Guided Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Holiday Reviews

By Vicksterfrom Glasgow on 2010-06-08

Pros:  Do it again,Fun,Well Organised,Great Accommodations
Cons:  NONE
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller,World Traveller
Best Uses:  Relaxation,Holiday,Thrill Seeking,Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Guided Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Holiday :

This was such fun – we had fantastic weather and a great group of intrepid travellers. I have told everyone who has asked how my holiday was that is was fantastic and that I’d recommend it.

It obviously helps to have some MTB experience, but I am not the most skilled and managed to jumble through any difficult bits by just getting off and walking.

Neil’s choice of accommodations was excellent especially given the remote and small locations with some very helpful hosts and good, plentiful food.

Grand.

[ 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful ]

By Turbo Tillfrom Bielefeld, Germany on 2009-12-30

Pros:  Well Organised,Once in a Lifetime Experience,Great Accommodations,Scottish landscape,Fun,Cooked breakfast
Cons:  More climbs please
Describe Yourself:  Avid mountainbiker
Best Uses:  Holiday,Relaxation
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Guided Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Holiday :

This is an excellent mountainbike holiday. I chose this trip because of the unique countryside of the Scottish highlands and because of the prospect of riding in an area that is not as overrun with people as other routes.
Baggage transfer of cause was very comfy, especially if you consider the likelihood of rain – or liquid sunshine as we called it. Nobody likes to look for dry socks in a wet backpack. The accommodations were well chosen, especially the guest houses / b.&b. were cozy, clean, and run by very friendly people. You almost regretted to move on the next morning. Only the hotel(s) in Tomintoul did not match the other places – but I have been at worse places.

The ride. Our guide, Neil, was familiar with the route and as he handed GPS devices and maps to three (out of eight incl. Neil) of the riders everybody could ride at their individual speed. It also enabled us to split the group and offer different routes when some of the riders opted for an easy alternative or a slightly shorter ride. At certain points we met to have a sandwich and make sure that nobody got lost. The terrain was not too technical so that everybody could enjoy the ride without clinging to the brakes and begging for the end of day. The more advanced riders could test their skills at the world champs track at Fort William, Laggan Wolftraxx bike park, and on the downhill from Mt. Keen.

Equipment. Although it certainly is not necessary to deal with the trails, I would strongly recommend a full suspension bike. Most of the trails have rocky surface and the many small bumps will cost a lot of energy during a long day’s ride (rent fs bikes are available). You spend most of the time riding on fire roads and range rover tracks of various quality, a considerable amount on single tracks, and only a few miles on tarmac (only the last stage is 100% onroad). Although the track is never really flat, there is only one major mountain, Mt.Keen, with a long ascend. This may be and advantage or a disadvantage depending on your preferences and abilities. I personally would have loved two or three demanding climbs more. There are two more important things you should consider, both having to do with water: 1) it is going to rain. I really learned to love my waterproof shorts 2) you will face lots of brooks and minor river crossings. Thus rain covers for your shoes are completely useless. Better bring some neoprene socks and choose some fast drying shoes (rather thin races shoes than touring shoes). Once you got used to the rain, it doesn’t bother you anymore. And, be honest, you do not expect sunshine throughout a whole week in Scotland, do you? It is part of the experience.

If you aren’t a gravity rider looking for a freeride experience or a marathon racer trying to break your annual ascend record, this is a definite must ride. The countryside is awesome and as you aren’t distracted by other people (except the riders of your group), traffic, or even houses and other traces of urban civilization you will be able to fully concentrate on riding and enjoying yourself. In other words: this is a classic all mountain mountainbike tour. Macsadventure does a great job to organize the trip so you don’t have to carry maps and a heavy backpack, spend a lifetime on planning the trip (probably not ending up with something as neat as this one), choosing and booking accommodations.

Images shared by: Turbo Till

By aobfrom Havant on 2010-01-12

Pros:  Excellent guide,Great Accommodations,Well Organised,Once in a Lifetime Experience,Fun
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Thrill Seeking,Trying Something New,Relaxation
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Guided Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Holiday :

200+ miles in seven days takes some organising and management. What impresed me was the quality of the guide, Pete knew the route, when to stop and the points of interest. Riding as a group of six bikes sometimes within an area of ten square metres gave me a good feeling of being on an adventure.

By John Clipless Walshfrom Padfield on 2010-06-08

Pros:  Well Organised,Great Accommodations,Fun,Once in a Lifetime Experience
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Guided Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Holiday :

The only way they could make this any better would be to make scotland wider – a lot wider. Had an absolute ball

Images shared by: John Clipless Walsh

By Robjw7250from Leicester on 2009-12-24

Pros:  Well Organised,Great Accommodations,Fun,Once in a Lifetime Experience
Cons:  Exhausting
Describe Yourself:  Avid Adventurer,Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday,Trying Something New,Relaxation
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Guided Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Holiday :

This is a great way to see Scotland, riding is not that technical. But over such a long distance its best not to be really. I would say a hard tail is fine for this trip, or even a 2 3 inch travel susser.

I did this trip on a Santa Cruz Nomad which was far to big.

Accommodation is good, and you see some stunning scenery.