Testimonials

Giselle Whish, Paddington, Australia

This cycling tour of Uzbekistan was jam packed with unique experiences, exceeded all my expectations and left me with many wonderful memories of the landscapes, people, culture and history. The cycling was challenging with many different terrains to tackle but ultimately hugely rewarding as we were guided through mesmorising remote wilderness steppes. The tour provided opportunities to appreciate the rich history and culture of this fascinating central Asian region.

Gordon Gates, Colorado, USA

This tour was a BLAST!!!! Small group, incredible landscape, quiet countryside roads, good weather for cycling, enthusiastic tour leader, great roadside snacks at sites with a view, unique rural lodging sites, good food for vegetarians as well as the non-vegetarian, many memorable moments with a longing for more days on the road. I’m ready to go back to the Scottish Highlands for more of the same!

Lon Dubey, California, USA

North Argentina trip was fantastic. It included spectacular vistas of red rock canyons, gentler views of vineyards & farmland and a high altitude ride to and on a giant salt flat. Riding at altitude with wind gusts and also on fair amount of gravel roads was challenging at times but well supported by our two exceptional guides, Ale and Yal. They were well organized extremely helpful and knowledgeable and also a lot of fun. They worked well as a team and they offered many insights into Argentinian culture. We had several interesting stops including a tour of the salt flat mining, wine tasting, weaving and visit to a couple of pre Inca archaeologic sites. Overall, recommend this trip highly. Only proviso would be participants be comfortable riding on gravel roads.

John Lingford, London, England, UK

"....what better way to see them than from the saddle of a bicycle?"

So says the redspokes description of this tour from Inverness in the East to Ullapool on the West coast. Completely agree. Stunning scenery, quiet roads and understanding drivers, at your own pace and plenty of opportunity to stop and take it all in. 

Backed up with superb organisation and support, including high quality bikes for hire. The redspokes van with tea and snacks (and chat) always waiting just when you need it. Good accommodation and food to look forward to at the end of the day. What`s not to like?

Karen & Darrell Rott, Boulder Colorado, USA

We truly loved riding in the highlands of Scotland and having a true scot for a leader was the best!

Dermot planned and executed the details of the tour down to the smallest detail - even having midge spray in the van! we really enjoyed having a small group and the various positives that come with fewer people. if I were to grade this trip: scenery - A+, trip leader - A+, snacks and support van - A+, accommodations - A-, bikes - B+, pretrip info - A, office support staff A+. If given the opportunity, we would definitely do this trip or another with red spokes again!!!

Muriel Thomson, Aberdeen, Scotland

I've done a number of redspokes trips and this one was another great trip. The trip was well organised. Lidia was a very good Leader who never tired of answering all our many questions. She gave us a great insight into the culture and customs of her country. The back up team did a great job and everything ran very smoothly.

The trip takes you off the beaten track into the wilds of the country with fabulous varied scenery. Son Kul Lake is an amazing spot where we witnessed Kyrgyz nomadic life. The sunsets and sunrises were awesome. The trip is mostly off road and rough in places so a good level of fitness is required. Kyrgystan is a fabulous country and certainly worth a visit.

Michael Glodowski, Wisconsin, USA

My wife and I truly had an unforgettable tour across Scotland’s Highlands. This being our ninth Redspokes tour we were excited to cycle across this beautiful country. We were blessed with amazing warm weather, sunshine and no rain during the entire tour. Both Redspokes guides (Susanne and Graham) offered deep narrative of Scotland’s amazing history and they truly complimented each other capabilities with charm and attentiveness.

As we crossed east to west we encountered the wonderful changes in geography sprinkled in with some of the most courteous motorists we have ever come across. As expected the seafood was amazing and our accommodations offered a unique mix of clean and comfortable lodging. Cycling Scotland in June offered extended sunlight thus ensuring no concerns of racing the darkness.

One can only absorb so much during the tour and now am compelled to crack the books on Scotlands history purchased during our tour …..of course accompanied but a few drams of whisky that some how made its way into our luggage!

Jan Gates, Boulder Colorado, USA

This trip was a very positive experience! I appreciated Dermot and Linette's attention to all of our needs. The route was very scenic with many surprises in the countryside. Around every corner was breathaking scenery. The routes were well planned and the food provided was in abundance.

I would highly recommend this tour!

Clare Elsegood, Glossop, England

Our trip to Kyrgyzstan was a real adventure. The cycling was tough and made more challenging by the heat, altitude and rough "washboard" rutted roads - however, the dramatic scenery, mountains and gorges plus the remote nature of the unpopulated areas we cycled through, were well worth all the effort. We were challenged by some huge climbs, the most memorable being the switch back climb up to the mountain pass before our yurt camp stay, but luckily we had a very supportive group who encouraged each other throughout. The downhills we had earned were enjoyed by everyone!

Throughout the trip we were treated to lots of traditional Kyrgys food and particularly enjoyed our riverside packed lunches mid ride. Soup is a staple and steamed dumplings are an ever present option! Cake stands full of fruit, sweets and biscuits provided welcome treats and bread and jam were always abundant. The accommodation was very varied and gave us an insight into the semi nomadic way of life still followed by some people. The experience of watching amazing sunsets while staying at Son Kol in a yurt will stay with us for many years!

Daniel Nicholson , Abergavenny, Wales

This was my first ever tour and Kyrgyzstan and it did not disappoint. The landscape was truly amazing, the route was excellent and the people were very friendly and welcoming. Our guide Mirs was first class, nothing was too much trouble.

John Rowland, Cumbernauld, Scotland

This trip with Red Spokes tales you through some extremely spectacular scenery, it was also fascinating culturally, the support team were excellent.

Overall an amazing experience that will forever remain in memory!

