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Looking at Converting a Barn For Cycling accommodation
joacra | 18 Feb 07:10 |
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Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 2 Bike: | I have Planning Permission and Building Warrant to Convert a Barn/ Byre on the Farm into Selfcatering accommodation, I would like to Offer accommodation for Cyclists. I am Putting in an Application for Grant Funding. There are a Few Things From Cyclists I would like to Know. Would Cyclists Use Accommodation within the Postal code area of ML10 6PR? The Accommodation will self catering 3 bedrooms. What would cyclists be wlling to pay for Quality affordable accommodation? What sort of Length of Stay would a cyclist Stay for 1 night, 2 Nights etc? What would Cyclists Want out of Cycling accommodation, I would be Proposing to do an Eco Build eg wood Stove Fire. I would like to know if Shower is Sufficient or after a long days Cycling Baths are more Preferable? Would cyclists use accommodation all year round? I would also like to hear from anyone who may offer this type of accommodation, I would also like to collaborate with others on a route to offer accommodation within a route. Would there be a need for cycling accommodation in winter months? All of the above answers will help decide if it would be viable to convert a barn into such accommodation and build a business plan which will help secure funding. Thanks to anyone who is willing to give me any answers. Joan |
Belstane | 25 Feb 22:58 |
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Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Posts: 2 Bike: My Profile | Hi, Just Google-mapped you - looks like a nice location and you're more or less in the right place for cycle tourists crossing the country and anybody visiting the Clyde valley area. You might get a few people staying a couple of nights if you map out a few circular routes such as Stra'ven, Douglas, Mauchline, Galston or Stra'ven, Galston Eaglesham; I used to cycle those routes many years ago when I lived at the west end of the A70 (now at the east end) and it's nice countryside. Best idea would be a small website of your own and linking it in to all of the Self-catering, B&B, camping/caravan link farms and review sites. My cousin has a small holiday cottage up the west coast - she has a very nice web site with loads of photos of the cottage inside and out and 'things to do, places to go, pubs etc' on it and she gets most weeks filled, even in winter - and mainly by southerners looking to get away from it all. Likewise a neighbouring farmer here on the Lang Whang who gets loads of city folk just looking for isolation - so your market isn't only cyclists by a long chalk. Showers would be perfectly adequate but a washing machine might be an idea because cycle tourists' kit can ming a bit after several days. I reckon the emphasis has got to be on quality rather than low price - cyclists these days don't necessarily do it because they're skint - their bikes and kit usually total the best part of a grand and the days of youth-hostel roughing it are probably over. There's also a large contingent who tour in cars and cycle out of a location for a few days then move on - that would be me these days. One thing you need to think about if you're after the panier-laden cyclists is food. If your place is a good bit from the shops then self catering for cyclists is tricky because you don't carry a full larder on your bike so having eggs, bacon, bread, cereals etc available might be a nice add-on. Most will book in advance so you can offer options. You'll need to offer a lock-fast bike shed of some sort and maybe some modest service facilities - investing in a bike service stand and a decent pump would be nice touches - one thing I hate is getting road tyres up to 100psi with one of those silly little lightweight pumps if the gas runs out. Little extras like that would get the positive reviews coming in and cost very little in comparison to the cost of a barn conversion. Chain or nail everything down; sadly, some people steal. Why not go a bit further and put in an extra toilet and shower, set aside half an acre for camping? Actually, we've been thinking about doing a similar thing here - a couple of log cabins - so I'd be interested to hear how you get on. It's the midges that frighten me - they seem to disappoint the southerners more than anything. Best of luck. |
My Latest Route: Apr 2012 Kirknewton, Blinkbonny, Kirknewton |