FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Firstly, you will need to decide where you want to go; based on the dates we operate at your chosen location. If you aren’t sure try using our Trip Advisor tool to narrow it down. We don’t publish specific availability on the website, so you will need to get in contact with us by email or telephone to see what availability is remaining for your chosen destination. We’ll be happy to call you back if you prefer.

How do I book?

Once you have identified where you want to go on holiday with us, and we have confirmed the dates are available, we can take your reservation and confirm the total price. You will then receive a booking form by email or post, which we will need you to return within 5 working days along with your deposit of 20% of the total price. If you do not confirm your booking within 5 working days your reservation may be cancelled.

Can I speak to someone directly?

Of course you can – we’d love to hear from you! We’re happy to discuss whatever you need to know – please see contact us or request a call back.

How much deposit is needed?

In order to confirm your booking we require a deposit of 20% of the total price for your group. If you are making a reservation less than 6 weeks before your holiday starts full payment will be required at the time of booking.

When do I pay the full balance?

The full balance of your holiday is due 6 weeks before the commencement date. If you are making a reservation less than 6 weeks before your holiday starts full payment will be required at the time of booking.

What’s included in the price of the holiday?

Our holiday prices are inclusive of all of the below:

Luxury transfers to and from the holiday pick-up point
En-suite accommodation as described in our Where We Ride pages*
All Breakfasts*
All travel to and from trailheads in our limo-style luxury vehicle
5 days riding
All guiding where appropriate(excluding additional guiding on rest days)
Fully qualified SMBLA guide
Après-ride advice and support – see Why we are so Unique
Access to our mobile workshop facilities
Technical support
Access to Cytec qualified mechanic and DT Swiss Certified Wheelbuilder
Labour costs on repairs undertaken
Selection of photos (taken by our guides) from your week on CD and online
End of week helmet camera movie published online

*- Not North Wales Explorer

What Isn’t Included in the basic price of the holiday?

Can be arranged at Extra Cost (if required):

Additional days guiding = £25 per person + any costs incurred (fuel, lift passes etc)
Additional van journeys/“taxi” services – price dependent upon your needs
Uplift Days
Packed lunches* - prices depend on requirements
Evening meals in your hotel
Day Trips – priced by journey
Bike Hire - see Bikes section
Downhill Bike, Full Face Helmet and Armour Hire –see Bikes section
Camelback Hire - £15 per week (limited availability)

*- Not North Wales Explorer

Our holiday prices do not include the below

Flights/ Train Journeys/ Travel Costs
Single Person Supplements
Evening Meals outside your hotel
Insurance – see Insurance section
Lift Passes
Helmets

What happens if I need to cancel my booking?

If you unfortunately have to cancel your booking we have a set policy, as do most reputable companies offering these types of holidays. It may be possible to amend your booking to an alternative week depending upon availability. If this is not possible, please see our full Terms and Conditions for full information of the sliding scale we apply to your cancellation refund – effectively the later you cancel the smaller your refund will be.

Do I get a group discount?

Whilst we would love to offer large discounts for group bookings etc, we believe that you would prefer holidays which are genuinely priced, rather than offering reductions on inflated prices like other companies do. We have high costs (hotels, fuel, vehicles etc) which we can’t change, so discounts are difficult for us to offer! However, we will offer a 5% discount for groups of 6 or more -please contact us for further information. Please also see our “Budget Options” section for other way to reduce costs.

Is there any way to reduce the cost of my holiday?

If you really need to try and save some money whilst experiencing our amazing holidays please see our Budget & Custom Options section and see if you might prefer an alternative way of riding with us. This area has details of our “Drive and Guide Only” package and our “Supported Camping” options, both of which can save you money in exchange for a few home comforts!

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Transfers

What if we all arrive at the pickup point at different times?

