Testimonials

Andrew Lindsay, Otford, England, UK

Very enjoyable trip combining cycling through some lovely and ever changing countryside and a good level of sightseeing / learning about the country.

Local guides were excellent and very knowledgable.

Vicky Seymour, La Rippe, Switzerland

This is an excellent trip - The guide was probably one of the best I have ever had on any tour, nothing was too small or too much to be achieved. The quality of food and accommodation is very good, I was particularly impressed with the range of vegetarian food available. I loved staying with the local families and in the yurts. All the people involved were highly welcoming and hugely enhanced the enjoyment of the trip.

The riding is challenging, but not overly so - the scenery is spectacular and the route has been well-considered to offer sufficient challenges without being tortuous! The bikes available for rent are perfectly adequate for the job and the support is highly professional, competent and reassuring.

Priyen Shah, Singapore

Myanmar is certainly a magical place and I feel lucky to have been able to cycle around the country in its modern day infancy as it gradually opens up to tourism. It's rich in history and culture (Bagan was simply breathtaking), and the people we met along the way are some of the friendliest and most welcoming in the world. There was a real spectrum of cycling terrain, from comfortable flats via stunning valleys to some testing ascents over rough surfaces. It really hit home what years of military rule can do to infrastructure and the economy, but you forget about any pain when the kids in the villages run out from their homes to greet you as you pass by. The support crew treated us all like their own family, working tirelessly to make sure we had a fab Christmas and New Years (including making sure the food I got throughout the trip was vegetarian!), not to forget Julian who was a first rate tour leader.

Ros Lawson, Edinburgh, Scotland

What an amazing trip! Chile, Argentina & the Lake District of Patagonia are so incredibly beautiful and we never tired of the snow-capped mountains and volcanoes and the crystal clear water in the lakes. Our two guides were so friendly and helpful & the trip was run extremely well. We stayed in some gorgeous accommodation and ate in lovely restaurants recommended by the guides. This was my 9th cycle tour (4th with redspokes) and one of my favourite destinations. Learning to speak Spanish is definitely on my agenda!

Cressida Dawson, Jussy, Switzerland

This was a fantastic tour - what an amazing country. It was really well organised an our guide, Arjan was great - helpful, very well informed and immensely proud of his country. The accommodation was very good, the bikes in good condition and easy to ride, and great food.

Andrew Allan, Toronto, Canada

This is a great trip! It is extremely well run! The bike provided was excellent. So was the bike service. The team worked hard every day to clean and service everyone's bike before the next day's ride. I also loved that drinking water was provided daily. This was not done a previous trip we took in Croatia. The fruits and snacks provided at the rest stops were a welcome relief as well. The guides and support team work tirelessly to ensure you have a great experience.

As someone who did not prepare for this trip, I found the riding to be challenging; especially on Day 1 & Day 2. Then, I found that I got stronger throughout the trip. The experiences from the perch of the bicycle were incredible. I loved how so many people came to greet us as we rode by. We were complete Martians to most of the people we passed! I especially loved the visit to the school and was thrilled to have been a part of the celebration. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of such a special group! Thank you for making it all possible.

Tracy Sodeau, Benfleet, England, UK

This trip was awesome - scenery, people, food & accommodation really of a good standard (much better than Laos). Great to meet Damien & Stephen who were real "Flag Bearers" for Dermot.

Aidan Prior, London, England, UK

An amazing trip; quite tough with a lot of climbing but the rewards are many.

The views, the birds and butterflies and the exotic fruits and plants. The small towns along the route are bustling with life and activity and a delicious coffee is never far away. The opportunity to explore two fascinating cities at the beginning and end of the trip in Medellin and Bogota is a real bonus. (We tried running in Bogota and forgot that it is at 2,640m! - Mui Durita.)

Eli Baron, Texas, United States

The Colombia trip was outstanding with extremely beautiful scenery and a great support.