Andy Cotnam, Ontario, Canada

Yal and Claudio are excellent guides,very proud and informative about Argentina. They really looked out for us ensuring a great,safe trip for us all.Our bikes seemed brand new and were great rides.

Exciting,challenging days and another amazing Red Spokes adventure!

Mucho Gracias!!

Stephen and Kathryn Cotnam, Almonte, Ontario, Canada

This was our second trip with red spokes. We were very well looked after. Our leaders and guides were well informed with a good knowledge of the area and responded well to our sometimes changing needs.

They were very positive and encouraged us in our cycling and they were fun to travel with. Thank you for the opportunity to travel in style and comfort.

Brian Cornell, California, USA

Our journey was truly extraordinary, featuring awe-inspiring scenery and some of the most exhilarating cycling days we've ever experienced. While a few days presented tough challenges and extensive gravel roads, the rewards were immeasurable. The guides proved to be exceptional, offering unwavering support in organizing and planning every aspect, always within reach. The balance of cycling was perfect for us, and the boat trips across the lakes introduced delightful variety. 

In sum, it was an unforgettable holiday, with top-notch Specialized bikes and consistently high-quality accommodations, surpassing our experiences with other tour providers.

Janice and Simon, Boyne Island, Australia

The self guided tour is an excellent way to see the country at your own pace with the freedom of not having to carry all your gear.

The tour was well organised and every day there was something exciting to see.

Lidian Fransan, Tilburg, Netherlands

Cycling the stunning landscapes of Loch Ness and the Great Glen Way was an experience like no other. Nestled amidst the picturesque Scottish Highlands, this adventure offered a breathtaking blend of natural beauty and historical richness. The peaceful serenity of cycling along the shores of Loch Ness, with its enigmatic waters and lush greenery, was a mesmerizing sight.  The entire journey was a perfect fusion of challenging terrain and rewarding vistas. It was an awe-inspiring journey that left me in awe of Scotland's natural beauty, and it's an experience I'll cherish for a lifetime. Cycling Loch Ness and the Great Glen Way is truly a must-do adventure for any cycling enthusiast.

Noelle Thabault, Williston, USA

This was my first cycling trip and it went way above my expectations! I loved loved every day. Challenging rides and gorgeous scenery on excellent country roads. Nice accommodations and meals and excellent bikes. I can’t wait to go on another trip! Thanks to everyone at Redspokes for facilitating this trip of a lifetime!

Wendy Matthews, London, UK

As ever excellent red spokes tour. Amazing scenery good route.

Very well organised.

Nikolas Green, Market Drayton, England

Although there was some disruption due to events outwith the original plan the guides managed the situation very well. The guides clearly are very experienced and have fine tuned the whole experience to ensure we had the best possible time, for which I and my Son Matthew were extremely grateful.

This has been a truly memorable experience, made all the more possible by the care and professionalism of the staff. Although not mentioned above Karina (Bariloche tour guide help) was also extremely helpful and should also receive a mention. Thank you Redspokes for such a wonderful experience.

Caroline & Hamish Aitken, Sevenoaks, London, UK

This was an incredible trip. Our guides, Yal, Diego and Matias worked so hard to make everything run smoothly. When we were faced with an unprecedented border closure they ensured we arrived in Argentina safely and it cannot have been easy for them.

Their patience and good humour made the trip for me and I would highly recommend anyone thinking of doing this and with a sense of adventure to give it a go.

Bart Selbeck, Oirsbeek, Netherlands

This trip is really great. You see the variety in Nepal landscape and culture. Visiting monasteries on a non touristic way learns you about the life in a budist monastry.

The cycling is demanding but worth wile. You get to know the meaning of a dancing road and what Nepali flat means. It is breathtaking from the scenery and from riding uphill towards Muktinath at 3750 m. Crossing bridges on a bike (dont look down) is a fantastic experience.

The Nepali team takes excelent care so you can enjoy the tour, you only have to cycle yourself. I can recomand this tour to anyone.

Peter Dahlhus, Stenlose, Denmark

This was my third trip with redspokes. I really enjoyed how we were introduced to Nepal. It is a beautiful country with lots of strong colours and very friendly people. And the scenery is outstanding.

I would warn future guests that some basic mbt skills need to be in place. Because it is a hilly trip you need some physical preparation before the tour in order to fully enjoy it. But it should not hold you back from exploring this beautiful country with redspokes - you just need to know this beforehand.

Vicky Chamberlain, Exeter, England, UK

In November we truly had all weathers - including snow up at the ski lodge! But we all braved it and smiled - as did the guides! I feel we saw a lot and crossing between the 2 countries was interesting. As the weather improved - so did the views.

I thought the final day, riding up beyond Baita Lodge and having a dip in a cold lake was really fabulous, a great way to end the tour. We ate well and were very well looked after - and with much humour.

Alex De Moraes, California, USA

This was an adventurous trip with great roads to ride on (the cars are very courteous to cyclists). Scenery and locations we visited are out of the way and amazing. It was great to experience the foods at different locations and found it very good, no bad meals. Food was plentiful.

Graham our cycle guide was entertaining, great with people, witty and fun to be around. Make the trip a little more special. Susan was the support driver. She has vast knowledge of the history and landscape, speaks Gaelic and knows the history of scotland.

Michael Magee, Washington, USA

It was a great tour with a lot of outstanding scenery, and company. The food throughout thew trip was great and the towns we visited were charming.

Susanne and Graham were great and a lot of fun during the trip.

Bill McNeill, Washington, USA

Redspokes’ Far North Tour affords the cycling tourist a taste of the best  the Highlands has to offer. Spectacular mountain and coastal scenery, accommodation in culturally interesting villages and in the countryside, and visits to sites of historic interest are interspersed with just the right amount of challenging cycling. An altogether great experience!

