, exploring trail runs and hiking – and I needed to do something about it. When I worked out that I could spend my summers as a cycle lead, I jumped ship and spent the summer working with cycle touring companies in the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, the Jura and the Vosges. I can’t pretend to miss the office…

Since then I’ve been enjoying the outdoors and this new freedom. I love the industry, the locations and the variety of people you get to meet. An anthropologist by training, I am using my newfound free time (i.e. time spent off the bike) to rediscover my passion for reading, languages, my curiosity about places and people, and to think about possible PhD topics. I spend the winter in places like Guatemala volunteering as a hike guide for a fantastic non-profit (the Quetzaltrekkers), trying to learn as much as possible about the recent civil war, the social, political, environmental and economic landscape the country is now dealing with, and Spanish.

Born and brought up in France, I’m really happy to be back in my homeland, using my languages and enjoying the beautiful mountain ranges that I used to take for granted growing up. And I’m really excited about being a part of the Marmot family and meeting you all.

See you soon!

What our clients say about Katia

Loved Katia – she was always smiling and happy. Invaluable having her speak the local language. I noticed she was always talking to hotel owners during meals to make sure everything was running smoothly. On our wettest day, she arranged with the hotel to use their furnace room overnight to dry our clothing and shoes…brilliant! A Lem & J Sinnott, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Excellent: As a new team member I thought Katia was lovely and went out of her way to find answers if she did not know, and to help. D Clarkson, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Excellent: Having a Spanish speaker on the team was a help in the restaurants and hotels.  C Hopper, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Outstanding!  C Bridges Webb, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Lead Guide

I have lived most of my life in Devon and Cornwall and have walked the moors and coast paths from an early age. However, doing as I was told, I followed a proper career path (?) for almost 30 years in local government, heading two departments and being part of the executive management team. So, I feel well placed to appreciate the stresses and strains of those people with hectic lifestyles! It is often so difficult to find time for yourself even when having the best intentions.

In 2004 I moved to France with my wife to start our “new life” in the Pyrenees mountains. Life has been good to us here with a lot of new friends and the experience of being a member of a French cycling club. I know how fortunate I am to have been able to change direction for my second career and follow my passions for outdoor activities. Since my renaissance, I have added substantially to my experiences of walking in beautiful areas and have shared this enjoyment by leading hiking groups. To promote health and fitness in general I have become a certified Personal Trainer and qualified Mountain Leader focusing on the needs of my age group. I have also organised and led cycling tours for many years in some of the most challenging areas of France.

I get tremendous satisfaction from seeing others enjoy and benefit from all of these activities. I am an ex-rugby player (with the scars to prove it) but still enjoy a variety of energetic pastimes such as competing in cyclosportives, providing the necessary activity levels for someone who loves good food as much as I do!

I look forward to continuing to work as part of the Marmot Team and hope to meet some of you this summer.

What our clients say about Kev

Knowledgeable, approachable and helpful throughout the trip.  Made us feel welcome and ensured we were  organized, nourished, hydrated and safe.  The van was always there at the top of a decent. Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Big group to support. Provided anything I asked for. And was great at appearing in the rain with the van when needed. S Ledddington, Raid Alpine 2016

Very practical, there when needed A Green Raid Alpine 2016

Carrying bags up to rooms was a much appreciated help. S Kelly, Raid Alpine 2016

Very important Team Member

I discovered the mountains late in life but have definitely made up for lost time since then. Living in Wanaka, New Zealand for six years and then moving to the French Alps where I have been for the last thirteen years. At first skiing pretty much ruled my choices, following the snow between hempisheres, and between resorts, any other sport was secondary, a way of training for skiing. I confess, for a long time I swore I would never ride a bike somewhere you could drive a car. To the point that I was almost embarrassed to give in and jump on the bandwagon. Luckily, one summer I found myself working in the foothills of the Pyrenees. No-one knew me, I picked up a bike and off I went and I understood. At first, just the change of perspective. Roads that I had driven many times took on a new character, the cheers of allez allez from the old man in his garden as I attempted my first col, the elation as I arrived … the amusement when I discovered I had come up the easy side of the mur de Péguere and people looked me up and down with my steel bike circa 1982, rock climbing helmet and woollen top saying, “you came up here like that?’.

