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So I had a holiday planned in April to go climbing, but my climbing buddy has had to pull out so am contemplating heading somewhere on my own and am scouting about for ideas - taking my MTB somewhere for a week seems like the best option.
Here's what the holiday must have:
- Sunshine. I spend much of my life in Fort William under a massive cloud and would like some reprise from this.
- Not downhilling. Not too fussed about riding style, but want to come back from the holiday a bit fitter.
- Not super expensive. Ideally somewhere in Europe so it doesn't cost loads to get there.
- Not too much faff. Am happy to do *some* exploring, but don't want to spend my holiday decyphering foreign maps and driving around obscure villages on my own.
There seem to be a few places that offer accomodation and guiding in one package in Spain. Does anyone have any good/bad experience of these.
Does anyone have any alternative suggestions?
bikevillage maybe?
Well it's not really a biking holiday but they have decent bikes (free to use and guided 3-5hr rides each day which I've enjoyed doing) and plenty of riding to do though usually not massively technical - Neilson (www.neilson.co.uk) - I can recommend either Ortakent (Turkey) or Sivota (Greece) (beachclub plus holidays) both of which I've been to. You also get wakeboarding/sailing/windsurfing/tennis/etc included as well as most of your food which is good.
They also do weeks where singles don't pay a suplement (adults only week IIRC)
A bunch of us used these guys last year:
We were in Bubion (they have a downhill location near Malaga also) so up in the mountains with lots of great riding. Guiding was superb, uplift in the morning and lots of up and down all day on some really challenging terrain. I'd highly recommend.
I'd definitely go for a guided MTB holiday somewhere like Spain or Italy. Or Morocco etc.
guided trips are great ways to have a ready made bunch of riding buddies - and as mountain bikers are a nice bunch on the whole, you should get on with them!
I've been to [url= http://www.freeridespain.com ]Freeride Spain[/url] on my own a couple of times, never been a problem. Did the same out in Greece a few years ago although at the time some friends were guiding out there so it wasn't really "on my own".
Be prepared to pay a few quid extra for single occupancy room though.
Cheers for the info so far. Looks like Spain could be a good option for the time of year.
Oh, and for those who've been on the guided trips - is there likely to be much scope for being a bit anti-social? As much as I'm looking for some biking buddies I'm also keen for a bit of 'me' time.
april is a bit early for bikevillage unfortunately. they're ace though and i've often gone there on my own.
ther'll be plenty of 'me time' available on any holiday, ime.
Southern Spain would be perfect. I went there (on my own) with an MTB holiday company in April three years ago.
I was tacked onto a group of lads and we hit it off really well - we've have had loads of bike holidays together since.
Such good riding in the Alpujarras as well, I was looking at a guidebook the other week and it was really making me want to go back out there.
HM,you're not really a "guest" anymore are you 😉
bring out the gimp Thor
How's things with you? got any snow to ski on?
i guess not, now that sam is a client of mine... 8)
all good i guess... had 3cm in jan, and about 10cm a couple of days ago. managed to make fresh tracks today, and off night skiing tonight!
We've been 5 times in the Alpujarras with [url= http://www.ciclomontana.com ]Ciclo Montana[/url], also in April. You don't pay extra for single occupancy, they are cheap, the food Jackie makes is superb, the riding and guiding with Mark is something else.
Will be going again asap.
Get in touch with alan at sierra cycling southern spain.
try Exodus and their Atlas descent trip.
Great riding, warm and well organised
I'd think where ever you go you'll be fine with a bit of 'me time'. When we were away (8 lads on a stag do) there were a couple of small groups and a lad on his own, he rode with us some days, mooched round the village others. There was always an open invitation to beers/dinner with us if he wanted it, he came out a couple of times.
I don't think you'd be expected to be anyones new best friend. No idea what other places are like but Switchbacks have a house in the village which is used for a base, everyone just gets a room in there so you might get away without the single occupancy thing. It has a kitchen etc so you can stay in and cook for yourself or with others if you want to. Since there was a large group of us they rented us separate place round the corner but we all had dinner together in the main house one night, out to restaurants/bars the others.
Great way to spend a week. If you like the sound of it drop Mike a mail, he's a great guy and will help in any way he can.
Thanks for the mention HowardGet in touch with alan at sierra cycling southern spain.
The link is: [url] http://www.sierracycling.com [/url]
Another vote for Freeride Spain.
Great guiding for all abilities, with the option of uplift to get a lot of the vertical out of the way without being DH focused.
Met Crazy-legs when he was out there and a had a couple of great days riding with a bunch of Norwegian girls, plus a night of strange Norwegian drinking games I'm still recovering from.
No problem getting time to yourself if you want it, in fact I'd recommend taking a day out and getting the bus to Granada, it' absolutely amazing.
Checkout MountainBikingSpain, great guides, trails and weather. 'been twice now, probably go again.
Try also Doug at BasqueMTB he might be able to hook you up with another group.