Hayley Mann, Albuquerque, United States

Amidst the colorful culture, chaotic streets and overwhelming beauty, our guide, Ox, made our Nepalese experience personal and memorable! He always had perfectly timed stops with tea and food in small tea houses along the way. It felt as if everyone we met along the way was his friend and happy to share their time with us

Marjorie Leighton, Campbeltown, Scotland

This was my first cycling holiday. There were parts that were harder than I had anticipated. However I made it and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would do it again. It was a great way to see the country and the way of life and interact with the locals. The organisation, accommodation, food, guides and bikes were of a high standard. I am glad to have done the trip with the beach extension as this gave another insight into life in the country and the ability to keep cycling or not. I would recommend it to anyone.

Abby Penlington, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Pamir Highway trip was a real adventure. Beautiful scenery, the warmest, most hospitable people I've ever met and some truely memorable experiences such as waking up to snow during our Yurt stay.

Alison Urquhart, Sydney, Australia

I loved experiencing Burma at handlebar level. It's a great way to see the country and to meet the locals. The riding is varied with flat sections, challenging climbs and some challenging road surfaces. I was very happy with the bike I hired from redspokes and Jules and Phoe Aung ensured that it fitted me and was expertly maintained over the trip. The food is delicious and there is plenty to eat. I have celiac disease and had no problems eating gluten free.I loved my time at Ngapali Beach “swimming, body surfing and with my cabin right on the beach front.

Our local staff was awesome“ ensuring that we had everything we needed and more. They had a great sense of humour and we shared many laughs. In summary, redspokes organized a great tour of Myanmar at a great price and I can't wait to tour with redspokes again.

Michael Hargreaves, Blackpool, England, UK

This trip fulfilled all my expectations ,the cycling,culture and scenery were amazing. Ox the tour leader was very proactive in making sure every one in the party got the maximum out of this trip.

The bikes were brand new and stood up to the job in hand very well.I would not hesitate to recommend this tour and redspokes to anyone.

Steve Trudgeon, Harrogate, England, UK

Our Sri Lankan guide's intimate knowledge of the roads and byways granted access to areas that no coach or van could ever visit and we were rewarded with sights and sensations that were sometimes the same, but never repeated. For every photo there were a thousand more I wished I had taken.

The variety of flora and fauna is quite remarkable. Sampath's advice allowed us to eat and drink produce from the side of the road, creating interactions with local people, who were always pleased to see us. Fresh coconut water was a particular favourite. The cycling is comfortable and the few climbs rewarded with corresponding descents.

Robert Tuck, Reading, England, UK

Our guide Phea and driver Nal were both extremely helpful and informative. As well as scheduled stops Phea also showed us many interesting things varying from wedding ceremonies to traditional racing boats and riding in an oxcart! In addition they were also willing to share many personal tales and anecdotes from their lives in Cambodia and Mr Nal's life under the Khmer Rouge. There was never any shortage of refreshments and our well-being was always a priority. We sampled many local fruits, produce and culinary delights. All in all, a trip to remember!

Barry Murphy, Dublin, Ireland

I cannot think of anything negative to say about cycling around south Thailand. It never felt like we were in a rush or being pushed from A-B. There were varying levels of fitness, but never any feeling of competition or one up manship. The food was good, the group atmosphere was fantastic. I will definitely use redspokes again.

Mark Hervey, Timaru, New Zealand

I have done 7 tours with four different tour groups and would rate our tour leader Kasun as one of the very best. Outstanding

Peter Dahlhus, Stenloese, Denmark

I had a very good trip to Laos with Redspokes. It was a fantastic way to explore a country which I did not know much about before. If I should mention one thing that impressed me it will be the people - they are very welcoming no matter where we were. The scenery was also very beautiful and I enjoyed the bike cycling. All in all I am very happy for this tour!

Stuart Butler, Guernsey

The Thailand cycle tour was exactly as it was promoted - a perfect balance of activity and relaxation. The cycling was enjoyable rather than extreme, covering. 670km along quiet back roads and coastal routes.

