Switchbacks holidays

Yes, I last went a couple of years ago, Mike was still there doing his thing, and it was still as good as its always been. 

You'll be fine on your own, Mike will just put you in with another group. 

I've been twice and they run a bit of a fast and loose operation to be honest! It's alright when it's running but the wheels can come off sometimes.

Last time I arrived at the airport to find the driver missing and no one answering their phones. I eventually spoke to Mike who said there was no way the van could make it to the airport so I was stuck trying to find a taxi big enough for a bike box with my non existent Spanish. So I was stung for an unexpected 50 quid taxi ride on day one.

I might try Ride Southern Spain next. Their villa looks nicer than the hotel in Mijas which Switchbacks use.

This is in the winter though, I've never been to Bubion.

Cheers. I remember it being a bit fast and loose! Just want some dry and decent riding!

I'm going in May, drop me a pm

Timely thread as we’re currently looking to book to go in September. 

We're going in September.

Ridden in the same area loads of times before with Ciclo but they're no more and once with RSS* .

Going out with mates that have been multiple times before with Switchbacks so going in eyes wide open to the shonkiness of them.

Though despite all the lack of customer care we're told that there's as much riding /uplifting as you want and more.

Should suit us fine.

* RSS were in their first year and were worse than useless.

Accommodation was terrible with 12 people sharing one bathroom, no hot water and being guided by another guest that had been there for a couple of days because Andy was off doing a race...

Then when we were being guided by Andy he knew less trails than we did.

I'm sure they're better now though.

I have been with ciclo as well. Found them a bit keen to cycle up hills for my liking! 

So it seems they are very much as they were. Just want some uplift riding in nice weather. 

Went with a large group to both Switchbacks bases in Bubion (summer) and then nr Malaga (winter) a few years ago.

The whole operation is run on a shoestring and the accommodation is,... well .. .. accommodation.

We had a great time on both occasions with plenty of fun and techy trails to fill your boots. Would we go again, yep, with our eyes open.

Was in Bubion with Switchbacks last September, had a great week and would be back in a heartbeat. Yes, it was rough round the edges with groups departing, new groups arriving, working out uplift drivers, guides, airport transfers etc but it worked out- thanks to Mike.

Really enjoyed the technicality of the trails and the Summit to Sea day will not be forgotten.

Went back in 2020 just before Covid. Definitely shonky and a bit run down. They had a fab driver/guide Charlie who was properly French 🙂 He was not Mike's biggest fan. Our mate did his ankle first day and was sort of abandoned. He was left in a bar tho 😉

Ruben "the flying wombat" was our guide and "Lucky" (now retired I think) our driver. Brilliant pairing, we went way off the beaten track (enough of us to have a van to ourselves) and rode some amazing stuff. Wasn't all uplifted but worth it for the trails we rode.

So summary for us was great guide, cheap, fab trails pretty shonky elsewhere. Most of us came back with some kind of bedbug based itchiness as well. Preferred Ciclo while they were still going. Done Sierra last year as well. Also very cheap, guide was fab, accomm was fine, good breakfast and free beer. Nice as it was located right on the beach in Malaga 

Just back from a week with RSS, good accomodation, great trails fast loose Spanish tech, Enduro delight.

We were with SierraMTB last weekend, Thurs to Sun for 3.5 days riding. I don't have anything to compare them to but they didn't seem that organised! However it was cheap (600euros for airport transfers, B&B +free drinks, bike hire, minibus shuttles and guiding) the riding was fun and overall we had a great time.

Didn't get the weather we were hoping for, it was warmer in Yorkshire today than it was in Spain last weekend😂

Lots of good info. Will have a think. Cheers 

I have been with ciclo as well. Found them a bit keen to cycle up hills for my liking! 

Haha, I seem to recall having the same thoughts about Switchbacks.

"Today we'll drive right to the top of the hill"

20min later......

"we have to get out and ride as we're not allowed to drive any further" (still looking up at enough climbing to be considered a decent hill in the UK but with 30% less oxygen).

And the rest day basically just meant no guide or uplift (which is fair enough, they need a day off), so actually we just ended up riding even more than usual. 

The two times I've been it's been solo and 'out of season' and felt a little like they were struggling to put together a week based on the numbers.  I'd quite like to go back when it's busy and they actually have multiple guides / uplifts / routes running.  Either that or just go somewhere with a chairlift!

I'd go back, the riding is perfect for when it's miserable and muddy in the UK. 

All I remember of Switchbacks (in Bubion) was the $&@*ing cockerel crowing outside my bedroom window every $&@*ing morning from about $&@*ing 5am.

Posted by: thisisnotaspoon

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"we have to get out and ride as we're not allowed to drive any further" (still looking up at enough climbing to be considered a decent hill in the UK but with 30% less oxygen).

Given that the top of the hill is nearly 3400 Meters and most of it is a national park that doesn't allow vehicles in that's no great surprise really.

Last time we went all the way to the top I felt really weird. Couldn't stand up properly never mind ride.

I'd been up a couple of times before and felt fine so though it'd pass as we descened.

It didn't. It was only when I did a Covid test the next morning I understood why.

Altitude and Covid is quite an unpleasant experience.

All the times we've been out with Ciclo we've never really done much more than 1500 Meters a day  so must have missed all the big climbing weeks.

Video from last year courtesy of Andrew Ecclestone, probably a couple of others.