Open Road Open Skies
Cycling is the Goldilocks of travelling
Their philosophy is to find and plan unique tours which grab your attention and make you sit up and think, Yes, thats the cycling adventure for me. Their adventure tours first have to excite them before they think about offering them as a tour. Their twelve years of bike touring across multiple countries and continents has shown the importance of a well thought-out and planned trip; in organising your tours - they use their experience to enable your experience of cycle touring to be as amazing as possible.
They are a family-run business with such a passion for touring that they want to share it with as many people as possible. The fresh air, the great outdoors, history, food, people along with gently (or vigorously!) discovering new areas of the world will bring a whole new meaning to the world of travel. They love cycling and believe cycling is the Goldilocks of travelling. Walking is just too slow, driving is way too fast, pedalling through the country is just right.
Coast, Glens and St Patrick's Trail Tour
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
7 days (Bike: 6 days)
188 mi (~31mi per day)
Active cyclist
On-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 995
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
What a way to kick off the St Patrick's Day celebrations by touring around the area where he first began his journey in Ireland. From where he was put to work as a slave round Slemish when he was first brought to Ireland, to where he established his first church after returning to Ireland, to his grave site and much more inbetween.
We also visit other iconic and legendary places including The Giant's Causeway, The Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrickfergus Castle, while wandering through world famous towns and cities like Belfast - birth place of the Titanic, Antrim-the city with two St. Patrick Cathedrals and Downpatrick where the patron saint himself was laid to rest.
This tour takes in some of the most stunning scenery in Ireland: Torr Head and it's views across the water to the Mull of Kintyre, the dark and imposing Mourne Mountains on the way to Newry and Armagh. It also gives you the chance to experience Irish folk legends first hand; learn how Fionn Mac Cumhaill built the enchanting and bewildering Giant's Causeway or you could learn about modern Irish history with a walking tour of Belfast.
And finally, during the days leading up to the Big Day, find out about the man himself, his life, his legacy and his final resting place.
This is a six day/six night tour with the last night being the 15th March in Armagh, giving you plenty of time to get to where you want to be on the 16th for the big celebration on the 17th.
Historical South Coast to Coast Tour
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
8 days
265 mi (~33mi per day)
Active cyclist
Supported
Prices from
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
Starting in the coastal town of Portishead, looking over the Severn Estuary, finishing almost 250 miles east in Kings Lynn sitting on The Wash.
A coast to coast trip through historical southern England, it's a ride lasting 8 days and nights and taking in the most famous cultural places in The UK including Oxford and Cambridge- places that need no introduction, The city of Bath - a UNESCO World Heritage site, and market towns and cities like Portishead, Kings Lynn, Marlborough and Bristol. We also pass through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as The Cotswolds, North Wessex Downs, Chilterns, and the Norfolk Coast.
Highlands and Islands Cycling Holiday
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
5 days (Bike: 5 days)
Active cyclist
On-road
Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 850
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
Wild and wonderful fully supported cycling adventures on the north-west coast of Scotland
Our supported tours in Scotland are tailor-made to suit each individula group. Our mapped tour below starts in Glasgow, follows the Clyde cycle route and the Loch Lomand cycle path. We then transfer you to the Caladonian Way where you would ride into Oban. From here you would get a ferry to Castlebay on the islae of Barra and the beginning of the Hebridean Way cycle route along the Outer Hebrides. This can also be booked for just the Hebridean Way.
We can also offer bespoke tours along the Caledonian Way, among the Inner Isles as well as Loch Lomand and the Outer Hebrides.
These tours can only be booked on a group basis and is not open to join for single riders. It can be amended to suit your groups needs.
An amazing tour, journeying through truly iconic places such as Glasgow and the Clyde, Loch Lomond, the Highlands, the Caledonian Way and the islands lying on the edge of the Atlantic. The islands and Highlands are stunningly beautiful and each part different in its own right. It's a region steeped in Gaelic heritage, with its own flora and fauna including many birds of prey soaring overhead.
Hadrian's Wall
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
5 days
150 mi (~30mi per day)
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 395
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
Saunter across the North! Our 5 day/4 night tour is first and foremost a touring holiday. The five days on the saddle gives you the time to really look around and spend time in the places that grab you. This is truly a tour for people looking to discover what the north is all about.
Hadrian's Wall was built almost two millennia ago and was constructed during the reign of the Andalusian Roman Emperor and still bears his name. This 144 mile route traverses the ancient Roman barrier or empire frontier from East to West. The trip, which meanders through the world heritage site, takes in castles, national parks and areas of natural beauty.
Starting on the West coast at Whitehaven, this trip follows the coast northwards before turning East to follow the ancient border across the northern landscape, before finishing in South Shields, just south of Newcastle. This ride through the wildest of English countryside offers breathtaking countryside vistas along with coastal views both East and West.
The ride through this World Heritage Site has everything an adventurer could hope for, from magnificent views and quaint villages to ancient Roman forts and English castles.
Coastal Wales Tour
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
4 days
103 mi (~26mi per day)
Leisure cyclist
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 345
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
This is a fantastic tour traversing along the most northern part of Wales. Starting from the port town of Holyhead at Anglesey, the largest Welsh Island, across the North coast of Wales to the walled city of Chester, just inside the English border. It's a tour full of heritage, charm, culture and consonants.
This scenic 103 mile and 4 day ride passes through a multitude of Welsh coastal towns on the way to the English border, including Conwy, Bangor and Llandudno along with numerous other towns. The mountain range of Snowdonia provides the backdrop to this heritage-rich trail, ensuring a beautiful ride.
