Update: 20th March
The routes from both Oxford and Kingham stations are on the runs library. I would be most grateful if everyone who has booked would confirm how they plan to travel; also if they are going by car or van – and they have space for someone to travel with them (or have room just for a bike or bag), please reply directly to Heather
A WhatsApp group for the Cotswolds has been created; respond to Ken if you wish your name to added or deleted from this group.
Update 5th March
Please do not forget to transfer your balance into the Meridian bank account by 30th April at the absolute latest.
Travel to HF Holiday in the Cotswolds
We have discovered a potential problem with train travel to Bourton on the Water. There are 2 main cycle routes which will be put up on the website. The shorter is from Kingham Station which is about 8-9miles from the Hotel and should take less than an hour. The other option is to take the train to Oxford Station which is about 27 miles and not too hilly. Both stations are served by GWR which means that bikes have to be booked on all trains leaving from Paddington to Kingham and Oxford. Only 2-4 bike spaces are available on these trains. The Kingham service is only hourly. There are some trains from Marylebone to Oxford on which bikes do not need to be booked. Advance tickets will be put on sale 12 weeks prior to the booking.
In addition the return also presents a problem as we have to be out of London before 4pm (or after 7pm), which the slower riders may find it difficult to achieve.
We would like to suggest that where possible the shorter route is kept for the B2 riders, so the As and B1s ride from Oxford. In addition where people have the option of taking their bike in their cars, this leaves space for those who do not have this option. If you have a spare place in your car / bike rack or van we would be grateful if you felt able to offer it to our members. If you have any questions or feel you can help please contact me.
If you decide to go on the train, I have learnt that one needs to set up an account on the GWR site, then book the bike place first, you will be given a code if you are successful then you pay for your ticket.
I have decided to drive and plan to get there early then go sightseeing either by car or bike. We can book into the hotel from 4pm.
Heather
Update 1st March
Just under 4 months until we go to the Cotswolds and I wanted to give you an update. I would like confirm that everyone who booked got the room they requested, unless I have spoken to them.
The holiday has been popular and we have a waiting list, so if you feel that you may not be able to attend it would be really helpful if you could inform me as soon as possible as if I am able to fill your booking we would be able to return your £75/person deposit.
Some good news for everyone, as we have filled the house we have been able to negotiate an additional saving (the price we advertised to you had a saving of £70/person over the brochure price), this is subject to the numbers remaining high when we pay the final balance. This would be a further discount of approximately 13% person off your final balance for example if you were in a classic room your total cost of your room with all your food was £509 for the 4 nights. You have all paid £75 deposit. Thus your final balance would be:
£509
-£75 deposit -13% discount
——————
£368 final balance to pay
The final balance needs to be transferred into the Meridian Bank account before the 30th April, it would be most helpful if you would email Chris Simms at the same time to advise him that you have made the transfer. Chris will email everyone to let you know your final balance owing at the beginning of April.
We would be most grateful if you would let me know if you would like to cancel now, which may result in your deposit being refunded if we can fill your space. This would also help us to keep the full occupancy, as the additional discount is subject to this. If we find that we do not achieve the occupancy level we will then charge everyone the full amount you expected to pay as we will have to pay this to HF. (using my previous example this would be £509 – deposit of £75 = £434).
Travel information to follow.
Heather
Update Jan 2023
The group coordinators will be:
B2 Dave Collier
Leaders for rides will be Di, and Dave will lead 2 rides himself. Heather to lead from Station to hotel and will have Garmin to support Dave.
B1 McClenaghan
Joe will approach people to lead for this group
As Danny Gazzi
Danny will be the coordinator working with Barry. They will talk to A1 riders (3 or 4 people) and decide whether or not to have a single A group.
Some people will travel by car others by train. Everyone will make their own plans. We will remind people to who wish to use trains to book train tickets 3 months in advance to get the best price. I have not checked whether or not one has to book bikes on trains. For those using the train and not wishing to cycle in the centre of London – we suggest they plan to use their preferred route to London, they can then use the Elizabeth line to Paddington then take the train to Kingham.
Heather 23 Jan 2023
Published Summer 2022
I am pleased to say that we have a provisional booking for the HF Hotel, Harrington House; in the Cotswolds. The holiday is for 4 nights from the 26th June 2023 and requires a £75 deposit to secure your place.
HF Holidays are the same organisation who owns the Isle of Wight hotel we went to in 2021, which was extremely well reviewed by our members. At the moment I have the entire house on hold to ensure as many members can join us if they wish. This also means we have all the available single rooms, in addition they are allowing us to pay single room supplements to have sole occupancy of the twin/double rooms if people prefer a larger room or all the singles have been reserved.
There are 3 different categories of room: Classic, Premium and Superior, the difference is based on size and view; all rooms are on-suite with Tea & Coffee making facilities, TV and Wi-Fi. The cost inclusive of Breakfast, packed lunch and 3 course evening meal for a Classic room for 4 nights is £509 per person.
If you wish to upgrade add the following supplements: Premium + £20/night/person, Superior +£25/night/person, Single supplement for an individual using a double room + £50/person/night. (NB if choosing a single there is a choice between Classic and Premium).
Partners are welcome and maps of walking routes are available at the hotel. Please click on the following link to see some of the rooms and to read more about the hotel.
Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water – HF Holidays .
To see the rooms follow the tab ‘About’ when on the Harrington House page.
If you would like to join the trip please:
1. email me stating the room category you would like (1st and 2nd choice please).
2. Make a bank transfer of £75 into the Meridian bank account (see below) – please put you surname as a reference.
3. The final date for bookings is the 17th August 2022.
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF SINGLE ROOMS AVAILABLE (with no single room supplements); THESE WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED- ON THE BASIS OF PAYMENT OF THE £75 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT.
PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IS MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION.
• We remind you that club is not acting as agent for the hotel and carry no responsibility for non-performance of their contractual responsibilities.
• Riders are advised to inspect the relevant websites to satisfy themselves that they are able to fully comply with the latest governmental Covid requirements.
• When sharing with another person, both people are jointly and severally liable for the full cost of the room.
• Participating riders are assumed to be fully vaccinated.
• Should anyone fall ill during the holiday it is their personal responsibility to arrange for medical care and any delay in their return home. You are encouraged to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover.
Payment should be made by online transfer using the details below
Meridian Cycling Club
Sort Code: 09 06 66
A/C No: 43226774
Please add the reference ‘your name’ to all online transfers
Heather 26/6/2