About
The Marmot Tours experience has been crafted over 15 years by passionate and experienced cyclists, mountain experts and outdoor enthusiasts. Over the years we’ve evolved, tweaked and carefully developed our fully suported European road cycling holidays into a product that we’re immensely proud of. Everything we do is with a personal and attentive touch – whatever you need, we’ll do our very best to help.
This cycling holiday is your goal, your dream. It’s your mountain to climb. We’re here to make it real, make it fun, and to make it the best holiday it can be – we love the preparation so you can love the ride.
We know that when you come on your European cycling holiday you’ll be bringing your months of training, your beloved wheels, your hopes and fears. Whilst you’ve been training, we’ve also been preparing, leaving no stone unturned to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly and exceeds your expectations. On every one of our holidays, there are two guides and two ridiculously well-equipped support vehicles, offering you every possible aspect of support: mechanical, physical and moral. All of our guides are highly experienced, incredibly well prepared and technically competent; their knowledge and skills ensure that you can relax and just turn the pedals, enjoying the scenery, the culture, the camaraderie and the escape.
You lead, we follow.
We gear the holiday experience around your abilities, your needs and expectations. Our range of holidays in the mountain ranges of Europe offers something for everyone; from cyclists new to climbing to experts and those in peak fitness.
To understand that you’re in safe and experienced hands please follow the link for information on how we fulfil all our responsibilities as Tour Operators.
Your feedback helps us get better…
We listen to all your comments to ensure the Marmot Tours cycling holiday experience just keeps getting better. To see what our clients say about us, check out our page on Trip Advisor.
Marmot Tours Leaders and Office Staff on the Summit of Ventoux during our 2018 team training.
We support your ride with two of our fully customised vehicles.
For your convenience, we have a fleet of 32 titanium framed road bikes for hire.
And just some of the feedback we’ve had…
“Excellent – I had high hopes for this holiday, yet it somehow exceeded almost all of my expectations. I can’t rate the holiday more highly, nor adequately express my gratitude for such a wonderful week.” Andrew S. Dolomites & Stelvio cycling holiday 2019
“Love the vans, the support and all the kit. The fresh fruit was vital given the extreme heat and was an important source of hydration during the week.” John B. Raid Alpine cycling challenge (Geneva – Nice) 2019
“I wish I’d found your company years ago… will be back. You’ve got it sussed. We have been with two very big companies before and this is the best experience we have had.” Samantha S. Ventoux Cingles Cycling Challenge 2019
“Excellent – As with all my trips, this was an amazing experience. Doing the challenge route every day was at least as tough and rewarding as a raid. A great group of riders and as for our guides, well what can I say? Where do you find these people? Jeremy B. Road cycling in the Picos & Angliru 2019
“Marmot Tours are the Gold Standard of cycle holiday providers that other companies need to aspire to!” Richard P. Raid Dolomites road cycling tour 2019
“I really valued being able to go at my own pace and not feeling that I was holding anyone up. The route mapping was really clear and it was good to have details of cafes etc. It was very important for us to have various options each day as our abilities were different.” Karen S. Road cycling in the Dolomites and Stelvio regions of Italy 2019
“Great value for money! The logistical support was great, food/accommodations more than adequate, and guides were fantastic. I have looked at other tour operators that cost at least double the price for a similar tour and can not imagine getting more value for the additional price.” Marc T. Cycling holiday in Italy (the Dolomites and Stelvio area) 2019
“This was the
Our Team
Alan Toogood

Lead Guide and Fleet Manager
I was born and grew up in the South West of England. At age 15 I followed in the pedal strokes of both my father and grandfather by starting to cycle regular time trials on a Thursday evening. 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.
Whilst I’ll be taking a break from guiding this year, I have now taken on the role of Fleet Manager, looking after the ever growing numbers of Marmot’s custom built titanium hire bike fleet to ensure you have a great ride when hiring one of our bikes.
What our clients say about Alan…
Alan is great guide, competent and friendly. R Walker, Classic Cols of Corsica
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
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
Calm, steady, reassuring support throughout, always cheerful and upbeat. T Sutherland Classic Cols of Corsica
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
Alan excels as a lead guide, he is comfortable and competent and provided the whole group with a great service during the week. S Tobin Raid Pyrenean
True professional, always making sure guests are enjoying their break, top bloke, you could feel his passion for Catalonia too. M Gorshkov Classic Cols of Catalonia
I thought both guides were really excellent. helpful, patient and good fun. The information they gave us was spot on and always timely and the advice they gave us with relation to riding was always valuable. The guides were one of the best parts of the trip. A Saunders Raid Pyrenean
Amanda Foxwell

Assistant Guide
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 a 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
Fantastic attitude, great knowledge and incredibly supportive. Made the trip an absolute pleasure. D Crawford Raid Pyrenean 2018
Amanda was very responsive and helpful, thinking ahead about people’s needs. J Meigs Classic Cols of Corsica 2018
Amanda was brilliant. I often saw her on tops of the climbs! Always happy to help and provide advice. Great fun and very knowledgeable. A Watkinson Powell, Pyrenean Classics 2019
Catherine Cook

Hotel Management & Cycling Holiday Preparation
It was a love of Natural History that first brought us to the Ariege, France, with our two daughters, then 6 weeks and 2 years old. Many 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 cyclists say about our holiday admin team:
The holiday was extremely well organised and the Link was really useful for receiving updates on the trip including road conditions, GPS files, hotel information, airport transfers etc. E Smith
The information provided in advance of the trip e.g. kit lists was most useful. This info & its presentation showed great attention to detail that inspired confidence in how the tour would be organised & run. Rightly so, the organisation was indeed excellent. B Roberts
Excellent – Everyone in the Marmot office has always been so friendly and accommodating with us. Fantastic service, keep it up. Andrew H. Cycling in the Southern Alps.
Christel Langeveld

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
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 that 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 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 in 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 the 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, snowshoeing, hillwalking, trekking and climbing.
I am really excited to be part of the Marmot Team, 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 the world’s wonderful places!
What our cyclists 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
So professional and hard working, while being fun and supportive. She was really knowledgeable about the routes, the area, bikes, everything really! The best guide I have ever had on a cycling holiday and I have been on lots. C Rank Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2018
Very encouraging and supportive and gave us all the info required to make the most of our holiday. A real asset to your company and in short, a legend. D, G and L Innes Classic Cols of the Pyrenees 2018
Christel is the best guide we have ever had on a holiday – absolutely superb. Always helpful, kind, supportive, fabulously well organised and a very inspiring woman to boot. You have a real gem there! K McPherson Raid Sardinia 2018
Christel met me at the airport and from that moment she always was available to answer questions and help. She worked so hard and dealt with every situation and event that occurred. Just brilliant. K James Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2018
Tireless, caring, supportive always, THE BEST. S Cummings Raid Dolomites 2018
Outstanding! So friendly and accommodating, nothing was too much bother. Very knowledgeable and approachable. A fabulous guide. A Stafford Dolomites Classics & Stelvio 2019
David Sota

