[Closed] Sierra Cycling Andalucia.......good ? bad? indifferent?

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Damn! Beaten to it!

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As markie etc are suggesting 🙂 , try search function on this forum or google "sierra cycling" it still throws up an epic thread on here (and some newer ones) as one of the highest results.

A bit like "the scottish play" it is merely referred to as "That thread". To summarise 400+ posts: I was the OP and reported a poor experience. Some respondents posted positive experiences, others negative, some thought we were high maintenance moaning minnies, some thought we were justified. Alan responded and his response scrutinised. Personal insults posted about a member of staff (not by me) were removed and an ex guide nominated for president. Make up your own mind.

If you search the forum you'll also find a more recent locked thread that appears to "astroturf" (ie. be posted specifically to promote them) and a locked thread slating them which appears to be posted by a new competitor of limited maturity. Very much yin and yang and hopefully they cancel each other out.

Alan still responds on here plugging his business in relevant threads (as do other companies) and I have no issues with that concept as long as he is happy to take the rough with the smooth in a free, open discussion forum.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-shambolic-week-with-sierra-cycling

I'd avoid them like the plague! There are plenty of decent companies in that region eg Ciclo Montana or Pure Mountains.

There are plenty of decent companies in that region eg Ciclo Montana or Pure Mountains.

Ciclo are excellent, but they've a monster minibus transfer. Since the OP's

an atrocious traveller in mini bus/car

Joyriders. 45 minutes from Malaga, Awesome biking, and a beautful setting in the gorgeous village of Zuheros. Oh, and free beer....

Hi Keefus, please consider us, www.bikingandalucia.com, based in Orgiva, Sierra Nevada, Andalucia, southern Spain, about 1 hours 30 minutes from Malaga. Orgiva has 46 bars/cafes/restaurants which should cater for all tastes. We have been here since 1999, and know the area and routes as well as anybody, feel free to e mail us on david@bikingandalucia.com if I can be of help. Good luck!

Excellent choices of popcorn folks!

Regarding insurance, the holiday provider should have insurance (check), and it is the client´s responsibility to be adequately insured too.
Also in Europe most important is the
"EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
www.nhs.uk/heathcareabroad
refers
Hope that helps!

Oh good God not again.

Keefus, Hundreds of great comments on our web site (all verifiable, just email them) one bad week when both guides were out of action. If you´re worried, and you don´t get the best biking holiday you´ve ever had then no need to pay one penny at the end of the week.
We´re based right on the beach.
Stunning singletrack rides with plenty of bus uplift during the day & fantastic après-bike on the coast at night.
[url] http://www.sierracycling.com [/url] fantastic biking since 1992.

I've just returned from another great week with Sierra Cycling, my 7th holiday with Alan and his team; 5 weeks travelling with my wife and two on my own. I think seven trips would give a pretty good guide to whether a company knows what it's doing or not, and I'm very happy with my experiences.

As ever the riding was tailored to the guests' wishes and technical abilities, some days we rode more technical and rocky trails, other days faster more flowing,swoopy trails. Last week there was a mix of abilities and so two groups rode different trails, sometimes meeting up for lunch. There was also a mix of nationalities, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, German and Russian as well as 3 brits, we often went out as a group for evening meals too, and had a great time. I don't recall anyone being anything other than happy with their holiday.

No holiday, even a biking holiday, will or can suit everyone, it's too varied a sport. Having been to the Alps, Pyrenees and Greece with other companies I'd say that Sierra provides a great experience for the vast majority of riders. If you have specific requirements ask Alan before you book, he'll let you know if they're possible.

My wife and I will both be going with Sierra again, we like the varied riding (I often take the "harder" option, my wife the one with less climbing) the fact that breakfast is prepared for you, the great location near the beach on the edge of town a few minutes stroll from a great choice of bars/restaurants. Then there's the short (free)transfer, at any time so you can take advantage of cheaper flights. Yes I would recommend Sierra Cycling, for the vast majority or riders.

I think seven trips would give a pretty good guide to whether a company knows what it's doing or not, and I'm very happy with my experiences.

Meh, I'll take an opinion based on one holiday from an established forum member rather than someone who has done more, but has registered purely to post on this thread.

Yes, very odd the first post was to bump a 3 week old thread.

So you joined the forum only yesterday, never posted before, happened to stumble across a thread from three weeks ago and then posted up a glowing review.

Very generous of you.

Edit, beaten to it. Cynical minds think alike!

Meh, I'll take an opinion based on one holiday from an established forum member rather than someone who has done more, but has registered purely to post on this thread.

So you joined the forum only yesterday, never posted before, happened to stumble across a thread from three weeks ago and then posted up a glowing review.

Very generous of you.

These

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I've no idea what motives kevthebass has but anyway ...

... in the last 10 years I've been with Sierra 2 [maybe 3] times, Ciclo twice and Joyriders 3 times.

All superb holidays

Nick,

Someone on the holiday last week mentioned that having previously holidayed with Switchbacks they'd done some research on Sierra and had seen one bad review. I registered partly to see the review, and any response from Alan. Any holiday can have it's problems, some within the control of the holiday company, some not. How a problem is handled makes a difference.

I'm not in a position to comment on the reviewers holiday, but having been with Sierra 7 times I feel that my opinion is at least as valid, and perhaps more representative. If people are using reviews to judge a company or service, then genuine reviews are useful. I merely gave my review in the interests of balance.

Mackem,

I don't control how these posts work, nothing odd at all. I wrote and pressed "Send Post" what happens after that is down to the website.

Fair enough. As you were.

Shame the OP doesn't like fish. One of the best things about Sierra Cycling, as I remember it, was the seafood restaurant (chiringuito?) right on the beach that was practically next door to it. Salivating thinking about it.

How about [url= http://www.puremountains.com ]www.puremountains.com[/url] they are great, we have stayed with them for the last couple of years and are talking about next years ride with them.

I have been on a few biking trips abroad and Sierra were by far the worst. Badly organised and wouldnt go near them even if offered for free. The one plus point was one of the guides (Jonny) was very good,unfortunatley he isnt there anymore, the other was a pathetic excuse for a guide more interested in telling people how great he was and that he was much better than being a biking guide.

Ciclo Montana get great reviews and I know a few people who have been with them and rate them highly - will probably be the company I use on my next biking visit to Spain.

Well I've been on holiday with them like 1000 times now and every time was like the bestest holidy I've ever had like EVER!!

I love Alan I think he is the best and he is not my best mate or my dad or anyfink!!

Well I've been on holiday with them like 1000 times now and every time was like the bestest holidy I've ever had like EVER!!

I love Alan I think he is the best and he is not my best mate or my dad or anyfink!!

Oh well, that makes all the difference then.

How is you dad, Alan, doing these days?

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