About Us
A Little About Us
Cycle Retreats was founded in 2016 after a gap was noticed in the market for high end cycling holidays where riders of all abilities could enjoy a fully catered holiday whiles “cycling their way” Cycling holidays have changed so much in recent years and Cycle Retreats has always been trailblazing the changes. Cycle Retreats are award winning holidays where cyclists get to enjoy all the parts of cycling they enjoy, but also all the parts of a holiday also, with no need to do anything but pedal!
Cycle Retreats first launched in The Marina Alta region and although this still is the flagship location for Cycle Retreats it now offers holidays in a multitude of different locations and new countries for you to try are added every year. Holiday’s in the flagship location offers different guided ability groups and all other locations and tours have a good mix of suitable holidays to fit everyone.
The team at Cycle Retreats are hand picked and have the skills needed to support you, on and off the bike and give you a fabulous holiday, they really care about you having the perfect experience and look forward to meeting you and sharing some great adventures with you at one of our many locations.
Mark Lancaster - Co Founder & Product developer
I have been cycling for over 30 years and truly love the sport, over the past 15 years I have also competed in many triathlons ranging from the smaller sprint distances to Ironman distances, but my true love is and always will be the bike.
I am the one who finds all the new locations to bring to the party, so if you have any locations you want to see send them to me. I love nothing more than putting a new tour together to experience with you.
I also have a knack of knowing where to find the great cafes and bars for a cheeky glass of vino to finish off the ride. I guide in our flagship location and support on tours around Europe
Zoe Lancaster - Co Founder and Head of Marketing
I am also a keen cyclist and often join the tours around Europe, with my favorite popup Retreat being Andalucía. Like Mark I have completed several triathlons, but also love Pilates and Snowboarding.
I am responsible for the marketing and with karen we keep the wheels running smoothly behind the scenes in the office. One of my duties is also the Cycle Retreats merch, so feel free to let me know what you would like to see available!
After all Cycle Retreats is really is all about you!
Lewis Cooper - Operations manager UK & tour support
A keen cyclist for almost ten years, this wonderful sport has taken me all over the UK & Europe, from sportives, and charity rides to Iromman triathlons and everything in between.
I particularly love bike packing, and have completed both LEJOG & the NC500 in recent years.
I head up the UK operations side of Cycle Retreats, organizing our UK events and you will often meet me on stands at different events, so please come and say Hi
However, as a qualified ride leader (and avid sun lover!), you’ll find me out and about over Europe as a guide leader, keep an eye out for the holidays I am on. The party is always the week I attend and if you love triathlon like me I am always up for a run off or a swim where we can.
Diana Baidal Morell (Head of Hospitality)
Not everything is about the bike, and I feel the magic happens to fuel you for the following day in the kitchen! I also feel food is something we should share, and I love nothing more than watching bowls of locally grown food being passed around the Cycle Retreats table while the chatter about the day fills the air.
I also support you in bookings of hotels and restaurants for tours as it is my passion to make sure you are cared for and I feel blessed to work in such a positive environment. You will find me in Spain and I also do the catering for our French Retreats. Please feel free to come and chat in the kitchen. I speak Spanish, English and French
I like to ride the bike (bici in Spanish) myself also, but my love is the water and rowing, something you may not know is I am a keen photograph and artist.
Karen Roberts (Office Administrator)
Back in the UK and behind the scenes, I help keep Cycle Retreats working like a well-oiled cog! I absolutely love working and being part of this wonderful team that makes Cycle Retreats a fabulous place to be. I work closely with marketing and customer services, so no doubt you will have had an email or two from me.
I also like to ride my bike, but believe in balance so I like to ride my bike to a great pub and on a sunny day, so don’t be chatting to me about Garmin’s and gadgets as I am more of a Gin and tonic girl!
Ian Cockram (Head Guide, Team France)
I am a really keen cyclist and love the freedom and adventure that it brings! I take every possible opportunity to get out on my bike!
When at home, I enjoy riding with my club where I am a member of the Ride Leader Team. In the summer, Caroline and I love taking our campervan on holiday and often travelling to France, Italy or Spain.
I really enjoy mapping out new rides and discover new places and new routes to explore. I am also a keen runner and have volunteered for many years as a Parkrun Event Director and Ambassador.
Along with Caroline, we will be hosting your French adventures and have some new and exciting routes planned for you. Whether it is taking on the epic French Alps Tour, or my favourite place, Provence, we can guarantee it will be just amazing. Bordering on geeky, I love to plan routes and am often found in the bike shed either cleaning our steeds or sat reviewing the next adventure! You will also find me supporting in Spain so I really look forward to cycling with you soon.
Caroline Cockram (Host Manager, Team France)
Having recently retired from my career in the NHS as a Health Visitor and am now looking to enjoying spending more time on my hobbies and exploring new adventures.
I am definitely at my happiest when I am on my bike, particularly when I am away with Ian on one of our many European adventure. The scenery is just stunning and the roads make for perfect cycling.
I do enjoy walking and a little running, and if I find time, I love to knit! I really enjoy meeting new people and supporting others to achieve their goals and dreams and love to be surrounded by like-minded people who enjoy a bit of an adventure.
Along with Ian, I will be hosting you at the French Retreats and Tours, please feel free to let me know how we can make your stay a perfect one! One of my hidden talents is to find the best café or bar for that post ride refreshment!
You will also find me also supporting in Spain and Portugal and I promise to bring my hidden talents from France to find the best bars!
Ray (Head Guide, Team Spain)
I’ve been living and cycling in the Costa Blanca for over several years now and I started cycling many years ago when I was a university student. I have done many cycling tours and holidays in France, Spain, Italy, Corsica, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Easter Island, Cambodia, New Zealand, and Australia…in fact its sometimes easier to say where I haven’t cycled! You should ask me about my bike packing and what it was like cycling Spain with a 30k trailer and no it wasn’t carbon 😊. I am keen on bike safety and bike handling skills and love to maintain bikes, well I also need to with my own fleet that always keep growing, I certainly follow the N+1 formular to owning bikes.
Personally, I love cycling for the experience and the exploration not the Strava segments KOM or racing. I really enjoy the company of likeminded people and your safety is my first concern, so I am often the one checking you have taken a drink had some food and reminding everyone of road safety, so rest assured with me you are always in safe hands.
I am the main guide for Spain but love to get out on the tours also and support with guiding, mechanics, and van duties.
I look forward to riding with you, why not ask me what my favorite country has been out of all the ones I have visited.
