Average Rating: 5 out of 5 No. of Reviews: 10 RRP: £350 Year: 2007
Description: A new concept in guided mtb holidays combining luxury accommodation, trails for all levels and a taste of real inland Spanish culture. JoyRiders offer luxury accommodation dedicated to cyclists. Mountain biking trails are highly technical but short breaks and beginner weeks can be arranged by special arrangement. High quality hire bikes with 5” travel front and rear. Road cyclists enjoy near empty, smooth roads guided or self guided.
REVIEWS
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Strengths: The routes at Estepnos were some of the best mountain bike rides we have done and very well researched giving a great variety of riding. Would definitely come back for more.
Weaknesses: None
Overall: This was our first time with Joyriders and we were Estepona's first guests and what a good impression the team made. Great company and dedicated guides and mechanics. Routes were first class and were tailored to the groups abilities. Can't wait to return for more. Accomodation top classs too.
'BRILLIANT HOLIDAY FOR CYCLISTS AND NON CYCLISTS . '
Strengths: exactly as described in previous posts . the success of this holiday is so much down to the personal care and attention of the hosts jude and garry
Weaknesses: nil , garry and jude do their best to make sure everybody gets a good holiday
Overall: read the website and the reviews , they accurately portray the holiday
Weaknesses: none! organising 2008 trip, will be in touch soon Gary!
Overall: I had been organising a trip in 2006 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 lots of pics at http://john-mcfarlane.fotopic.net/
'TOP CLASS TRAILS WITH 4* ACCOMODATION - HOW GOOD IS THAT?!!'
Strengths: riding, accomodation, location
Weaknesses: None
Overall: Just back from a phenomenal week’s biking with Joy-Riders. These guys have picked a fantastic location in S Spain. Top notch trails of every level - from easy, to the ones where even the Guides fall off! The scenary is fantastic and it is not too far from the airports. Because of the great accomodation, my wife came with me this time. She chilled at the pool while I blasted the trails. After the hot tub we went into the local villages for romantic evenings - just about the perfect holiday! Garry and Jude were attentive to all our needs, but gave us our space. I picked up some great tips from the guides (riding and maintenance) and my fitness and technique both improved over the week. I brought my hardtail which worked really well out there. Don't forget extra brake pads, knee pads etc. as the terrain is harsh. So treat yourself, your bike AND your better half - go for it!
Strengths: Challenging natural trails Personal friendly care Swimming pool, hot tub, sun terrace Quality hire bikes Luxury rooms
Weaknesses: Distance to town, although the guides will drive you where you want on request
Overall: I am just back from 10 days holiday trip with JoyRiders in Andalucia where we enjoyed 8 solid days of mountain biking heaven: natural rocky up and downhills baked in the sun, fast shady singletracks meandering along bubbling stream, steep stony paths hanging on the side of deep valleys. Sheep, goats and vultures kept a close eye on our progress. Full suspension bike highly recommended, but don’t worry if you do not own one, because Joyriders has quality StumpJumpers full-sus available to hire.
Post ride and post lunch, luxurious treatment awaited back at the grand country house we were staying: double luxury showers, hot tub, massage, sun terrace, swimming pool as well as shady areas where to tinker with the bikes. Once the sunlight (and the locals) were out, and thanks to the guide with knowledge of proper establishments, we were lucky to experience real Spanish nightlife and tapas.
Personal and friendly guiding made it a quality holiday, from which we returned with (once recovered) steel legs, tanned skin and slightly less flabby stomach. Did I mention the free beer?
'TOP-QUALITY ACCOMMODATION, RIDES, RENTAL BIKES AND HOSPITALITY'
Strengths: Joy riders accommodation is superb; everything you could want is on hand. The en suites are excellent with local granite/marble surrounds and truly powerful showers. Rooms include use of a fully-loaded 60Gb iPod and speakers, TV and silent air-con (essential in the summer but also good for taking the edge of the evening chill in spring). We didnt use the pool as it was a bit chilly but the jacuzzi (on the roof!) really is the icing on the cake; lying in 40 degree bubbling waters looking at the stars and enjoying the free alcohol after a day's riding simply cannot be beaten.
The whole crew (Garry, Ian and Jude) made every effort to ensure we had everything required. They were on hand to drive us to evening meals and entertainment, provided coffee and cakes after a day's riding and even cooked for us one evening when we were too tired to go out to eat. We really couldnt have asked for more.
Dont let Ian's age lull you into a false sense of security - if you can beat him up the climbs on a rig as heavy as his Marin, wearing a 15Kg pack, then you are one fit whippet!
They hire 130mm Stuntjumper FSRs with XTR and Hayes discs so there really is no need to take your own bike, although I couldnt resist taking my prized (sub 20lbs) Kona Hei Hei none the less. However, trying to ride Maxxis 330s in this terrain proved to be a step too far (too many pinchflats and virtually no grip on the loose) so I opted for the Nokian NBX 2.2s in the end.
Despite being a hardtail fan, I would seriously reconsider taking a HT again; whilst the terrain is smooth and flowing in Cordoba ie ideal HT riding, the majority of the rides we took were very loose-surfaced, rock gardens with big boulders and switchbacks galore (Subbetica) ie ideal FS riding. That's not to say that you cant ride these trails on a HT (I did for 4 out of 5 days) but it really is a challenge to keep momentum enough to clear the rough stuff without eating it big time. I dont usually wear armour and still didnt here but as the terrain (think rocks, rocks, rocks!) makes injury very likely if you do stack it, and you wouldnt want to waste time recovering so why take the risk and ruin a day(s) riding?