James Burke, Alton, England

Thank You Kyrgyzstan for a fabulous trip to your beautiful country. The group and leader were great, the scenery stunning and the people very friendly. Would highly recommend.

Mark Elsegood, Glossop, England

This is a tough ,mostly offroad tour for fit , committed and reasonably experienced cyclists. As such it is extremely rewarding. This mountainous country is amazing and very varied and it is keen to encourage visitors although many services and facilities are in their infancy - this adds a sense of adventure expected in Redspoke's tours.

The principle guide although young and inexperienced at cycle guiding specifically had an amazing attitude , was keen to learn ( from us) and solved all of the problems that came his way as they inevitably do. The rest of the support crew thankfully grew into their roles as the requirements of the tour become known. The food was regional , generally plentiful and delicious. They adjusted the menus on the hoof to accommodate our needs in the hot hot weather. The camping was enjoyable but the yurt camp was exceptional and very memorable. The rest of the accommodation was varied to suit what was available and always acceptable. I would recommend this tour for the adventurous.

Binon Andr, Beloeil, Belgium

My 5th redspokes tour, well organized as usual.

Jemma Southall , Shrewsbury, England, UK

Very impressed with Redspokes as a tour Company. The trip really was an excellent adventure from start to finish. We saw such amazing scenery and places and the Nepali people were so welcomming and grateful for you coming to their country.

The quality of bikes and hotels were good and much better than i expected(this is my first Redspokes holiday). Guides are very attentive and could not do enough for you to make this trip comfortable and enjoyable. Any problems raised were resolved straight away. The trip is very extensive across many diverse areas if Nepal and you will not be disappointed by the scenery. Food was good and sufficient in volume. Water provided and nuts and bananas etc during cyling. Bikes had a few mechanical issues but only after days of muddy tracks which is expected and they were fixed straight away.

Standard of the cycling as difficult grading is very accurate. You need to be an experienced cyclist and train for the hills if you dont already. No one was left out as the guides always cycled front and rear and there was not pressure on other cyclist if other finished before.Everyone was made to feel compfortable with the pace we went to accomodate.

Nepal is a fantastic place if you have not been and the cycling will provide you with off the beaten track experience which cannot be replicated on a tourist holiday. I loved visiting the temples and morning coffees with masala tea and the array of nepalese food. Lots of Dal Bat which was good food for cycling and always plenty to go round.

I would absolutely recommend this tour for anyone who wants experience the real Nepal and loves cycling - you will not be disappointed and remember this trip for years to come.

Doug Pulleyblank, Vancouver, Canada

Over three mountain ranges, ending up in three of the most amazing cities of the silk road! Incredible rock formations in the mountains, some very cool single-track, camping with herds of horses wandering around — everything in Uzbekistan seems to be about water management as we followed rivers and streams from the mountains towards the desert. As on other tours, great people, great biking, great food, great guides.

Lars Oerbaek, Hamar, Norway

Have completed Kyrgyzstan The Sheperds Way and The first time with Redspoke. Well organized and must praise the local guide and the crew who contributed to a great trip.

I am already considering another trip for next year!

Steve Trudgeon and Anne Scaife, Harrogate, England, UK

The trip to Vietnam was everything we had hoped for. Phong and his team were excellent hosts ensuring that our trip went without a hitch. They were particularly keen to show us the 'real' Vietnam.

We would thoroughly recommend this trip.

Julie Hunter, Bagshot, England, UK

What a great trip, Tai and Yal and Diago were fantastic, the trip felt relaxed but well organised. the weather was perfect. each day in Chile and Argentina was different and the locations were varied and stunning.

Best trip I’ve done!

Keith Aungiers, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK

This was an outstanding trip made extra special by the quality service and personal attention provided by the guides: Yal, Tai and Diego.

The beautiful scenery of Chile and Argentina, good quality accommodation and food, well-chosen routes, and a group that soon became new friends meant that I had a brilliant time.

John Homer, Cullompton, England, UK

Two tours in and i am booked on a third. The Red Spokes team keep close to their customers experience and you feel they really want you to have a great time.

I would highly recommend the experience and I cant wait for my next tour.

Jeff Smith, Colorado, USA

This was my first bike trip, and it far exceeded my expectations. It was a superbly organized tour of the spectacular Patagonia/Lake District in Chile and Argentina. The guides, Tai, Yal and Diego, were excellent. As a relative newcomer to long-distance bike rides, I appreciated the helpful advice Tai gave me on how to better negotiate some of the challenging gravel trails. The accommodations were nicer than I expected, and the lunches substantial – perhaps too substantial!

The region is really fantastic, with highlights including the lakes, volcanos, interesting towns, and a Mapuche lunch with monkey puzzle tree nuts. Just an incredible variety of beautiful scenery, from the foot of the volcanic Mount Osorno to the lakeshore city of Bariloche, to the lava fields in Conguillio National Park.

Angela Jackson, Bradford, England, UK

This was a well organised tour by excellent guides. Tolkeyen and Gustavo deserving of special mention. karina was also a welcome addition part way through the trip. Accommodation was generally very good and some excellent. Lunches were substantial, I don't think I have ever eaten as much!

The scenery is far reaching and amazing and we were fortunate enough to have very good weather in November. There are many highlights on this trip, but I enjoyed the gravel track from Puella to Puerto Frias, stunning views, and then onto Puerto Blest. Make sure you walk around the lake , and up the steps to the mountain lake before catching the ferry from Puerto Blest to Bariloche.The last ride through the lava fields in Conguillio national park is also surreal. All in all a fantastic trip, highly recommended.

Joseph Lee, Toronto, Canada

A fantastic trip through the best part of the Patagonia Lake District. I was very impressed with the route, and the support crew. They even arranged perfect weather for us, and some tailwinds!

