Cycling In Andalucia

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Simon Wilkins

  CYCLING IN ANDALUCIA

  

  Written September 2012

  A challenging but extremely rewarding cycling trip along the beautiful countryside and quiet roads of Andalucia. A lovely guide and great weather together with a great group of people who were really fun to spend the week with. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The view down from Puerto del Viento, our first ascent, across the wide open countryside to Ronda.

   Riding into El Chorro Gorge with its towering cliffs and then staying at the lovely hotel at El Chorro with its great setting and nice pool at the end of a long hot day.

  Being alone with one's thoughts along any of the quiet stretches of road (there were many) and taking in the warmth and the views.

  The fantastic descent down to Cacin which seemed to go on for ever and made you want to whoop with joy

  Being with a great group of people really enjoying the challenging cycling and having a real laugh, too  - not just during the day - but in the evenings too.

  That lovely, cool Alhambra beer when we finally cycled into the main square in Granada!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Jose was a professional, friendly and helpful leader. He was with us from first thing in the morning to last thing at night and helped in any way he could. In spite of a bike that broke down completely on the first day and repairs that were required to another on the second day that delayed us, Jose kept a positive attitude at all times and kept the group on board. Jose was a good navigator, had a good sense of humour and provided local knowledge on the route and on our food and drink options (although we never got the picnic some of us would have liked on at least one of the days). We did joke that Jose referred to what we would consider to be hills as "undulations" - but perhaps he was just trying to keep our spirits up!

  On the other hand, Jose's colleague Ander who provided the vehicle support, was far less committed to the trip and could have been much more of a help to him. A few examples were that the bikes were not assembled and ready on the first morning when we went to collect them, thus delaying us, and he carried no spare water on the van. He had a laid-back attitude at times and didn't really properly engage with the group through the week. He did, however, get our luggage safely from the start to the end of the trip and to all hotels along the way - and could be knowledgeable and interesting when speak to us.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This was a hot and dry trip with some long ascents - hnece the moderate/challenging grade. Take your time, ensure you keep well hydrated at all times and use plenty of sun block. Insist that the van driver brings along spare water, or leave some in the van yourself. Cycling shorts and gloves will help make your journey a comfortable one, too. You will get plenty of breaks along the way so don't worry that you'll get left behind or miss out on that coffee or ice cream!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is a well thought-out ride that gets you to beautiful areas of rural Andalucia that alot of people just don't get to see. Apart from the odd car you'll be cycling on quiet, mainly well-maintained roads (although you'll get the chance to do a few nice bits of non-technical off-road from time to time) and hopefully you'll get a feeling of satisfaction and well-being at the end of each day's cycling.

  Many of us felt that the bikes could have been a bit better maintained (I should stress that they were safe but not really as well "tuned" as they could have been). For the amount of off road the bikes (mountain bikes) had to do they could possibly have been fitted with road tyres and would have made progress on the roads easier. Better maintained bikes would have prevented the delays on the mornings of the first two days too.

   
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  Sharon Donaghy

  CYCLING IN ANDALUCIA

  

  Written September 2012

  Gorgeous Spanish landscapes, ancient villages, beautiful roads with no one on them. We were in mountains so the hill rides were really enjoyable and got your heart racing. We had a lovely helpful leader who never got lost. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Arriving at a beautiful hotel in El chorro George and opening the shutters to a fantastic view of the lake and mountains from the bedroom

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He was helpful, hardworking and organised

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Get a bit fit before the trip so you can enjoy the hills. They provide paniers so you do not have to carry a rucksack. Drink loads of water. Bring cool clothes in both senses of the word. Bring lots of sunblock

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The cycling was brilliant

   
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  Rachel Overton

  CYCLING IN ANDALUCIA

  

  Written September 2012

  I really enjoyed the trip due to the beautiful location and the great people in the group.  Unfortunately the trip was blighted by the bicycles - they were unsuitable (mountain bike tyres when we were on 90% - should have been 100% tarmac, making the hills far more challenging than they would have been on touring bikes) and VERY poorly maintained.  The gears, brakes and chains caused issues, the majority of the group was impacted by this. To exacerbate the issue, the group leader and support had basic mechanical skills, which meant that when they tried to fix the bikes they struggled to do so.  We were delayed setting off twice by over 2 hours and this meant we were cycling at the hottest part of the day, and various breakdowns of the bikes during the day made it worse.  This trip would have been very good with better bikes and excellent if the tour leader's support person had been more help. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Meeting all the fantastic other people on the trip - wonderful mix of inspirational people.  We had great fun despite the adversity of the poor quality bikes.  It was a credit to the group that we'd such a good time!  Andalucia is also very beautiful and we had some fantastic cycles through stunning scenary.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He was very helpful and did his best to ensure we had a good trip.  Unfortunately the issues with the bikes were not sorted out.  We should have hired more suitable, better maintained bikes in Andalucia.  I felt sorry for the group leader as he got very little support from his 'support guy' and so was left trying to manage a group of 12, with poor quality bikes and lots of issues, basically on his own.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Ensure that you are clear quality, make, model and maintainance of bikes!  Or don't go on the trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Elevation is a standard point to include on a cycling holiday and it should be included in the trip notes.

   
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  Kelwyn Williams

  CYCLING IN ANDALUCIA

  

  Written January 2012

  Great tour. Excellent guides. The trip was in November and it was very wet. As a vegetarian I found the carnivorous Spainish menus a challenge 

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Faultless