A friend and I are looking to take a week's MTB holiday in August this year, flights and restrictions allowing of course. Have looked at flying in to Malaga, Geneva and northern Italy seem possible. Fancy a guided trip with uplift provided and ideally some catering. We're both thoroughly average riders, comfortable with bike park level blues and reds so nothing too extreme.
Any recommendations much appreciated.
Ciclo Montana sounds pretty much exactly what you are after. Fantastic holiday.
Malaga would be very hot mid summer, too warm to ride. I'd be looking at the alps, for trail riding les arcs area is hard to beat.
Done both Whiteroom and Basque MTB, both excellent but different kinds of riding. I’d do either again given half a chance though. Drop either of them a line and see what they’ve got on.
I'm ment to be out in August.
I just dont think itll happen....
Ciclo Montana.....but it's bloody technical although they can tailor the riding to suit.
And going in August will be scorching! We went once in July as it was the only date available.
I don't think I'll ever forget the hot wind as we rode into Granada with 42deg temps.
Bloody amazing though!
Morzine is my normal go to. Miles of uplift, loads of different trails for all levels, plenty at the UK red and blue level. Lots to do off the bike. All super accessible. But right now, while the mountains are pretty isolated I'd still be looking at safer options. We'll be sticking to the UK this summer but if it has to be abroad then maybe Madeira.
I'm meant to be with whiteroom later this month but can't. Really good riding, slick operation good food accommodation and free beers.
The Spanish one mentioned twice above was, in my experience, not that I wouldn't go back if it were a free trip.
Basque Coast with BasqueMTB would be my first choice. Doug and his team are great, the Basque country is amazing and you're by the sea!
WhiteRoom MTB is great, varied riding in multiple areas and great food at the chalet, but I don't think the french are in any rush to welcome visitors from the UK anytime soon.
Molini with RivieraBike is also great, lovely village base, but the riding was the most full-on all week, of those recommended above, IMHO.
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White Room and Bikevillage are both superb, if you can get to France. Been to WR 3 times and BV once and I'd happily go back to either, any time. BV felt more chilled- helped by their lovely location, generally the focus at WR felt a bit more on the riding and it was probably a little harder riding but tbh that could just be the week I happened to be at BV. None of these weeks was really bikeparky but I reckon either company could cover you.
I had a great rime riding with Rivierabike in Molini, but the riding was really a step above most of what we did with those other two and they didn't seem to have much in the way of more chilled options. TBH the organisation and guiding was bad overall- they promised skill groups but then that didn't happen which left a mate of mine basically drowning all week, having a shit time and caused loads of knock-on delays and stress for everyone else. I think they were having a rough year with illness but they basically had 3 guides, one was absolutely useless. I'd go back I think just because the riding was so damn good but you I have to recommend against it for anyone that's not a really solid confident rider.
(tbh, we did a week unguided in Alpe d'huez and Les 2 Alps, when we were there for the mega and that could actually suit you pretty well. Lots of decent bike park stuff, easy to navigate, tons of catering. I found the riding a bit two dimensional tbh, but then I like the harder stuff more than park. I really like guided riding, it just means you get the best out of your time and find the fun stuff, not to mention handling disasters but for park riding it's less useful for sure.)
I don't think anyone has mentioned Finale Ligure yet which is great and the Molini mentioned is near(ish) Molini di Triora. We rode there for a day self-guided after five in Finale and as others have said I remember it being a step up in terms of challenge. Most of us loved it, two did not.... It is also a much quieter smaller place. Was there not another operator there though at a point? Maybe gone now.
I have only done a day in Madeira with Freeride Madiera but very good riding and decent hire bikes. Oddly non-rural riding though but I really enjoyed it.
Finale is uttely brilliant.
Trails for everyone and finish in the old town or beach for beers.
backcountryfinale.com really good.
Way better than Molini in my book
Aostafreeride.com also very good plus all the self guided resorts in the Valley Pila, La Thule, Cervinia
Freeridemadeira.com for awesomeness again
basquemtb.com brill
Suppsed to be at the Whiteroom in early September...we shall see!
Micheal sheal guides in ligure his a top chap
but I don’t think the french are in any rush to welcome visitors from the UK anytime soon.
@Akers you can go to france now, no quarantine on arrival etc if fully vaccinated or a recent test. they're more than happy for folks to go.
Finale Ligure is going to be pretty hot in August. Not unrideable-y hot like malaga but the high Alps (Les Arcs, Morzine) are more comfortable at that time of year.
@steveh - wrong I think.
7 days quarantine on arrival in France....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57256859
That’s out of date nick, now no quarantine as I say.
Unless you are double vaccinated, you have 7 day quarantine in France.
My experience with guided holidays is limited, as I prefer to not get too held up and cram in 50+mile days😀 However, I've done Slovenia with Jon at http://rideslovenia.com/ and Richard at https://www.ridgeline.bike/
Both very beautiful areas to ride, lovely people and riding is excellent and natural. Both companies offer great meals, lots to drink and balanced groups. The riding is technical, but not nearly as technical as somewhere like Finale or the steeper Alps. If you are red/blue rider, it's going to be perfect. You can also visit the local towns in days off, which are a lot nicer for shopping/site seeing than what you'd get in the Alps.
Just watched one of Jack Moir's latest videos from Sanremo, Italy. The riding out there looks fantastic and it's right on the coast too. The ave temps for August are around 27deg too which isn't too bad.
Hardly welcoming us with open arms!
Highly recommend Bike Village, great riding and hospitality.
I agree southern Spain would be spot-on, but I also agree it'd be madness to go in August.
Can you push it back to late Sep or Oct? Might be wise anyway re. Covid.
Bike Village are fantastic. Proof indeed that you get what you pay for.
Riviera Bike in Molini we’re great the first year I went apart from staff bickering on the uplift & some disorganisation. 2nd time I went the food wasn’t as good and they were less organised. 3rd time I went they started by critiquing peoples bikes… organisation was worse as was the food. I won’t be back.
Too hot for Switchbacks in Spain but it’s a long time since I went and the food was very basic even then. Bimbo bread sandwiches anyone?
Only heard good things about Basque MTB.