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I had plans, they fell through - and awkwardly they fell through the day after BasqueMTB offered their last slot on this week's winter Enduro package.
In short; money not being too much of an object (at least I saved money not having to buy a birthday present) (though I don't have a bike box so would probably need to rent if going abroad) - what would you do with a week?
I have a car, a 29er, and live close to an airport. I get the feeling though that lots of european MTB destinations are pretty "guided only" as finding and organising the rides is difficult and you end up a long way from support if something goes tits up (e.g. you break a mech hanger on a rental bike 40km away from the shop).
Cliffs; I'm not super psyched on the idea of a "Ronde van every-trail-centre-in-the-uk", but it could be an option.
FWIW I'm based in Yarkshire. And all my mates are working this week.
Lakes for a week. Weather looks half decent. Just book some decent accommodation somewhere central and fill your boots with good riding and good food.
Then again, perhaps you're not as antisocial as me!
A week in Wales?
There are spaces at BPW on thursday/friday, so book that, and then build a visit to some trails centres and natural stuff around that. Half term was last week, so accommodation shouldn't be an issue.
I have a car, a 29er, and live close to an airport. I get the feeling though that lots of european MTB destinations are pretty “guided only” as finding and organising the rides is difficult and you end up a long way from support if something goes tits up (e.g. you break a mech hanger on a rental bike 40km away from the shop).
Finale, join a group last minute and take your own bike?
Or use the shop run lifts.
It's mostly Downhill back to a shop, though you could ask them for a spare hanger....
The weather forecast would be my deciding factor. Go where it’s dry. While you can. 😐
Finale, join a group last minute and take your own bike?
Sounds good but looks like pissing rain and thunderstorms all week?
Booking into somewhere in Keswick could be a winner...
Couple of days based in Keswick & a couple in Ambleside then?
Scottish road trip? Innerleithen - Aviemore - Torridon - Laggan - Kinlochleven - Dunkeld (or similar). Follow the weather and easy to navigate day rides as XC or mountainous as you like with more than enough options to fill a week. Driving distances between them all manageable and other places to stop en-route if you like. And as above, think mid-term holidays were mostly last week so hostel/b&b should be fine.
In similar situations I've always wondered about cheap flights options & hiring. For me cheap flight destinations Malaga or Canaries would be an option with easy enough hire & seemingly loads of easy to navigate riding or groups to join if you need to. If you have flights to Lisbon then Sintra would be good, and Nice/Turin for somewhere like Finale or southern edges of the Alps. Geneva would work still but a bit between season for main alpine "resort" stuff - still loads of lower options for trails but shops and hire are less set up at the minute and you'd be guiding yourself most likely. Left field suggestion - Iceland. You say money is no object, still enough light to ride and a few decent hire places that can guide you all year round. But I can never justify flights/added up expenses for holidays so end up doing local road trips.
Have contacted all of the google-able places in Malaga and Portugal (didn't find many that decent?) - maybe they can facilitate something.
Finale looks like terrible weather but spain would be nice.
Worst case scenario is I take the spider to Keswick... but it will be cold! All my warm riding kit is for the road!
If money isn't a crucial factor and having to rent abroad is a concern why not buy a bike box?
Are you talking about going somewhere next week? We have a b&b in southern Cataluña but have visitors next week. If it's the week after next I can help. We hire good quality mountainbikes, carbon hardtails, or gravel bikes as we have miles of lovely trails here. I can do 1-1 guiding or gps loaded routes if you prefer. We moved here from Yorkshire 3 years ago, the riding's fantastic, mainly XC, rocky trails and gravel tracks and the weather beats the UK hands down. Let me know and we can advise on flights.
That's awesome pistonbroke, but I mean this coming week. I'll keep you guys in mind.
Matt - because an organised week is what would take me abroad; but it's too late notice for most. I've emailed around and had nothing back.
I'm off to the lakes!
Just come back from a week in the Tweed valley.
Awsum trails, awsum accommodation with a hot tub and plenty of options for food.
Only downside was having to ride about two miles of a trail center on one of the days to get to some of the good stuff.
Such a great place to ride and even has friendly locals.
No worries, PM me if you want to book anything next year, we're just getting going but have had a lot of interest so far.
STW member spekkie runs guiding and accommodation in Ainsa......
Great area, might be worth a PM?
Spekkie here . . . . .
I'm available to show you around Zona Zero in Ainsa if you can get here and we have accommodation available too.
PM me if your interested and we'll chat. . . . . .