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Born and raised in Santander, Cantabria, surrounded by mountains and sea (my beloved Picos de Europa and the Atlantic Ocean), I have loved mountains for as long as I can remember (my first climb was actually in my mum’s belly). I have been hiking since I was 3 years old when my parents used to take me to the mountains (although that was more piggybacking than hiking for me, haha). As a kid, however, I mostly played football like all the other kids my age. I had an introduction to MTB when I was 12 but did not really take it up until 2010, my legs tired from 30 years of football but in shape from winter hiking and snowboarding on my white mountains.
I studied Business and Management and worked in a Consultancy Office for 10 years, until I had enough (just 20 vacation days plus weekends for travelling and the outdoors—no way!) I quit my old life and started a new one, beginning with the trip of a lifetime: India, Nepal, New Zealand and Australia. The main part consisted of biking NZ from the North of North Island to the South of the South one, camping freely or sleeping in random strangers’ houses. That was life-changing!!!
I had trained and competed in some long MTB races before this trip, but they never took me anywhere—after 13 hours of pushing my bike I always ended up in the same place. Touring on my bike showed me another way of travelling and experiencing places and local people. I also found, on another biking trip through the Alps, from Milan to Prague, heading to Germany for a wedding (not mine!!!), that I enjoyed joining and encouraging other bikers that I met along the way. So, here I am to support all you achieving your happiness.
What our cyclists say about David…
David was incredible. Considering this is his first year with Marmot, he showed initiative at every stage. Highly supportive, very positive, exceptionally helpful and always there when needed. He is hardworking and a great team-mate to Christel. Whatever it is that Marmot does to select, develop and keep guides motivated – please keep doing that. David was highly positive about the entire Marmot team and clearly loves what he is doing with Marmot – he is DELIGHTED to be on the team. J Ruszka Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2018
Both guides did an excellent job dealing in a caring way with a number of problems that could not have been foreseen. Their use of the support vehicles was thoughtful and most helpful. R Chandler Classic Cols of the Picos 2018
David was super friendly, full of enthusiasm and very helpful. He was happy to hang back and support me to do the bonus climb of Tre Cime di Lavaredo on day 1. Conversations over dinner were always entertaining! C Bloomer Dolomites Minibreak 2018
David’s passion for the area was great and really came out in his descriptions of places, foods, etc. He gave us a few tips on extra places to visit slightly off the route, which was great. He was super-dedicated, including on top of the Angliru in the rain, when his spirited cheering helped us get to the top, and then he managed to get all the bikes into/onto the van, with frozen hands, and get us all down safely. It was evident how much he cared about ensuring we all had the best possible week. M Phipps-Taylor Classic Cols of the Picos 2018
David was brilliant. He gave us tremendous encouragement, help and support throughout the ride. Great fun too. J Fryza. Dolomites Minibreak 2019
David was absolutely superb – he went above and beyond in delivering first class support, guidance and encouragement throughout the whole journey – First Class. I Nichol. Bormio Minibreak 2019
David has all the qualities I want in a guide. Knowledgable, helpful, enthusiastic and hard working. He even went out of his way to take a rider to the hospital even when he was not in our group. N Crowther. Classic Cols of the Dolomites & Stelvio 2019
David went out of his way to ensure that I felt well supported during the holiday. Lots of encouragement at every stop. He even drove down one of the climbs to find me slowly climbing up, to take an order for a (late) lunch at a mountain top cafe before they shut – truly above and beyond the call of duty! Thank you, David, for everything! O Negyal. Classic Cols of the Dolomites & Stelvio 2019
Outstanding! So friendly and accommodating, nothing was too much bother. Very knowledgeable and approachable. A fabulous guide. A Stafford. Dolomites Classics & Stelvio 2019
David’s ability to maintain his enthusiasm level at 101% for the whole week was impressive! He was there with the van when you needed him, full of good humour and always willing to share his knowledge of the area. On the toughest section of the Angliru, he was there for me, glorious in his Viking hat and cowbells, yelling at me that I could do it when I was having very severe doubts… I did make it, though I only claim some of the credit for myself; the rest belongs to David. J Burke. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
Emma Tiptaft

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Hi, I’m Em, also known as Taffy and I am passionate about cycling. I am a Kentish bird, born and bred in the garden of England and live in Medway, Kent, home to Charles Dickens, Chatham’s Historic Dockyard and the beautiful North Downs.
I have been an active road cyclist for many years, before which I was a road runner, successfully completing 4 London Marathons. In 2008 a dodgy knee forced me to swap my running shoes for a pair of cleats, a helmet and two wheels and I haven’t looked back since. I spend most of my weekends cycling around the Kent countryside but when I am not on my bike, I continue to take pleasure from the great outdoors with my love of gardening and walking. I also enjoy performing stand-up comedy so if all else fails, I should at least be able to make you laugh.
I work full time in London as an Office Manager to a small property company so although I don’t come from a guiding background I enjoy looking after a team of people, making sure everything works and am very organised. You won’t see me without a post-it pad or a list!
I am happiest when on my bike but even I need a break from it now and then; so what better way to spend my time when not pedalling than to be surrounded by bikes, like-minded people, fresh mountain air, stunning scenery, stinky lycra, sweaty armpits and – most importantly – a van full of M&M’s, caramel nuts and that delicious fruit cake (you didn’t think all those goodies were just for you did you!?).
It’s going to be my absolute pleasure to support you on your cycling adventure and I look forward to meeting you soon.
What our cycling clients say about Emma…
Very eager to help, friendly and attentive. P Margetts. Raid Pyrenean 2019
Fantastic support. Very hard working and enthusiastic. Always keen to help out or answer any queries. A great guide! S Tobin. 100hr Raid Pyrenean cycling holiday 2019
Although this was her first trip as a guide, it certainly wasn’t apparent. Great support and humour and will undoubtedly go far as a guide. K Anderson. Raid Pyrenean cycling holiday 2019
I was amazed by the level of support and encouragement from James and Emma. First up, last to bed but always cheerful, encouraging and gave clear and practical information. Thank you both. Paul Ingram. Raid Pyrenean 100hr cycling challenge 2019
Enthusiastic, supportive and friendly. Emma’s cheery disposition, banter and constant encouragement was always welcome before and after a daunting col. Thank you Ems! M Molloy. Raid Pyrenean road cycling challenge 2019
The fact that Emma had done a number of Marmot Tours as a participant (including the Raid Pyrennes) meant she was able to offer some tips on how best to deal with the upcoming Cols. Em’s enthusiasm and incredible energy was something we all commented on and was something we all fed off, especially when things were getting really tough. M Grolimund. Raid Pyrenean 2019
Fiona Jackson

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Born in Scotland and spending holidays being made to walk up many a Scottish mountain developed my love and passion for the great outdoors, even if I might not have appreciated it at the time!
Coupled with a desire to travel and live abroad I chose my degree on the basis that I could live and study in Italy for 4 years. This merely cultivated my passion to travel and whilst cycling around Cuba I discovered that travelling by bike was the best way to see a country. After a couple of years living and working in London, my travel itch got the better of me and I found myself in the jungles of Belize with a youth development charity. I had taken my bike so I could explore the country and decided to cycle across the border and ended up cycling across Guatemala and into Mexico.
My love for travel had been ignited. I went to Ecuador to learn Spanish and from there to Chile where I spent a year living in Patagonia and working in the Torres del Paine National Park.
Returning to the UK I knew I wanted to work in travel so spent a year running gastronomic walking tours in Tuscany before joining an adventure travel company for whom I have led biking and hiking trips all around the world for the past 20 years.
I look forward to sharing my passion with like-minded people and exploring new places.
What our road cyclists say about Fiona…
Fiona is a top guide. Her extensive experience in the adventure tourism industry shows and along with Gav made a first-rate team. Also a great sense of humour etc. B Thatcher. Classic Cols of Corsica 2019
Great support throughout the days riding. Always there with words of encouragement and a smile on those hard rides. A top guide. S Woods. Classic Cols of Corsica 2019
Super enthusiastic and helpful. Provided all of the necessary information to help us plan for each day. Managed to work well with all members of the team. Went out of her way to make life easy for us all and a true ambassador for Marmot. C Scott. Raid Pyrenean 2019
Gavin Savage

