Where do cyclists look for accommodation?

[ddexea]

Although we are a family with 11 bikes we are not cyclo-tourists. We would like to offer a couple of beds and a field for camping along with our large garage for repair work for bikes, drying tents etc. Please could you advise where you cyclists look for such facilities so we can advertise effectively. Thank you. We know we are on lejog route but may be near to others as well, how do we tell?

[robgul]

www.cycle-endtoend.org.uk has a growing Directory (although not camping . . . yet) and there's also Beds for Cyclists (some of which are on the E2E site)

Rob (the E2E site is mine)

[ddexea]

thanks, have posted the property details on your site, ref Clift Hill

[Mick F]

When I've been planning my accommodation, I've Googled the town/area to see what comes up.

I then look at the places that appeal to me and write a shortlist with telephone numbers and phone them and ask about cycle facilities etc. The places that stand out to me are places in towns near shops and pubs, that are reasonably priced, have somewhere to stow my precious bike, and are able to do a breakfast at 7am.

Some of the hits on Google are part of a website for the town and then you can refine the search a little. Having a website of your own could be better and more individual - especially if you highlight the cycling part and LEJOG etc.

[barneybear69]

I did the same as MickF.
I created a spreadsheet with areas I thought I'd make it to on the night with facilities, prices, contact details etc then rang ahead normally on the day.
Secure bike storage is normally the number one priority I find for most cyclists.
Yep, good advice (again) setup a small (free) blog which just looks like any other website and make sure you have relevant terms that people will search for eg accommodation, cycling, bikes, Blackburn, camping etc etc
Contribute on forums like this and you'll soon get noticed.
Good luck

[JohnCKirk]

You could also submit your facilities to the "Cyclists Welcome" section of the main CTC website:
http://www.ctc-maps.org.uk/cyclists_welcome/

[tippy]

I got a bit stuck due to leaving booking late. I just went to google maps and put bed and breakfast in the search bar. It'll then highlight all B&B's it knows about for the map area your looking at.
Another contributor from here was good enough to send me his accommodation list which meant there was a few less places to hunt down.
As others have said, during the call I clarified:

1. Secure bike storage - top priority, and get them to describe exactly what it is. I had one place where I questioned what I was told on the phone, they had no secure storage but after a discussion did let me put it in my room.
2. Earliest I could leave in the morning for when I had a long day
3. Nearest place to eat and get a pint! (very important, after 70 miles or so per day all I wanted in the evening was a shower, food and sleep)

My accommodation list is on my website with comments if you think it would be useful.

[daveg]

I always use the local tourist information. They know what's what and I've always got good places through them.