Bikestyle Tours with Adam Gill
Adam Gill is the owner of Bikestyle Tours. He has generously offered to be interviewed and share his expertise about cycling tours, which the company has been offering since it was established in 1996. As ‘French Views’ is mostly about France, I have asked Adam to focus on his experience of cycling in France; however, his company also offers much more.
Carole: Hi Adam. Thank you for being a part of the French Views community. Can you please tell us how you were introduced to cycling and what do you love most about it?
Adam: I have always been extremely active for as a long as I can remember. I think I nearly drove my mother crazy with the amount of energy that I had. I was initially more of a runner and really only cycled as part of training for triathlons (up to Ironman distance). I started to enjoy cycling more and more and it was a little ‘friendlier’ on the body – so to speak. A good friend suggested I go and try a criterion race for some fun and that is where I really feel in love with cycling and I learnt about the amount of strategy that goes into racing. Going for a ride with friends, add in a race and then finish off at the coffee shop, it’s the perfect recipe for a great day out and filling up the cup of wellbeing.
Adam, holding the camera, enjoys cycling the quiet roads around Mazamet
Carole: Have you been involved in other sports?
Adam: Yes, plenty! I was a pretty good squash player as a junior and started playing Rugby as a teenager. I started running a lot and moved into triathlons to mix things up. But in general; if it was a sport and outdoors I would give it a go. My poor daughter grew up in a running/cycling stroller! And yes, before you ask, she can ride a bike and has a competitive streak in her!
Carole: I first met you in 2009. You were a cycling guide on a 10 Day Alpes and Ventoux to Paris trip, operated by Bikestyle Tours. The trip followed a section of the route of the Tour de France that year. My husband, Chris, was a cyclist and I enjoyed the non-cyclist activities.
Can you please tell us how you came to be working for the company? Had you visited France before working as a cycle guide?
Bikestyle Tours comraderie
Adam: Interestingly, my first introduction to Bikestyle Tours was a case of chance and having some great friends. I had completed a cycling coaching course because I had developed such a passion for cycling, and I wanted to share this with other people. This led to me offering some cycling coaching sessions. I came to meet one of my closest friends (Rob) via these sessions who had travelled with Bikestyle Tours a few years earlier. Fast forward a couple of years and we had organised a private trip to the 2008 Giro for 30 friends with Bikestyle Tours. At that stage another great friend was the lead Italian guide on the trip (Fred Morini ex-pro cyclist) and both Fred and Rob asked the owners of Bikestyle Tours if they could use me as a guide for the trip. Lucky for me they said yes. I was originally going to the Giro as a guest, but I ended up going as a guide. After the Giro trip my wife come over to Europe and we had a holiday together and just before heading home Lawrie and Natalie, the owners of Bikestyle Tours, asked if I wanted to stay in Europe for a few more weeks and guide at the Tour de France. My unbelievably understanding wife agreed to fly home and I stayed and guided at the TDF. All of these events led to the incredible outcome of being asked to return each year to be a guide on trips. My wife remained understanding and supported my passion.
Carole: Since 2009, the business changed hands and you are now the owner. How did this opportunity come your way?
Adam: It would be easy to say it all happened by chance. But being a part of the Bikestyle Family meant a lot to me. It had become a part of my DNA. Lawrie and I were speaking one day and the topic come up about the possibility of them selling the business. We talked some more and realised the timing was not right for both of us. Fast forward a few years and the topic came up again. This time around, Lawrie and Natalie were ready to exit, and Martine and I were in the right position. Honestly it was really easy decision in my head and heart, but as equally scary making this big change in our lives. But with the support of my wife, we took this leap of faith.
Happy Bikestyle Tours customers celebrating the achievement of climbing the mountains
Carole: Did you ever imagine operating a business in an overseas location? Do you mind sharing some of your challenges and rewards?