Lead Guide (Road cycling holidays in Europe)
Whichever way my life has twisted or turned there has always been a thread that ran through, and that was bikes. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of bike rides with my late father, and that feeling of adventure and freedom has never left me. Nowadays I’m lucky enough to be able to turn that passion into a job and I’m thankful for that.
Most of my riding nowadays is done on a cx bike. I used to race a bit and did alright uphill, but I’m a bit more leisurely now. I don’t train anymore per se, but I do watch my numbers, steadily decreasing.
Before joining Marmot I was a road cycling guide on Corsica, and the rest we’ll talk about over dinner on one of our trips!
Gav ✌️
What our cyclists say about Gav…
Gav – he was absolutely brilliant. What a great guy who clearly loves & excels at his job. His guidance & leadership of the group had such a positive impact. S Boote, Road cycling holiday on the island of Corsica 2019
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 halfway 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 accommodate my dietary requests. I could go on but he is a level above even Marmot usual standards. A Brown, Raid Corsica road cycling challenge 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 in to what we cyclists want. N Cavill, Classic cycling climbs 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
Gav’s a superstar! 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 road cycling challenge 2017
Gav – excellent, great mechanic, great company and unfailingly supportive even though my fitness was so far below the rest of the group. I would not have achieved what I did (climbing Mont Ventoux) without his encouragement. J Stanton Ventoux and Verdon Gorge road cycling holiday 2017
Really can’t praise Gav enough, he was a great support throughout and got me through a couple of very difficult days on the bike. A lovely attitude and always helpful. M Whatley Raid Massif Central road cycling challenge 2018
Absolutely fantastic! They are what make Marmot stand out as a company. They understood the nature of the challenge and provided excellent advice. J Wright Ventoux Cingles Challenge 2017
Very knowledgeable, friendly, always available and helpful regardless of how daft the request. Just a great guide. S Woods. Road cycling holiday in Corsica 2019
Very helpful, always “on hand”, on-road support was always close by and comforting, luggage arrived at the hotel in advance of our arrival… M Pearcy. Raid Alpine (Road cycling challenge in the French Alps) 2019
Super friendly and helpful also excellent with mechanical issues. He always had the van in the right place at the right time! F Chen. Raid Alpine 6day road cycling challenge 2019
If you cut Gavin in half you would see Marmot through him. Nothing was ever too much, he was cheerful throughout, supportive when I had heat stroke and just a pleasure to spend time with and speak to. An absolute brilliant ambassador for Marmot Tours. N Gillespie. Raid Alpine cycling challenge from Geneva to Nice 2019
Gavin was simply the best. Clearly an enthusiastic and experienced cyclist himself, he was always there (somehow!) when you needed him, with a word of support, or some much-needed food or water, or even the right tool for the job! Thank you Gavin. J Gardiner. Raid Alpine road cycling holiday 2019
Graham Lee

Finance Manager and Occasional Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
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, like Flanders and the Maratona. Sadly, I left my climbing legs in 1995!
I’m really excited to be part of the Marmot Tours team and will be focused on supporting James and the ops team to help grow the business further in the coming years.
What our cycling clients say about Graham …
Knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm, very professional. G McChesney. Alpine Classic Cols 2019
Graham was enthusiastic and spoke knowledgeably about all the climbs. P Kirby. Alpine Classic Cols 2019
Graham is a great ambassador for Marmot. He embraced the clients (and was embraced in return) with his gentle, easy and clever wit. Every request was met with an effortless response (though he had almost always dealt with whatever need you may have before you knew it). Graham’s knowledge and experience was also a blessing for the higher performance cyclist, providing thoughtful and intelligent advice in an easy to accept way. Edward Boomer. Cycling holiday in the Alps 2019
Helen Snell

Lead Guide and Operations Manager
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
I felt Helen offered brilliant support in a professional, friendly, thoughtful manner. Could not have asked for more than Helen gave. Raid Pyrenean
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
Happy, friendly, approachable, supportive, organised and other great adjectives. A Stephens, Classic Cols of Corsica
Helen kept everyone well informed and moving along with minimum fuss and great humour. She is clearly a very experienced guide. Even better, she cured my knee pain with some well applied sports tape. Is there nothin’ that she cannae do? C Bloomer Dolomites Minibreak
Both guides were excellent. They were enthusiastic and ensured that all riders were well supported despite the large differences in riding ability of the group. H Dillingham Dolomites Minibreak
Fantastic attitude, great knowledge and incredibly supportive. Made the trip an absolute pleasure. I would not have got over the Tourmalet without Helen. D Crawford Raid Pyrenean
I already miss Helen. Helen was smart and funny and had a great capacity to enjoy the clients. I expect I am one of the harder to manage, but Helen has a remarkable way of “reading” the situation. If you want to “give it” on a ride, Helen understood and supported that. Helen provided cycling and emotional guidance in a wonderfully deft and professional manner. She is a wonderful ambassador for Marmot.
E Boomer Cycling Holiday in the Alps 2019
James Thompson

Founder & Director
I have had many an adventure on a bike, both road bikes and mountain bikes. I can’t remember not having bikes in my life as they offered me independence when I was younger – a free way to travel around 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. My greatest cycling adventure was a 4000 miles tandem tour from the UK to Jordan.
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 the product is my goal.
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 still don’t know 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 created Marmot Tours back in 2001 as a multi-activity holiday company based in the Pyrenees. I never expected Marmot to grow into what it has become but I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and will continue to evolve the company to be the best it can be.
What our cyclists say about James…
Outstanding, as you would expect! Classic Cols of Corsica
Great sense of humour and wonderful organisational skills. C Gillham, Classic Cols of Corsica
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
Fun, knowledgeable, and just so damn competent. Great bike and tech know-how. No minor detail was ignored or forgotten in delivering an amazing trip. G Fleming Tour de France
Top guy, can see he really enjoys running a tour and loves his Cycling. N Gain. Classic Cols of the Picos
Also went above and beyond- great sense of humour, bought extra snacks that were vegetarian, made sure I was eating enough, encouraged me up Angliru, overall really positive person, took great photos and really well organized. K Hall. Classic Cols of the Picos
Well, what can I say, faultless? It’s clear James still has a huge passion for cycling and his business. As a business owner myself, it was great to see James take a back seat and let Alan and David get on with it, proper leadership. It’s good to see that growth in the business has not diluted the core spirit of a tour with Marmot. M Gorshkov. Classic Cols of Catalonia
His passion for cycling and Marmot and its guests is clear to see. Simply, just a real pleasure to have had the boss lead us around, always supportive, always willing to go one step further to make the trip memorable. A Roberts. Classic Cols of the Picos
A fantastic person and guide. Always very supportive and encouraging. An excellent organiser -everything worked according to the plan. D Eilat. Classic Cols of the Southern Alps
Knowledgeable, professional and adaptable. Nothing was too much trouble for James who maintained his calm and friendly attitude throughout the week, regardless of anything that was thrown at him. M Molloy Raid Pyrenean
James made sure that everyone felt included, and was very careful with everyone’s allergies and meal preferences – that was very much appreciated! James also has a great sense of humour, is very organized, and is approachable. I feel we were very lucky to have James on our Raid Pyrenean. M Barnet. Raid Pyrenean 100 hr cycling challenge
Kate Burgess