All of our pickup points are near major city centres – our team will be based nearby for the duration of the day. If you arrive early you will have some time to head into the city and explore whilst we wait for the remainder of that week’s group to arrive. We realise that this could mean some waiting around, so in return we will look after your bags and can even get our Cytec qualified mechanic to begin assembling your bike for you! As soon as the whole group for the week has arrived we will transfer you to your hotel. Please ensure that your arrival time at the pickup point is no later than 1800 to allow for travel time. Once you confirm your reservation we’ll explain all of the collection information in detail.

What if our journeys home are booked at different times?

We return the whole group to the drop-off point early in the morning – our team stay there all day – so if your return transport is later in the day we can look after your bags and equipment (if necessary) for you whilst you head into the nearby city. Please make sure that your check-in/ train/transport time is not before 0900 to allow for travel time. Once you confirm your reservation we’ll explain all of the drop-off information in detail.

Are transfers included in the price?

Transfers are free, and are available at no additional cost.

What are the pick-up/ drop-off times?

This varies from location to location – however our team will generally arrive at the pick-up/drop-off point no earlier than 0900 and remain there until 1800 at the latest. This is to allow sufficient travel time to and from the accommodation. We stay at the pickup/drop-off all day and transport the whole group for the week in the same journey. If this means that you have some waiting time we can look after your bags and equipment for you whilst you explore the nearby city. If you have a wait upon arrival our Cytec Qualified mechanic can begin to build your bike for you if required!

Where do you meet me?

We will provide full details of meeting points once you have booked you holiday – but all of our pick-up locations are either at Airports or Major Rail Stations. Our vehicle will be nearby when you arrive, and you will be met by a member of our team as soon as you arrive.

Is there a number I can call if I can’t find you at the pick-up point?

Absolutely – we are contactable on 07818 085590 at all times.

How do I find you?

We will provide full details of how this works once you have booked, but generally we will be waiting for you with a Singletrack Safari sign at the designated meeting point.

How long are the transfers?

This varies dependent upon the holiday, and sometimes whether you are inbound or outbound. Generally they are between one or two hours. Don’t worry – the vehicle is very comfortable and you can watch a movie or listen to music whilst we travel – the van is so nice you may not want to get out!

How is my bike and bags transported?

We have a custom built, fully-enclosed and secure trailer which we tow with our luxury vehicle. Inside the trailer we have had custom internal racking designed which holds your bike lovingly in place whilst we are on the move. Bikes are carried intact – there’s no messing around removing wheels or turning handlebars! See the Van and Trailer for full information.

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Accommodation

What sort of accommodation can I expect?

We have personally vetted all of the accommodation which we use to ensure that it meets our quality standards and represents the best value for money we could achieve on your behalf at each location. Hotels vary widely across Europe, so we have inspected many to ensure that you have good accommodation! Generally speaking our hotels are 3 or 4 star level. However, the French system has some very unusual rules about ratings, so these can be a little lower rated. Overall, all hotels are very clean, tidy and offer good facilities and service. In a nutshell it is generally higher quality accommodation than you find at the vast majority of MTB holidays!

For our North Wales holiday we were unable to locate a hotel which had the right location and quality for our needs, so we have instead opted to use some really nice traditional holiday cottages – these are very good quality stone built cottages with well equipped kitchens and bathrooms.

Are there bike storage facilities?

We have storage facilities at all of our locations

Can I have my own room?

All of our prices are based on two people sharing a twin room – if you require a room to yourself you will need to pay a single supplement – please see Prices and Booking for full information.

Are the rooms en-suite?

All of our hotel rooms are en-suite with showers and good facilities –and our 4 star hotels are positively luxurious! Our holiday cottages (by their nature) aren’t en-suite, but the bathrooms are only shared between 2 rooms normally.

What facilities are there in my room

This varies between accommodation, but all hotel rooms are en-suite as a minimum. Other facilities are based on location – in the UK you can expect Tea and Coffee Facilities, Televisions and Wi-Fi is often available from your room. On the continent you don’t often get so many facilities – but you will often find TVs and all rooms are en-suite. All of our Spanish hotels offer fully air conditioned rooms which (as anyone who has ever been on a biking holiday in Spain will tell you) is essential for getting a good night’s sleep, and thereby enjoying your riding! Please contact us if you would like specific information.

