Nestled in the East Lothian countryside lies the fascinating National Museum of Flight

Get on board this tour to discover the history of aviation in Scotland, along with a cracking cycle through the rolling countryside and farmland of East Lothian.

The Museum of Flight is actually East Lothian’s most visited tourist attraction, and one of our most impressive. Here, you can walk amongst 50+ aircraft, dating from the First World War right through to the present day. Highlights include interactive exhibits, Scotland’s Concorde, the military hangar and the massive Vulcan Bomber.

The tour starts in the seaside town of North Berwick, and makes it’s way to the museum along quiet country roads. We stop here for lunch and allow time to explore, before getting back on the bikes. Our homeward journey takes in a quick visit to the village of Athelstaneford and the Saltire Heritage Centre – the birthplace of Scotland’s national flag.

The tour begins in the pretty seaside town of North Berwick

Included in price of the tour:

• A friendly, fun and experienced guide
• Bike and helmet hire
• Entrance fee for the museum
• Return train ticket from Edinburgh to tour start point
• A refreshment at our lunch stop (1 free drink per person – lunch not included)
• Emergency vehicle backup

Essential Info:

• All tours meet outside Princes Street Tourist Information Centre in Edinburgh at 9am on the date specified (the train leaves at 9.35am so please be prompt)


We make the most of the superb views across peaceful farmland

• Bring a waterproof jacket (Scottish weather changes very quickly) and a small bottle of water
• Wear suitable clothing for riding a bike (no long dresses etc)
• All tours include approximately 20 miles of riding on undulating terrain over the course of the day (suitable for most people of moderate fitness)

Booking

When making your booking, please specify the date you are interested in and the size of bike you would like to reserve using the drop-down menus below before clicking Add to Cart. If you need to reserve more than one size, click the Continue Shopping button on the next screen (your shopping cart) which will bring you back here, choose the desired size and date again and click Add to Cart.

Rolling farmland offers a stunning backdrop for this ride

There aren’t many things more Scottish than a dram of single malt whisky, and this cycle tour celebrates that fact with a visit to the famous Glenkinchie Distillery. Tour members are treated to a tour of the distillery’s production area, learning about the complex process involved in creating our national drink and it’s fascinating history. At the end of the tour each member is offered a taste, and there is the opportunity to purchase some to take home.

We travel to Glenkinchie from the coastal village of Longniddry, riding past the very fields providing the grain to create this fine whisky. Before reaching our destination we visit the charming little village of Gifford, where we also stop for lunch. It provides more than just a pleasant rest break however, as it has many claims to fame, among which are: that it was the birthplace of one of the signatories to the US Declaration of Independence; is the home to one of the finest 17th Century mansion houses in the country; and was founded by a 13th Century French nobleman once thought to be a powerful warlock, who’s ruined lair still stands nearby.

Glenkinchie Distillery

Included in price of the tour:

• A friendly, fun and experienced guide
• Bike and helmet hire
• Entrance fee for Glenkinchie Distillery tour
• Return train ticket from Edinburgh to tour start point
• A refreshment at our lunch stop (1 free drink per person – lunch not included)
• Emergency vehicle backup

Essential Info:

• All tours meet outside Princes Street Tourist Information Centre in Edinburgh at 9am on the date specified (the train leaves at 9.35am so please be prompt)


A wintry Gifford village hall

• Bring a waterproof jacket (Scottish weather changes very quickly) and a small bottle of water
• Wear suitable clothing for riding a bike (no long dresses etc)
• All tours include approximately 20 miles of riding on undulating terrain over the course of the day (suitable for most people of moderate fitness)

Booking

When making your booking, please specify the date you are interested in and the size of bike you would like to reserve using the drop-down menus below before clicking Add to Cart. If you need to reserve more than one size, click the Continue Shopping button on the next screen (your shopping cart) which will bring you back here, choose the desired size and date again and click Add to Cart.

Spectacular Tantallon Castle with the Bass Rock in the background

Who says you can’t have a beach holiday if you’re going to Scotland?

The  Beaches and Castles day tour is consistently our most popular route, due to it’s combination of natural beauty and fascinating history. It offers a chance for you to explore the stunning coastline of East Lothian, stopping in deserted coves and beaches, trundling along quiet country lanes and visiting ancient clifftop castles.

