The weekend of 6 February 2010 saw Penrith host the 6th Annual International Guides Weekend for the UK’s leading cycling holiday provider Saddle Skedaddle in conjunction with Steve Woods of Adventure Cycling based in Penrith.
Chosen for its great rail and road links from throughout the UK including many regional airports, and it’s closeness to the Lakes, Penrith was recently the base for a 30 strong group of guides who came from all corners of the UK and Europe including Spain, Sardinia, Norway, Bulgaria and even as far a field as Peru.
Based at the United Reform Church on Lowther Street for the weekend the group were involved in:
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An intensive First Aid course (necessary for their MIAS – Mountain Bike Award Scheme, qualification) run by Alasdair Rutherford of Alfast of Fell Lane, Penrith
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A bike maintenance course in conjunction with Dave of TSW Cycles and the UK’s leading bike manufacturer Giant Bikes
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MIAS Training on the off road trails in and around Penrith, Ullswater and Askham Fells
It is important that all the elements that are needed for this kind of training can be found in Penrith from food from Beacon Bakery to warmer clothing from Arragons Cycles.
Accommodation for the weekend was at Norcroft Bed and Breakfast on Graham Street which provided not only tasty and filling breakfasts, with new requests for hot milk for coffees from the Sardinian party, but also were at hand to provide a well deserved cuppa following biking in the chilly February weather and point us in the right direction when we were in need of a little ‘light refreshment’.
With the group frequenting The Lowther Arms for some traditional ales and fayre on the Friday and the legend that is Costas Tapas Bar on Saturday, it really went to show the great variation of food and drink that Penrith has to offer.
For more information about the International Guides Weekend contact Steve Woods of Adventure Cycling email: steve@adventurecycling.co.uk