Invoicing & Finance
Says yes to everything, then works out how on earth to manage it!
I live in rural Devon with my husband, 3 sons, 3 dogs, 2 horses, various chickens, eleventy billion doves and about 14 complete bikes, plus extra bits and pieces everywhere and a new eBay delivery seemingly every other day. My husband and I were tour leaders with James for Exodus in the years before Marmot Tours was born and have been friends ever since. My hubby is a 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 cycling clients say about our admin team:
Very helpful and cheerful. It made booking the holiday easy and a pleasure. Chris
Whenever contacting the office staff by email, whoever I have dealt with, they have always been friendly, helpful and efficient. T Dooley
Excellent – Everyone in the Marmot office has always been so friendly and accommodating with us. Fantastic service, keep it up. Andrew H. Cycling holiday in the Southern Alps.
I have been involved both as a participant and organiser, on both counts, the support from Kate and Sabine has been superb, attentive, good-natured and created a really good connection. Jon W. Mont Ventoux 3 times in a day ‘Club des Cinglés’ Challenge.
Katia Knight

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
I am never happier than when I’m in the mountains, exploring by bike or on foot.
I realised this at the grand age of 25: I was sitting at my Accenture desk, the spring sun glowing happily outside my window, and the prospect of spending yet another summer, let alone the next few years, locked away in London’s business areas had never seemed so bleak. It suddenly occurred to me that life didn’t have to be so. There had to be other ways of living.
And sure enough, a few months later, I found myself pedalling up mountains, working for a variety of cycle touring companies in the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, the Jura and the Vosges. A friend told me about Marmot Tours and the rest is history: James runs a fantastic ship giving his team all the responsibility and support we need to ensure cyclists have a wonderful (and occasionally brutal) time on their bikes and that the team feel fulfilled by their work. Three years on I still delight in meeting Marmoteers. I find my colleagues inspiring. And I still love my office.
Since starting work in the outdoors I’ve enjoyed putting my new found freedom to good use. Having studied Social Anthropology at Cambridge University, I now have all the time I could wish for to travel, rediscover my passion for languages, history, my curiosity about places and people, and to think (I’m contemplating further study…). So far I have spent the work-quiet winter months in places like Guatemala volunteering as a hiking guide for a fantastic non-profit called the Quetzaltrekkers, Colombia and more recently (Nov / Dec 2018), biking around Nepal, a country I will have to return to! Next stop: a 3-month bike packing adventure around New Zealand!
Born and brought up in France, I’m really happy to spend more time in my homeland, using my languages and enjoying the beautiful mountain ranges that I used to take for granted growing up.
So all that said, I wish you a happy winter and spring of riding and look forward to meeting or seeing you again next summer!
What our cyclists 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
Bubbly and chatty, kept us all motivated to keep pushing and not get in the van. It was also very welcoming to have fresh melon at the top! Really interesting to chat with after I had to stop riding and hopefully will be on another Marmot trip in the future, and one where I won’t crash! W Cundy, Classic Cols of the Picos 2018
Katia went above and beyond time and time again supporting the riders. She never stopped helping people out, especially in the evenings and around mealtimes. She never seemed to get a moment to herself, always thinking about and helping others. F Van Schelven Raid Sardinia 2018
Always happy to help – always with a smile on her face – genuinely interested in the people on the trip – an absolute star. L Bozeat Road cycling holiday in the Alps 2018
Katia was always there to support with a smile on her face even to the extent of taking orders at the restaurants. She was also our group’s guide last year and we were delighted when she was named as the guide for this trip. G Harrington Road cycling holiday in Sardinia 2018
Katia did a great job. The weather made the early part of the week tough for all. Decisions had to be made and they were made confidently and ensuring that the group were part of that process. Carl Berriman Raid Sardinia road cycling challenge 2018
Katia was a great guide, very cheerful and professional. Very organised and made sure each day ran very smoothly. Good balance in terms of encouragement/providing information while not being patronising. Thanks, Katia! O Negyal. Classic Cols of the Dolomites & Stelvio 2019
Katia and Scot were helpful, supportive, encouraging, practical etc. etc.etc. In other words, they were excellent. I often thought that they went above and beyond what I would have expected. Without a doubt, their efforts and commitment were a significant help to all the riders in the group. A Taylor. Raid Alpine cycling challenge from Geneva to Nice 2019
Katia was super-organised and always asking everyone whether there was anything they needed/wanted both at the van stops and the hotel. She always had a smile and we shared lots of laughs, particularly at the van stops. Her excellent knowledge of the area in general and the route, in particular, allowed her to answer any of my queries. All in all a great guide! J Burke. Classic Cols of the Picos & Angliru 2019
Katia was brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble and she was very thoughtful and considerate of our needs. Certainly an asset to Marmot Tours. N Mannerings. Cycling Holiday in the Picos & Northern Spain 2019
Just excellent in all departments! Clearly, from her first-hand experience. The routes, the venues, stops, the places to see & visit, managing the daily logistics of kit and bags, a good sense of humour and still kept smiling ! … well impressed. B Marjoram. Road cycling holiday in the Pyrenees 2019
Kerstin Grünwald-Hope

Client Liaison
I have always dreamt of living abroad and left my home country of Austria for pastures new soon after my baccalaureate. Having spent three wonderfully hectic years in London, I moved to Bath for a more relaxed pace of life and to undertake a BA degree in English Literature & Sociology at Bath Spa University.
After my undergraduate studies, I started my professional journey within the travel industry whilst working for a school tour company organising trips to Germany, France and Spain for the next eleven years. During this time, I also left city life behind and have since been taking full advantage of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, walking and cycling whenever I can. Not too long ago, I combined my love for the great outdoors with my passion for all things literature by completing a part-time MA in Literature, Landscape and Environment for which I looked at the portrayal of animals in science fiction novels of the 1960s (a bit niche, I know :).
Having joined Marmot Tours in November 2018, I now very much enjoy getting to know our riders and helping them plan their cycling adventures. I have also started taking the bike to work and hope to be fit enough to join one of our holidays in the autumn.
What our cyclists say about our admin team:
Kerstin was excellent. Responsive and very helpful with my numerous questions. I booked very late, just a few days before we started riding, and yet everything was in place and organised with minimal fuss. Top service.
Responsive and great with the details to help with our prep. Annie & Jem
Always quick to respond to queries no matter how minor they were. Emails very detailed. Lillian
Excellent – Very quick responses to all enquiries I sent to the office and all answers were positive too! Vicki
Excellent – Everyone in the Marmot office has always been so friendly and accommodating with us. Fantastic service, keep it up. Andrew H. Cycling in the Southern Alps.
Excellent – Replied quickly to queries. Website is excellent, providing a good resource for information. Alex H. Raid Alpine (Nice to Geneva)
The office staff were very helpful and responsive to all my questions. Michelle B. Raid Pyrenean 100hr cycling challenge
Kevin Penny

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 descent. 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
Kevin is a credit to your company – you’re lucky to have him! He has the perfect skill set for all that is involved. Extremely well organised, enthusiastic, reassuring when necessary and it was never too much trouble to answer even the daftest and pathetic questions. He gave me the feeling that nothing would go wrong – a perfect leader. He nailed it! K Allen Raid Pyrenean 2017
Very supportive, encouraging, professional but also approachable and made everyone feel very comfortable and safe. M Hammond Raid Pyrenean 2017
Been with Kevin before. He’s excellent. N Downing Classic Cols of the Picos 2018
Fantastic logistics support. Nothing left to chance. G Dean Classic Cols of the Picos 2018
Things just happening without the clients being aware of the work going on in the background is the mark of a good guide – Kevin excelled. D Beckingsale Classic Cols of the Picos 2018
Lovely guy who couldn’t do enough. His mindset was, what the guest needs I will accommodate. Good job all around. S Bishop. Alpine Classic Cols 2019
Margo Marmot