We also had plenty of oppurtunites to swim in the sea, with the highlight of the trip for me when we all went for a dip during a coffee stop on an unspolit small bay on the way to Ban Krut! Quite frankly I loved every minute of the tour and I think it will be a hard one to beat!

Louise Day, Calgary, Canada

Our guide Phea and our driver Mr Tom simply couldn’t have done enough for us. We are a bit older, and turtles on our bikes. Once they realized our level of biking ,they upped the local tours and slowed down the pace.

We had wonderful tours of organic pepper farms, silk weaving, mushroom farms and even a crocodile farm. Everywhere we stopped, we ended up talking to the locals, some of whom had never seen a foreigner.

I feel we had a wonderful opportunity to see the real Cambodia, it’s farms ,villages and people. A total picture that most tourists would never experience. I would highly recommend this tour.

Robert Thomson, Western Australia

This was an amazing experience and a really worthwhile tour. We rode on every kind of surface possible from smooth roads to almost impassable rutted stony tracks. Ox was a great leader with very good local knowledge and everywhere we went people knew and admired him. The scenery was often just so spectacular and quite unforgettable.

The Nepalese people seem blessed with the happiness gene, and were friendly everywhere, no matter how poor (and there is a lot of poverty). Any mechanical issues were sorted out on the road by the support crew - no problem. Thanks redspokes!

Paul Massie, Hatfield, England, uk

This was an unforgettable trip. The cycling was challenging over different surfaces, inclines and traffic conditions. Each day brought a new experience and was unique in its own way. Ox is a legend. Supported by Milan and Marmalay, he did so much to make sure we got to know the real Nepal, as best we could in two weeks, and that we got the most from our visit.

Robert Armitage, Huddersfield, UK

I had a great time on the Nepal tour, it was an amazing experience and I hope to cherish the memories for some time.

Nepal is hard to put in to words, the people are friendly and the scenery of is outstanding, including many of the ordinary houses and buildings. One of the enduring images is the smiling happy children that love to wave and say 'Namaste', 'Hello', or 'Bye Bye' as you cycle past, many of them wanting to run to keep up with you or try to beat you!

redspokes is a well organised outfit, all the logistics were handled really well and all our group of 8 people really enjoyed our time spent on and off the bike. I would definitely recommend a trip with redspokes to Nepal. It's highly likely I will be choosing another trip next year. - Robert Armitage (NEP 9)

Keith and Pat Green, Dudley, England , UK

Each day was challenging and interesting. Suresh, our leader, managed to cater for all our cycling abilities by using the other guides wisely. Even the rest days were packed full of fun. Ambir the driver could sing and dance Nepali style very well and with the good voices of the 4 guides we received great entertainment around the camp fire.

Deepak the cook and his helpers gave us more variety than we had expected. They never failed to amaze us with the type of meals and the quantities they could turn out from inside a tent. Loca kept the logistics running smoothly so all we had to do was cycle eat and sleep. All in all it was a great tour and we will find it difficult to top it.

Kieran Kelleher, Kanturk, Ireland

Another great trip with redspokes with fantastic scenary & a great group of people with good support from Ox & his crew.

This is challenging tour with at least half of trip more associated with technical mountain biking than road biking as tarmac to rough rocky roads is about 50/50 with tough climbs.

Steve Lahey, Scarborough, Australia

Nepal is a fabulous place and Ox and his team go out of their way to show you everything the country has to offer. They want you to experience all of their culture, if you want something they haven't thought of they will try and get it for you but don't be too harsh if it is not the Nepalese way it is what will bring us back again and again. Enjoy the Nepalese Flat!

Phil Turner, Middlesbrough, England, UK

As with my previous red spokes tour the trip was brilliant it was a great group of people from differing backgrounds who where up for a laugh and some great cycling i cant thank ox and the team enough for making it a very memeorable trip with too many highlights to mention including the iffy flight to jomsom ,nathanthiels birthday meal(thanks to the hotel staff at pokhara) and introducing irwin(rotterdam) to the very english beans on toast,you had to be there!!!!!

