The Van And Where You Stay
Custom Vehicle and Bike Trailer
Our vehicle is something to behold; we bought a new VW Transporter Shuttle, and then let one of the UK’s foremost VW conversion companies loose on it, with the remit of transforming it into a show quality custom vehicle! As you can see there’s been plenty of work done on the outside of it, including a full bodykit and 20” wheels – we wanted you to feel that you were travelling in style, and trust us, wherever we go, heads turn!
However, it’s the inside where we wanted to ensure that we made things extra comfortable, as you will be spending a few hours in the van over the course of your holiday. We wanted to create a space where you would look forward to spending time, rather than enduring it. We have invested in a high end video and audio system, based around a touch-screen DVD head unit with high specification speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. This remotely operates a hidden 160GB iPod, loaded with thousands of hours of music – we’ve got a very wide range of albums to suit nearly any musical tastes. Don’t worry – we won’t deafen you – unless you want us to of course!
The next part of the system is a large, fold down Alpine screen in the rear passenger compartment – which allows you to enjoy a full cinema experience on the road. Feel free to bring your own DVDs, or watch one from our library of movies. The system even has a connection to allow us to plug in our helmet cameras so you can review the best of the days riding footage, or take a look at each other’s photos, as you head back to your accommodation at the end of the day.
Each row of seats has its own set of air-conditioning/ heater controls, plus reading lights allowing you to ensure that you remain comfortable irrespective of the weather. The van is also fitted with dark privacy glass which helps keeps the heat out at hotter times of the year, and gives you that Hollywood red carpet feel as you arrive at the trailhead!
The trailer has been custom designed for Singletrack Safari from the ground up to meet our very specific mountain biking needs! We understand how important your bike is to you – so we’ve made certain that it will travel in luxury and can be pampered and fettled in comfort.
Bikes are held securely in custom made racking in the enclosed cargo compartment, which protects them from not only the elements but from any interference whilst we’re moving around. However, that’s only one aspect of why we take a trailer with us. The side of the trailer opens up to transform it into an all-weather fully equipped mobile workshop, complete with a full range of professional tools and work stands – meaning that we can literally deal with most mechanical issues at the trailhead. We’ll do everything we possibly can to keep your bike moving reliably for the duration of your holiday. We’re equipped with the tools to deal with most issues that might arise during the course of your holiday, and we are both Cytech qualified and DT Swiss Wheelbuilding certified for your peace of mind. Had a mechanical at the end of the day? Not a problem, the trailer has external spot lighting so we can work in comfort late into the evening if needs be!
Quality Assured Accommodation
Whilst you may be spending the vast majority of your time out on the trails we aim to ensure that we offer you a relaxing and enjoyable environment when you are off the bike.
As with all aspects of your holiday, we have personally selected accommodation for you, to ensure that it is clean, spacious and meets our high expectations with regards to facilities and comfort. We personally visit and inspect the accommodation which we provide you with, and you can expect it to be of a high standard - as we realise how frustrating it can be when a great holiday is let down by lumpy beds, dusty rooms, poor facilities or a lack of privacy.
We use slightly different styles of accommodation in different locations – please see the individual destination pages for full details - but as a rule of thumb in we use the best quality 3 or 4 star hotels in areas where they are available.
All of the hotel accommodation we use is en-suite, clean and spacious, as well as being bike friendly. Quite often we’ve managed to secure some truly amazing hotels – both in terms of stunning views and high quality facilities. We’ve also made sure that internet access is available wherever you stay; either in the accommodation itself or very nearby, and usually via Wi-Fi.
We also base our choice of hotels on the value for money each region offers – in areas where hotels are reasonable priced, such as Andorra and Spain, you will find our hotels are particularly impressive. Hotels in the Alps tend to be expensive, so here we have selected them based on good quality standards and reputation, combined with good customer service and value for money.
Some more rural Welsh areas lack hotels which meet our requirements, so in these cases we use holiday cottage accommodation, which again we have personally visited to ensure that it’s of a really good standard. These have been selected to be traditional and atmospheric, whilst well equipped, but by their nature tend to be shared with others – although you will always have your own room. However the beauty of holiday cottages is that they do offer you the opportunity and flexibility to self cater if you prefer.
For more photos of the accommodation please see the "Places and Days Off" sections of each of our Destination Galleries, and there's also some more images under the different sections of the "Where We Ride" pages.
Budget Accommodation Options
If the holiday for you is more about the quality of the riding than the standard of your hotel, you will discover that our Ultimate Alps and Spanish Trail Tapas holidays we are able to offer some budget options depending upon availability – see our Budget and Options page for further information.