Very important Team Member
Martino Falsini

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Be it cycling, skiing, hiking or swimming in the sea … my best life memories are outdoors. I always found the vision of a far summit irresistibly appealing, along with the physical effort needed to reach it, an assault, making you feel strong and a spiritual exercise when you’re handling your limit – your soul and body want to experience it again and again.
I don’t remember when I had my first bike. At six years old, I remember my first cycling tour in Corsica, on the back of my dad’s bike, feeling the freedom, breeze and sun! At seven years old I was pedalling on a customised tandem and at nine I had my first road bike, climbing Alpe d’Huez and the Izoard the following year. Other trips in the Alps followed and after some years of road racing, I started out on my own to explore each road in my homeland region, Tuscany, and many other places.
Eventually, I found myself in an office for 80 hour weeks, trying to earn more money, but after some years I was getting sad, so I saved myself and escaped to the great outdoors again. I’m still here, on the road, looking for new friends and cycling adventures!
I look forward to meeting and supporting you on yours!
What our cyclists say about Martino…
Having a native speaker who was very pro-active was crucial on this trip. Very friendly, helpful, efficient and supportive. J Green. Classic Cols of Sardinia 2019
Martino is a fine addition, brilliantly embodying Marmot’s way of being and bringing Italian culture to the party. J Clegg. Classic Cols of Sardinia 2019
Fantastic guide. You needed someone who can organise food etc. in such a chaotic country! H Paulich. Classic Cols of Sardinia 2019
Charming and very supportive. Having a native Italian guide added to the interest of the holiday and Martino’s ability to communicate easily with the locals was of great assistance on very many occasions. A Gillham. Classic Cols of Sardinia 2019
Martino gave us great support and always with a super sense of humour. J Fryza. Dolomites Minibreak 2019
Full of local knowledge and always encouraging. His English was fantastic! S Charles. Classic Cols of the Dolomites & Stelvio 2019
Mary Gordon Cumming

Lead Guide (Road cycling holidays)
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 hemispheres, 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!
What our cyclists say about Mary…
Mary was fantastic. The care she has for the well-being of the cyclists just radiates from her. She was obviously very tuned in to the various states of mind of our group as each rider reached the col passes, which was great to see and much appreciated. Mary was unfailingly helpful, cheerful, supportive and effective. The way Mary ran the trip was perfect. I couldn’t have wished for a better tour guide. She and Pedro complemented each other very well and worked brilliantly as a team. Thanks a lot, Mary! E Huguet Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2018
Great attitude, very supportive and encouraging! A Lem and J Sinnott. Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2018
Great energy, added a real sense of fun to the week. P Gough. Alpine Classic road cycling holiday 2018
Always had a smile and had a knack of being there on the road exactly when we needed her. Excellent local knowledge. C Barker. Alpine Classic Cols 2018
Friendly; enthusiastic; very helpful and pleasant; brilliant management with meals and accommodation. B Peacock. Alpine Classic Cols 2018
Professional & friendly. always keen to help – very knowledgeable. Lovely person. P Margetts. Raid Pyrenean 100hr road cycling challenge 2019
Fantastic support. Very hard working, always available to answer endless questions and always smiling and positive to get you through the tough times and the spots of bad weather. An excellent guide! S Tobin. Raid Pyrenean cycling holiday 2019
Mary was exceptional her desire to make sure everyone was safe and had a great time was second to none, also she was very approachable. S Parfitt. Ventoux and the Verdon Gorge 2019
Loved how Mary was upbeat and had a great attitude. Appreciated her interactions with hotel/restaurant staff during dinners to ensure everyone was happy with food and beverages. J Anglim. Pyrenean Classic Cols 2019
Thank heavens for Mary! Constant positive and supportive presence. FABULOUS GUIDE. K Bird. Alpine Classic Cols 2019
Mary was really enthusiastic and upbeat all the time. The van support was excellent throughout and whenever you were feeling like you needed some water etc the van just seemed to appear as though they could read your mind! I left my water bottle in the van at one stop and, as I don’t like to stop on an ascent Mary even handed me my bottle as I passed the refreshment stop … over and above the job spec 😉 R. Bligh-Smith Road cycling in the Alps 2019
Matt Hall

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Cycling has been a passion for me since I was given my first racing bike for my 13th birthday. With it I was able to leave the confines of home with purpose, to explore my local area and beyond for the first time – something of a risk for children of today’s parents perhaps! I rode competitively for my local club in South Croydon for a few years in my later teens, but took my love of cycling further afield soon enough, solo bike touring in central Africa, South America, China, Tibet and Nepal, as well as countries closer to home in Europe with friends – yep, I know what climbing those Alpine cols takes, I promise!
In between, I muscled my way into the dark underbelly of mountain biking, unavoidable with the North Downs on my doorstep and the South Downs just down the road. My love of the dirt exploded during my stint teaching at a school in Northern Scotland, where I took myself away to the numerous trail centres and into the wilderness whenever the opportunity arose – frequently! During this time I also had the privilege of introducing some of the kids to the basic skills of mountain biking too, making use of my trail cycle and mountain bike leader training.
Moving back down South 5 years ago meant a natural return to the road bike and I get out on the tarmac as much as I can, although I like to think I have my feet in both disciplines still. I have also returned to undertaking some serious bike touring too – more recently I solo toured the Karakoram Highway and other silk routes through Pakistan, China and Kyrgyzstan, and a circumnavigation and crossing of Iceland – both trips on my trusty custom-built Roberts ‘Rough Stuff’ tourer.
Basically, I adore cycling…it’s in my blood! I am excited and feel privileged to be guiding for Marmot this summer. I am looking forward to meeting and working with and for each and every one of my clients this summer – and it’s surely about time I pass on my experience and passion for the bike!
What our clients say about Matt…
Matt is a real personality and makes a huge effort to include all. An ideal guide. G Sanford. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
Very helpful and encouraging helped sort out a couple of things with my bike very competently. M Craig. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
A professional, enthusiastic, eager-to-please, ever-helpful, hard-working, always willing, top-quality addition to the Marmot guide team. Hang onto him! J Hutchings. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
What a great guy, always positive, always supportive, showed empathy for my injury and encouraged me on, the answer was always “Yes, how can I help”, customer service at its best. A Roberts. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
Matthew Everton

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Having grown up in the open fens of Lincolnshire, I discovered from an early age that if you need to travel any distance, a bicycle is essential.
Since then the Chopper became a BMX, then I progressed onto road bikes and MTBs. Now I try to find time for all disciplines, road racing and time trials in the summer months and cyclocross, gravel and MTB when the days turn colder and shorter. Travelling to new places and riding some of the best roads in Europe is, for me, the perfect way to spend a summer.
For many years the dream of making my passion my job seemed to be an unreachable goal but now I can happily say that my enjoyment for cycling is something I can share and help others enjoy and delight in.
What our cycling clients say about Matthew…
Faultless. I Wells. Raid Corsica road cycling challenge 2019
Matt was great fun to be around and his enthusiasm is infectious. Matt was always making sure you had enough water or wine 🙂 depending on the time of day. C Stone. Raid Corsica 2019
Matt was great and very supportive. Good sense of humour and again gave great support to the riders. S Overton. Raid Pyrenean – 100hr coast to coast road cycling challenge 2019
Really helpful, encouraging and great craic. D Noone. Raid Pyrenean 100 hr road cycling challenge 2019
Very nice guy. Friendly, accommodating and worked very hard. A Meyer. Raid Pyrenean road cycling event 2019
Mat was a great positive force of the trip, always had a smile and was willing to kick off some fun banter to keep everyone in the right mindset. He has a strong passion for the world of cycling and is able to communicate with folks from this space on a personal and individual level, quite calming. He assisted with some trepidation regarding long, steep descents and made the situation much better for my girlfriend. M Rogers. Alpine Classic Cols 2019
Always encouraging and supportive. Always seeking to add extra value. M Rogers. Cycling holiday in the Alps 2019
Always supportive and very helpful especially with bike maintenance. Huge patience supporting all participants irrespective of knowledge or capabilities. M Hammond. Raid Alpine road cycling challenge 2019
Great guy and personality .. re-assuring & confident, enjoyed the good banter and he quickly tuned into the different personalities in the group. Just as or even more importantly, his sound mechanical knowledge fixed and maintained the bikes when needed or we broke them. B Marjoram. Cycling holiday in the Pyrenean Mountains of France 2019
Nathan Hall