What is there to do in the evenings?

This varies hugely depending upon your destination, and sometimes within each holiday. For example, during our Spanish Trail Tapas holiday you will stay in 2 different hotels during your holiday – one is in a town, and the other is in a mountain location. Clearly, more remote locations have fewer options for evening entertainment – but all of our holidays offer a degree of nightlife! There’s always the ability to spend a few nights out at local bars and restaurants – and some holidays (such as Ultimate Alps, Scottish Stanes and Andorra Altitude) offer lots of “après-bike” options to keep you busy in the evenings – from bars and restaurants to live music and nightclubs. We pride ourselves on being very aware of local live music and events, so if there’s something special happening nearby we’ll let you know about it. Please see Why we are so Unique

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Food

What food is included?

All of our rates are quoted on a bed and breakfast basis (except North Wales) in Hotel Accommodation. Packed lunches are available for a small charge at all hotels. Evening meals are not included, but our hotels usually offer a special rate on meals for Singletrack Safari clients who choose to eat in. Alternatively we know a vast array of places to eat to suit every pocket – it is definitely possible to eat cheaply in the evenings with a little local knowledge!

Where do I eat?

Breakfast is served in your hotel, whilst dinner can either be eaten at your hotel restaurant or we can show you the best places to eat at all of our destinations – we have spent a long time researching the nicest restaurants and cafes to suit any budget.

I am a fussy eater!

Don’t worry – it’s very easy to find a really good selection of food at all of our destinations – we are also close at hand to give you special recommendations....lots of food on the continent is far less intimidating once it has been translated! We are more than happy to help you through the menus to find what you are looking for.

What happens if I have specific dietary requirements?

In most locations it is possible to speak with hotels and restaurants to ensure that intolerances, allergies and dietary preferences can be accommodated. In some countries this can have the affect of narrowing the menu a little (for example Andalucían menus include a lot of pork!) – but we can help you make sure you get the food which suits your needs.

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Bikes & Equipment

What sort of bike do I need?

This is always a big question – so we’ll give you a big answer, on a location by location basis!

UK Holidays – most trails in the UK can be ridden comfortably on a hardtail bike, but you’ll find that some trails – especially in North Wales, the Westcountry and the North of Scotland can be pretty technically challenging and rocky, so are sometimes more fun on a full-susser.

Ultimate Alps – you will probably cope on a front suspension bike, but we’d definitely recommend a full suspension bike with 100mm or more of travel to get the best from your holiday. If you plan on exclusively riding in the bike parks we’d recommend something with slacker frame geometry and more travel – short travel bikes can quickly feel very out of their depth amongst the tough elements of the DH courses in the Alps!

Andorra Altitude – The trails in Andorra are similar to the Alps, so similar rules apply – but they are a bit steeper and rockier in places, so we’d probably recommend a slightly longer travel bike, probably 120mm or so. You’ll cope on a shorter travel bike, but they tend to throw your weight forwards on the steeper sections.

Spanish Trail Tapas – the trails in Spain are often harsh, but the mountain ranges we ride in keep things varied. However, the majority of the time you are riding on rock and extremely hard-packed dirt, so a full suspension bike is definitely our recommendation – but remember there are no uplifts here, so some people prefer a hardtail for the climbs, and take it more carefully down the other side! A full suspension bike will generally keep things more fun and less tiring.

Can I hire a bike?

Before hiring a bike ask yourself whether you’d really enjoy your holiday more on your own familiar bike...? People get unnecessarily concerned about taking bikes on flights in particular – it’s actually very easy and cheap to do if done correctly. It takes about 20 minutes to pack a bike for a flight, and in 15 years of flying with ours we’ve not had one single issue or any damage done!

We don’t have a fleet of hire bikes, as most people prefer to bring their own. However, we do have one excellent bike available if you really need it! It’s a 2009 Commencal Meta 5.5.1 in medium, which will fit most people from about 5’6” to 5’11”. We offer this as more of back-up service than anything – the hire charge is £150 per week.

