MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Have just read a statement from Ciclo Montana to say that they’re shutting up shop. This is so sad. Over the last 13 years I’ve had some truly wonderful holidays with Mark, Jacky, Matt & latterly Aaron who took over the reins recently. It got to feel like a second home it was so instantly relaxing. The riding was extreme at times, the climbs punishing yes, but it all made for a proper escape for mind and body. They’ll be a sorely missed outfit.
That’s a shame. Been with them a few times and always had a good time both on and off the bike with them. Mark and Matt were great guides with a great sense of humour.
A sad day indeed. Marco is a legend.
Some of the best riding I've ever done was with ciclo.
Elephants tail was always a highlight.
2” x 4”
“just another 6k traverse”
”it’s all down apart from the ups”
“You’re the best group this week”
“Pad up boys, it’s downhill from now” <climbs another 200m>
“I don’t know how they do it for the money”
I saw this on FB too, earlier. Sad news although it wasn't really clear what bought about the decision.
I've been 3x with them, although not for a number of years as finding the time for a holiday like this since having our daughter has proven difficult.
Probably the most enjoyable holidays I've ever had even though I found the climbs tough and a lot of the descending challenging and often above my skill level.
The overnight Granada trip we did one year was a real highlight for me.
I wish the team all the best.
Yep, all of the above... happy memories of Fondales, all the trails, jibes, Dave Froy selling odds and bits, pizza Wednesday and a slow dark walk from Carols's bar.
The overnight in Granada was a very good one. Bike tapas and some great riding. Low and behold if you were there a few weeks before Marco entered a race and was training. The climbs were brutal.
I'm not sure of the circumstances either but I wonder if work permits etc etc made it untenable... very sad.
Very sad. I've loved all my trips there, probably 10 or more over 20 years or so.
I’m not sure of the circumstances either but I wonder if work permits etc etc made it untenable… very sad.
My thoughts too.
No offence meant to Mark (I'm sure he won't be offended if he reads this) but part of the charm for me with Ciclo was Marks attitude towards rules and regulations 😀
One year I forgot my EU health card.
Mark's answer.
Don't crash and it'll be fine, you British guys worrie too much.
In his words it's all good fun until someone losses an eye.
I wonder if the overheads of transitioning away from Mark & Jacky's facilities (Accommodation, Food, Van, Drivers) might have had an impact. They had really low overheads. Could Aaron replicate that? Dunno, it's pure speculation. I think one of my mates is gonna call Marco later on.
One of the best holidays I’ve ever had, I still think about it and it’s been years.
That's a shame. I only went once in 2019 but Marco and Jackie were brilliant, as was the riding. Never met the others. Would happily go back.
Speaking of brutal climbs. We did one from Benaudalla. Went up an almost unpedalably loose fireroad for 3500ft in 7 miles. None of us were unfit but somehow Marco disappeared off and we found him having a nap under a tree at the top. Best glass of coke of my life back at the bottom!
Had Marco & Jackie stepped away from the business then? All I've seen is the statement from Aaron, nothing from Mark & Jackie. It's a crying shame, spent four fantastic holidays with them in the past.
Yeah Mark was just doing the driving and entertaining last year.
Though he did join us on one ride.
Aaron was running the riding side with Jackie and Mark doing the accommodation/food.
Was kind off odd not having Mark on the rides and he'd not passed on his joke book to Aaron.
I think this last year they’d throttled back even more, with all catering being done externally, Mark & Jacky effectively retiring. A thoroughly well deserved one as well: sharing every evening meal with up to 12 halfwits like us for 10 months of the year for ≈32 years wouldn’t be on my bucket list.
Mark and Jackie must have touched so many people and must have the largest friend group in the world. It was impossible to have left there and not feel like you have a new family. It was an annual trek for me when I was younger, and I have memories of holidays which I'll never forget. In my later life, raising my son prevented me from such trips, but I had always hoped that one day I'd be back, although I knew that Mark and Jackie would be retiring. But riding those trails with the new setup would have been worth a try and maybe we'd finally strike luck and go when the Swedish girls were out there. I'm very sad to hear it's closed.