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
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Strengths: Sunshine, GREAT trails superb location and a very chilled vibe. Emma, Simon and Nick great hosts Nick's ability to to video you whilst riding down them harcore trails.
Weaknesses: It's a real baptism of fire, so you need to be fit. Accomadation is basic but suited us fine.
Overall: Great long weekend, arrived Friday, rode in the afernoon, Sat, Sun and Mon then flew Sunday night. Was not prepared for the 2 hour climb....too many pies at Xmas. Trails are fantastic and really cover all sorts of terrain. 3500ft trail down a mountain in the sun...fabulous. Wish I had been fitter, will be next time.
Strengths: Simon, Emma and Nick are probably the nicest people you will ever meet. Nothing was too much trouble for them. The singletrack was by far and away the best I've ever ridden. Be warned though as some of it was far more technical than you will get in the UK. The tight, rocky switchbacks were a killer!! I like to put the effort in before hitting the downhill and this holiday didnt disappoint. There were about 2-3 hours of climbing each day which gave you time to admire the views before launching yourself over the abyss. On the last day Simon very kindly lent me his kona dh machine, body armour and full face helmet. He then drove me upto about 2000m and we did a 15km descent. The food was also great consisting of fat boy portions of pasta, rice and garlic bread. Breakfast consisted of copious cups of tea and bowls of cereal whilst sitting on the 2nd floor sun terrace.
Weaknesses: Unfortunately they had a lot of snow a couple of weeks before I got there (March 05) and the snowline was about 2000m so I didnt get to do the really high routes. Being beaten by Simon on his hardtail whilst I was on his dh machine going downhill. He then proceeded to kick a man (ie me)whilst he was down by swapping bikes at the bottom and beating me on a 15 minute uphill on road.
Overall: It really was a great holiday and excellent value for money. The riding had lots of everything... lung bursting climbs, sweet flowing singletrack, terrifying steep rocky descents and ultra fast rutted fireroads. Simon and Nick are 2 of the best riders I've ever seen and have a real passion for the sport. I'll be going back for more.
Strengths: This is not a holiday company, these guys have way too much fun for this to be work, and you do too. They offer just what most hard riding Mtbers want, a no frills package with great riding and superb company. Nicks Headcam footage of you riding. Oscar the hardest cornering dog on the planet. Pick when you fly out and when you return, any day of the week they are that accomodating. Beer included.
Weaknesses: Simon getting so worried that his guests are getting faster he's going all downhill core! It's so popular that it's getting almost impossible to book a place. Umm I'm not helping here - don't go its crap OK.
Overall: If you like a no frills biking trip away Si, Emma and Nick will give it to you superbly. If you want Hotel Gayboy accomodation, heating in winter, swimming pools or sun loungers go elsewhere.
The riding (and riders) here are superb,don't be put off by the name though, it should be FunRideSpain. A great place to have fun, improve your descending skills or even as a elite boy training camp in Winter. Warning you will not beat these guys on the climbs, ever.
Is it possible to give 10 out of 5 for value......
Strengths: Awesome doesn't come close: Great mountains, great weather, great descents, and most of all great company. This isn't your normal tour operator/client relationship. Si, Emma, Nick, and Oscar make you feel like you're close friends staying for a week, and you'll come back feeling like you've had a taste of a fantastic lifestyle and be buzzing for more. We were out on our road bikes and covered 600k and >10,000m of climbs in a week on some of the best roads ever. Wall to wall crumpet in Granada nightclubs and coming back in with the sunrise is an experience not to be missed either! I'm definitely coming back for more.
Weaknesses: Can't think of any...Si's complete lack of need to eat when doing a 6hr ride. Don't think you can do the same!!
Weaknesses: It is so good you have to ride everday. I got a lot of sh.. for using my granny ring. But it was the only way i could get up!
Overall: Simon. Emma. Nick and Ryan work hard to make it a great holiday and oscar (dog) does is best to knock you of your bike as if the riding is not hard enough. Tell Ryan Gengis Khan is on BBC next monday at 9pm BST.
Strengths: Fantastic riding, flexible hosts, dry and very sunny weather, excellent accommodation, food and workshop tools.
Weaknesses: No holiday with these guys will ever be long enough.
Overall: Over four years of dedicated trail seeking means the Free Ride Spain guides have a huge repertoire of named trails and can tailor a ride to suit everybody. In twelve months since my last visit Si, Nick and Ryan have been busy finding even more! There’s a mind-blowing choice of single-track cruises, epic downhills, lung busting climbs and every permutation in-between. Stringing them together with effortless precision you get amazing rides like the 12mile up 8mile down ‘Back Of The House’ starting right from the door.
The terrain is dry, loose and fast with very big hills (up to 3600m). Expect to see you skills improve.
The food and drink prepared by Emma is excellent and with the ridiculously cheap bars and chilled Spanish locals it’s a very easy life to drop into. Be warned - going home will be a shock.
I doubt you could find a more friendly, cheeky or inspiring welcome than with here.
Strengths: The scenery is out of this world, the Alpujarras make the Highlands and Lakes look pretty pathetic really, and the variety of the scenery is amazing. Mile upon mile of singletrack, and some seriously fast descents. Cracking company, the hosts are top banana, you want it you got it.
Weaknesses: Climbing, oh god, miles of climbing, it nearly killed me. Come the final day i could hardly turn my legs, but i am a bit pathetic - mind you, the climbs at Glentress were a bloody doddle after this. You get to realise that for all the £ooooo's you spend on bikes and kit, nothing is as quick as four paws. It finishes far too quickly. If you dont like mountain roads, and/or you're a nervous passenger, you're right out of luck. Your bike will be shagged by the time you get back - new frame sir?
Overall: What a holiday - your riding skills improve in leaps and bounds as you tackle technical, high speed descents and climbs that last for miles. A return trip is being planned already...roll on October.
Visit www.Howardsbikevids.co.uk to get a taste of what its actually like.
Strengths: Totally incredible singletrack. Flexible - you could do half an hour or eight hours of riding a day - it's completely up to you. Simon and Emma are superb, friendly hosts - it's like being round at your mate's house. Really good value.
Weaknesses: None.
Overall: If you really like to ride, I don't see how you could get a better holiday.
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MY REVIEW
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Average Rating: 5 out of 5
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