If this is not available we have relationships with several hire shops in France and Andorra, who offer a range of bikes for hire. These tend not to be cheap to hire – you are probably looking at around £250 (Commencal Meta 5.5.3) per week to hire a decent full suspension bike in the Alps, and £160 in Andorra (Cannondale Prophet). A downhill bike will cost about an extra £50-£80 per week to hire. Please contact us for full details of recommended hire shops and how to go about organising a bike.

Do I need to bring bike spares?

You’ll need to bring basic riding spares for your bike – as a minimum we would recommend some spare inner tubes, spare brake pads, chain links and joining pins, and some lube.

What gear do I need to carry on rides?

We would recommend that you carry a Hydration Pack (ideally with a 3L bladder) containing Inner Tubes, Pump, tyre levers, basic tools such as a multi-tool (and any tools unique to your bike), a waterproof jacket and some food to snack on. If you have a mobile phone please bring it too – but make sure you keep it somewhere it won’t get wet or damaged. If it’s winter in the UK we’d always try to carry some spare clothes too. Oh, and importantly, don’t forget you camera!

Do you carry bike spares?

We have a few bits for repairs – but please don’t rely on these for emergencies – we don’t carry them out on the trail at all times! We usually have some tubes, cables, chains, tyres and lube which you can buy from us if needs be.

Do you have tools?

We have a well-equipped mobile workshop, which can cope with just about every eventuality (other than major failures and stripping suspension units) we are likely to come across. However, this is not a reason to not ensure your bike is in good working order and well maintained before your holiday! Lack of maintenance always causes problems and failures midway through a ride, not in the car park! We are Cytec qualified (bike shop mechanic level) and hold a DT Swiss Wheel Building qualification - and we will do our very best to help you out if you have problems.

How should I pack my bike for flights?

People get very over-concerned about taking bikes on flights – it’s actually very easy and cheap to do if done correctly. It takes about 20 minutes to pack a bike for a flight, and in 15 years of flying with ours we’ve not had one single issue or any damage caused!

We would recommend using a soft bike bag (hard cases cause lot of problems at airports in terms of additional charges and searches, and are difficult for us to store) – we use DHB bags from Wiggle as they are cheap and well designed
If possible use wheel bags inside the case, as this helps protect the whole bike by adding extra padding
If wheels are removed, we’d recommend removing the brake discs if possible, or at least turning the wheels inward so the discs don’t get bent
Get some plastic fork and frame spacers from your local bike shop to protect the dropouts
Also get some disc pad spacers (or use some thick card) and put them between your disc brake pads to avoid the brakes getting compressed in transit
Remove your pedals and put them in a compartment in the bike bag
Sometimes you will need to remove the stem and bars– it depends on the brand of bag
We’d also recommend removing the rear mech – no need to unplug the cable, just wrap the mech in bubble wrap and tape it to the inside of the rear triangle so it’s out of the way
Put some pipe lagging or cardboard tubes around the frame if you are paranoid about scratches!
Finally, use some spare packaging materials to take up the spare space in the bag – this stops the bike moving around and adds extra padding
Please also see our step-by-step “how to” video on YouTube and our photo guide on packing your bike on the blog page.

Are there bike storage facilities?

We have storage facilities at all of our locations

Is there somewhere to work on/ wash my bike?

Our mobile workshop/ trailer has an unfolding awning to protect you from the worst of the weather, whether it’s strong sun or rain. If it’s dark the trailer has power and lights so you can work after dusk if needs be! We carry some portable bike washers, plus a bucket and cleaning materials if you want to borrow them.

What happens if I have a mechanical problem?

No problem – our Cytec qualified mechanic will come swooping to your rescue! If you are at the van you will have full mobile workshop support. Out on the trail we will do everything possible to keep you moving and enjoying your holiday. Barring a complete catastrophic failure there’s little we can’t do to get you home – our aim is always to let you finish the ride with a big grin on your face by fixing problems for you.