Since then I’ve come to love cycling as a way of taking in the views, the sense of camaraderie, the personal sense of achievement, the quality of coffee at the cols, the adrenalin rush of long descents, as I regularly ride around my local neighbourhood which I’m lucky enough to say takes in the Petit Saint Bernard, the Iseran and Cormet de Roseland. I look forward to sharing the adventure with you this summer!

Lead Guide

I’ve loved being in the outdoors for as long as I can remember and for the past 20 years have been fortunate to indulge this particular passion, especially in Italy and France.

I started to guide in the Western Pyrénées around Barèges, in the mid-90s, and have continued to work summers and winters as a walking and snowshoe guide as well as providing support for cycling trips. During my time there I have covered much of both Central and Western Pyrénées and still get excited about the diversity of terrain, stunning scenery and amazing challenges this area provides. I love sharing my knowledge of this fantastic part of France with other outdoor enthusiasts.

I also enjoy road cycling in France, a country that is mad about this sport and hugely supportive of cyclists. I’ve cycled frequently in Australia too; completing the 120km Coast to Coast ride in Adelaide.

In 2009 I moved permanently to France with my wife Jane, a New Zealander, to Languedoc Roussillon where we’ve bought an old vigneron’s house to renovate. It’s also from where we run our activity business, Mountains and Maps and have a 2-bedroomed holiday gite. Being close to the Haut Languedoc Natural Parc, Mediterranean coast and Eastern Pyrénées, it’s another ideal location for activity holidays.

I met James and Cathy through Exodus Travel and immediately liked both of them and also admired their work ethic which is very much in line with mine. Providing people with not only a great experience in stunning scenery, but also helping them challenge the boundaries of their own abilities is both a joy and a privilege.

Previously I lived in the Lake District for ten years where I was member of the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team. In that role I was either chair or a member of the committee for most of that time, eventually receiving the Queens Jubilee Medal for Services to the Community.

Whilst in the Lakes I obtained my Mountain Leader qualification and went on to gain the International Mountain Leader qualification. I have now transferred that to become an affiliate of France’s SNAM (Syndicat National des Accompagnateurs en Montagne) and holder of a Carte Professionelle. I also have a Mountain Bike Instructors Certificate to guide up to blue runs.

Living in the Lakes meant I could regularly pursue outdoor activities and go mountain and road biking, climbing and walking. While it was a great time in my life, France does have much better weather for these activities! I have been very fortunate whilst working for Marmot to be able to see many areas of Europe including the Alps, Corsica, Dolomites and of course the Pyrenees.

What our clients say about Merv

Merv was very positive, professional, reassuring and calm.  He seemed genuinely pleased that we completed each day on the Raid and congratulated us most days which was very encouraging.  I guess that he was aware that we were among the oldest riders in the group! J Parsons, Raid Corsica 2016

Merv – a brilliant ambassador for Marmot Tours, a very thoughtful and considerate individual who ensured we were kept safe,well fed and watered. N Gillespie, Raid Corsica 2016

Merv could not have done more to make the trip as good as it was. M Solomon, 83 hr Raid Pyrenean 2016

What a top bloke . U won’t get better doing this job. Rob Archer, Raid Dolomites 2016

Merv was fantastic. Really nice guy and full on knowledge of the area.. great cycling knowledge too and filled with good advise. Really nice guy, I would happily do another classic cols with Merv. A Abbot, Alpine Classic Cols 2016

I was born in the city of Bath in 1977 and grew up in the small town of Nailsworth, where one of my childhood friends introduced me to road cycling. I had previously been a keen BMX’er but soon saw the error of my ways. At the age of 9, using money saved from a paper round starting at 5am, with a heavy bag and involving a 3 mile hill of severe gradient (on said BMX!), even before the first drop, I saved up and bought myself my first racer, as we called them, a Raleigh Winner. Steel framed and heavy, my trusty steed not only made the paper round easier but also took me all over the Cotswolds and, predictably, I started following the Tour de France.