Again many thanks for some great memeories and a wonderful trip.

Richard Munday, Montreal, Canada

A great intro to this part of the world. Well organized, attentive guides, an excellent group of people.

Laura Donovan, London, England, UK

This was an absolutely amazing trip! It was the perfect blend of cycling, amazing scenery and fantastic sites. Jah, the guide, was personable and knowledgable and we were do well looked after throughout. We felt like we got a real insight into some minority groups in China, history and the impact of modern times. The food was particularly good both daytime and evening. Memories of Tiger Leaping Gorge, the Yangtze and cycling through snow capped mountains won't fade quickly. Thanks for another great tour!

Christian Clausing, Narrabundah, Australia

The trip was amazing. Problems when visiting countries is that you do not get to see anything that is not a tourist attraction. On this trip, while we visited some major tourist attractions, we also were able to roll through some very small towns and meet some of the locals, mostly children who were more than happy to say hello and race you by foot. Ox and the other support guides go beyond to help.

Over the trip several of us had bike issues and they would hardly let us help, jumping straight into the problem and fixing it for us, even if it was our personal bikes that were breaking down. The ride itself was at times quite difficult and I was glad that I spend most of my riding on a mountain bike, dealing with uneven and difficult terrain. I would suggest that you are a confident with rock and dust downhill riding. I cannot recommend this trip enough, the people, the food, the sights and the culture was absolutely amazing.

Bryan Pooley, Auckland, New Zealand

I had high expectations of biking in Hunza and the trip exceeded my expectations on nearly every level. Our local guide, Aman, made every effort to provide us with experiences of the local culture and to make our trip a special experience. Julian, our cycling guide, was always available providing mechanical assistance, encouragement or just good conversation. The scenery was incredible with every turn in the road providing a new photographic opportunity or presenting a sense of centuries of history.

The climbs up into the side valleys were challenging and the descents stimulating. All of the redspokes team and my riding companions contributed to making the trip very enjoyable and memorable. The ride was not just a biking tour but an adventure.

Ruth and Phil Dunnell, Surrey, England, UK

Phea and Sokhom were a fantastic double act. Informative, entertaining and generous to a fault. We met their families. They shared their lives as well as their country. The whole crew just could not do enough for us. They were great. We thoroughly recommend this tour. As Sokhom would say - "and why not?"

Braam De Villiers, Pretoria, South Africa

Great adventure- fantastic guide - super experience- I am ready for the next one - Let's pack the bikes - Braam.

Philippa & Rob Middleton, Poole, England, UK

We completed the redspokes Nepal Trip in Nov 2019 and can highly recommend it. There were 6 of us in the group with two guides and a driver. November was a perfect time to go, dry and warm but cold right at the highest point. The road surface was a mixture of tarmac, gravel and dried mud. Rough but not too technical. We hired bikes, through redspokes, which was the right thing to do. They were new standard Trek mountain bikes and did the job well. We normally take our own bikes abroad but with no spare parts available in Nepal and the punishment the bikes take, renting is the best option. The trip is a challenge but most fit people who can cycle 50 miles in a day would be able to do it. If you're not a cyclist, try something easier before attempting this particular trip. Some roads in the towns are busy, but we were mainly on quiet, unsurfaced roads. The views were incredible. Accommodation and food were better than we expected, several good hotels and simple guest houses in the hills. Food was good in most places and we kept well for the fortnight. You do have to be strict about hygiene (take hand sanitiser/wipes). Bring a water bottle with a cap for the mouthpiece as it gets dirty while cycling. Pollution and smog is bad in the towns, there is a fine dust everywhere. Not to put you off but it may not be suitable for asthmatics or people with other lung conditions.

The tour was led by OX, an experienced and capable guide. He sorted out all the logistics and ensured smooth running of everything. He and his team went the extra mile for us. Overall we had a great adventure, good company, excellent back up and would recommend you go.

