Description: Technical XC day riding on miles and miles of singletrack in a beautiful and ‘breath taking’ part of the world, catered accommodation to suit all riders.
REVIEWS
51 to 60 of 81 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now.Page:123456789
Strengths: The hosts (thanks Simon and Emma). The biking. The terrain - I didn't think I could ride stuff like that (and I'm still trying to convince myself now). The weather (October - just starting to get a bit grim on the Dales tracks but just perfect over there) The cost - cheaper than a week off work at home - less than half the price of a skiing holiday and just as much fun. Cheap flights (Jet2 - £10 for the bike - that's £5 each way!!!) Beer and Tapas. More biking.
Weaknesses: You're joking
Overall: Relaxed atmosphere - this is a holiday . But you will undoubtedly end up riding stuff you have thought you would never ride and come out with a different view of the bits of your local trails you previously thought too difficult/worrying/gnarly. I had only been mountain biking for a year (if that) when I went and have not been on another biking hol so I can't compare, but I can say that I will be going again.
Strengths: The ‘out the door and on the mtns’ riding and of course the terrain of those mtns! This is a fantastic place to ride. It has every type of riding you could want. If you love; twisting forest singletrack; open moonscape double track; rock garden descents; tight rocky switchbacks; dusty fire road blasts; long fire road climbs; tight rock strewn burmed gullies; riding xc bikes all day up and down; throwing big rigs down hill after transit van drop offs; riding cross bikes up fire roads; even road riding! – then this is the place for you. Simon, Emma and Nick are great and will make you feel at home and feed you well. Trust me this is all you need for a great/fantastic biking experience.
Weaknesses: You will be knackered when you get home!
Overall: Rural Southern Spain is a fantastic place to go riding and really feel like you're in the wilds. Freeride have got it sown up.
Strengths: Superb trail knowledge from Simon and Oscar.. with endless technical sections. The holiday is flexible with Simon able to cruise for those new to these trails whereas when required he can rip it uphill and downhill with unbelievable speed! Location is great and nothing seems to be too much trouble. Oscsar the dog can corner on fireroads at about 35MPH.!
Weaknesses: Some might find it relaxed in style - but for me it was just right.
Overall: Best riding, great people,top location.. it opened up my riding last year an absolute beauty..
Strengths: the most technically challenginf XC trails I have ridden. Indefatiguable guides. Very relaxed week.
Weaknesses: Basic accommodation - but you really can't complain for the price (and hotel options are available). Taking a rest day midweek is pretty well mandatory!
Strengths: Great location, great scenery, fantastic guides and riding. Not to mention the great apres riding tapas bars
Weaknesses: For some there might not be enough riding but by the end of the week you'll be glad of taking it a bit easy.....
Overall: The trails that we rode that week were the best that I have ever ridden - it's a pity that my bike skills weren't up to the challenge but with help from Simon, Nick, Tally, Emma and Oscar they improved no end by the end of the week. I still have to keep looking at the photos and check that is me riding them. I'll certainly be back.....
Strengths: The hosts - Simon, Emma and Nick are only too eager to please and make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
The riding - after the baptism by fire of a first day LONG technical rocky descent, I was gradually able to begin to appreciate the best terrain I've ever seen from a saddle. Highlights included a breakneck speed downhill traverse under Mulhacen (highest peak in Spain), fighting to keep looking at the track, rather than the moonscape scenery unfolding; and the loose, slidey bermed gullies, twisting between the olive trees, all before stopping for figs at the side of the road for energy when the adrenaline comedown arrives on the way home.
The location: friendly little Spa town in the stunning Alpujarras (Spa appreciated by the gf - once she'd figured out how to decline the enema treatment) with plenty of superb Spanish bars & restaurants. Great butchers for authentic Spanish 'Jamon' - still finishing off the leg we bought when we were there...
Weaknesses: Having to come back? Accomodation is a bit basic and food not 'traditional Spanish' (although the Banoffee pie is FANTASTIC!) - still a complete bargain for the money, though...
Overall: Great holiday - Simon and Emma do everything they can to make sure you have a fantastic holiday. You'll come back after riding trails that you didn't think you'd ever ride, planning your next trip and seeing if you can make your local trails a bit more worthy of your new-found skills.
