I'm probably quite typical of people here in that I do a lot of mountain biking but I also have a family that which I have to balance with time on the bike (I actually do quite well as I'm allowed out pretty much every weekend for a full day !).
When it comes to holiday's I've not done too bad either. If we've driven to France I've taken the hard tail and explored some forests in Brittany and even found a trail in the sand dunes of Marennes. However the wife knows I'm itching for something more, but I can't stretch the permission, nor do I have the holidays from work, to get to the Alps etc on my own or with a group. Besides who want's to miss out on a holiday away with the kids (no replies required for this !).
The wife has said that she's more than happy to book a villa somewhere where I can take the FS bike and go off for a few days on some serious guided ST trails, as long as she and the kids have the usual villa, pool, (beach), restaurants and weather etc.
... and there's my dilemma and where I would like you're suggestions please for both a location and guide please.
Initial thoughts are places close to the Pyrenees; The Cantabria or; The Basque Country in Northern Spain, but is there somewhere nearer in France or elsewhere in Europe that anyone can recommend that would fit the bill.
Thanks
(I know it was a long winded post, but any suggestions please ?)
I'd not dismiss the Alps, as a lot of the resorts seem to be adding more family stuff around the VTT trails. Les Gets has an outdoor pool - well pond - crazy golf, bouncy castle and trampolines, so that'll keep the kids happy. I'm sure you can find an apartment with a pool, or at the very least a hot tub.
Not sure on the guiding in Les Get/Morzine though - plenty of trails marked out and you could always get the odd hour in now and then without committing to a guide..
If you drive you can also access the 'Cham' valley and perhaps a days shopping in Geneva?
Biggest issue will be the weather - it can be pants if you get unlucky.
Hth
Marko
Try Doug at Basque MTB. Not been but it looks like the perfect spot to combine family and riding holidays and he's a very helpful chap.
joyriders for xc, a hottub, and pool, but they're properly out in the sticks mind.
Surrey hills
Would you consider a Neilson holiday? Some of those have some quite involved riding (I think if you asked for specific advice some people on here have visited a few of them) and yet also have plenty of other activities for children etc. Not really a villa though.
As above Morzine might work - don't really need a guide there - just follow the trails / crowds.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look into them... Surrey Hills sounds favourite (FFS 🙄 !!!)
We have done Les Arcs with kids three times,
There is a good campsite with access to pools etc, Its a 10 min walk to center of town and a 5 min walk to supermarkets etc.
There is a nice tarmaced ride of approx 8k downhill by the river to a swimming lake as well, our kids really enjoyed that ride and could be cajoled into cyling back
The biking is great with a funicular 10 mins ride from the campsite.
there are lots of waymarked trails (think downhill lite not XC) and you can also book in with trailaddiction etc.
there is a lot to do at the resorts as well look at 1800 as it had go-ape for kids, swimming pool bouncy castle etc and you could stay at them
And Tignes had some great deals last time we where there, if you camped within Tignes you got free cable cars, tennis , swimming etc and it had an airbag the day we where there.
The drive there is long however look at say 12hrs from calais non stop
Hope this Helps
adyak