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
Born and raised in the Peak District I grew up with a love of the outdoors which turned into a passion for cycling. I started racing at 12 and this led me across the channel to Holland where I settled for 10 years.
For several years I worked as a Technical Inspector for the Dutch Department of Transport. During this time I attended night school for 5 years and obtained an HND in Mechanical Engineering. Eventually, I had enough of Clogs, Tulips and Heineken so I took a year out to travel around Australia.
After returning to the UK I still had itchy feet and in 2003 I got a job as a Tour Guide which took me to over 30 countries. I later gained my Mountain Leader qualification and ended up leading hiking and biking trips in the French Pyrenees. This is where I met the Marmot family and I started working for them in 2007.
I now live in the Swiss Alps with my wife and our 3-year-old daughter and we continue to enjoy the even greater outdoors.
It’s hard to keep away from Marmot Tours so it’s nice to be returning to run a few trips after a 3-year break and I’m looking forward to meeting some of you along the way.
What our cyclists say about Nathan …
Nathan – A fantastic ambassador for Marmot Tours. Very experienced and knowledgable. Always happy to help and give advice. A real pleasure to have spent some time with him during the tour. D Bradley Alpine Classic Cols 2018
Despite me being a bit out of step and last off on at least one occasion, Nathan never appeared anxious or impatient. Even if I felt a bit left behind, I was always able to catch up later. Great mechanic. Handled my non-compliance very well! G Longman Raid Pyrenean 2018
Relaxed and confident which was reflected in the group dynamic. B Parker Alpine Classic Cols 2018
Very knowledgeable and great company. A Smiles. Alpine Classic Cols 2019
Neil Morris

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
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!
What our cyclists say about Neil…
Very well organised, clear and concise. Good sense of humour and a credit to Marmot. E Graham Raid Dolomites 2017
Excellent in so many ways and a great sense of humour, clear instructions re routes and tricky descents. S Germon Raid Dolomites 2017
Neil was great. Calm, just managed everything effortlessly which is the true hallmark of someone who is very good at what they do. I blew myself up on the first day on the first climb (brake caliper rubbing and I didn’t know it) It was a big day and I suffered for the rest of it coming in last and not being able to make it down for dinner. Neil came up to my room to check on me and organised a meal in the room which allowed me to recover and then complete the Raid. Great guy and I needed the help. J Carpenter Raid Alpine 2018
Excellent knowledge of the area and routes, very accommodating to all requests and helped make it a wonderful and enjoyable trip. L Robinson Classic Cols of Corsica 2018
Approachable and friendly, and with excellent knowledge of the route which came across along the route and during our evening briefings. Brilliant support, was always where he said he would be on the road. Tremendous workload, seems like a guide’s working day is 7am – 10pm. T Dooley Raid Alpine 2018
Neil came across as being very knowledgeable about the itinerary and was able to quickly gauge the strengths of the individuals in the group. He was always helpful, always smiling despite some very difficult circumstances. He was able to offer alternative suggestions if I wasn’t feeling up to some of the hills and suggested great pick up/drop off points. All in all a very supportive guide. His daily briefings were always great! H Wright Classic Cols of Corsica 2018
Neil always always calm and ready to help. Like Graham nothing seemed to phase him and another great asset to Marmot. Z Elliott Raid Corsica 2018
Sabine Depner

Holiday Administrator
Born and raised in Austria, I emigrated to the UK in my early twenties and have been here ever since, interrupted only by a fabulous 6 month adventure in sunny California. Having lived in London, Gloucestershire and the rolling hills of Somerset, I feel most at home here in the Frome area. I’m happy to have taken on the mantel of Cycling Holiday 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 yet 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 and after experiencing a Marmot trip for myself in Tenerife last year, I must say, I’m hooked. This year I will attempt the Dolomites Classics – oh no, what have I let myself in for?!
What our cyclists say about our admin team:
Efficient and accommodating. Flawless. David
Fantastic, swift, prompt and always clear and concise. Couldn’t be better. John
Excellent – Everyone in the Marmot office has always been so friendly and accommodating with us. Fantastic service, keep it up. Andrew H. Cycling in the Southern Alps.
Very efficient, effective and friendly. Tjalling Y. Cycling holiday in the Northern French Alps.
Excellent – Always friendly and prompt replies. Penny P. Cycling holiday in the Southern French Alps
The support we had from the office was excellent – especially so when we had to change our hotel and routes following road closures. We were provided updates and new accommodation / GPS files with such a quick turnaround. Very impressed. Jake H. Cycling in the Dolomites and Stelvio regions of Italy
I have been involved both as a participant and organiser, on both counts, the support from Kate and Sabine has been superb, attentive, good-natured and created a really good connection. Jon W. Mont Ventoux 3 times in a day ‘Club des Cinglés’ Challenge.
Sam Parkes

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
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: a few 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 cyclists 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
Again very good, enthusiastic and encouraging, knew exactly what he was doing. Very aware of the difficulties posed by the weather conditions and made sure we were looked after as soon we arrived in the freezing cold at the top of the cols. K Gunning. Raid Pyrenean 2017
Fantastic support and good humour throughout. Very flexible and good problem solving when presented with unexpected road closures due to car rally. Worked extremely well with partner guide. Could not have asked for more. T Waller. Raid Alpine 2018
Sam was great. Kind, considerate, always willing to help, nothing too much trouble, anticipated what we needed and made sure it was there. Sam helped me out on the road. He pulled over on a long climb as I couldn’t shift the front chainring. He put the bike into the holder, several minutes later had the issue sorted and I was good to go. I was out on my own with no-one around so it was a little unnerving and a relief to see him hove into view and able to help me. Great guy. J Carpenter Raid Alpine 2018
Outstanding. Nothing too much trouble. Always available and enthusiastic. Must be hard at the end of a long season. S Muller. Cycling holiday in Sardinia 2018
They did a fantastic job in a very difficult week due to the weather. N Brazier. Raid Sardinia 2018
Super enthusiastic and helpful. Provided all of the necessary information to help us plan for each day. Managed to work well with all members of the team. Went out of his way to make life easy for us all and a true ambassador for Marmot. C Scott. Raid Pyrenean 100hr cycling challenge 2019
Positive, friendly and encouraging. Helpful. Good knowledge about the routes. K Sercombe. Dolomites & Stelvio cycling holiday 2019
Scot Tares