What gear do I need to bring with me?

The essentials you will need to have available on your holiday are:

Helmet – no helmet, no ride
Hydration Pack – please check it’s big enough to carry your gear! We don’t advise using water bottles – they tend to get lost, and are too small for a full day in the wilderness. We’d recommend using a 3L bladder for water
Gloves – full finger are recommended
Eyewear – we would always recommend protecting your eyes
Riding Gear – jerseys, shorts
Waterproof Jacket – yes, even in Spain!
Riding Shoes
Inner Tubes
Pump
Any tools specific to your bike

Do I need pads and body armour?

This is a very tough question for us to answer – really it is very much dependent upon your preferences, and where you are riding. We tend to carry a set of soft 661 knee pads on all rides, but we don’t always use them. However, we like to have them available wherever we are.

If we are doing big Alpine or Pyrenean descents don’t be surprised to see us pad up – but remember that if we hurt ourselves we can’t guide you – so we have to be very careful and take precautions. In Spain we’d really recommend wearing pads – not because of the difficulty of the riding specifically, but because the trails are very rocky and the ground is baked hard by the sun – so having a spill tends to hurt more than in other countries!

If you are riding bike parks in Europe we’d always wear pads – both elbow and knee as a minimum. If we are riding exclusively downhill then we’d also go with hard shell pads on our elbows/ forearms and knee/shins. If you are riding hard then you ought to consider a “pressure suit” that protects your back, chest and shoulders, and a full face helmet.

Please don’t get hung up on the question of pads – some people let themselves get quite intimidated by the thought of “padding up” – but it’s no different to making sure you wear the right shoes to go for a walk – it’s all about using the equipment that you feel is appropriate to your own needs!

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Fitness, Ability & Tuition

How fit do I need to be?

You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness wherever you are riding – in the UK and Spain there are no lifts available, but even in France and Andorra you will need to ride uphill; we don’t use lifts all of the time! The lift systems help us get higher than a normal day’s riding would allow you to achieve, but if you are on an XC holiday you are going to have to pedal! So long as you have experience of all-day rides you will be fine.

What level of skill do I need?

Anyone who has regularly been riding “proper” mountain bike trails (natural or trail centre singletrack with technical features) for a year or more will be equipped to deal with most of our trails – but our holidays are not suitable for beginners. We pride ourselves on our routes – they will challenge even the most experienced riders at times – but we plan our week’s riding around the group’s ability as a whole.

We are SMBLA qualified to coach you if you are an intermediate rider who would like our advice and experience, and we can help you understand and clear sections you might not have felt comfortable with previously.

You will be amazed how much your riding will develop across the course of a whole week of riding – so by the end of the week you will be riding more confidently and smoothly than ever before. Please read our Ability and Tuition page for further information.

How much experience do I need?

We’d recommend that our holidays tend to suit people who have been riding for at least a year or so, on a regular basis. You’ll be experienced in riding on singletrack trails, either natural or man-made, and you will be used to dealing with a few technical trail features. Our holidays are not suitable for beginners. Please also see the Ability and Tuition section.

What if I can’t keep up?

Lots of people worry unnecessarily about this – some people are always going to be faster than others uphill or down descents, but it is amazing how most people ride at a similar pace over the length of a day. Please, don’t worry about it – it never causes a problem, and you can rest assured that the guys that fly uphill will be glad of a rest at the top anyway! Please also see our Ability and Tuition page.

How do you deal with mixed abilities?

As we have already mentioned, our holidays aren’t suitable for beginners – but we offer a great deal of support to our guests. Our trails are carefully handpicked to ensure that most people can ride most sections, whilst other sections will challenge even the most skilled of riders. If there’s a section that you are finding tricky we are happy to offer free skills coaching and advice whilst riding to conquer things that you find tougher. Ultimately, even the very best of us have “off days” where we are struggling – and therefore no-one should ever feel ashamed to simply get off and walk a section if necessary! There’s one set of switchbacks in the Alps which we’ve only managed to clean once since 1995! Please also see our Ability and Tuition section.

