Braking Away Cycling Tours

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BOOM!! 5 stars again!

Chris Doorly, the man with the big smile. Chris smashed the 10 Icons tour and came back for our Tuscan experience. His good humour and determination on the bike is always welcome. It's fair to say that he's very much part of Braking Away.

A Tour to remember.
Aug 2024 • Solo
“What a memorable few days cycling in Tuscany with Braking Away Cycling Tours, brilliantly organised by Gordon and Ciara. Nothing was too much trouble and attention to detail included a goody bag on arrival. The small group gelled together on and off the bike, the cycling was tough but there was a freedom on the road under the fantastic Amedeo. If you want to see Tuscany and ride into cities like San Gimignano, Siena and Florence, these are the people for you. Just do it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We've done it again. Another 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Adam aka Thor, had retired his bicycle 4 years ago. While he had helped us out on a previous tour, this was his first time as a guest. We managed to convince him to throw the leg over and get back in the saddle. He even managed to organise a thunder storm on the last day!! Here's his take on our Tour of Tuscany.

A great Tuscany experience
Aug 2024 • Solo
Gordon and Ciara looked after everyone so well. Support and water on tap!
Amadeo is a great guide and knows the Tuscany area and food very well so that you can experience the local culture. The true way to drink an espresso! The variety of restaurants really mixed up the week and the views are stunning.
The whole trip has a great vibe and the guests bond together so well, it's great to travel solo or more and meet new people.
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"Best cycling trip ever!"

Louth and Proud!

Thomas may be from the smallest county in Ireland but he has the biggest heart. A true gentleman and fantastic company. If we could have 10 Thomas's on every tour, we'd be a very happy crew. But there is only one Thomas McGeough and we look forward to seeing him again. Thank you Thomas.🚴🙂

Best cycling trip ever!
Aug 2024 • Solo
I can’t recommend Braking Away Cycle Tours highly enough. Gordon & Ciara were fantastic organisers & looked after our every need. From being collected at the airport, staying in a lovely hotel in the heart of Tuscany and then the daily cycle spins on Tuscan roads, it was absolutely fantastic. Thanks guys for an amazing holiday & hopefully see you again.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yet another 5 star review from an Italian lady. Paola is an exceptional rider and loves a challenge. Earlier this year she took on the 10 Icon challenge in the French Alps and came back again to cycle in her native Italy on our Tour of Tuscany. She even has us convinced to look further north to the Dolomites next year. Watch this space.😎

Stress-free Cycling Holiday
Aug 2024 • Solo
Well-organized tour. Routes are well designed and safety and support on the road is granted. Recommended especially if you travel alone and don’t want to stress out about details: you can simply enjoy your days off cycling in beautiful scenic Tuscany, everything else will be taken care of. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We weren’t sure what a native Italian cyclist would make of our take on a Tour of Tuscany. The reviews are in. Thank you Federica (Fed Ex), the girl who always delivered 😎.

"If you like cycling and traveling and being in good company, they are a guarantee!!!
Aug 2024 • Solo
I could only spend 3 days with them, but I would have been there for a month! impeccable organization and a wonderful group!
I would follow them everywhere!" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Only 2 places left. 🚴🏻‍♂️🚴‍♀️🤌🏻🇮🇹
Cycle Tuscany - The Most Beautiful Cycling Routes You Can Imagine.
For one week in August, you will be transported back to ancient Roman Times, to the magnificence of the Renaissance and to one of the cradles of great wine making. Think of endless rows of Cypress trees and vineyards. And to where Da Vinci was believed to have captured, for eternity, his Mona Lisa's smile.
There are 100km and 50 km spins each day. You will have a road captain and support car on every spin.
Stay in Quiet, Old World Luxury - Your base for the week is a stunning Tuscan Palazzo hotel in the heart of the Chianti hills. The hotel boasts spa and relaxation therapies, a swimming pool and elegantly restored rooms.
Half price for non cycling partners - Why not invite your better half to come and join you. Partners are invited to cheer from the balcony for a 50% discount on the Tour price.
Don't miss this amazing Tour and visit www.brakingaway.net for booking details.

Chris wasn't 100% sure about taking on the 10 Icons Tour when he contacted us last year. While no stranger to cycling in the mountains, 6 days in a row and taking on 10 of the toughest Alpine climbs of The Tour de France in a week seemed a step too far. Here's how he got on....