North Wales via Snowdonia Tour
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
4 days
106 mi (~27mi per day)
Leisure cyclist
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 345
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
From the Irish Sea to the English border and across, cycling over the largest Welsh island and through the vast areas of natural beauty that is Snowdonia National Park.
Snowdonia, known in Welsh as Eryri – the place of eagles, is a place where many bird species can be seen including Ospreys, Buzzards, Hen Harriers and if you're lucky Peregrine Falcons.
This 106 mile- 4 day tour takes you through the heart of glorious Snowdonia on your way through North Wales. Your start point is Holyhead on Holy Island before crossing Angelsey. From Bangor on the mainland you head south-east deep into Snowdonia National Park. Going over the mountain pass Pen-Y-Pass, a popular place to begin climbing Snowdon, the views are impeccable. From Betws-Y-Coed you head north, into the foothills of Snowdonia and the rolling hills of North Wales, until you meet the River Dee's estuary. Here you pass over the border into England and Chester, the ancient walled Roman city.
Forest, Lakes and Dales
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
3 days
150 mi (~50mi per day)
Avid cyclist
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 345
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
This short tour/weekend tour takes in three of England's most iconic national parks and areas of natural beauty; The Forest of Bowland, The Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales. It is a challenging route, and not for novices, as the routes average around 50 miles a day and feature some gorgeous climbs which reward the cyclist immensely with some amazing views each day.
The tour begins in the small Lancashire town of Whalley, on the southern edge of The Forest of Bowland and nestled into the Ribble Valley. Its most famous attraction is the Whalley Abbey, which dates back to the 14th century and the red brick Whalley Viaduct which spans the River Calder, and is serviced by train and bus.
Way of the Roses Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
4 days (Bike: 4 days)
170 mi (~43mi per day)
Leisure cyclist
On-road
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 495
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
Coast to coast cycling holiday across Lancashire and Yorkshire
The Way of the Roses is a 170 mile (274 km) route through some of the most scenic and historic places in England. Open Road Open Skies offer flexible cycling holidays across the Way of the Roses for groups of all sizes. Beginning in Lancashire coastal town of Morecambe it crosses the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland, through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale, across the Vale of York as well as passing over the Yorkshire Wolds on it’s way to the Yorkshire coastal town of Bridlington on the east coast.
It’s a tour of differing terrain, fantastic views and historical cities, not to mention the picturesque towns and villages you pass through along the way. The Yorkshire Dales is a glorious place to cycle; changing colours throughout the day, dry stone walls in unbelievable numbers, roads snaking up hills, not to mention the welcome, food and local brews. The cities of York and Lancaster need no introduction and are fabulous places to visit, full of fantastic history and buildings, and members of England’s thirteen Heritage Cities.
Being between Lancaster and Morecambe, one mile from the start point of the Way of the Roses, we consider this one of our home tours. We know the Way of the Roses route inside out; having completed it a number of times by bike and driven it countless times, we consider ourselves to be experts on the route, the available accommodation and diversions that can be taken along the way.
White Villages of Andalusia
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
Spain
5 days (Bike: 5 days)
325 km (~65km per day)
Avid cyclist
On-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 725
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
Cycling Los Pueblos Blancos in Sierra de Cadiz
Tours run from October to April every year. We have four set tour dates for these supported tours for people to join and we also provide bespoke tours for groups outside of these dats. Each tour begins in Jerez, the home of sherry, before heading into the Sierra Cadiz. Tour A has a cycle guide and vehicle support and averages 30 miles/ 50 km per day while Tour B averages 40 miles / 65 km per day. Each tour includes five nights B&B accommodation, transfers before and after the tour from Seville/Malaga and Jerez, luggage transfers, Lunch and vehicle support. Bikes rental and extra nights accommodation at the beginning or end of the tour available. Tour A finishes in Osuna while Tour B finishes in Seville.
The set tours are challenging with fantastic climbs up over the Sierra de Grazalema, with the main climb a 14 km ascent up to Puerto de la Boyar. The tours are supported so anyone looking for an easier ride up to the pass can always jump in the van!
Way of the Roses Cycling Holiday
Tour Operator: Open Road Open Skies
United Kingdom
6 days (Bike: 6 days)
170 mi (~28mi per day)
Occasional cyclist
On-road
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 605
Overview
Tour Operator Open Road Open Skies
Coast to coast cycling holiday across Lancashire and Yorkshire
The Way of the Roses is a 170 mile (274 km) route through some of the most scenic and historic places in England. Open Road Open Skies offer flexible cycling holidays across the Way of the Roses for groups of all sizes. Beginning in Lancashire coastal town of Morecambe it crosses the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland, through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale, across the Vale of York as well as passing over the Yorkshire Wolds on it’s way to the Yorkshire coastal town of Bridlington on the east coast.
It’s a tour of differing terrain, fantastic views and historical cities, not to mention the picturesque towns and villages you pass through along the way. The Yorkshire Dales is a glorious place to cycle; changing colours throughout the day, dry stone walls in unbelievable numbers, roads snaking up hills, not to mention the welcome, food and local brews. The cities of York and Lancaster need no introduction and are fabulous places to visit, full of fantastic history and buildings, and members of England’s thirteen Heritage Cities.
Being between Lancaster and Morecambe, one mile from the start point of the Way of the Roses, we consider this one of our home tours. We know the Way of the Roses route inside out; having completed it a number of times by bike and driven it countless times, we consider ourselves to be experts on the route, the available accommodation and diversions that can be taken along the way.