My family later moved to Stroud, a town a few miles away and when I was 18 I decided to go to college and study outdoor pursuits. This led me to the great outdoors, in turn to rock climbing and mountain sports. Cycling took a back seat until 2011 when I began leading groups overseas on trekking and biking tours and I rediscovered my love of cycling.

I worked my first season with Marmot in 2014, interspersed with rope access work, leading groups overseas and working as a safety consultant in northern Iraq. This consultancy work continued full time for most of 2015 and in September that year I left Sheffield, where I had been living for 15 years, and moved to Chatel, where I spent the winter season snow boarding and skiing and generally enjoying living in the mountains. I currently live near Courchevel in the Savoie region of the French Alps, working as an electrician, guiding for Marmot during the summer and leading the occasional overseas trip or nipping back to the UK for a bit of rope access work or to visit the family.

I still rock climb regularly, as it was my main sport for 20 or so years but living so close to so many great climbs (and descents!) gives me a unique opportunity to enjoy some of the best bits of road France has to offer and believe me, I am!

Hope to see you on the road!

Lead Guide

Born in Gran Canaria, I got hooked to cycling in the mid and late 80’s watching Pedro Delgado, Marino Lejarreta, Sean Kelly, Fabio Parra, Lucho Herrera and Robert Millar fighting to win La Vuelta a Espana on the telly.

Not long after, my younger brother convinced our father to buy us a BH racing bike. He joined a local cycling club and I followed his races. Eventually, my brother got a better bike and I started emulating my cycling heroes going up the mountains of Gran Canaria on the white and blue BH. At a young age cycling gave me freedom, joy and also helped me persevere during tough times when my father’s health was deteriorating due to Diabetes.

Travelling and learning foreign languages is the other big thing I’ve done since I was little.

I’ve learned German, English, Portuguese and Italian along the way, and have lived or spent considerable time abroad. I moved to London in 2000 and after having worked for the travel industry I became a Bikeability cycling instructor about 6 years ago which is very rewarding. I’m also a bike mechanic and enjoyed putting together some of the Marmot fleet of hire bikes with James this winter.

Together with my partner Alice and our daughter Irene we recently moved to Friuli Venezia Giulia in Northern Italy. This is Zoncolan and Giro d’Italia territory, and also the gateway to the Dolomites trips.

This will be my second season with the Marmot Tours team, and I very much look forward to meeting you and helping you to achieve your challenges this Summer!

What our clients say about Pedro..

Pedro is a gem! His knowledge of the history, geography and culture of the island is remarkable and he has a way of getting this over that is quite exceptional. His ‘customer relations’ skills and his enthusiasm are a fantastic advert for Marmot. He was thoughtful, kind and considerate throughout. I Butler, Classic Cols of Gran Canaria 2017

This is the second tour we have been on with Pedro, and we were very pleased to see he was to be our guide. Thoughtful, kind and considerate nothing is too much trouble for Pedro to make sure all the clients are well looked after. He is also brilliant at fixing mechanical failures! Classic Cols of Corsica, 2016

Nothing too much trouble for Pedro. He really wanted everyone to have the best trip possible. J Sanders Classic Cols of Dolomites 2016

Excellent knowledge of area,routes, history of cycling etc. Could not do enough for you. You have a really good guy there so look after him 🙂 P Mannion, Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2016

Pedro is a fantastic guide. His attention to detail and planning make everything work perfectly. He always has time for your needs. His personality makes him perfect for this job. D Cooper, Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2016

Lead Guide (joined Marmot in 2016)

Never happier than up a mountain, usually declaring to those around me that “life could be worse,” I have been lucky enough to fulfil my ambitions and dreams many times over.

With a childhood spent on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park and on the beaches around the South Devon coast, I was permitted a freedom to explore which I still value today. A three month expedition under canvas in Southern Chile in my early twenties firmly cemented my passion for travel and adventure. Following a career in the Army and training with the first women at Sandhurst, I settled down long enough to raise my two wonderful children and see them independent and successful before the itchy feet returned and I retrained as an Outdoor Instructor working in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. This varied role allowed me to instruct in climbing, mountain biking, high ropes, mountaineering, canoeing and kayaking.