Lead Holiday Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
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, 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 see 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 of cycling as I do. See you out on two wheels very soon!
What our road cycling clients say about Scot…
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 road cycling holiday 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 road cycling challenge 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 road cycling challenge 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 road cycling challenge 2016
As ever Scot provided great support and good humour, thanks. R Hart, Cycling holiday in Gran Canaria (Canaries, Spain) 2017
A great combination of someone you have total confidence in, unflappable, enjoyable to sit and talk with and nothing is too much trouble. Sliced tomatoes and salt were brill. Scott has become a brilliant ambassador for Marmot Tours. N Gillespie Raid Sardinia 2017
Scot was brilliant, very experienced and friendly and super helpful. The perfect guide really. I Threadgold Raid Pyrenean 2018
Great, he was very knowledgeable on the route and responsive to any questions. Super friendly guy, just what you want in a tour guide. Always in the right spot when needed without having to ask. B Murray Cycling holiday in the Northern Alps 2018
Scot and Katia were helpful, supportive, encouraging, practical etc. etc.etc. In other words, they were excellent. I often thought that they went above and beyond what I would have expected. Without a doubt, their efforts and commitment were a significant help to all the riders in the group. A Taylor. Raid Alpine (Geneva – Nice) road cycling challenge 2019
Very passionate guy, honest and very forthcoming with himself as a person, we got to know him well and were the better for it. He knows the climbs and has excellent recall of fun facts and things to look out for both for pleasure and interest but also for safety. He helped us immensely getting set up in the mornings and keeping things working from a tech perspective which is very important when you don’t know where you are going. M Rogers. Alpine Classic Cols road cycling holiday 2019
Knowledgeable about the area and always did his best to make the rides interesting and well serviced. Good company in the evening. Nothing seemed too much trouble. R Hall. Road cycling tour in the French Alps 2019
So much knowledge, encouraging, great natured advice when suggesting someone should not do something… salty tomatoes were a godsend! I’ve never experienced someone so accommodating and whilst I know it’s his job, he genuinely exudes real passion to enable people to achieve their goals in a really enjoyable manner. Amazing fella. J White. Mont Ventoux 3 times in a day ‘Club des Cinglés’ Challenge.
Sharon Baber

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
What would you like to be when you grow up? A question often pondered as the younger years passed me by … and despite all the more sensible options, all I really wanted to do was ride my bike and live in the mountains.
Of course, to make this dream a reality, a plan had to be hatched: The bike bit was easy – I found my mum’s Raleigh Shopper in the garage and set about ‘tweaking’ with a bag of spanners. With the handlebars lowered and the sprung saddle set for optimal leg power output, I was well on my way. I started mountain bike racing as a teenager and after winning a few races, found myself in humble possession of the Junior National Champion’s jersey – what a moment. I’m not sure I ever did officially thank the Shopper creator for their contribution. The next five years were spent working in a local bike shop by day to fund the semi-professional cycling career by evening. I was the proverbial ‘kid in a sweetshop’ and loved every moment.
As the years passed after my ‘racing retirement’, inevitably a new challenge was required, which is when I found Marmot Tours. The Raid Pyrenean was an absolutely amazing experience and one of many challenges I intended to complete before I hang up those cycling shoes.
So that was one part of the childhood dream realised … but growing up on the south coast of England posed a slight problem – an area not known for its mountainous landscape, there was only one thing that could be done to feed the hunger for the great outdoors: a visit with my tent, sleeping bag and the kitchen sink to my spiritual home in the Lake District. The first trip didn’t start well. As my dad lifted my over-sized comedy rucksack on my back, I promptly fell backwards, lying on the lounge floor like an upturned turtle! Hmmm, something had to be done – not the image of the mountaineer I had envisaged for myself.
Fast forward a few years (well maybe twenty or so) and I am pleased to report that the upturned turtle managed to overcome the ‘packing issue’ and summit some of Europe’s highest mountains, trek in the Nepalese foothills of Annapurna and continue the quest to bag those evasive ‘Wainwrights’.
Inspired by tunes of yesteryear on the portable cassette player, a rock band once sung to me that ‘life’s a journey, not a destination’, so I continue to ride my bike in the mountains and sometimes find it hard to harness my enthusiasm when sharing this passion with others. Maybe one day I’ll decide what I really want to do when I grow up, but in the meantime, I hope I can join you, on your journey, along the way.
What our cyclists say about Sharon…
Huge support through the toughest times in the harsh weather we encountered. Thank you! R Reynolds Raid Pyrenean coast-to-coast cycling challenge 2018
Great that Sharon had done the Raid and could share her experiences and empathise with our grumbles !! Both guides were in the right place at the right time, really excellent support just when needed. I Gillott Raid Pyrenean 2018
Sharon really lit up the trip with her enthusiasm and sunny disposition. She has such a genuine smile that really lifts everyone around her. Sharon couldn’t have done more for us. M Firth Raid Pyrenean 100hr cycling challenge 2018
Unrelentingly high levels of support and encouragement. D Green Classic Cols of the Pyrenees 2018
Sharon was a great guide with a genuine passion for the role. Sharon worked tirelessly from first light right through the day. The hire bikes were looked after meticulously after several wet days on the road. She was also a really calm presence and she and Tim made a first-class team. G Borton. Raid Massif Central – cycling challenge in France 2019
Sharon was great. Helpful, approachable and always doing her very best to fix problems as they arose. An asset to Marmot. P Clark. Raid du Massif Central 2019
Super knowledgeable, fun, friendly and professional. Incredibly hard-working, a credit to the Marmot team. J Hallett. Cycling holiday in the Dolomites and Stelvio regions of Italy 2019
Sophie Baker

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.
Tim Myers

Lead Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
I was young when I realised I enjoyed helping people & encouraging them to achieve. It started because my mum was a social worker and she organised days out for kids with disabilities. I enjoyed the shared experiences and 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 and meet the people. I didn’t realise how incompatible this can be with modern life that demands careers, pension schemes and stability. A circuitous route involving lots of study and 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 and 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 and indulged my passion for personal development, the great outdoors and working with people. Since then I have had the pleasure to work with diverse groups of people – young, old and 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 and sharing in your achievements.
What our cycling 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 completed 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
Not only very supportive but had a lot of local knowledge as well. J Wilson. Raid Massif Central 2017
Absolutely brilliant! So relaxed, friendly, thoughtful, motivational and fun. I’d love to know his secret for keeping everyone’s spirits up when it starts to rain. Also an inspiring and interesting life story. Thank you so much. M Guy Raid Pyrenean 2017
Very knowledgeable of the island, it’s background, culture and language. In addition, Tim was an excellent bike and van mechanic. S Stodart. Raid Corsica 2017
Spot on, attentive and proactive but at the same time relaxed and fun. R Sharam. Classic Cols of the Dolomites 2018
Tim is an excellent guide and a wonderful ambassador for Marmot. He anticipates every need, almost before we need it. He kept the whole show rolling beautifully with support available at all of the key points that made the rides spectacular. He managed organization and expectations extremely well. On top of that, he is a fabulous guy who led the show but seamlessly also became “one of the guys”. E Boomer. Raid Dolomites 2018
Fantastic support. Very hard working, went above and beyond to ensure our holiday and ride went seamlessly (including a trip to a local; bike shop to fix my bike!). Brilliant guide! S Tobin. Raid Pyrenean 2019
Tim was superb throughout the trip from first thing in the morning right through to the end of the day. He was a constant source of encouragement and was calm and cheerful throughout. Nothing was too much trouble for him. G Borton. Raid Massif Central 2019
Tim is simply a lovely man. Very helpful with great communication. Patient, knowledgeable and with a great sense of humour. P Clark. Raid Massif Central 2019
Passionate and enthusiastic. Nothing too much trouble. Worked like a demon and always in good humour! The patience of a saint! S Charles. Classic Cols of the Dolomites & Stelvio 2019
Tom Mutton