Do I have to ride up hill?

If you are on an XC holiday, yes, you will have to ride uphill – but sometimes we will be very nice to you and drive to a high point to start a ride – and your guide will pedal back to the top to get the van at the end of the day whilst you relax in a bar! Our Ultimate Alps holiday offers more flexibility to add in extra lift-assisted riding, but some of the finest descents will still require you to put in some effort to reach!

If you are looking for a gravity-assisted holiday try our DH options – available in the Alps and Andorra, you don’t have to be a full-on downhiller to enjoy a week of letting the lifts takes the strain! Please also the Ability and Tuition page.

How long are the rides?

We generally ride for between 4 and 6 hours per day, and we can tailor this a little to suit the needs of the group – many rides have options to short-cut or extend our routes. We stop regularly and have breaks for snacks and lunch. In Spain we tend to finish mid-afternoon to avoid the most severe heat and sun of the day – this also ties in with Spanish lunchtime which is around 3pm.

Can you provide tuition?

We are fully qualified Scottish Mountain Bike Leaders – and this qualification includes coaching and support of riders. We’ve got a lot of experience between us and have ridden most disciplines too. We’re very happy to help you develop your riding skills if you would like us to – whether this is on an ad-hoc basis or over the course of a full week. We can even arrange a specific coaching week for larger groups – please contact us for more information. Please also see our Ability and Tuition information.

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Guiding & Routes

Is the riding fully guided?

We guide you at all times on certain holidays (e.g. Spanish Trail Tapas), and on others (such as Andorran Altitude) there are odd days where we are not required (e.g. Bike Park riding). Generally you can expect us to guide and accompany you for at least 3-4 days on all holidays.

Guiding in France is a separate issue – due to the idiosyncrasies of their legal system, only guides holding French qualifications can guide on their soil. Our guided riding in the Alps tends to take us across the borders into neighbouring nations where this does not apply! Therefore, if we are riding on French soil, we’ll issue you with a pre-programmed GPS unit, a radio link to our team, and marked maps. We will then shadow you (by bike) at close hand - we’ll be riding nearby at all times. If you have any problems we can therefore be close at hand to assist in an emergency!

Are the rides graded?

Trying to grade natural trails is daft – so no, we don’t grade them! One ride could very well be a “red” graded (difficult) trail overall, but have some technical sections which are “black” (severe), plus long, flowing “blue” (easy-moderate) singletrack descents!

We will always give you an idea of the overall feel of the route - but to effectively grade natural trails is simply not practical. For example, we know trails in Spain where bad storms can completely change the nature of long sections by moving rocks and creating completely new lines! In the Alps we have a ride which uses some incredibly rooty sections – these could change from “red” (difficult) in the dry to “double black diamond” (extreme) in the wet! We’ll always work out what trails will suit you best during our first day riding with you– after all, you are paying for our expertise...

I have heard that British Guides can’t work legally in France?

You are absolutely right – but most MTB holiday companies won’t tell you about it! Following some very serious issues experienced by certain British companies in the French Alps the law has become far more rigorously enforced to prohibit anyone not possessing the French guiding qualification from leading groups in France.

As this exam can only be taken in French, and is complex to understand, the change of law has effectively prevented any non-French guides form working legally. Unfortunately, the French qualification is often considered inferior to the SMBLA qualification – and many French guides are not terribly good...however, if you are being guided in the France by a non-qualified guide you are at great risk – firstly you may not be insured, and secondly you run the risk of getting stopped by the police! British mountain biking guides have been arrested in the Portes Du Soleil region for illegal guiding....

To avoid this issue, we won’t actually guide you on French soil – but don’t worry – we have a fantastic solution. The best natural riding in France is around Chamonix – and our favourite routes in the world actually head over the border into neighbouring countries. Therefore, if we are riding on French territory, we’ll issue you with a pre-programmed GPS unit, a radio link to our team, plus marked maps and directions. We will then shadow you (by bike) at close hand- we’ll be riding nearby at all times. If you have any problems we can therefore be close at hand to assist in an emergency! If the day’s ride leaves France (which it nearly always does) we’ll then pick up the guiding in person.

