I've been riding in Spain on holidays regularly for the last five years, both with orgainsed guiding trips and travelling independantly. I've been riding near the coast and high in the sierras and this year, I'm just back from the best trip yet. Joy-riders are a new outfit run by enthusiasts Jude and Gary, who have converted an old sherry bodega property into top-quality en-suite accomodation. The rides are absolutely first class, a great range of routes available from blue grade to super technical double blacks. The best stuff is the wide range of good flowing blacks, typicaly 7-8km descents at a stretch. The house is wonderful; peaceful courtyards, a pool in the garden, games room, workshop and best of all, a hot tub on the roof with a view of the mountains. Deal with your tired muscles by relaxing in the tub and there's a beer in your hand. How good can it get?
Get yourself on a plane to Malaga now. Pads are a good idea, even if only to protect your limbs from the thorns. Slime is a good investment.
One cautionary word. The website is incorrectly printed in WMB, it should be joy-riders.co.uk And it doesn't really do them justice.. get it sorted, Gary..!

How long have you worked for them!? :-)

Very funny. No, we all paid for the privilege of riding on this trip and I'm seriously thinking of going back in October. Flights from Scotland are a bit expensive tho, so I'll need to work on my credit limit.
Anyway, these two Geordies could probably use a guide. I wonder if they'd take me...

I've just come back from a week with this company. Couldn't fault the rides or the superb accomodation. Really is 4 star. The full on aquaspa is fab after a ride. The owners are really accomodating re collections (I flew into Granada from Liverpool on Ryanair £102)and also arranging transport in the evening. Food in the area was surprisingly cheap compared to the coast. The riding is as technical as you want it to be. I've cycled a lot in Spain and like it technical and the trails on offer are very testing. Weather in the region is great and the scenery is breathtaking. I understand the company also able to cater for roadies (the guy who runs the local bike shop has route maps 100-160kms) and most road surfaces are first class. Would definately go back.

Can,t agree more, I had been organising a trip for 8 guys in spain and went to check out other companys on the coast but just didn,t feel they offered the standard of accommodation we wanted. How glad am I that we picked joy-riders.co.uk The converted bodega accomodation is as others have said "outstanding" great en suite power showers,comfy beds, and dining areas both inside and out. Hot tub, pool and a free beer in your hand after what can only be described as sublime rides. Gary and Jude (the owners) have discovered these trails some of which have been unused for years,cleared them by hand and linked together to create wonderful epics.
Catered for at every turn with local knowledge, transport into the surrounding towns, which are real spain, freindly people, great food and very cheap (7-10 euros/head including beer and wine )If you like us have done the Alps and are wanting challenging rides where you have to work for the thrill of the downs you can not get better!
big thanks to Gary,John and Ian.
Happy to supply more info to anyone

Yup..just returned from a week with Joy Riders in Andalucia where we rode the trails in Subbetica Nat Park and the hills north of Cordoba. First thing that strikes you is the accomodation which is of the highest standard. Spacious clean en suite rooms, a sizeable communal kitchen area and loads of chillout areas both inside the villa (Bodega) and outside. Each room has tv, playstation and ipod docking stations complete with thousands of tracks on the provided ipod itself. Truly 4plus star accomodation for this type of holiday. There is also a jaccuzzi on the roof terrace and a swimming pool to relax in after a long day in the saddle. The property is stunning and set in the hills amongst olive groves and vines, wonderfully peaceful with great views across the countryside. Gary who owns the business is a naturally laid back guy, is accomodating and keen that we enjoyed rural Spain and importantly the trails he took us to. Following an epic first day to presumably test out riding ability (we all look magic with fine steeds but that of course can be deceiving!) we passed the first test and Gary aided by Jonny and Ian took us to singletrack, doubleblack, firetrack, knarly climbs, technical downhill, loose stone descent, river bed, high plains, thigh burning ascent, pant wetting descent..over the next 5 days. All routes were circuitous, stunning scenery and a mix of terrain from stone to dirt trail. A truly fantastic area and setting for any kind of bike (or walking) holiday. We not only enjoyed the riding and the accomodation but appreciated Garys local knowledge on everything from food to people. The food is superb, Tapas platters aplenty and embarrassingly inexpensive. Local towns are bout 30mins away from the villa with a varied nightlife, Lucena is a must on a friday evening!! The hilltop village of Zuheros were we completed a ride one day has the most outstanding restaurant, food and fantastic views across the area. Joy Riders offer more than a bike holiday, what you get is a taste of rural (real!) Spain, food, culture, and easy access to Cordoba for perhaps a shopping stop and indeed the hills north of the city where the trail we did (black graded) was thrilling to say the least! Oh and Gary offers free beer tho honestly I'm not sure that he needs to..the riding, and experience he offers sells itself! Cheers guys.

My hubbie and I have just got back from a week with Joy-riders and I second everything said above. Ab Fab all round. Get yerself out there !!

Are Joy Riders offering discounts for anyone saying how great they are then? If so, I think Joyriders are great. How much discount do I get ;-)

Id agree with everything said so far. Dont take a HT unless you really are competent on it as teh terrain can be very demanding. I speak from experience; riding a bike with 80mm front travel only was a real challenge.

PS - free bar, and the red is wholly drinkable (think general french table wine, for free!)

www.Joy-riders.co.uk were brilliant they paid for my flights medical insurance and bike carriage, when the saw the bike i had was a couple of years old they gave me a brand new bike and waved a magic wand that not only turned me into a honed pro rider but also an Adonis fanny magnet that could woo any seniorita i happened to glance upon.

All told the best holiday experience of my life, go guys you rock!!

Ha ha BHB, very good :¬)