CyclingforsoftiesReviews of cyclingforsofties.com

Extremely disappointing experience with Cycling for Softies, particularly given that we are repeat customers. We were due to travel as part of a group of around 15 people and had to cancel just two places because of an unexpected medical issue requiring surgery. The rest of the group is still travelling, so this was not a cancellation of the overall booking. Despite the circumstances, Cycling for Softies have refused to offer any refund at all for the two people cancelling, including accommodation, meals and bike hire that will now not be used. Their position is simply that because the cancellation was within 21 days, 100% of the money paid is retained. What makes this particularly frustrating is that we have since established that at least some of the accommodation providers themselves would be willing to refund the cancelled rooms. No meals will be eaten, no bikes will be used, and we specifically asked Cycling for Softies to approach their suppliers and try to minimise the actual loss. This is also our second booking with Cycling for Softies, having previously travelled with them as another large group. Given the repeat business and the fact that 13 people are still going ahead with this trip, I would have expected some reasonable flexibility rather than a blanket refusal to refund any part of two cancelled places. We completely understand that a late cancellation may result in genuine costs and would never expect Cycling for Softies to absorb those. What I do not think is reasonable is retaining 100% where elements of the holiday can potentially be refunded by suppliers or simply will not be consumed. Sadly, the way this has been handled means I would not book with Cycling for Softies again and could not recommend them to others.

Second cycling for softie’s holiday, the first was 7 years ago and very good. This trip was poor. This trip was ‘Taste of Tuscany’. Communication was very poor when we were trying to plan our trip and emails were ignored. The staff were surly in thier responses or simply did not reply. The hotels on the tour were very average in the main and poor on one occasion. The planned route was mostly on very busy A roads, we ended up planning our own routes.

We (husband and I) have just had a fantastic four-day trip cycling in the Loire with this company. Chris, the friendly, likeable British rep living in the Loire, was consistently helpful in response to our needs and queries. Neither of us had been on bikes for a couple of years - unwise but true! My husband was fine on his bike for the trip, but by the start of day 2, due to the hills we'd been up the previous day - not really steep but a struggle for me - I realised I needed a bit of extra help so Chris suggested an e-bike, something I'd never used before and was slightly nervous about, but decided to try. He delivered it to our hotel (the wonderful La Marine de La Loire) and it was a revelation, made the riding that day especially fun. I needed a slightly smaller one however, so again Chris delivered this to our hotel in good time for the next day's cycling. We appreciated that he was always quickly available to listen to what we needed, cared about our having a happy and comfortable holiday ,and efficient in coming up with the goods. Many thanks to you Chris. The hotels and restaurants organised by the company exceeded expectations, and the scenery/weather was absolutely fantastic. The restaurant Nemrod, in Chinon, served what we felt was the best meal each of us had ever had. We're greatly looking forward to the next holiday with CfS, wherever that may be.

Booked a holiday for 12 people in Extremadura, advertised as castles and paradors of western Spain. Of the 6 nights we were away, only 2 were in hotels that matched this description. One place was shocking. We had last minute changes to hotels, lost luggage but most disappointing of all, on an ebike holiday, we had e bikes that didn't work. Pretty fundamental. This was supposed to be a fun and relaxed holiday (we are all late 50s), not a nightmare keep fit experience. One day we had to separate as some bikes were just not functioning. Overall, not a great trip, despite the wonderful countryside, for the most part delicious food and incredibly hospitable Spanish people. Customer service non existent. When we got back, I messaged the head of client services, Murray Dee, but have not had a response. I would say Cyclingforsofties should be avoided.