It was as an Operations Manager for a Dartmoor based outdoor company that my path first crossed with Marmot Tours. An opportunity arose however at the same time, to pursue a career as an Overseas Expedition Leader and I was swept off my feet by the chance to lead cycling, running, trekking and even horse trekking challenges in many, and some remote, parts of the World. I donned a rucksack and packed up my belongings to work in Iceland, Sumatra, Outer Mongolia, Borneo and India with inspiring people achieving amazing things. During this time I have cycled routes in Cuba, Burma, Rajasthan and China. In a brief gap between trips, I completed the Tour de Mont Blanc. I recently enjoyed some canyonning and via ferrata in the Italian Dolomites and spend as much time as I can escaping into the North Yorkshire Dales with my partner, Henry.

Extraordinarily last year, I was approached by a publishing company who asked to turn some of my very roughly scribbled notes into a e-book which I never saw coming but proved an exciting venture.

I continue to lead and document the challenges in the Spring and Autumn of each year but am particularly excited to be finally joining the Marmot Team having first spoken to Cathy five years previously. The genuine, sincere and honest nature of this company has won me over and the opportunity to work in this highly qualified and motivated team is very special. There is little more satisfying than sharing in someone’s success and I look forward to being there with you to cheer you on and seethe fulfilment on your faces.

What our clients say about Penny…

Penny is superb and a real asset. When I come to book my next Marmot trip I will be asking if she can guide 😉 A Tortoishell Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2016

I cannot praise Penny enough. She was amazing, supportive and always smiling. Nothing was too much trouble. K Bougard Alpine Classic Cols 2016

Brilliantly positive and enthusiastic. Clearly a wealth of experience in running outdoor tours and expeditions. N Johnston Alpine Classic Cols 2016

Penny was an inspiration. To myself and many of our group she made the holiday. I have not met many people of her ability and caliber anywhere, in work or leisure. M Guy Raid Corsica 2016

Penny is a great asset to your team.  Her quiet efficiency in being at the right place at the right time was not always appreciated.  Not everyone realised how hard she worked moving bags, bikes, food and vehicles. J Rowlands Raid Corsica 2016

Trip Administrator

Born and raised in Austria, I’ve lived in the UK for the last 18 years, interrupted only by a fabulous 6 month adventure in sunny California. I’ve lived in London, Somerset and Gloucestershire but have now returned to and am feeling very much at home in the rolling hills of Somerset. I’m happy to have taken on the mantel of Tour Administrator at Marmot Tours in January 2017 and look forward to helping you have a great experience with us!

Other than that, I am passionate about natural health (I am also a qualified homeopath), food and making delicious and healthy cakes. Another one of my favourite things is to go off on adventures with my teenage daughter – we love exploring new places and the outdoors, particularly the mountains. Although I admit I prefer conquering them on foot! I speak fluent English, German and a little bit of Spanish.

After many years of only occasionally pedalling for fun, Marmot have successfully cajoled me to cycle to work – the beginnings of a grand master plan that will see the whole Marmot team attempting to conquer the infamous Mt. Ventoux this spring to raise funds for charity.

What our clients say about our office team:

Responsive and great with the details to help with our prep. Annie & Jem, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Efficient and accommodating. Flawless. David, Classic Cols of Corsica 2017

Fantastic, swift, prompt and always clear and concise. Couldn’t be better. John, Raid Corsica

Very helpful and cheerful. It made booking the holiday easy and a pleasure.  Chris, Classic Cols of the Picos 2017

Always quick to respond to queries no matter how minor they were.  Emails very detailed.  Lillian, Classic Cols of Gran Canaria 2017

Assistant Guide (joined in 2016)

I’m from the West Midlands, UK.

I’m all for exploring and excitement.

From an early age I’ve always loved the mountains and the great outdoors and fortunately, my two hobbies fit into that description. Skiing is my oldest hobby; I learnt to ski in French Alps as a toddler… Fast forward two decades and I’m now a basi instructor working in Zermatt for the winters.

Cycling is a more recent interest, about 5 years ago I was introduced to the sport and purchased my first road bike. Since then, I have enjoyed riding several sportives, building a bike and watching the Tour.
Now I have the opportunity to share my passion with you…See you on a tour soon.