Strengths: The hosts, Emma, Simon, Nick and of course Oscar with his unfeasably large testicals and cornering skills. The trails, food and workshop with a stack of spares a bike shop would be proud to have.
Weaknesses: I had to sleep and er, I drank too much beer. Oh, and the coffee, thats also too good. Didn't keep me awake though, good thing really! I suppose the accommodation was a bit basic but the riding more than made up for that. And hell, it was a good nights sleep and the showers had unlimited hot water!
Overall: Roger Mellie, you know, the man on the tellie, couldn't put this down. Seriously though....It was FANTASTIC as Simon would say. Nick was a womble who used to be homeless (according to himself) and Simon and Emma decided to give him a chance. Charitable couple, very nice, great rider and great cook - in that order. In fact, Emma is also WAY too fit as well. Having seen some of the hills she climbs on her Colnago...Some sick implement of torture called a road bike!?
I've been to France and done all that seasonal up-lift stuff but that doesn't compare with this. The singletrack was the best I have EVER ridden - FANTASTIC, the hills we rode up except for one day when I blagged a lift off Emma but Nick and Simon decided they were still going to ride up (sick buggers) and still kicked my ass on the arm pumping, brake busting, teeth chattering, pant smudging, grin inducing descent.
If you are a mountain biker then this is for you, without doubt. The singletrack is 'to die for' but don't because it might close them down and I've already paid my deposit to go back in six weeks! If you want a luxury holiday book with another company and leave the space for mountain bikers who will really appreciate the trails and effort Simon, Emma and Nick go to to do as much as they humanly, possible can. And then some more. Don't bring your girlfriend because she'll just get p***ed off with you because you'll just want to ride more and more and more trails. I know, mine did.
Strengths: The riding, Simon, Nick and Emma. Simons Chocolate Fridge Cake. The flexability of these guys was amazing. Being so close to Granada for an unforgetable night out - The shots bar (ouch, my head still hurts!)
Weaknesses: None, absolutely none.
Overall: I rode every day for a minimum of 4 hours. Some days we left the house at 10.30am and got back just as the sun was setting. My legs are hammered! On the last night we all had a really WILD night out in Granada, a really beautiful place even for an uncultured slob like me who just wants to ride.
The bike shop in Granada was a real eye opener! Simon rides for these guys and I got a great discount on a new helmet and some Sidi shoes. It had loads of kit all over the place.
Can't believe how much singletrack there was. Up and down! Snow on the top made Bubion and the higher villages limited so we rode loads around Granada instead. The Sierra Nevada National Park was a maze of trails but just don't think you can do it alone! Get it wrong and you're in trouble. This has really shown me what mountain biking is about. Definately going back!
Freeridespain is the crack cocaine of mountain biking without the cost. I ate too much, drank too much and rode too much but still wanted more even when my body couldn't handle it. Now I'm doing cold turkey and I'm on a downer...must get out there again asap!
Oh, and while I was there Simon took delivery of a new BIG RIG and was talking of North Shore in Whistler. Having seen the stuff he and Nick ride on hardtails....Hell, this should be GOOD!
Strengths: If you want less faff and more biking this is for you Long days in the hills with amazing trails Great people, Nick v.funny Cheap Holiday Cheap Beer
Weaknesses: I would agree with other people that the accomadation is a bit basic, but you are going on a biking holiday not an exec trip! Makes you want to live in Spain
Overall: Best biking holiday I have ever been on. There have been other bike trips where I have had more of a laugh but thats just luck of the draw sometimes with which group of mates you go with. If you like biking whenever possible you'll love this!
Strengths: Simply biking for bikers.no hassle easy to arrange, just book and get on a plane they do the rest, run by complete bikers who just want it to be as much fun as you do. Nice and laid back. stunning location
Weaknesses: none apart from me,. I wasnt quite ready for the trails.
Overall: A totally amazing long weekend, I keep reliving it , especially with the help of the ride DVD they did us, worth the extra money for the unique reminder. I am now determined to get a lot fitter and go back and ride it all better, it is very full on. nothing in Uk can quite prepare you . Such great people too, always there to help, especially with the technicals. I would totally reccomend freeride spain to anyone who wants amazing biking with no frills, which seems to be all the bikers I know.
Performance
100%
Reliability
80%
Value
100%
Overall Rating
93%
MY REVIEW
You need to be a member to post a review. You can join here free.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5
){kind=link}
