Cycle Surf Count Down: How to fix a puncture!

The Big Friday cycle surf is fast approaching and although the Big Friday crew will be on hand for puncture repairs, we are girl guides at heart and like to 'be prepared'!   So when we saw this great little vid by the girls at Adventurely on how to fix a bike puncture we had to share it ..   thanks Adventurely, no excuses for us not to keep on riding now ..

"One day we were dreaming of the things that made us happiest in life ... "

5 years ago our friend Anna Glowinski, bicycle whizz, fashion designer and Cycle Show presenter on the tellybox, asked if we wanted to go 'cycle surfing' in France. She had seen someone in the US selling cycle mules for surfboards and wanted to give them a go .. 'hello yes' we said and off we all went on our first ever cycle surf trip ..

Fast forward a year and we were ready to go with our first ever Big Friday Cycle Surfari, now amazingly in its 5th year!  The Cycle Surfari is our annual cycle from Hossegor to Lacanau, up the South West coast of France. Think shady cycle paths through the pine forests & French villages, glassy waves surfed at dawn, hearty meals cooked on the camp stove, sleeping under canvas and stars, mile after mile of golden sand, sunburnt noses, sandy feet and salty hair, off the grid, good company and good times!

"One day we were dreaming of the things that make us happiest in life, the great outdoors, cycling, surfing, camping, friends. Big Friday took on the challenge of a totally new-concept holiday in which participants cycle up the West Coast of France using surf trailers to carry their boards. The joy of this is that every day there was a new beach to discover, including some beaches that aren’t accessible by car. It meant that every day was spent soaking up the sun and the fresh air and Big Friday’s impeccable customer service provided a meal at the camp site, ready cooked with tents up by the time you arrive! It’s a glorious, glorious, unique holiday event." Anna Glowinski, Best Day Ever Creative

Anna in camp on our first ever Big Friday Cycle Surfari in 2010

Anna G led her own successful women's cycle brand for the past 5 years but recently left to launch her own creative agency .. although we deeply loved her stylish cycle tights, we can't help but be a little bit pleased she is going to be dreaming up big ideas for a living!  Good luck with your new venture Anna!

NEW DATES: Cycle Surf in France

Due to popular demand we have added an extra cycle surf for this september, still a couple of spaces left on the first week (31 Aug - 7 Sept) but now you can choose to head back the other way with us as well .. we'll be headed Lacanau to Hossegor by peddle and paddle from 8 - 15 September!

This is the ultimate summer adventure, surfing great waves, sleeping under the stars to the sound of the ocean, peddling through sleepy French villages, meeting new people, eating good food .. enjoying the outdoors!

Check out all the info here

live simply

image from http://thetweedlife.tumblr.com/post/13863627001/yep - we love this image but couldn't find the original source, if you know please comment so we can credit properly! 

This glorious sunshine is getting us excited about the summer and the great outdoors and nothing says 'summer escape' to us like our Cycle Surfari in France.  The annual Big Friday cycle surf is a cycling, surfing and camping trip from Hossegor to Lacanau.  We peddle through shady pine forests, and sleepy French villages to countless surf breaks en route.  Each day as we hit the cycle paths with our boards to seek out our next surf spot, our trusty van and crew take all the luggage to our next camp site by the beach, pitch our tents and cook up a storm! 

Its like Swallows and Amazons on bicycles with waves, baguettes and red wine...   what could be better than that!

Dates:   1-8 September 2012

Price:    £549  per person  *£499 early booking price* 

Full info: www.bigfriday.com/friday/info/cycle_surfari_france.php

Photo gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/bigfriday/sets/72157624808846487/

The Cycle Surfari trip includes:  

- Airport transfers (arrive Biarritz, depart from Bordeaux)
- 7 nights camping accommodation (single or twin tents - please specifiy when you book)
- All meals catered except one evening meal (wine is provided with evening meal)
- One weeks cycle rental with lock and helmet
- One weeks rental of surfboard mule (carries board behind bike) or hook (carries board to the side)
- Daily cycle guiding and bicycle maintenance
- Support van transporting all luggage.
- Amazing summer 2012 Oakley goody bag! (clothing and sunglasses for each person).

Peddle and Paddle

Hurray the Big Friday Cycle Surf is back for 2012!  Dates for your diary are:
1st - 8th September 2012
We'll be sharing all the details as soon as the trip is online and open for bookings.