Adam: Absolutely not! I was in a great job for 20 years but wanted to push myself and what better way than try something you love to do! The bonus was - it is a business you get to travel the world to the best riding locations you can imagine. On top of that you meet the most amazing people, many of whom are really dear friends.
Challenges - I am a home body and miss my family terribly when I am away. It makes it a little easier as we have great friendships and support overseas so it is a home away from home. Obviously COVID has been less than ideal, but the support and trust from our guests has been overwhelming and I can’t wait to get going again.
Rewards - meeting amazing people and getting to share amazing experiences with them. You never get tired of seeing the excitement when someone climbs Alpe D’Huez for the first time. As my wife said when she visited the TDF for the first time, now she understands why people travel half way around the world to ride a bit. That is incredible to be a part of and something we take great pride in doing.
Imagine cycling in Paris!
Carole: I read the story in your last newsletter about a particularly special day during the Tour de France of 2016 when you had 5 different trips running and you managed to bring everyone together for one special event on the Côte de Domancy in the Alpes. When your company is based in Australia, the logistics of running this kind of operation is an incredible feat. How do you manage to bring everything together for your customers; including providing cycling guides, accommodation, transportation and even bike hire in a foreign country?
Adam: Planning, planning, planning. We have an eye for detail and I have amazing staff. Sometimes a bit of luck plays into it, and lastly planning for the unexpected! Finding people who have experience, but that they also share in your passion is really important. We plan trips with the ethos that this is an incredible life experience for our guests and giving that the full attention and credit it deserves.
Carole: Do you speak French? If not much, how do you manage to liaise with all of the French businesses involved when preparing and conducting your trips?
Adam: I know enough French to get myself into trouble, I should know more than what I do. It is a lot easier to communicate now then 10 years ago which is great. The downside is you rely on English too much. We have a great group of French guides and staff who deal with complex negotiations just to make things quicker and having great relationships will all of our suppliers in France is critical to running a great trip.
Friendly Bikestyle Tour guide with the locals
Carole: There are other companies offering cycle trips to follow the Tour de France. What do you think puts Bikestyle Tours ahead of the rest?
Adam: We pride ourselves on attention to detail and being able to adapt on the run. It is France after all and you need to expect the unexpected. Outside of planning, having the right staff/ guides is everything. Not so much about their riding ability as they are all amazing cyclists, but it is ‘people skills first’ and ‘being able to ride a bike second’. We also like to have a female guide on each of our trips, not only to have some company for our female guests but also it keeps the super serious riders under control. All of our female guides are unbelievable cyclists and it is always funny when some of the guests challenge the female guides on a climb and ultimately get smoked. For example, one of our previous guides Narelle, who now has a beautiful family, managed to ride up the Col de Romme with a loose chainring and made it look effortless. As it turned out her partner who was riding for one of the biggest pro cycling teams in the world decided to take some of her chain ring bolts and place them on his bike because his bike was making too much noise. When we went to fix the bike after the climb up Col de Romme we realised that she was riding a standard chain ring (very hard gear) compared to all of us and it was loose. Truly unbelievable effort all done with a smile!
Bikestyle Tours experienced guides are ready to help you achieve your cycling goals. Narelle is still smiling!
Carole: If cyclists are interested in taking a cycle trip with you, what level of fitness would they need to have?
Adam: I think the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the trip. It is not about riding fast but if you travel halfway around the world to ride your bike you want to be able to comfortably ride 2 hours at a time, including some climbing. We like to promote our trips as a cycling holiday and not a training camp, but it is important to know you are riding in the French Alpes etc. The climbs are challenging.
Carole: Is there a particular region of France that you would recommend for cyclists who don’t want to climb mountains?
Adam: The Loire Valley and Brittany is beautiful and plenty of amazing villages and wineries to visit. While you don’t have huge climbs in those regions the riding can be a struggle after a long lunch in a vineyard.
Cycling the flatter roads in Burgundy
Carole: What is your best tip for a non-cyclist to enjoy the Tour whilst travelling in France?