What our clients say about Sam…

Sam provided really great support to Christel and was a welcome face at the top of many a climb C Golby, Classic Cols of the Picos 2016

Sam is great.  Friendly and good fun, very enthusiastic.  Although newer to Marmot he has all his ski teaching experience so well skilled at group management and support to individuals. D Junghans Raid Pyrenean 2016

Sam was also great with suggestions and reminders and even knocked on our door once when the alarm failed.  I think he hauled a ton of luggage, as did Helen.  Sam had the van there at all kinds of spots for water and food and clothing. Classic Cols of the Pyrenees 2016

Support was excellent, willing, biddable. His ability to play guitar and sing is an extraordinary talent – should be encouraged to do more, earlier on the trip! J Matthews, Raid Alpine 2016

Lead Guide

My Dad put me on a bike without stabilisers (there were no balance bikes in the 70s) when I was two years old. I immediately fell off. Undeterred however I got back on and as I grew up bicycles were always part of my life.

I cycled to school and I cycled on my newspaper delivery round and I cycled everywhere in between: bikes were my ticket to adventure and exploration. As kids my friends and I organised mini-races, built jumps, and rode down (on a Raleigh racer) the steep slopes of our local disused quarry. I joined my first cycling club when I was 14 and did my first race (a 25 mile time-trial) the following Sunday, I came last, but loved it all.

Since then I have raced time-trials and road-races, hill climbs and stage races, velodrome and grass-track, XC and Enduro. Over the years I have had so much enjoyment, met so many people and learnt so much from riding bikes that I decided I wanted to give something back. Moving to Highland Perthshire I joined a new cycling club and started organising road races for them. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was organising all sorts of races including multi-stage MTB Enduros.

I am now a British Cycling qualified road and time-trial, track and mountain-bike coach and since 2009 have coached countless young people and adults. I am the head coach at my local youth cycling club and it is fantastic to see so many children getting on bikes and having as much fun as I did at that age. My favourite aspect of coaching is going into schools and running sessions with pupils who haven’t had the same opportunities to get out and ride and seeing how they engage with the activities. At one school the teacher warned about one pupil who could be very disruptive. During the session he had a big smile on his face and at the end was one of a few pupils who came to thank me and tell me “I didn’t know that riding a bike could be so much fun”.

And for me that is why I cycle.

It is great fun and I love coaching, guiding and supporting others to get as much fun out on two-wheels as I do. See you out on two-wheels very soon.

Scot Tares

What our clients say about Scot

As ever Scot provided great support and good humour, thanks. R Hart, Classic Cols of Gran Canaria 2017

One day when it was raining heavily Scot, having already passed us in the van, turned around and dropped back down so that we were able to get our wet weather gear out of the van. This and other similar touches just reinforced the level of support provided on this trip: really first class. G Borton, Raid Corsica 2016

Scott waiting for me on Madeleine on the last day (as the other riders had long gone as I had fitted in an extra climb), was so kind and appreciated. His “it is important to have someone waiting for you to see you finish your last climb” was very touching and not something I will forget. N Mullet Raid Dolomites 2016

A real gem that everyone really liked. Energetic and enthusiastic and extremely personable. Always ready and prepared – nothing is too much trouble. We would all like him and Merv when we do the Raid Sardinia next May please. R Parsons, Raid Corsica 2016

Very positive at every hour of the long rides. Dealt with some minor problems ( slow puncture, squeaky transmission) with my hire bike. Scott was very helpful by providing first aid kit when I fell off on some gravel early in the week. A Staniforth, Raid du Massif Central 2016

Knowledgeable & v supportive. Good at mixing with guests and helping with any mechanical issues. H Gibbs, Raid Dolomites 2016

Marketing Manager

As a child, I spent my early years growing up on the Red Sea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, so at weekends spent more time in a Laser or on a windsurf than on a bike. Once my family moved back home to North Yorkshire, we spent many happy times fell walking in the Moors, the Dales and the Lakes and I’ve loved the outdoors ever since.