Huge Thanks to redspokes! A great trip was enjoyed by all. Very special for me to do this with eight friends, and we are already talking about the next one! The only difficulty is deciding on where!

Rob and Carla, Pincher Creek, Canada

A fantastic trip. Great guides. Quality bikes that were well suited to the conditions. Extremely varied and interesting sights all within a short distance from one another. Great weather.

Sebastian and Claire Krause, Wellington, New Zealand

We had an absolutely fantastic time in Argentina. It's a stunning country, filled with incredibly warm and welcoming people, including our exceptional guide and drivers. The tour allowed us to explore numerous facets of Argentina's rich culture and heritage. This entire experience was expertly organized by redspokes, ensuring that the cycling was enjoyable and manageable. It's an adventure we will cherish forever.

Ged Browne, London, UK

Having been on several of Redspokes' well-established Central Asian tours previously, I was attracted to this very remote, little-visited region. I came away totally captivated by Mongolia and would recommend to any fan of wilderness mountain-biking - 100% of it off-road. The routes provide a variety of challenges - wooded-trails, rocky descents, mud, river-crossings and glorious rolling descents through grassland steppes full of animals (horses, yaks, sheep, goats), but barely a sign of human habitation. Where it did exist, it was in the form of traditional gers (yurts) and it is one of the highlights of the trip to visit and enjoy the hospitality of these nomads. The team of local guides, drivers, cooks and mechanics who made the trip possible, were superb; led by Bat & Samba they provided amazing food, great campsites, detailed local knowledge and always the option to hop in a support van if things got too tough! Highly recommended for a proper cycling adventure!

William Vandyck, Penarth, Wales

Our guides Geovanni, Adrian, Javier, and Danny were all warm, friendly, helpful, competent, fun, all you could hope for; they looked after us attentively and perfectly all day long from breakfast call, through the routes, to the evening meal, and on the rest day. They seemed to be having a good time doing it and were generally tremendous - honestly if any one of them came to the UK I'd be happy to put them up. My hired bike was better than my own.

The routes were beautiful, and challenging, and fun. The rest of the group were lovely and we had a great time together. It exceeded my expectations: I loved it all from start to finish; and I would highly recommend cycling in Colombia, in particular this tour, and this crew, to anyone.

Muriel Thomson, Aberdeen, Scotland

This has to be one of the best cycle trips I've done. It's a very well put together trip that gives you a full flavour of the country of Nepal. It was 20 years since I last visited Nepal and I'd always wanted to go back and it sure was worth the wait to experience this amazing trip.

The scenery was fabulous, taking in rural life in the Kathmandu valley then climbing over a number of passes with great views then after a superb flight to Jomsom on to the grand finale of the wilds of Mustang. Every day just got better and better. The cycling was rough and tough in places with a number of challenging climbs but some great downhills too.

Don't expect much tarmac, the roads are rough but if you enjoy mountain biking it's a fabulous cycle from start to finish. I'm not an experienced mountain biker and I found it tough in places it's very doable - all you need is a good level of fitness and a 'can do' attitude. Ox our Guide was a top class guide who went out of his way to ensure that the trip fulfilled everyone's expectations. He and his team were very efficient at getting things organised and he gave us all a great insight into Nepalese life and its cultures. This greatly added to the experience of the trip. The accommodation overall was much better than I expected.

If you're thinking of doing this trip - don't think any longer - JUST DO IT - IT'S AMAZING. Thank you Nepal & Redspokes - you delivered!

Sandy Schreyer, Minnesota, USA

The Chile/Argentina trip was a five star experience. We enjoyed every day of the journey. The guides Diego and Gustavo (with behind the scenes effort by Karina) were absolutely perfect. They met us at the beginning of the trip and explained how each day would go. They had to set up border crossings and a number of transfers by bus and all of these went smoothly.

The routes were well thought out and gave us a good sense of the spectacular nature that exists in that region of Argentina and Chile. We seriously can't think of any change that would make this trip better.

Janet Young, Central Otago, New Zealand

This was an EPIC adventure. All of us had an amazing grin on our faces at the end of each day. It was far from easy - you need to be fit or a regular cyclist to get the most out of this amazing trip because on some days the hills keep on giving!!

I loved the challenge, camaraderie and the wonderful Nepalese people who made this trip so special. Having a flexible attitude is imperative as Mother Nature throws curve balls so just going with the flow is the best approach. So ready for our next adventure with Redspokes. Can you top this???

Klaud Simpson, Cambridge

The holiday was simply amazing. Chile and Argentina are simply amazing countries. Amazing to cycle and such a wonderful experience. The 3 tour guides did RedSpokes proud. They were professional, kind, supportive, organised and very approachable.

This should reassure any new cyclist that they will be in safe hands. Simply put. Do it. Go for it. It was simply an experience that I recommend fully and I have never been in a country where panoramic views everyday become normal!

Ruth and Phil Dunnell, Surrey, England, UK

It was so good to be back in the saddle with Redspokes after a three year gap because of Covid. This trip delivered on expectations: the scenery, the food, the guides, the hills.

There are some tough climbs on this route, but the views are awesome and the road surfaces are fantastic. There was generally little traffic and other road users were very considerate to cyclists.

Preecha [Peter], Sert and William really looked after us - they just could not do enough to help. One surprise was the coffee culture in Thailand. We were not expecting that but we had many excellent coffee stops along the way. We are already looking forward to our next trip with Redspokes.

Penny Mims, Canberra, Australia

Phea, Sum and Mr Mobilet did a wonderful job to make our little group tour a success. Their constant thoughtfulness was humbling and so appreciated. The way that they focussed on our interests and helped us to interact with country people in the villages in such a personal way was memorable and again humbling. Clearly they have a respectful manner that encourages people to be happy to share such personal insights to their Cambodian life with strangers. Their honest and sensitive willingness to share personal stories about the too recent trauma of the Pol Pot reign was incredibly moving and sad.

