Morning all,
Life has quite frankly been a bit of a shocking shower of shambles just lately so I'm thinking of cheering myself up with a few days somewhere sunny/sunnier than here. So where would you recommend for 3 nights on a mountain bike for the second week of January?
Where's here?
Kent.
Thinking along the lines of Spain, Canaries, Balaerics etc
Kent
Hmmm right. That would indeed do involve a flight. 🙂
On the plus side you are close to London airports. Majorca is the old place I've winter MTBd close by. And the weather sucked. Costa Blanca/ Málaga are other obvious options but would also have potentially dodgy weather. Finale ditto
Oman ( near Hatta) and Canaries are the only semi viable places I can think of in January for three days, but Oman seems evil from a emissions PoV for such a short trip
Oman might be a bit of a trek!
its not really sunny and warm anywhere in europe. Even southern morocco is only ~18C this time of year. Canaries would be where I'd be heading
18c is still better than here!
Completely open to suggestions for companies to book with.
...I'm a hypocrite obviously to feel increasingly awkward recommending flights for a quick hit of sun given the amount of times I've done it.
Anyway, Madeira would tick the boxes - loads of advice on here. And so would Gran Canaria. I've ridden with Free motion a couple of times who have a good operation but make sure you're with an advanced and non mixed ability group.
Flow Trails La Palma
I went to Málaga in January for a week of uplifts on mostly DH trails.
It rained a bit but it was still warm and sunny every day. It was exactly what I needed after a year of inactivity. It always my first flight in about 7 years so didn't feel guilty at all.
I was planning something similar this year but work is going to be mad for Jan and Feb.
dh guides canarias gran canaria near maspalomas tell himar i said hi
Oman might be a bit of a trek!
True. I only suggested it as the only non Canary option that meets your weather requirements and is possible for a long weekend.
Now that I've been educated on climate change I wouldnt dream of doing it again, but had an excellent 4 days rock climbing there in December with only 4 days away from home. Hectic, but doable when young.
Kent at least makes it easy over the channel. That TGV from Paris to Barcelona avoids a flight if you are reducing yours. Forecast not great that week though.
Alicante is easy to get to and lots of good riding in the inland mountains to the north. Check out BooM adventures for guided uplift riding.