I read English & Linguistics at Bangor University and after graduating, spent two years in Newcastle converting to law and completing my solicitors’ training with a view to following a legal career. But 3 months partying on the east coast of Australia at the end of it convinced me that going back to law until retirement dawned was going to send me to an early grave, so I decided to retrain in marketing via the CIM. I started off in the manufacturing sector, then spent some years working for charity and finally returned to business in 2005 where I’ve been (maternity leaves notwithstanding) ever since.
I became a mum for the first time in 2004 and now have 2 boys and a little girl who help me spend my money but from whom I gain wonderfully valuable life lessons every day (most importantly, how to use social media).

With my husband Jon, we live in the fantastically vibrant village of Rode, near Frome. When not ferrying people around to rugby or hockey matches, we enjoy family time outdoors, especially walking and bike riding in the Somerset and Wiltshire countryside. We also love sailing and windsurfing in warmer climes come the summer months.

I love keeping fit and enjoy a variety of classes, as long as they’re accompanied by some banging club tracks (80s and 90s throwback alert) but also good old circuit training. I’ve had to walk away from the kettlebells since I found out my osteopath could make her mortgage payments from my visits alone….I took up playing the ukulele 2 years ago when with a group of 5 girlfriends, we formed The Daisy Ukes. We sing and play at local pubs and festivals, have heaps of fun and definitely don’t take ourselves too seriously!

I’m loving working at Marmot Tours on a freelance basis; getting to know more about the cycling world but more importantly, being part of what an amazing company Marmot really is; the remarkable level of service, the acute attention to detail and the total dedication of everyone who works here, to ensure every single client’s holiday is the very best it can be, in every single way.

Lead Guide

I was young when I realised I enjoyed helping people & encouraging them to achieve. It started because my mum was a social worker & she organised days out for kids with disabilities. I enjoyed the shared experiences & learned the benefits of active time outdoors. It made me happy, and them too. It was the start of something, although back then I wasn’t sure what.

This early discovery was hindered by a strong urge to be nomadic, see the world a bit & meet the people. I didn’t realise how incompatible this can be with modern life that demands careers, pension schemes & stability. A circuitous route involving lots of study & a wide range of jobs, some mundane, others outlandish brought me into the sphere of outdoor leadership & facilitation.

Until this point I’d enjoyed all manner of wild places, trekking, climbing, cycling & camping. The usual mix of adventure, campfires & personal growth, with a sprinkling of mishaps along the way. Nobody ever told me there were actual career paths to be had in this realm. So I added the qualifications to the kit bag & indulged my passion for personal development, the great outdoors & working with people. Since then I have had the pleasure to work with diverse groups of people – young, old & in between – in some of the most mind blowing locations on earth. Helping them to achieve & vice versa… a true win, win situation.

Happily settled in France, working for myself & other tour companies, I look forward to meeting you this summer. Although it will be yourselves doing the pedalling, I will be oiling the wheels of your cycle tour & sharing in your achievements.

What our clients say about Tim

Fantastic Cool, calm, competent, cheerful, charismatic. Couldn’t be better. A lovely guy. R Hirst, Raid du Massif Central 2016

Outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble and the attention to detail was faultless. J Clapp Raid du Massif Central 2016

Tim was brilliant, nothing was ever a problem for him and to meet him halfway up a Col with the back of the van open with all sorts of goodies ready to get you up the second half will live in the memory. P Devine, Raid Pyrenean 2016

Professional, encouraging, aware, able, thoughtful…….a whole lot of good things to say. I simply would not have competed the ride without Tim and Graham. Very impressive logistics to seemingly always be around for James & I in our own two person peloton far behind the other riders and yet also be available for the front peloton. M Yeates. Raid Pyrenean 2016 

Assistant Guide

I have been organising and providing outdoor activity events, holidays and courses for over 20 years. I started as an activity instructor at the John Ridgway Adventure School (North West Scotland) in 1992-1998. I then spent a season managing a centre for Acorn Venture in northern France, before setting up my own outdoor activity holiday company in 2000. I ran Cape Adventure International with Rebecca Ridgway from 2000-2008.
In 2009 I set up The Pyrenees Adventure Company, a UK company that continues to provide school programmes and family holidays in the Ariege during the summer months.

I am really pleased to be joining the Marmot team this year and I look forward to working alongside other guides in order to continue to deliver the high standard of tours and client care that is now synonymous with Marmot Tours.