Top of the World with Braking Away!
Jun 2024 • Solo
WOW, what a fantastic tour with BrakingAway.net in the French Alps. What could be better than fine food and accommodation for a week in the mountains- ah maybe cycling up them!
I contacted Gordon and Ciara in the winter looking for an adventure and focus. I had my doubts- I mean you would have to be mad to do 10 iconic climbs in a week!
Gordon and Ciara were so positive and encouraging that I turned up to what could only be described as a positive life experience. Their attention to detail was second to none and Aaron and Amedeo were fantastic especially when the going got tough . . And it did! The group of strangers gelled together in the environment created by Braking Away. It wasn't all about climbing , the downhills were amazing and the trick is you actually don't have to cycle everyday. Go book your next trip with them!
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Cycle Tuscany - The Most Beautiful Cycling Routes You Can Imagine.
For one week in August, you will be transported back to ancient Roman Times, to the magnificence of the Renaissance and to one of the cradles of great wine making. Think of endless rows of Cypress trees and vineyards. And to where Da Vinci was believed to have captured, for eternity, his Mona Lisa's smile.
There are 100km and 50 km spins each day. You will have a road captain and support car on every spin.
Stay in Quiet, Old World Luxury - Your base for the week is a stunning Tuscan Palazzo hotel in the heart of the Chianti hills. The hotel boasts spa and relaxation therapies, a swimming pool and elegantly restored rooms.
Half price for non cycling partners - Why not invite your better half to come and join you. Partners are invited to cheer from the balcony for a 50% discount on the Tour price.

Don't miss this amazing Tour and visit www.brakingaway.net for booking details.

Some snaps of Day 2 of the 10 Icons Tour. Our cyclists take on the Col de la Madeleine and the Col du Glandon. A long day in the saddle but so worth it. Stunning scenery and epic views from both summits.

Our 2025 dates are now on our website and we are taking bookings. Register early to guarantee your place on next years tour.

Register here - www.brakingaway.net
Reviews - https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g186605...

A Powerhouse of a couple!!!!
Meet Clare and Richard. They signed up for our 10 Icons Tour in June 2023 when we met them in Morzine on the day Le Tour arrived into town. They flew up every climb like pro's and smiled all the way. Incredible cyclists and perfect company off the bike. It's safe to say, we love these guys. Only one problem...…they ate our entire supply of Haribo's each day. But we forgive them. Machines!!!! Here's their review of the week. See you in Tuscany next years guys.

10 Icons Tour-wow, a truly amazing challenge and experience!
Jun 2024 • Couples
Just a few words of thanks for a truly amazing cycle tour in France of the 10 Icons, 10 iconic climbs of the Tour du France. Not only were the actual climbs (and descents) thrilling, the scenery was beyond spectacular.

We stayed in gorgeous boutique hotels, ate sumptuous breakfasts and dinners, but what stands out equally, was the dedication and attention to detail from the crew - Gordon, Ciara, Amedeo and Aaron were are all consummate professionals.

Nothing was too much trouble, they were always on hand to assist in anyway. Haribo's aplenty and all manner of snacks at strategic points on the mountain and dry warm clothes at the top to descend.

We jokingly called the crew our stalkers as they were there at every turn with words of encouragement, cheering us on, taking photos, handing us sustenance & drinks and generally a very reassuring presence.

No aspect of our tour was left to chance, they anticipated our every need.

The evening dinners were such fun, not only amazing food but lots of side splitting banter and antidotes.

We were a group of strangers on evening 1 by evening 7 we were arranging to do another Braking Away tour in Italy in 2025-this speaks volumes as to the camaraderie built up over the week, due in no small way to the crew!

A personal note of thanks to Ciara (‘magic hands’) who worked on my super tight leg muscles to alleviate niggling knee pain. So reassuring to have a qualified nurse & physio on the team!

Thank you crew for a fantastic tour.
Clare & Richard
Colorado, USA

10 Icons Tour Part Deux Day 1.

Our clients took on the Col de Joux Plane and Col de la Colombière. The day started out with damp and cold conditions but improved dramatically as all our clients summited both climbs.

A great start to an amazing weeks cycling. 🚴🚴

Dates for our 2025 10 Icons Tours are now on our website and we are already taking bookings. You can check out our reviews here -https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g186605-d23792424-Reviews-Braking_Away_Cycling_Tours-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

Visit www.brakingaway.net for details. Allez!👊

Meet Paola, the woman who refused to give up and conquered the cols. Here's her review of our 2nd 10 Icons tour 2024.
Tripadvisor -
"WOW
Jul 2024 • Solo
It can be easy to give out a 5-star review on Tripadvisor, but this is an *actual* top rated 5 (**1.000** if that were possible) stars review.

I had never climbed a mountain with my bike before, but I nevertheless decided to go for this trip. I just love cycling and the mountains and it sounded like the perfect trip to me. It has actually been perfect and even more so.

Ciara and Gordon and their whole crew have been just amazing (and this
word does not even describe half of how great they all have been to me). Despite my (very!) slow pace with respect to others, they made sure, in each and every way they could, that I would get on top of the most amazing Cols I have ever seen. They gave me constant support, advice (I learnt so much about cycling!), comfort (yes, sometimes that was required!), and they
were ALWAYS, always there when I needed them. They do their amazing job with gigantic passion, for cycling and for the mountains, and you can feel it.
I never felt left out, despite my slow cadence. One of their friends (joining the trip just for fun and not to climb) was happy to be recruited and support/coach me for each and every ride, so that I was never to be alone. Ciara herself did not shy away from grabbing and putting on her cycling kit to join me so that I was not to be left by myself.

Organization was incredible: Ciara, Gordon, and each and everyone of their crew made sure that everyone got what they needed in the exact moment they needed it. No stress for the client, all the stress is on them (and, believe me, you'll see, there can be A LOT of stress up there, for so many reasons).