A wonderful trip that felt very personalised.

Paul Winterton, Draper, Utah, USA

Hoping to send a shout out to the good folks at Redspokes, Inverness Scotland, who rolled out the red carpet for me this last week.  Dermot MacWard and his excellent team of bicycle adventure brokers have provided an outstanding opportunity to see hundreds of miles of mind-boggling, beautiful terrain, both,  close to the seas, as well as within the Internal beauty of Scottish Highland countrysides.  The group provided a total of five rigorous rides, averaging 50 to 60 miles, which were usually accomplished within 5 to 6 hours. Stunning views intermingled with excellent access to local culture was nothing short of a privilege to participate.

Hats off to Redspokes, for the excellent work they are doing, and for providing what will be one of the highlights of my life.

Jeremy Whish, New South Wales, Australia

The trip was really enjoyable. The road surfaces were rough which was a challenge at times, but the support team were fantastic and the felling of accomplishment at the end of the ride was really satisfying.

Bobbie Sturrock, Colorado, USA

Redspokes local team created for us an incredible 12 day adventure. From the bikes to the meals, the miles of Mongolian beauty through valleys and river crossings to passes covered with wild flowers.

The guide,mechanic,drivers,chef and support team are all top notch! A truly wonderful experience.

Jude Shaw, Shrewsbury, England, UK

This trip was better than expected, the choices of route, accommodation, restaurants were varied and all to high standard which I really can’t fault . The guides were always making sure everyone was safe , happy and having a great time .

I was travelling alone but everyone was so inclusive. I highly recommend this trip and Redspokes.

Andrew Green , Isle of Wight

The support team for this tour are excellent. The chefs produced a constant supply of delicious meals; amazing skills given we only had a basic field kitchen. The hire bikes were well maintained during the trip. Mr Gonde, our guide, obviously had good understanding of the route and the current conditions. He managed all of our abilities and expectations with patience and understanding.

The cycling can be hard going in places but the rewards are more than worth the effort: Herds of horses running free alongside, birds of prey circling overhead, wild flower meadows, ancient sites and a deep connection with nature and the nomadic lifestyle.

Grace Huener , Santa Barbara, California

The parts of Colombia we rode were challenging and stunningly beautiful. The routes were clearly created with care and with thorough knowledge of the terrain. Our guides made every mile fun and took excellent care of us 24/7. I can highly recommend this authentic Colombian riding journey!

Jonas Barter , Almonte, Canada

This was truly the trip of a lifetime. The cycling was unlike any I have encountered anywhere before. You might call it “technical double-track”, with always the option of simply heading off across the grass of the Mongolian steppe! What freedom! The overwhelming impression of the country is … space; wide open space with distant vistas, green pasture land, massive herds of animals, stream and river crossings, and billions of midnight stars overhead. It’s like a land ocean. There were lots of long steep climbs to mountain passes followed by the rewards of screaming down 10+ km trails on the other side. 

Hired bikes were excellent and well maintained. Food was five-star and plentiful. Support crew was attentive and … supportive. Guides were very knowledgeable and perfectly fluent in English. Every day was an enormous and ever-changing adventure. Until you have heard the thundering hooves of 200 horses, galloping full-tilt alongside your bike, you can’t really appreciate Mongolia. Go. Simply go.

Paul Massie , Hatfield, England, UK

What an experience! Challenging and rewarding cycling: tough uphills and thrilling downhills, matched by breathtaking views of expansive plains flanked by mountains.

Being stalked by herds of inquisitive horses, the sight of thousands of sheep, goats and cattle with kites and other birds of prey soaring overhead, and the generosity of the locals when we dropped into their Gers I will not forget. Bat, Samba and the crew worked tirelessly to ensure our needs were more than met. Thank you for a memorable tour.

Karen Karnuta, Colorado, USA

Our local support team was  one of the most professional and exceptional tour operators I have ever traveled with. On a 14 day trip bicycling in Bulgan provence, I was continually impressed by the quality of the tour, the guides (Bat and Samba), the chefs -- really amazing food, and the drivers. They went above and beyond to have our tour be enjoyable, fun, and safe. Recommend them wholeheartedly.

Tony Leake, Welwyn, England

What a tour , this was my first cycling tour and the first time I had been on a mountain bike but what fun . most days were tough but I did expect that with a few hills to climb but that also meant some great downhill sections through open meadows with grazing sheep, cows , goats and yaks and on many occasions wild horses running next to us . We regularly had to stop to navigate streams and small rivers which was great fun.

The team were brilliant and don’t expect to lose weight as there was so much tasty food available . We also had impromptu stops to visit families in their own environment and when needed the routes were changed slightly to arrive at camps in time for meals . Everyone one was allowed to go at their own pace there was always a team member at the front middle and the back member was there to help the stragglers and also pick up anyone who had problems with their bikes as he was mechanic . Thank you Red Spokes and their support team

Stephen Cotnam , Ontario, Canada

The on site Team was superb. We had excellent riding support. The food was delicious and plentiful. The staff were always helpful and available even during several difficult weather (rain storms) conditions. They were especially accommodating in mounting or dismounting our bikes from/to the vans when we needed a rest. The staff each had a sense of humour which provided us encouragement when we needed it.

Eli Baron, Texas, USA

Darren Springer, California, USA

I've been wanting to visit Colombia for some time. It did not disappoint. The staff was awesome. Extremely accomodating and patient. It was clear that they love their country and wanted to show it off. Also, what's better than traveling by bike if you really want to experince a culture. Highly recommend.

