About
Hi – I’m Bernard Dugdale and I’m the managing director of The Chain Gang Cycling Tours.
My personal aim is to provide those with a love of cycling, fresh countryside air, gourmet dining, a thirst for good wine, and an interest in local cultures, the best holiday that can be delivered on two wheels.
This blog provides a behind the scenes glimpse into what it takes for our small team to achieve just that.
Passion, love, France, Italy, cycling, wine, food, more wine, a bicycle break beyond your expectations – it’s all here.
I’d love you to join us on one of our cycling tours in France or Italy.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Bernard, I don’t know if you remember me but I am a friend of Patricia’s, Kristi. I rode two of your tours. I have friends who are interested in doing a simialar thing. Would you be able to provide hotel booking, bikes and directions for a fee? Let me know. Hope you are keeping well. Kristi
Hello Bernard
Thanks for the recent letter.
I have read it and followed up the links with great interest
Actually since the bike helmet debate, I have modified my views slightly.
I now believe it is arguable that a person wearing a helmet may feel that he has taken sufficient safety precautions and therefore might be correspodingly less careful when out on the road. I also am not so sure about making the wearing of helmets compulsory because it might discourage people from cycling which would be counter productive. I believe that if the state passes a law then it must have the resources to enforce it. Even in our Nanny state that is simply not going to be practical. I will continue to wear one myself
Since Burgundy, Cath and I have enjoyed two cycling city breaks.
The first one was in Barcelona when we hired bikes off ‘The Fat Tyre Cycling Company’ The bikes were very cumbersome and it was abit difficult getting up the hills,but they enabled us to enjoy detailed tours of this city.
Then in February we went to Rome. I forget the name of the company we used, but can easily find out if any one is interested. They rented out very high quality bikes and we were covering 25 to 30 miles per day in central Rome. I did not realise until we did this trip that large areas of Rome consist of small alley ways with very few cars. You often feel like you are in a smalll isolated village when in fact you are very close to the city centre.
I go into a hospital next week for a cardiac operation. The purpose of it is hopefully to cure my atrial fibrilation – the condition I was suffering with last year.
The specialist has advised that ‘people like me who do a lot of exercise seem to be vulnerable to it’
We had expected that I would have to wait until June or July anfd for this reason we decided it would be more practical to book a very late ICS tour – but I am sure we will be back withThe Chain Gnag next year
In your newsletters you often mention Lance. Have you thought of compiling a Mark Cavendish blog? Also have you read the book ‘From Lance to Landis ‘ yet? If not I will send you my copy. I would be interested to hear your views on it. In my case Iam persuaded that he probably did take unlawful substances in his first and possibly
and we could have second Tour wins – but I am still a huge fan!
You are right that after one of your trips we become part of a special gang. This made me wonder if you had ever thought of doing a long weekend tour in Engalnd – say in somewhere like the Cotswolds, Wiltshire Dorset or Devon
I am sure many of your English cyclists would be very interested and we could all have a good reunion
All the best
Ian
Hello Bernard
Thanks for the recent letter.
I have read it and followed up the links with great interest
Actually since the bike helmet debate, I have modified my views slightly.
I now believe it is arguable that a person wearing a helmet may feel that he has taken sufficient safety precautions and therefore might be correspodingly less careful when out on the road. I also am not so sure about making the wearing of helmets compulsory because it might discourage people from cycling which would be counter productive. I believe that if the state passes a law then it must have the resources to enforce it. Even in our Nanny state that is simply not going to be practical. I will continue to wear one myself
Since Burgundy, Cath and I have enjoyed two cycling city breaks.
The first one was in Barcelona when we hired bikes off ‘The Fat Tyre Cycling Company’ The bikes were very cumbersome and it was abit difficult getting up the hills,but they enabled us to enjoy detailed tours of this city.
Then in February we went to Rome. I forget the name of the company we used, but can easily find out if any one is interested. They rented out very high quality bikes and we were covering 25 to 30 miles per day in central Rome. I did not realise until we did this trip that large areas of Rome consist of small alley ways with very few cars. You often feel like you are in a smalll isolated village when in fact you are very close to the city centre.
I go into a hospital next week for a cardiac operation. The purpose of it is hopefully to cure my atrial fibrilation – the condition I was suffering with last year.
The specialist has advised that ‘people like me who do a lot of exercise seem to be vulnerable to it’
We had expected that I would have to wait until June or July anfd for this reason we decided it would be more practical to book a very late ICS tour – but I am sure we will be back withThe Chain Gnag next year
In your newsletters you often mention Lance. Have you thought of compiling a Mark Cavendish blog? Also have you read the book ‘From Lance to Landis ‘ yet? If not I will send you my copy. I would be interested to hear your views on it. In my case Iam persuaded that he probably did take unlawful substances in his first and possibly
second Tour wins – but I am still a huge fan!
You are right that after one of your trips we become part of a special gang. This made me wonder if you had ever thought of doing a long weekend tour in Engalnd – say in somewhere like the Cotswolds, Wiltshire Dorset or Devon
I am sure many of your English cyclists would be very interested and we could all have a good reunion
All the best
Ian
Hiya ! yep don’t worrie, I’ll send a picture. But wich one do you want ? I’ve got lots lol. I found you on facebook and invited you ! ^^.
Can’t wait till you both ( grams and You ) come over to see us !
Bex .: love ya much !
Hello,
I am the bearer of sad news that Albert passed away last tuesday after a short illness.
Hey Bernard,
I am here to see pictures of your china tour..haha
btw, it is a nice picture in the ABOUT part.
Kiko