Stunning places to visit, beautiful hotels, good food. Ciara and Gordon are not just great professionals, but exceptional people, and all the people surrounding them are likewise. Far beyond my expectations, memories from this trip will actually last a lifetime and I will cherish them so dearly - HIGHLY recommended"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We will be releasing 2025 dates for our 10 Icons Tour this week. Visit www.brakingaway.net for details. Allez!👊

Tour De France Stage 4.
A few moments ago, the peloton started their first day in the French Alps. They are headed for the Col du Galibier. In the 111 years of the Tour de France, The Col du Galibier has been crossed 63 times. Braking Away Cycling Tours has brought 2 groups up to the summit in the last 4 weeks. Some would say we are heading in the right direction.😎
If you would like to take on one of the most beautiful climbs on Le Tour de France, we are now taking bookings for our 2025 season. Dates will be announced this week.
Allez!!!!!

Good morning from Alpe d’Huez 🚴🏻‍♂️💪🏻👊🏻🚴‍♀️❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/8TaLZCBDBbVHBJrJ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Riding the Col de la Bonette - Mountain Massif Riding the Col de la Bonette.

Our ladies look happy on top of the Col de la Madeleine 😎💯🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️💪🏻

Completely spoiled by our hosts and happy to say our new forever base in Morzine - Le Petit Dru hotel. Champagne surprise before an amazing 3 course dinner. Tomorrow….We climb 💪🏻🙏🏻

Meet Martin. He's a vet of the 10 Icons tour but his first time cycling with Braking Away Cycle Tours. Here's his take on our 10 Icons;

Brilliant Alpine cycling experience

'I did the ICON 10 tour led by Gordon and Ciara in June 24 with a couple of friends having done the same tour 10 years ago led by Paul Bamford.
It was a great week- Gordon and Ciara had thought of everything, the support on the long climbs was excellent- which we needed more than once given the weather and the general organisation was spot on. They made it easy for us to focus on the cycling while they sorted everything else. I would 100% recommend using them and will certainly be booking further trips with them'
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Meet Humphrey. A very strong cyclist and has many cycle tours under his belt. Here's his summary of the 10 Icons Tour;

"3 of us joined the 10 Icons tour. Wow, fantastic organisation and wonderfully friendly crew allied with a magnificent route made an amazing trip.

Gordon and Ciara (Breaking Away) were the perfect hosts. Obviously lots of work behind the scenes beforehand to sort hotels and admin so that on tour they seemed to focus exclusively on our enjoyment on tour and what great characters they both are, on the road and the in the hotels.

I have every intention of joining them on another tour, so a money where
mouth is recommendation."
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Meet Tim Perkin. The founder and owner of the Cycling Platform - Mountain Massif. He has just posted a review of his experience on the 10 Icons Tour last week. Enjoy.
https://www.mountainmassif.com/reviews/lifestyle/the-10-icons-tour-reviewed/

10 Icons Tour - What our clients say.
Steve Evans
"Braking Away 10 Icons Cycling Tour was my first multiday cycling trip and I am blown away by the whole experience.

What a route, 10 marquee climbs that are on everybody’s bucket list; but believe me this is some serious cycling (climbing). The result is that I have come away with a fantastic sense of personal achievement.

I was physically tested every day, but Gordon & Ciara have built a fantastic infrastructure with Braking Away, you just have to add your energy, resilience and determination.

Meticulous planning and ex*****on is evident from the outset and this is continued across the week. Gordon & Ciara (and the rest of the support team) do all that they can to ensure that you have a successful week.

Braking Away provides a supportive environment with a selection of great hotels for your overnight stops."
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Day Four. It's never easy leaving the beauty of Florence but knowing what lies ahead makes it so much easier. 78km of jaw dropping scenery and the most incredible roads awaits our cyclists. We finish our day in the scenic city of Siena. With dinner booked in the famous Piazza del Campo, it's going to be a memorable day for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tza4emwfueY

Day Four Florence to Siena This September, 50 Irish cyclists will cycle from Milan to Rome in aid of The Irish Youth Foundation. For more information, visit www.iyfccc.org

Day Three and we leave Massa and cycle to the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence. We start the day cycling along the beautiful Italian coast before heading east into the heart of Tuscany . A day with little or no climbing, the Tuscan vistas will take your breath away. A truly stunning day for our cyclists to enjoy. Did I mention the wine?? 🍷😎 Forza.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjHOmj0WTGY

Day Three Massa to Florence This September, 50 Irish cyclists will cycle from Milan to Rome in aid of The Irish Youth Foundation. For more information, visit www.iyfcc.org

Day Two and we leave the popular spa town of Salsomaggiore and head for the Apennines. Once over the top, it's downhill into the beautiful town of Massa, where you can enjoy a dip in the Tyrrhenian sea. Maybe even treat yourself to a Gelato. 🍦🍦 Forza.
For more information, please visit www.iyfcc.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuL_mmUMaIo

Day Two Parma to Massa This September, 50 Irish cyclists will cycle from Milan to Rome in aid of The Irish Youth Foundation. For more details, please visit www.iyfcc.org