Ros Lawson, Edinburgh Scotland

This was my sixth Redspokes trip and Albania didn't let me down. The Alps are incredibly beautiful and the North to South tour gave us a great overview of the country. Our guide Arjan (who is exceptionally proud of his country!) and support driver Rimi worked so hard and could not have been more helpful & good-humoured. Safety on the roads was paramount with constant reminders to cycle on the right. Local drivers were, on the whole respectful of us. The bikes were maintained very well; constantly being checked & any problems tweaked straight away. The accommodation was generally of a good standard and the restaurants and food chosen well (lots of salads, roasted veg & feta cheese - but cold chips seem to be a thing!).

We loved spending our day off in Ohrid, Macedonia where some of us swam in the tectonic lake as our hotel was right on the water. This is definitely a part of the world I would like to revisit before it becomes too westernised, although I would return in June or September when it is slightly warmer. The one disappointment was the amount of litter scattered everywhere. The cycling was often challenging & deserved the 7/10 grading on difficulty. However, we like this level of tour & will be returning for more!

Audrey Midgley, ILKLEY, England, UK

Everything about our trip was excellent, from the hard working staff to the beautiful scenery.

I shall definitely be recommending Redspokes tours to my friends!

Alison Brett, Bamburgh, England

This was my first organised cycling tour and my first trip to Thailand. Fantastic guiding by the ever patient Sert, while Peter provided fantastic never-ending snacks from the back of his van when we stopped. The pineapple was the best I've ever tasted. I was grateful the support vehicle carried me (and my bike) up the worst of the hills. William the driver was always smiling and happy to help when the going got tough.

The weather in January was lovely, I never needed sleeves for cycling even on the nippier mornings. Once we got going I soon warmed up. A good fleece or down jacket is needed for the couple of nights we stayed higher up.

Overall the accommodation was much better than I'd dared to hope for. All rooms were en-suite. We enjoyed swimming at three of the hotels, that was an unexpected surprise. We had several Thai massages (painful, but restorative) and a very soothing salt scrub in Bo Kluea.

The food was delicious and plentiful. The scenery is breathtaking; we saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I'll be looking for a less challenging trip next time, but definitely recommend Red Spokes for their organisation and care taken of the whole group.

Nancy & Peter Foster, Colorado, USA

Really great trip all around. The country is beautiful, the guides were great and the people were very hospitable.

Paul Winterton, Draper, Utah, USA

Hoping to send a shout out to the good folks at Redspokes, Inverness Scotland, who rolled out the red carpet for me this last week.  Dermot MacWard and his excellent team of bicycle adventure brokers have provided an outstanding opportunity to see hundreds of miles of mind-boggling, beautiful terrain, both,  close to the seas, as well as within the Internal beauty of Scottish Highland countrysides.  The group provided a total of five rigorous rides, averaging 50 to 60 miles, which were usually accomplished within 5 to 6 hours. Stunning views intermingled with excellent access to local culture was nothing short of a privilege to participate.

Hats off to Redspokes, for the excellent work they are doing, and for providing what will be one of the highlights of my life.

"Dee" de Wit, Lincolnshire, England, UK

I was the slow one but Ale and Yal never left me behind, always offered encouragement and yet allowed me take my time. Much of the trip was on dirt roads ('ripio') which made the going tough ... but it's the only way to see those amazing landscapes.

Lunches were superb. With the benefit of hindsight I'd have hired an electric bike.

Anna & Peter Murphy, Manchester, England, UK

redspokes has a knack for bringing together like-minded individuals, and while our entire adventure in Argentina was already fantastic, the wonderful people I shared it with made it even more enjoyable. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime journey filled with countless cherished memories. I often find myself revisiting the photos to relive the moments. Meeting such lovely people, both fellow travelers and the organisers, was a highlight in itself.

I'm not sure if any experience can surpass this one, but I'm certainly eager to explore another destination and see if it can. Thanks again for the incredible journey!

Sarah & jerry, Edinburgh, Scotland

Great trip exploring a new country. A nice mix of hard cycling with some easier days and some great swimming opportunities to relax

Kate Mccoy , Chepstow, England, UK

This trip was an adventure from start to finish. It challenged me in so many ways- it was so much more than the cycling . Unexpectedly ox could not lead the trip due to Dengue fever however he made sure he had able deputiies in Rocka taking over as lead guide and Jiban .

We loved stopping off a little places you would never believe were a cafe and out of nothing tasty noodles or chicken thali would arrive. The guides ably supported the fastest and slowest riders- making sure no-one felt left out . They arranged for us to see Buddist monasteries, temples. Rocka even took us to meet his family where we experienced the culture of family at a time of family grieving.

The weather ! Hot, sunny, humid and showers . The end of the Monsoon season was delayed so as we reached Chitwan a 16 hour rain storm signalled adventure time. Not that we cycled in it just witnessed the power of water. Our guides did a fabulous job hiring locals to assist us safely across swollen rivers- the Nepalese community spirit very evident. Frequent climbing over landslides and broken tarmac roads - I was pleased I had my own hardtail bike to navigate - nothing too technical just comfy. The weather gods continued to hamper us- no flight to Jomsom - contingency in place to get there in a jeep. Caution Nepalese roads in the Monsoon season are not for the faint hearted. Amazing skills witnessed in our drivers and in the local bus and truck drivers. None of us will forget that drive . Having arrived late at night north of jomson,in Kabeni ,the highlight of the trip was waking up to clear blue skies, to the big mountains. The long jeep ride temporarily forgotten cycling up to Muktinath followed by down hill to Marpha where a welcome change to itinerary meant we sampled the local apple pie, cider and brandy. Cycling the road back to Beni was fun - road in the loosest sense - 65km down hill ! Yes it would have been lovely to have drier weather but I would not swap that adventure we had. Nepal is full of extremes, mountains, rivers, roads, dodgy electrics yet wifi everywhere, physical poverty evident but not in spirit .