Assistant Guide (Road Cycling Holidays)
I just bloody love bikes – I always have and I always will. Everything about them and everything they bring!
I have worked in the cycle industry for all of my career, from the education sector, working with Sustrans, the national sustainable transport charity, through managing a UK wide cycling brand as a National Cycling Manager in the Leisure industry to working as a Partnerships Manager for the National Governing Body for the sport, British Cycling.
As an experienced club rider and traveller, I am equally happy on a road or MTB and have guided tours all over the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Italy, Sardinia, Mallorca and more.
I am also a tutor and assessor for British Cycling, delivering their L1 & L2 Ride Leadership Awards and their Bikeability National Standards qualifications. I hold a 1st Class Hons degree in Sport & Exercise Science (BASES Cert) and am a qualified Personal Trainer & Coach in Running & Fitness and am the Trainer for GoodGym in Sheffield, a charity that combines getting fit with doing good in your local community!
One of my favourite things about the guiding work I do is the people I meet, helping them along the way and sharing my love of the bike with them.
Qualifications:
British Cycling L2 Ride Leader
British Cycling MTB Leader L2
British Cycling L2 Coach (QCF)
British Cycling L2 MTB Coach (QCF)
Cycling UK Club Ride Leader
Cycling UK Ride Manager
Bikeability – National Standards Instructor Trainer (NSIT)
Cytech L1
ITC Outdoor 1st Aid (SQF L5)
British Red Cross – 1st Aid for Leading Rides
What our cycling clients say about Tom…
Tom was excellent and really encouraging. As I struggled to the top of Hautacam in the most dreadful of conditions and after coming off Tourmalet – he practically carried out a full service on my bike – tightened the brakes, cleaned the wheel rims etc. Really above and beyond also! T. Ryan Pyrenean Classic Cols 2019
Partners & Friends
Frome Business Park

Home to Marmot Tours. The Frome Business Park is a great place to work.
www.fromebusinesspark.com
Ride with GPS

Cycle route planning software with an excellent mobile phone app and an approachable customer service. These guys really listen to feedback and try and put it into action wherever possible.
SRAM

lightweight, high quality components for our hire bike fleet and an exceptionally good aftersales service which extends to training courses on their groupset setup.
Assos

Renowned brand in the world of cycling, for their clothing and their Chamois Creme. We are selling 140ml pots of their cream on our cycling holidays.
Dorset Cereals

Dorset based company making a range of yummy breakfast cereals that we use to supplement hotel breatkfasts. They are a great way to kick start your day in the saddle (especially when the alternative in France is a bit of toasted baguette and a croissant!)
Planet X

Our most recent acquisition of a spare bike is a high spec lightweight carbon framed bike which was excellent value. Their customer service and ability to customise the build will mean us going back to them again for more of the same.
Mavic

They filter the technology from high end wheels into exceptionally good durable and strong wheels that are perfect for our trips and made them an acceptable price. Their wheels are to be found on all of our hire fleet.
Cycling Cols

Creator of col profiles in Europe and further afield. He has given us kind permission to use their col profiles on our website.
Cyclo Club Bearnais

Organisers and Designers of the fabulous route that is the Raid Pyrenean. They have granted us kind permission to use their logo on our Raid Pyrenean souvenir jersey.
First Aid Training Cooperative

Organising first aid courses to business, charities and activity organisations. Training people to save lives.
Coniston Corporate Embroidery

with an excellent range of customisable ‘off the shelf’ products, plus the flexibility to customise brand clothing, we have gone back to this company year after year for help with staff clothing and other company products
Wildoo

UK supplier of cycling products and kit, Wildoo produce our Marmot Tours Phonepacs and Water Bottles. They have a great customer service and range of products.
TeroSports

Designer and supplier of fabulous quality Cycling Jerseys including of course, our own Raid Corsica souvenir jersey.
StickerJar

Never baulk when we ask them if they can make a weird and wonderful sticker in a host of colours for some random labelling on our trips.
FamilyandFriends

A small design and branding company with big agency thinking and experience. Just the right level of perfectionism and fabulous insight into what we wanted in our re-brand (somehow they knew what we wanted before we even knew what we wanted!)
Maya

Friendly, approachable and professional webdesign agency with a perfect balance of design advice and technical knowhow.
Dennis And Turnbull

Experienced and approachable Accountancy firm with knowledge of the complex world of TOMS (the Tour Operator Management Scheme for VAT)
iGeek

Filemaker Pro Software Developers with an emphasis on customer relationships and an excellent team.
Rapanui Clothing

Award winning Eco fashion brand from the Isle of Wight, producing organic cotton products. We chose them for our Classic Cols Souvenir T-shirts for both their values and the quality of their product.
Moo

Designers of expertly crafted business stationary with an emphasis on design and quality.
Buff

Supply us with our Marmot Tours High UV Buff® in Coolmax® fabric. We give these as freebies to all clients on our Raids cycling holidays.
Genie

We turned to Genie to print a gatefold leaflet which had to fit into a cycling jersey pocket and withstand a very warm back! They came up trumps where the competition failed to find a solution. Their super-quick turnaround was the cherry on top of this project.
Rideguard

Design and produce our ‘ass-savers’ that we give away as freebies to all of our Raids clients. These guys are Bristol-based (we like to keep it local where we can) and we love their eco credentials too, using 100% recycled waste plastic.
House of Flags

Produce our feather flags which we use to shout about Marmot Tours when we’re at outdoor events and sportives. Great customer service, competitive pricing and fast turnaround.
Moonshine

With almost twenty years’ worth of experience in all things web, Moonshine are also expert in digital marketing with a strong focus on SEO.
Cycle Miles

The go-to site for all things bike related – a veritable emporium of gifts, kit, gadgets, books, cards and artwork for the bike nut in your life. They really do go the extra mile for you, no matter what you’re looking for.
Cycling Projects

Our Charity of the Year, with their Wheels for All programme. We love that they have a growing network of 50 centres across the UK, all geared to making cycling available to everyone, regardless of their physical or mental abilities. A range of specially adapted bikes and a trusted team of volunteers at each centre make this a fantastic initiative.
NINE

Wholesome seeds are lovingly crafted with the finest ingredients to create great tasting, healthy snacks. Their bars get a big thumbs up from us as they contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, are a source of calcium, they’re gluten and wheat free, high in fibre and are vegan friendly with 100% plant protein. All of our support vans are stocked with a variety of flavours for you to snack on whenever you need a pick me up.
Shirtworks

When designing our new Raids t-shirt, Shirtworks came up with the goods when it came to sourcing the perfect colour grey in a 100% organic cotton tee. Their customer service, competitive price and fast turnaround were just what we needed.
Surf & Turf

The guys at Surf & Turf came up trumps when it came to producing our outdoor events gazebo. Their attention to detail, quality, competitive pricing and fast lead time were all invaluable to us when looking for the right partner for our new piece of kit.
Quad Lock

Quad Lock® is the strongest and most secure mounting system in the UK that integrates your smartphone into an active lifestyle. Here at Marmot we love these cases and have kitted out our vans with the screen mount and wireless charging heads.
Trace Maps

Plotted from your GPS data to depict your exact route, tracemaps make great gifts for the adventurer in your life. Journey statistics, print size, orientation and framing options are all customisable by you. The blend of adventure and achievement found in our holidays embodies the type of journeys Tracemaps set out to illustrate.
200 Degrees Coffee

Cyclist love coffee and so do we in the Marmot Tours office.
Quality is everything and we really like 200 Degrees Coffee. We cannot recommend them enough.
They offer a great online ordering service for individuals as well as businesses.