The tour allows for stops at some of the county’s best beaches, giving guests the chance to cool off with a quick dip in the Firth of Forth, as well as a visit to Seacliff Harbour – perhaps the smallest in Scotland, and a real smuggler’s cove.

East Lothian's sandy coastline

The castles we visit are Tantallon and Dirleton, both extremely well preserved considering their age (14th century) and the amount of punishment they have had to withstand, from mother nature and gunpowder. Each has its own character, Tantallon being perched high on a cliff and Dirleton surrounded by fantastic gardens.

Included in price of the tour:

• A friendly, fun and experienced guide
• Bike and helmet hire
• Entrance fees to both castles
• Return train ticket from Edinburgh to tour start point
• A refreshment at our lunch stop (1 free drink per person – lunch not included)
• Emergency vehicle backup

Essential Info:

The village green at Dirleton

• All tours meet outside Princes Street Tourist Information Centre in Edinburgh at 9am on the date specified (the train leaves at 9.35am so please be prompt)
• Bring a waterproof jacket (Scottish weather changes very quickly) and a small bottle of water
• Wear suitable clothing for riding a bike (no long dresses etc)
• All tours include approximately 20 miles of riding on undulating terrain over the course of the day (suitable for most people of moderate fitness)

Booking

When making your booking, please specify the date you are interested in and the size of bike you would like to reserve using the drop-down menus below before clicking Add to Cart. If you need to reserve more than one size, click the Continue Shopping button on the next screen (your shopping cart) which will bring you back here, choose the desired size and date again and click Add to Cart.

Merry Christmas from snowy Scotland

December 23, 2010

To say thank you for being a fan of the 2WT Facebook page and supporting us through 2010, we’ve come up with an awesome offer for all our Facebookers:

An amazing 15% discount from all our cycling holidays!

If you’re considering a cycling holiday in Scotland next year then it’s well worth taking advantage of this offer. All you have to do to qualify is visit our Facebook page and click ‘Like’ at the top. This will allow you access to our ‘Fan Offers’ page in the Welcome tab, where you can find the magic discount code.

This offer is only valid for bookings made before the 31st of January, so don’t put it off and risk missing out!

Terms and conditions are published on the offer page.

Snowy East Lothian, getting slightly annoying now...

December 18, 2010

Unfortunately, due to the rather inclement weather we’ve been having here in Scotland over the past month or so, we have been forced to stop sending out our popular Christmas Gift Vouchers by snail mail a few days ahead of schedule. This is due to the fact that the Royal Mail can no longer guarantee delivery of the vouchers before Christmas Day, as they have a massive backlog of deliveries to work through. Now we wouldn’t want any of our customers worrying over whether it’s going to pop through the letterbox in time, so we decided to pull the plug a mite earlier than planned.

Our E-vouchers however will be available right up midnight on the 23rd December, so if you would still like to give the gift of biking, get in touch!

A snow hit East Lothian this week

November 27, 2010
Although our cycling holidays wind down over this time of year, we still can’t tear ourselves away from pedalling the backroads of this quiet corner of Scotland. Indeed, now that winter has most definitely reared its head, we at 2 Wheel Tours would like to offer some advice on keeping safe and on your bike come snow, ice, or whatever the weather gods are going to throw at us.  Unfortunately it is all too common for normally ultra-keen cyclists to suddenly decamp back to the car at this time of year, leaving their poor pride and joy lonely and unloved in the damp of the garage for a few months. It doesn’t have to be this way – and we aim to keep you riding with some simple, but effective ways of staying saddle-bound.

1. Wrap Up!

More specifically, keep those extremities wrapped up. It actually tends to surprise first-time winter cyclists how warm they feel once on their bike and on their way, and many make the mistake of putting on too  many layers beforehand. This can result in a clammy and uncomfortable ride, something we want to avoid. The optimum core layering should leave you feeling cool at the start of the ride, allowing room for heating up as you get going. For a ride at 0-5C I would go for a wicking base layer, long sleeve top and windproof, combined with a good pair of longs. The most important parts to keep warm are hands, feet and head. Therefore, don’t skimp on gloves (windproof pairs with removable merino linings are my preference), overshoes (go for neoprene for the warmth factor) and skull caps (to be worn under the helmet – you don’t want ice-cream head!).