Michael Jackson, Bradford, England, UK

This is a fantastic trip with awesome scenery along the way and some of the best days cycling I have every done. Some of the days are hard and some days are over a lot of gravel but the pain is worth it. The guides were the best and were fully attentive throughout helping with organisation, planning and stuff, always on hand.

Great bikes most seemed brand new Specialized. Generally a high standard of hotels based on our experience of other tour providers. And not least some of the best steaks and red wine you could ever want.

Debbie Vearnals, Salford, England

Northern Thailand was far more beautiful than I expected and the friendly welcome from the people in the villages. The food was also superb.Very tough cycle in parts with quite steep gradients which even the serious cyclists found tough. Sert was a fabulous guide as were Peter and William, nothing was a problem for them.

Stuart Bunt, Waterlooville, England

Overall I had an excellent trip, met some lovely people and were looked after by great guides. The scenery was stunning and gave me a great feel for the country and its people.

Paul Bullen-Smith, Saffron Walden, England, UK

Excellent thoughtful ‘bespoke’ tour of all that Nepal has to offer- you see both crocodiles and yaks in the same country in the same 2 week tour.

Rachel & Martin Millener, Wraxall, England, UK

Fantastic trip. Would highly recommend to friends. Was a little nervous before the trip about the level of cycling but it was fine and I completed all of it. As long as you are reasonably fit and do some regular cycling you will be fine. The bikes are perfectly geared for the terrain so the hills are quite manageable. As Jeronimo said after every up there is a fantastic down and it’s always accompanied by amazing scenery.

Lots of laughs, good company and great guides. Best description of Patagonian cycling from our guides -‘the roads are either updulating, downdulating or flatdulating!’ and they were. Loved it.

Kevin Thomasson, Poole, England, UK

Another great redspokes trip. I didn't know what to expect from post communist Albania. I was pleasantly surprised. A beautiful, lively, modern and very friendly country. Our guides Aryan and Juli did a great job looking after us in a friendly amusing and professional manner. redspokes rate it 6/10 more like 7/10. The scenery is varied ranging from stunning mountains to vivid blue seas. Excellent food and good local beers to rehydrate you at the end of the day.

Helen Dillingham, London, UK

Overall we had an excellent trip. The routes at the beginning were a little busy but improved further into the trip. Our guide Preecha was excellent and fed us extremely well. It was great to get into the more remote parts of Thailand and we enjoyed the fact that there were very few western tourists. The scenery was absolutely stunning. I would definitely recommend the trip.

Kim Bowman, Toronto, Canada

I would like to say a word about our driver, Mr. Preecha. This man was a gem and I can't say enough about him. He was there every step of the way for us. Both morning and afternoon breaks were offered and he would always find the BEST places for lunch that we would have totally bypassed had we been cycle tourists without his help. He was very flexible and encouraging on the challenging days. He pointed out interesting features of the route and was very patient when we stopped frequently for picture taking. The tour would not have been the same without him. Thank you!

Michael Thomson, Toronto, Canada

My second, and hopefully not last RedSpokes trip. A fantastic, challenging, off the beaten path tour. The roads were surprising good, the traffic almost non-existent except in the cities, and friendly people everywhere. Smiles were common! The guide, Preecha, was fantastic, looking after us, making sure we never made a wrong turn, ordering fantastic meals at road side "diners" that would never been chosen without his insider knowledge. The food was fantastic, the scenery was wonderful, and the people were delightful! An excellent introduction to the real Thailand.

Doug Pulleyblank, Vancouver, Canada

This was my first cycling tour ever and I had an amazing trip. I think the only hard thing about the entire trip was some of the cycling itself -- going up and down some of those Nepali 'flats' was sometimes a challenge. But the cycling challenge was exactly what I was looking for. It's why I signed on! Apart from that, Ox, Sunil, Ram and others made everything easy, from pick-up at the airport, to getting set up in hotels, to seeing parts of Kathmandu, to experiencing all kinds of things in the parts of Nepal we were able to visit. They dealt with both expected problems (like the occasional flat tire) and unexpected problems (like airline complications) efficiently, occasionally creatively, and with good humour. The tour was marked by flexibility.

I was definitely more of a mountain biker by the end of the tour than I was at the beginning. Great tour! Great team! Thanks, Ox, Ram & Sunil -- I'd recommend your team to anyone!

Robert Harrison, Weymouth, England, UK

By hiring an ebike I was able to complete a tour that I wouldn't have been able to contemplate without. Albania is a cyclist's dream, quiet roads with good tarmac, big climbs and high mountains all around, From day one scenery was varied and spectacular. The tour combines comfortable accommodation with fantastic food, especially if you like cheese! It was extremely well organised and run by one of the best guide and driver teams around.

redspokes, .

This was a new tour we introduced in late 2019, we only have 1 testimonial at the moment. 

Bob Harrison, Portesham, Weymouth, England

'I have been on 4 group trips and this was the best by some way. Scenery was spectacular, varied and stunningly beautiful throughout the entire trip. There were no bus transfers apart from the start and end. Biking was excellent both in terms of the fitness challenges and technical challenges presented. Camp sites were in beautiful locations and camping was fun and comfortable for someone who is an occasional rather than regular camper.

The tour leader related well to all parties and successfully kept the stronger and weaker cyclists reasonably together without being unduly restrictive. The support team were great.'

Susan Redfern , Rochdale, England, UK

Entering into the unknown has never been so rewarding. You will be thrown out of your comfort zone and into a fabulous world of friendly locals, stunning views and great food.

Brian Copestick, St Albans, England, UK

Excellent trip in stunning, diverse landscapes. The guides transformed trip from good to great.