The local village is pretty remote which makes for a very relaxing and quiet time when hanging out at the bodega, but there's plenty of evening action in Lucena should you need to go wild.
Did I mention the FREE BAR?!! And suprisingly, the red is very drinkable (think general table wine, but for free!)
Weaknesses: Unless you are used to eating more fried food than the whole of Scotland (sorry Ian!) Id avoid the local bar's tapas; it was all battered and fried to within an inch of its life. However, the locals were great.
If you are an idiot with an eye to trashing accommodation, abusing locals and causing trouble, dont come here; I dont want you to wreck it for the rest of us!
Not enough time to drink enough FREE alcohol lol!
Overall: Overall, great place to go biking, even if you had a non-rider or two with you (gotta keep the bike-widows happy if we want to keep taking these trips): superb hosts, guides and accommodation; great bikes and facilities (workshop, secure storage and Ian's an ex-mechanic); knarly, technical, natural terrain.
The first 'action-sports' holiday Ive come back from and not needed another holiday to recover!
Strengths: Fantastic and varied riding - challenging and rewarding. Unbeatable combination of challenging climbs and technical, rocky descents, plus some flowing woodland singletrack sections as well - pretty much everything you could possibly want to tick off from your "dream-ride" list.
Accomodation is easily the best I've stayed in on an MTB holiday - in terms of facilities compares to very expensive 4star hotels, and yet retains a laid-back, relaxed and friendly feel-at-home ambience. Ending the ride and then jumping into a massage spa/jacuzzi with a can of (free) beer or wine in one hand, watching the sunset over the mountains and reminiscing about the ride with your mates is truly an experience to be savoured.
Garry is exemplary, both as a ride guide and a host. He is 100% committed to ensuring the enjoyment and comfort of his guests and will readily go out of his way to make your stay better.
I've been on various mtb holidays over the years, ranging from Wales/Lakes/Peak District to mainland Spain, the Pyrenees, Morzine, Chatel, Chamonix etc. and if I had to choose one place to go back to, for an all-round mtb-holiday experience, this would be it.
Weaknesses: none
Overall: Well done Garry, you've created an MTB holiday masterpiece, and deserve every success !
Strengths: If you like technical but not suicidal rides then you have to try these! Every ride has a different character. The ride down the Bailon Gorge is amazing as is the view from the lunch stop at the Tapas Bar next to the old Castle. You get a feel for the Old and New Spain as the rides are centered in different areas, like Cordoba (New) and Zuheros (Old). The accommodation is first class with all rooms en-suite, air conditioned and comfortable. The Spa is on the roof of one of many terraces giving you a superb view of the vineyards, olive groves and mountains beyond. The perfect way to chill out with a (free!) beer after your ride. I used a hire bike last time as I realised they were every bit (or better) as good as my own.
Weaknesses: Having to leave the pool to get another free beer!!!
Overall: I've been 3 times already and Garry and Jude have made me feel like one of the family. Its only 3 months since I've been and I'm planning to go again in the Spring.
Strengths: Top quality accomodation. Free bar. loads of top notch rides, including epics (40km and meters and meters of ascents/descents). Very customer focused.
Weaknesses: A week isn't long enough (wish I'd known about this company sooner and not spent my dosh on less professional operators)
Overall: 8 of us recently spent a really enjoyable week with Garry and his crew at their 5* base. Awsome rides every day. All of the rides were within a short distance of the Very testing and challanging in both endurance and technical ups and downs. The owners are superb hosts and nothing seemed to be too much trouble. The free bar and the 5* spa on the roof with views to die for were the icing on the cake. Will definately be back again this year. I understand there are hundreds of miles of top quality roads in the area and Joyriders can provide maps so may even try and get out with the road bike later this year or early next.
'AT LAST, A MTB HOLIDAY COMPANY OFFERING LUXURY ACCOMMODATION'
Strengths: Some of the most technical riding available anywhere in Europe. XC format, where the climbs are as technically challenging as the descents (they will take you to the top in the minibus if you ask nicely!). Due to the number of guides available the ideal choice for groups of differing abilities. Two centre riding means the rides and terrain are never the same twice. Brand new 5" travel, full suss hire bikes. The quality of accomodation makes it the first choice for female riders. Private pool! Roof top hydrotherapy massage spa to soothe those aching muscles at the end of the day. Air-con makes it possible to sleep! Not having to follow the guy into the bathroom who was out on the beer last night - all rooms en suite! As there is no tourism, you can immerse yourself in real Spanish culture and get a brief understanding of "real life" in rural, inland Spain. Oh yeah - free bar!!!
Weaknesses: Free taxi rides into 3 local towns offering over 200 bars, 50 restaurants and 3 night clubs mean it's difficult to stay in and consume the free alcohol on offer at the villa! Headaches!
Overall: A MTB holiday with a difference! Fantastic trails able to satisfy the demands of riders of all abilities. High quality, well maintained hire bikes. Luxury accommodation never seen before on MTB holidays. A real cultural feast. Give it a try, you'll want to go back!
2007 sees the launch of an 8 day trip around 4 Andalucian provinces, staying in 4 quality hotels (2 nights in each), with vehicle support. A unique opportunity to ride some of the best mountain ranges in Spain. Like the centre based holiday, accommodation is second to none carrying on the trusted Joyriders theme.
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MY REVIEW
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Average Rating: 5 out of 5