Our Ultimate Alps holiday includes some bike-park riding, where guiding isn’t required – and on these days we’ll simply ride with you wherever you choose to go and offer hosting, advice and support. Some routes, such as the Pass’Portes Du Soleil are marked over their length – so again, we’ll come with you for back-up, but we won’t need to guide you. For the French parts of the Pass’Portes Route we’ll also give you maps and GPS equipment, as the signing in some places is unclear. Fortunately, the most remote area of the route is in Switzerland, so we will be riding these more exposed sections with you and can legally guide if needs be.

Do you guide in France?

It is illegal to guide in France under the British qualification – instead we will shadow you (by bike) at close hand- we’ll be riding nearby at all times. We’ll issue you with a pre-programmed GPS unit, a radio link to our team, and marked maps. If you have any problems we can therefore be on hand to assist in an emergency! If the day’s ride leaves France we’ll then pick up the guiding in person.

Our Ultimate Alps holiday includes some bike-park riding, where guiding isn’t required – and on these days we’ll simply ride with you wherever you choose to go and offer hosting, advice and support. Some routes, such as the Pass’Portes Du Soleil are marked over their length – so again, we’ll come with you for back-up, but we won’t need to guide you. For the Pass’Portes Route we’ll also give you maps and GPS equipment, as the signing in some places is unclear. Fortunately, the most remote area of the route is in Switzerland, so we will be riding these more exposed sections with you and can legally guide if needs be.

Are your guides qualified?

All of our staff are fully qualified Scottish Mountain Bike Leaders – not Trail Cycle Leaders (this is the first module of the SMBLA qualification – and many guides never complete the full qualification). Trail Cycle Leaders are not qualified or insured to guide above 600m, which pretty is useless in most places – always check that your guide holds a full MBL qualification! Our guides are also ITC qualified in Outdoor First Aid, a qualification aimed specifically at active sports in remote environments.

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Out on Rides

Do I need insurance?

Yes – this is essential – and we will need to see proof of this before you ride. Please see the Insurance section.

What gear do I need to carry on rides?

What happens if I have a mechanical problem on a ride?

Your guide will do everything possible to help – whether it’s assisting with a simple puncture, a broken chain, torn tyre sidewall, damaged wheels, gear selection problems or even a snapped pedal axle, we are well equipped and we’ll do everything in our power to keep you moving.

Do I have to use lifts?

We can reduce lift usage if you prefer – but in the Alps and the Pyrenees some lift use is required to reach the best trails, or to link certain parts of routes together. If you want to ride big mountains without any lift use we’d recommend either our Wild Scotland or Spanish Trail Tapas holidays – these take in “real” mountains, but the peaks are lower, so the climbs are more realistic for most people!

Are lift prices included?

No, they are not, as your lift usage will vary on your preferences. We only use lifts in Andorra and the Alps.

How much do the lifts cost?

This varies – different places charge different amounts, and if you buy multi-day passes you can save money. However, a good example is the cost of a lift pass in the Portes Du Soleil area – this covers all of the lifts across the whole area, including Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz, Chatel and many more towns for only 20 Euros. Please see the resources page for links to more lift price information.

Do we ride from the door?

In most destinations we will ride from the door, or very close to it, at least once – whilst we are a “roadtrip” specialist we recognise that it’s nice not to have to travel every single day.

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Entertainment & Days Off

Is there a day off?

Yes, all of our holidays have a day off built in mid-week – most people rarely get the chance to ride every day for a week solidly, and you’ll be surprised how tired you can get. Therefore a day off makes sense, as you’ll get back on your bike the following day feeling refreshed and enjoy the rest of your holiday more as a result. If you really don’t want a day off it’s usually possible to arrange an extra day’s guiding....see “Can I ride on my day off?”

Can you recommend places to eat?