Adam: We have a ‘spectator only’ trip to the Tour de France which is hugely popular. The TDF is one of those iconic sporting events you must see once in a lifetime and you don’t need to be a cyclist to enjoy the race, food and atmosphere.
Fun for everyone, cyclists and non-cyclists can enjoy Le Tour and much more. Here’s a happy group celebrating at ‘Le Train Bleu’ restaurant in Paris.
‘Le Train Bleu” is a wonderful experience that I wrote about in an earlier post
https://www.frenchviews.com.au/my-journal/le-train-bleu-restaurant-in-paris
Carole: Is it ever too late for a non-cyclist to begin cycling and, potentially, follow the Tour?
Adam: Absolutely not. Most of our guests are 50 years plus and we have a range of trips to suit a serious to social rider. You don’t have to be a serious cyclist to enjoy going out for a ride with friends and enjoy the amazing scenery of the alpine regions.
Relaxing on Hautacam in the Pyrenees
Carole: Do you have a favourite ride in France? What is your absolute favourite ride anywhere in the world?
Adam: There are too many great places to ride in France to pick one. Most of my favourite rides are more about the experience with friends or a really epic day rather than a specific climb. If I had to pick 1 ride in France, it would be Mont Ventoux. It is super hard and you can see it from anywhere in the region. The descent is technical as you generate speed really quickly.
Adam heading to the summit of Mont Ventoux
My absolute favourite ride in the world is the Stelvio in Italy. Especially in late May early June with snow on the upper part of the climb. The first time I ever rode the climb we were on our way down, and back 13 years ago the tunnels on the climb didn’t have lights in them so basically you couldn’t see much once you entered the tunnel. We were coming through one tunnel at a pretty good speed when all of the sudden on the road was a water bottle, than a bike and finally a cyclist (a local Italian rider) who was laying in the middle of the road after running straight into the wall of the tunnel. It was crazy. I had never ridden anything like it. Now all the tunnels have lights but the first time I every rode the climb I was hooked!
The famous Stelvio, Italy. Adam’s favourite ride.
Carole: Is there a particular region of France you like best? Why?
Adam: Easy, the Occitanie region where we have our European HQ. We are in a village called Mazamet, 80km from Toulouse. The riding is amazing, the people are fantastic and there is great access to the Alpes, Pyrenees, Spain, Italy etc. It is our home away from home.
Pretty village of Mazamet in south-west France, the base of Bikestyle Tours European HQ.
Carole: Besides the Tour de France and before Covid, you were also offering a variety of other overseas cycling options. Are you able to offer any cycling trips in Australia?
Adam: Sadly we had a few domestic trips scheduled in Australia in 2020 and 2021, but the border closures forced us to cancel all but a few trips. We will have a new domestic schedule for 2022 and hopefully confidence will increase so we can get back on our bikes.
Tour of California has been an option with Bikestyle Tours in the past.
Carole: When you travel overseas, just for yourself, describe your perfect day … where are you, what season is it, what are you doing and what are you eating?
Adam: I would be travelling with my family visiting my best friend and his family in Umbria, Italy. The food is amazing and you are made to feel like family by everyone in the village. The only downside is you eat far too much. There is always a small festival on and the whole town comes together and as Australian guests you are a bit of a novelty so you get dragged into everything.
Carole: If readers have questions or would like more information, what is the best way they can contact you?
Adam: Very simple, jump on our website or send me an email
Carole: Thank you so much for sharing your story, Adam … and, of course, for all of the great pics too!
Even more pics on the Bikestyle Tours Instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/bikestyletours/
À bientôt.
PS - Today I received the most recent Bikestyle Tours newsletter in my inbox. Bookings are now open for 2022!
Imagine yourself enjoying the best views of France on a guided tour with Bikestyle Tours. Contact Adam for more details and reserve your spot for a future trip.
