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Morning All,
Our regular riding group is already looking at next years trip. Currently MTB Beds, catered choice @ Finale Ligure is coming out as the preferred option for us.
Previous trips include Passportes Du Soleil, Madeira, Ride Sierra Nevada, Ciclo Montana, Andorra plus a couple of others. As a group we mainly ride natural stuff all over the Peak District, Wales, Rivington, Hebden Bridge and sometime the Lake District.
Any been with them specifically and want to share their views? How was the package as a whole, the Food, accommodation, guiding, riding, overall experience, slick or sloppy organisation?
Cheers
Carlos
All good, well organized, accommodation ok, food superb.
Big groups (2 mini buses) and a wide range of rider skill is my only gripe. I would look at a smaller riding group if I go again.
Went with them last year. Really well organised and the food was absolutely delicious. The trails were the best I've ever ridden. I'll echo what daveylad said above about the groups. 2 buses and the riding was a bit too much stop start for my liking at times. It did improve as the week went on. We're heading back there next year though, just waiting for the bookings to go live
Try just ride finale with Louise, been with her three time but have also organised other uplifts through her. She will sort out pick up from airport, digs to suit needs and trails to suit group and length of stay. Her knowledge of Nava forest which is half and a half away is worth doing as well.
I've only been with them when it's been our entire group in the chalet and on the guiding so no experience of a hugely mixed group (although I'm always at the back anyway as I'm the slowest of my pals.
Food - absolutely top notch. Ian the chef is great and the food is delicious and plentiful. It's not piled high stodge, its restaurant quality food every night
Accommodation - A fantastic big house a stones throw from the beach. It's enormous. Workshop and bike storage on the ground floor. Bedrooms on the 2nd floor (all massive), kitchen and living room on the top floor plus a roof terrace. There's also a garden with bike wash out the back.
Guiding - They use Ride On Noli who are excellent. 2 Transporter's with trailers. Very efficient and quick. They know the area perfectly. The guides will be Sandra and normally Paolo but he's broken his back and will be out for a while. Not sure who they're using. The MTB Beds guys will also do some guiding too and they know their stuff. World class riders.
Riding - It's just superb. Loads of super flowy fast stuff, some tech stuff. There were only a few trails I found a bit too much. Allay Allay (or however it's spelled) broke me, literally. Broke my ribs in a huge crash last year and had a 'mare on it this year. Cacciatore and Little Champery were also bonkers. But the majority is fantastic. L'Ingenere is the best trail I've ridden anywhere. Kill Bill is insanely good. Roller Coaster is non stop fun. It's worth mentioning DH Men. Other than the views, it's not worth it. Even the MTB Beds team will say that. Do it once maybe, but none of us wanted to ride it again.
overall experience - It's the best. The value for money is insane as the package includes accommodation, food, uplift and guiding plus airport transfers. The town of Finale is lovely. Final Borgo is really fantastic. I'm actually just home from 5 days in Finale at the EWS and although I didn't stay with MTB beds on this trip I did hang out with them as they're such a good bunch.
All sounds great, cheers.
What's the crac with FF helmets? Is that just them being a bit over cautious?
Up to you really. Personally I'd where a full face it's not as though you're doing loads of climbing
I’d say it’s mostly FF territory as well, there is mostly minimal pedalling if you are guided and uplifting.
It’s one of my favourite places to ride. Just back from the trophy of nations and did some uplifting as well, nice mix of flow stuff, and some amazing natural steep tech if you ask to go further afield.
Our guide was nuts. Ex World Cup DH racer who was now a local. Trying to hold on down some trails was wild. How I came home in one piece I have no idea.
Cheers all. Will discuss the FF opinions with the group and leave it to personal choice.
Still sounding a positive option
What BoardinBob says. I went with them last year and may well do again next year. Ask them if they have got their yoga mats yet
Definitely a full face helmet place, some companies don’t allow open face either. I took a fox proframe as it’s airy enough to pedal a bit with and rode in elbow and knee pads while others in the group took more full body suit protection
Hi Guys,
Thank you for all the positive comments regarding the food and staff etc. Also we have taken onboard the group size comments and we now have a new Exclusive tour where a max group size of 7 will have their own vehicle, guide and driver for the week and the riding / tour is 100% decided by your group with our help.
See some additional info here
Any questions please just ask and we will try to help anyway we can
Cheers Rich and Team.