We absolutely pride ourselves on our ability to show you the best places to eat in all of our destinations – and we never recommend anywhere we haven’t eaten previously. We know all types of restaurants and cafes, to suit every taste and budget. More than just telling you where to go, we can normally even suggest the best dishes on their menus – and if you would like our help you can always take us along to provide translations and interpret the menu if necessary.

Is transport included in the evenings and on days off?

The cost of transport isn’t included in the evenings, but if you need a lift somewhere we’ll happily provide a “taxi” service – we’ll charge you for our expenses, but it’ll be reasonable! Days off are slightly different – normally we are based in a town – but if we are staying in a countryside location (e.g. rural Spain) we’ll take you into the nearest town or city for free. If you want to go somewhere specific, or a little further afield we’ll need to charge you for our costs – but either way we’re available to help.

What can I do on my day off?

There’s plenty to do on days off – but it all depends on which holiday you have opted for! Visiting cities, paragliding, canyoning, go-karting, walking, climbing, shopping, sightseeing – you name it, we’ll be able to tell you if it’s available. If we don’t know we’ll find out – we’re at your service as guides off the bike as well as on it!

Can I have an extra day off?

If you want an extra day off you are more than welcome to have one – but bear in mind that if we’re guiding the rest of the group on that day it is unlikely that we will be able to take you anywhere or give you much support.

Can I ride on my day off?

You can opt to ride on your day off if you prefer – we are normally available for an extra day’s guiding for £25 per person, plus any costs incurred. If we are not available to guide for any reason we’ll happily aim you in the direction of some of the more obvious routes and arm you with a map!

...this trail leads to our hotel's back door!

The countryside near Betws-y-Coed is dramatic

One of the most amazing buildings Gaudi designed

The Sierra Subbetica is higher than Ben Nevis in places

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Booking + Costs

How do I check Availability?

How do I book?

Can I speak to someone directly?

How much deposit is needed?

When do I pay the full balance?

What’s included in the price of the holiday?

What Isn’t Included in the basic price of the holiday?

What happens if I need to cancel my booking?

Do I get a group discount?

Is there any way to reduce the cost of my holiday?

Transfers

What if we all arrive at the pickup point at different times?

What if our journeys home are booked at different times?

Are transfers included in the price?

What are the pick-up/ drop-off times?

Where do you meet me?

Is there a number I can call if I can’t find you at the pick-up point?

How do I find you?

How long are the transfers?

How is my bike and bags transported?

Accommodation

What sort of accommodation can I expect?

Are there bike storage facilities?

Can I have my own room?

Are the rooms en-suite?

What facilities are there in my room

What is there to do in the evenings?

Food

What food is included?

Where do I eat?

I am a fussy eater!

What happens if I have specific dietary requirements?

Bikes & Equipment

What sort of bike do I need?

Can I hire a bike?

Do I need to bring bike spares?

What gear do I need to carry on rides?

Do you carry bike spares?

Do you have tools?

How should I pack my bike for flights?

Are there bike storage facilities?

Is there somewhere to work on/ wash my bike?

What happens if I have a mechanical problem?

What gear do I need to bring with me?

Do I need pads and body armour?

Fitness, Ability & Tuition

How fit do I need to be?

What level of skill do I need?

How much experience do I need?

What if I can’t keep up?

How do you deal with mixed abilities?

Do I have to ride up hill?

How long are the rides?

Can you provide tuition?

Guiding & Routes

Is the riding fully guided?

Are the rides graded?

I have heard that British Guides can’t work legally in France?

Do you guide in France?

Are your guides qualified?

Out on Rides

Do I need insurance?

What gear do I need to carry on rides?

What happens if I have a mechanical problem on a ride?

Do I have to use lifts?

Are lift prices included?

How much do the lifts cost?

Do we ride from the door?

Entertainment & Days Off

Is there a day off?

Can you recommend places to eat?

Is transport included in the evenings and on days off?

What can I do on my day off?

Can I have an extra day off?

Can I ride on my day off?

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Call 01454 419513 or 07818 085590

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