Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Retracing routes that in some cases have been used for years. Feeling the support of everyone both guides, drivers and fellow holiday goers. Feeling part of a great team. Feeling included regardless of ability or age.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu was wonderful and I loved the fact that he was sooooooo patient and answered most of my very curious questions with enthusiasm. John was such a support both on and off the bike. Both guides filled the holiday with fun and laughs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have a solid pair of cycling shorts that can withstand all sorts of cycling both on and off road. Some people used buffs to cover their faces especially on the off road downhill sections as it could get quite dusty. Be prepared to get a couple of bruises preferably on the bike.

Suggestions

I loved the holiday and the atmosphere was great. I thought that we would all be spread out and never see each other because we all had different abilities. As it happened, everyone was supportive of everyone else which made the holiday for me.

Most Inspirational Moment

The variety of inspiring scenery we cycled through - all in the middle of nowhere. And amazing stars at night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget to change money back before you go through passport control on your way home.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fantastic scenery in the Atlas mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu was excellent. Always thinking ahead,He had great attention to detail and understanding of the preferences of the individual group members.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is very cold in the mountains so bring enough warm clothes - the sort of things you'd wear cycling on a winters day in the UK.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cross country stretch back towards Tafraoute crossing river beds with hardly any sign of the old piste to be found.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz is a really good leader - second to none at making sure everyone knows what the plan is. Both Liz and our second leader Jon did a tireless job keeping the bikes in order.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come with electrolyte tablets or similar: it may be hot. Come soon before someone tarmacs a piste you would rather they had left alone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights for were the fast long descents through valleys and gorges, having to stay totally focused as well as managing some of the rockier ascents. I was totally in awe of those who completed the 10k climb on day 2 with a strong headwind (I opted for the support vehicle).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Having been on many group trips around the world, I have to say that Rad was the best tour leader I have ever experienced. He was so cheerful and skilful - he made the job look easy, which I know it isn't.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get some mileage in before the trip and practice those technical skills on rocky ground! I also took a gel seat cover (along with the padded shorts) made a huge difference on the last couple of days.

Suggestions

The bikes provided were excellent, 29ers with tubeless tyres - no punctures all week!

Most Inspirational Moment

It was the good following the not-so-good. Having bounced onto a rock (did I mention there are a few there?) on a decent on the third day I wisely, I think, and for the first time on any trip, took a ride in the support vehicle to the next village. The inspirational moment was, having ridden down the remainder of the trail, found myself, with others in the group, sporting one of those unstoppable grins that you get after skiing down a fast long snowy piste.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Tirelessly maintaining bikes; fixing punctures in flesh and egos and tyres (is there no alternative to conventional pneumatic tyres on this punishing terrain?) and always giving guidance and advice about the next section of dried-up riverbed to be ridden. Liz often gave the opportunity to push a bit harder and was disappointed, I think, that none in the group - even the resident triathlete - was prepared to get up the extra hour and a half earlier to climb the 600m to the start of the day's ride!

Advice for Potential Travellers

When it gets technical and/or steep and/or there's a sheer drop then do concentrate, but otherwise, don't forget to look around and enjoy both the views and just being there - it's too easy to focus down to the track ahead. None of the group took their own bike. The 29" wheel Genesis hardtails have seen a lot of trail but are well maintained- the advantage being that the bike is well maintained for you and don't have to take any spares. I'd recommend taking SPD equivalents and shoes, though in one or two runs with near shear drops you might want to unclip. . I booked an extra couple of nights stay in the Hotel that Exodus use in Agadir. It's very cheap and in my case, still included the airport transfer. With the weather as it was (unbroken sun, 24degC late November) I should have stayed the week! If you're into cycling ;-) you can hire bikes locally (see the hotel notice board) and cycle up into the local hills, or to the bars and restaurants in the marina.

Suggestions

Beer available every night - but rather perhaps double the price in Imouzzer - you're on holiday: who cares! Thinking of buying a rug? You'll have the opportunity, so pack accordingly if you want to carry it home and measure up before you leave home. I bought and carried a small rug in my suitcase; chuffed with it. Know the Euro - Dirham exchange rate and bargain hard and keep smiling! Wifi every night except Thursday (!horror!)

Most Inspirational Moment

The Breath taking views on the final day for the Atlas descent, with far off views of the sea as we travelled through the lush green trees in the mountains tops as we cycled down 40kms along the mountain trails. Fabulous and memorable !

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader of the group was excellent, good fun and well organised. Always working hard to make sure your bike was in top working order. He looked after us throughout the entire trip and worked with great energy and enthusiasm every day . He talked us through each part of the route, gave me some excellent tips to improve my cycling technique. Regular stops and snack breaks. Any problems with hotels, food etc he sorted out in a flash. Had a real and genuine passion for cycling which made everything some much fun. Brilliant cyclist !

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be think about SPD pedals if you aren't that familiar with mountain biking, at least for the first few days if you need to get familiar with the bike. Bring plenty of fresh cycling gear and keep the evening gear to just a few items, but include a fleece or jumper. It can get a bit chilly sometimes so bring a gillet or very thin jacket, but things quickly warm up quickly so plenty of strong sun cream. Personally I didn't need a camelback as there were plenty of stops for water and snack breaks, don't forget your water bottle. I brought a small saddle bag to carry a few items with me. You'll need a combination of decent- ish level of fitness without having to be a fitness fanatic, be comfortable on a bike, have head for heights and sometimes you might need be open to a few challenges as you tackle a few rocky parts of the decent. If you have a small camera, that you can slide in your pocket then bring that. If you are a starva fan then don't forget your mobile phone, and a plastic cover or bag for protection. Gloves are essential. Don't be afraid to bring the lycra although not always recommended in a few areas. Seems more hassle than its worth to bring your own bike, the Genesis Bikes were great. Decent Helmet, if you are like me you might fall off and its better to be safe. If like me, you are a road cyclist and are in two minds about a mountain bike holiday I would say don't hesitate. There are plenty of hills were you can leave the mountain bikers behind as well as certain stretches covered by road. The mountain biking will improve your bike handling skills, as well as improve your fitness as you power your way up some challenging rocky up hill climbs. Its all worth if for the stunning descent !

Suggestions

I was in two minds before booking - looking back now, I don't know why it was a truly memorable and thoroughly enjoyable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day was brilliant with amazing descent from up high down to the beach

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was good fun, very patient, good at punctures and ridiculously healthy (overtaking everyone on the hills and making it look easy)

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very tough and there is not a great deal of free time so be prepared, make sure your fit enough and it's probably best if you have a bit of off road experience (I never and it took a bit of getting used too)

Most Inspirational Moment

Descending through the villages - riding past the smiling people

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic - best ever

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come and do it

Suggestions

Book it !

Most Inspirational Moment

travelling for hours with no signs of humans!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was exemplary in her firm professionalism, a credit to Exodus, and handled all the situations with panache. 10 punctures in 10km did not ruffle her composure! Extremely fit and enthusiastic about cycling earned ever bodies respect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The fitter you are the more you will enjoy these trips but the 'wagon of shame' is there if you want a lift!! Use the Exodus bikes, I was tempted to take my own, but if/when a mechanical happens it maybe tough to fix. The 29 ers were great and Liz even had a spare bike for the worse scenario. You need to carry nothing but 1 inner tube and a bottle as the support vehicles are there, so you can leave all your spare clothing/kit in them.

Suggestions

Book it now!