2. Consider a tyre change.

Once you’re out on the road, you want to stay on it and upright. In icy conditions this can be a bit of a challenge if you’re rocking a pair of ultra-smooth, speedy fast road tyres. You’ll also be more susceptible to punctures at this time of year, as there tends to be more debris on the road, so don’t be afraid of taking a visit to your local bike shop in order to pick up some winter rubbers. You should be looking for a thicker tread and a kevlar lining, Schwalbe’s excellent Marathon Kevlar range fit the bill nicely in offering great puncture resistance and are relatively easy on the wallet.

3. Keep it clean.

Whatever you do when riding in the winter, make sure your bike is kept nice and clean. The salt on the roads at this time of year is great at stopping ice from turning the surface into a skate-rink, but is not a friend of the bicycle. Ideally you should wash your bike at the end of each day’s riding, but even once or twice a week will prevent the worst of the corrosion and seizing up of parts which can be caused. The way to look at it is the more often you do it, the less work it is (not to mention the money this saves in repairs). Keep a close eye on moving parts – chain, derailleurs especially.

4. Be seen.

It wouldn’t be winter without the early sunset and flat light, and if you happen to be sharing your route with motor vehicles, you need to be seen. Now is not the time for your stylish black jacket – ninja cyclists are fine in the bright summer months, but may be tempting fate in mid-December. Of course, we’re not suggesting that everyone has to wear fluorescent yellow, there are a plethora of bright coloured jackets out there of many different hues, but make sure that reflective patches are an integral part of the design. Invest in good quality lights – again, this is not an area to skimp on. You should be looking at at least 1 Watt in headlight power, a bright flashing rear light and perhaps a rear helmet light. It is also good practice to always carry spare lights, in case of failure of your main set-up. Knog’s Frog range are perfect for this as they are cheap, small (easy to stow) and effective for their size.

5. Don’t give in to your no voice.

Last but most certainly not least – the motivation factor. This is the winter cyclist’s nemesis. It is so easy to look out the window, see the rain/wind/snow/possibility of any of the above and decide to go out ‘tomorrow’. You have to bear in mind that if you give in to this voice, there will always be a ‘tomorrow’ and your winter riding will have been a wish rather than a reality. The rewards of riding at this time of year are plenty. Traditionally this is a time when fitness regresses, leading to New Year’s resolutions which are never really fulfilled. If you stay the course your body will thank you – a steady level of good fitness is much better for you than the seasonal peaks and troughs that others succumb to. There is also the reward of quieter roads and the feeling that you are a ‘proper’ cyclist, immune to the petty effects of mere weather. At the end of the day, you will feel the benefits a hundred times over come summer – and perhaps that 100 mile ride you’ve always wanted to do will be within reach this year!

The first class in our programme of winter Learn to Ride lessons began on Sunday in East Lothian’s capital, Haddington.

Although we had a rather dreich and wet start to the session, after an off and on-bike warm-up (and the heavens deciding to close) the kids were ready and raring to go. The first class is always a bit of a getting-to-know-you hour, both socially and for me to gauge the cycling skills and strengths/weaknesses of each student. The fact we keep numbers of each group very low (max. 6 in each group) means this process is far easier for me and the students.

After the initial assessment period we moved on to the main focus of the session – bike handling. This is obviously a vital part of being able to ride safely on the road, and for these particular students (aged 10-12) often is massively affected by their confidence on the bike, or rather lack of it. Therefore, we worked on a number of fun, games-based activities in order to build up that confidence while also teaching them techniques to aid their acquisition of skills. The wet surface actually added to these activities as it gave us a realistic but safe arena in which to practice wet weather bike handling techniques.

Overall, the kids did very well and, judging by the wide grins as they enjoyed their complimentary hot chocolate at the end of the session, had fun too.

Alasdair (2WT’s Cycling Coach)

This session was the first of a course of 6 lessons, to run weekly through the winter. Each session is priced at £10 per session or £50 for the whole course. We will be running more of these courses throughout East Lothian – keep an eye on the website for further details, or contact us through the Enquiries form on the right of the page for more info and to be kept up to date with the latest developments.

Iconic local trails rider and general Youtube celeb Danny MacAskill just released an amazing new video.

‘Way Back Home’ supposedly shows Danny journeying through Scotland on his way from Edinburgh back to his home village of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, performing all kinds of fancy trickery on whatever obstacles he comes across. However, he takes a bit of a circuitous (but scenic) route to get there, first heading east, before eventually travelling through the highlands on his way to the Atlantic.