Megan Hassett, Melbourne, Australia

Kyrgyzstan is an untouched natural nomadic paradise made up of stunning, wild and diverse landscapes! I would highly recommend traversing by bicycle throughout this incredibly beautiful countryside!

To top this trip off, the friendships formed with the funny, witty and smart local guides just made the trip all the better for me! So step out of your comfort zone for a challenging, yet memorable, cycling adventure to one of the fewer places left on earth unchanged!

Satu Hietanen, London, UK

A great trip. The best scenery and food I've had on any bike tour so far. Plenty of free time to enjoy the beaches/pools after riding.

Our guide Yo was especially good at catering for my partner's various special dietary requirements. Would definitely recommend this trip.

Phil and Ruth Dunnell, Surrey, England, UK

Another great trip with redspokes. There was a real sense of adventure on a route spanning three countries. The weather, and the food, got increasingly hot - and the hills increasing steep - as we moved from one country to the next. But all challenges, culinary and cycling were achievable.

So we finished tired but happy. All the crews looked after us well. We are definitely going to be heading back to this region again soon.

Craig & Katrina Nethercott, Cambridge, England, UK

It will always matters as to the quality of the guide and his team, but as my husband and I were the only customers on this trip, it was always going to be crucial that we got along. However,I needn't have worried. I simply cannot put into words how astonishingly wonderful Phea and Mobitel were. They could not have done more to make our holiday a success. They constantly were seeking out new experiences for us, explaining the Cambodian customs, answering my plethora of questions, making us laugh,noticing when we were tired,thirsty,hungry,wanting to stop,to swim,to take photos.They were always, always punctual,thoughtful, obliging,carrying our bags,finding different foods, different drinks,different fruits to try. They never stopped being kind and considerate, engaging the locals and making us feel so welcome in people's houses, in schools,even at a wedding. They made us smile and laugh each and every day, even when it was blisteringly hot at 35 degrees and our spirits were flagging.They cooked for us,they partied with us,danced for us and they made the difference between a good holiday and an outstanding one.I cannot imagine there could ever be a better team and I have nothing but gratitude for how they treated us.

Please, please let them know how much we appreciated their hard work and that we really miss their company. You are fortunate to have them working for redspokes; if there was a prize for the best guide and driver they would surely win it every time. They are simply solid gold.

Lon Dubey, Encinitas, California, United States

Colombia trip was a great cycling adventure. Beautiful landscapes and countryside, charming colonial towns. Local people welcoming and good natured.

Rides had some challenging climbs and a chance to ride on gravel as well as paved surfaces. Our leaders Javier (on the bike) and Adrian (driving the van) were outstanding. They were always positive, upbeat, available and helpful. Would highly recommend this trip.

Paul Ashley, Devizes, England

Our first redspokes tour was a great experience. Beautiful landscapes, varied terrain with challenge for all levels of rider, very good organisation and crew and a lovely, multinational riding group.

Highly recommended. To read Paul's excellent blog from the trip click here!

Sheila Ashley, Devizes, England

I thoroughly enjoyed my first redspokes bike tour. I've never been on a bike tour before and was probably the least prepared (not really a cyclist), so found it very challenging. However, being able to get in the van when the mountains were too steep took away any stress and Gustavo is great company. By the end of the trip I was fitter and have become more enthusiastic about cycling and determined to do more at home in preparation for my next tour! Apart from the cycling itself, the scenery was spectacular and the two rest days gave us a chance to explore the lake District more. It's a very well planned trip.

Thank you to the team for all your support. I loved it!

Patricia & Gavin Prise, Aberdeen, Scotland

This was my first redspokes tour. Booking was simple, organisation was efficient, the support crew were excellent and hotel/food very good. However the route, scenery, weather and group members made this Chile/Argentina adventure an outstanding and memorable trip that I think catered for the expectations of all - roll on the next one !

Phil and Ruth Dunnell, Surrey, England, UK

Another great trip with redspokes. There was a real sense of adventure on a route spanning three countries. The weather, and the food, got increasingly hot - and the hills increasing steep - as we moved from one country to the next. But all challenges, culinary and cycling were achievable.

So we finished tired but happy. All the crews looked after us well. We are definitely going to be heading back to this region again soon.

James Raddatz, Aylmer, Canada

The trip was a great experience. The scenery was wonderful, the cycling challenging enough to be interesting but still very do-able.  Javier was a great guide, and the people of Colombia friendly. 

I am organizing a 4 week cycling tour of Ontario for some of my cycling friends, and have taken a lot of information from this tour about how to handle parts of my tour. I hope my guests enjoy my tour as much as I enjoyed yours.

Bettina Bailey, South Carolina, USA

Great guides and fun group.

Sandra Morris, Ramsgate, England, UK

This cycle trip is a fantastic introduction to the highlands of Colombia - getting off the tourist trail to experience 'real' Colombia. This cycle trip was exceedingly well organised and led by a fantastic team - Adrian, Javier & Julian. Lots of support and laughter and the bicycle van was always parked ready with snacks just when you needed it up a hill.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with a sense of adventure - it is indeed quite hilly, but the landscape, the downhills, the friendly people, the music, the fruit - make it all worth while. Visit Colombia!

Anna-Carin Nicolini, Thalwil, Switzerland

This trip was over all expectations. Riding the bike all day with local guides has been an amazing way to discover a new country, people, culture, food and traditions.

It was such a fulfilling trip in all ways that it will be hard to travel in any other way in the future. Thanks for this great experience!

Randi Friedman, Connecticut, America

I thought the tour guides were excellent. They were organized, had great coffee stops, were at every intersection with a turn, kept us all where we needed to be, offered super suggestions for extra activities. They were warm and friendly - really among the best guides we have ever had.