Anyway, this diversion just happens to take him to North Berwick (our home) and Dunbar, a little further along the coast. Look out for the shots of Danny appearing to ride on water with the Bass Rock (big white island) in the background – the harbour shots were also filmed here.

Needless to say, we won’t be encouraging our clients to try to emulate Danny… I’ve a feeling the results might not be so photogenic!

Great views in the Applecross Peninsula on our new Bealach Na Ba Weekend tour.

Hello everyone and welcome to the new 2 Wheel Tours website!

As you can see, we’ve been slaving over a hot keyboard in order to bring you a much more immersive, interactive experience when you visit – and the fact it looks that little bit fresher doesn’t hurt either. This revamp of our online presence is also going to extend to our Twitter, Facebook and Youtube profiles in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled. (We’re aware that our activity on these sites fell off considerably as the year progressed – something to do with getting caught up in the day-to-day – but no longer!)

Along with a new start internet-wise, the more eagle-eyed amongst you may notice that we have one or two new biking holidays online – we are looking at increasing our guided cycling holidays quite considerably in 2011, with set dates that customers can book on to. Further details of these and more like them will be published soon. Suffice to say, we will be exploring pastures new with tours in the Far North West of Scotland, the Hebrides and Northumberland in the pipeline.

Let us know what you think of our new look and also if you have any suggestions or special requests for new routes. We’re always happy to hear new ideas, and you never know, your route may end up as part of a 2WT holiday!

The uncompromising Bealach Na Ba

Take on the challenge of one of Britain’s biggest, toughest, but also most spectacular climbs in this superb long weekend tour.

The Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) has the highest height gain of any road in the UK (626m or 2054ft) and is  the closest  a cyclist can come to climbing an alpine classic without leaving these shores. It is the subject of a yearly sportive, and has a bit of a cult status amongst riders in the know – both for the satisfaction of tackling it and for the stunning local scenery.

Lochcarron, a stunning part of the world

Bealach Na Ba Weekend – Tough

Friday – Arrival in Achnasheen

The first day is left free to allow for group members to arrive and get their bikes ready for the tour (or get fitted for one of our hire bikes). We have a group meal in the evening to give everyone a chance to meet each other and discuss the next two day’s riding.

Saturday – Achnasheen to Applecross
37 miles (60km)

Peaceful coastal roads on the Applecross Peninsula

The day starts off quite easily with a gentle cruise down the glen to the banks of Lochcarron, before kicking up in a short but sharp, leg-warming climb after the village. This provides us with a notion of the task to come. After an exhilarating descent down towards Loch Kishorn we hit the base of the Bealach Na Ba and the real climbing begins. At this stage each member of the group can decide to climb at their own pace – the guide will stay with the quicker riders and the support car will ensure everyone gets off the hill safely. From the top, it’s an amazingly speedy ride down into the village of Applecross, where the reward of glorious seafood awaits at our stopover, the Applecross Inn.

Amazing views of the islands, including the mountains of Skye

Sunday – Applecross to Achnasheen
52 miles (83km)

The second day sees an increase in the mileage, and while there is no one major challenge, there are a plentiful supply of small testing climbs to keep us interested. We head north from Applecross along the coastal road, which offers fantastic views across to the islands of Raasay and Rona, eventually rounding the peninsula at Loch Torridon. There is the opportunity to stop for some refreshments at the lovely little fishing village of Sheildaig, before continuing down into dramatic Glen Torridon and on to our hotel at Achnasheen.

Monday

Depart for home, satisfied with completing a great adventure.

Upcoming Tours in 2011:

Friday 26th – Monday 29th August

We specialise in small group tours, and as such the size of group for each tour is limited to a maximum of 6 people. Places tend to get booked up quickly so don’t spend too long mulling it over!

This tour is priced at £450 per person (based on sharing a twin room – single supplement £100)

Included in the price:

• An experienced guide to lead the group.
• Vehicle support.
• Accommodation in characterful 3 or 4 star small, family-run hotels or B&B’s.
• Fully planned route.
• Local information.
• Luggage transfer.
• Bike Hire (subtract £30 if bringing your own bike)

If you are interested in joining us, please let us know by using the Booking Enquiries form on the right.