Derek Stewart, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Absolutely wonderful trip, new adventures every day, so much to see as we cycled past. We just loved cycling off the beaten track, on quiet routes. The views and wild life were awesome. Al, our guide, so knowledgable and Tao, our driver, mechanic, snack provider, cold drinks of every sort at our request.

We couldnt give one highlight of the trip - just loved it all. Al & Tao gave us a lovely experience - a trip to remember.

Ingrid Perols, Napier, New Zealand

What an amazingly fantastic trip I had. The cycling was great, Colombia one of the most scenic countries you could imagine, the people soooo friendly and the guides absolutely brilliant.

Alexander Bennett, Queensland, Australia

This was simply a wonderful tour. There were two singles with us who seemed to have a very good time, but for the rest of us, all couples in our fifties and sixties, it was just a sublime opportunity to share the experience of this amazing country with remarkably compatible companions.

Every day was a delight. Our guides, Phea and Sokom are extraordinary people who do redspokes proud. They made a great team; nothing was too much for them, no problem one that they would not solve. Their infectious laughter and jokes, good and bad, kept us constantly entertained. We cannot praise them enough. Chakriya and Mr Na similarly daily put a cheerful effort to keep us fed, watered and on the road. It was simply a wonderful holiday, certainly the best short cycle tour we have taken.

Andy Pitt, Manchester, England, UK

I had a fantastic time,saw some wonderful places, met lots of interesting and interested people and came back much the richer for the experience. This felt much more like it offered opportunities to do holiday stuff(houseboat cruise,visits to temples,tea plantation)and wasn't as challenging in terms of the rigour of the cycling (some fantastic descents so we did climb quite high) compared with previous trip, so important to read the itinerary and make sure it is what you want/expect. Excellent organisation from the redspokes team.

Sally and Colin Forster-Youngs, Sidmouth, UK

This holiday was one of our best ever. The tour guides Phea and Sokhom were exceptional. They were great fun, timed everything to perfection, and very attentive to everyone in the group.

The scenery was beautiful and the local people so friendly and we learnt a great deal about Cambodia. I am very happy to recommend this trip to anyone considering visiting this lovely country.

Kieran Kelleher, Kanturk, Ireland

This was my first redspokes trip which I would recommend highly. The organization was excellent start to finish along with great assistance from the support team. It is a terrific way to see Cambodia with diverse routes along the way with plenty of highlights over the two week trip.

Julie Saunders, Otaki, New Zealand

I thoroughly enjoyed another wonderful redspokes adventure. Burma is a great country, the people were so welcoming & friendly accompanied by great scenery. We had a great team looking after us who shared their knowledge. As always it was enjoyable to experience some of places that are not visited by many tourists.

Mark Webb, Adelaide, Australia

This was certainly the best cycling trip I have done, and I have done 5 or 6 others. A very beautiful part of the world. We were blessed with great weather and a great group of like minded cyclists.

Paul Goulding, Merseyside, United Kingdom

This trip is adventure, and a trip of a life time. We were taken from the the lowlands and tropical warm air, to the highlands of majestic mountain peaks all from the seat of a bicycle, and the one man who made so many things happen was our leader Ox. More than a guide, simple a man who never stopped from making sure we had a great time putting the customer first time and time again truly a diamond of a asset to Dermot and redspokes. 

Chris Darke, Oxfordshire, England, UK

This was my third redspokes trip. The first of its kind to NE Vietnam was the attraction for me. This must be one of the very few areas of the world where tourists and tourism have not yet had an impact, changing the people and the experience of how life is.

Cycling through remote villages along tracks and roads devoid of traffic with wonderful vista around very bend was truly bliss. However, hurry up if you want to experience this as it won't be long before it's gone for ever! As on the previous trips redspokes organisation and care were excellent. I have no hesitation as before in recommending this trip and redspokes to whom I extend by grateful thanks for another great tour.

Frans Swanepoel, Pretoria, South Africa

Although I have done a lot of multi-day races ,this was my first bicycle tour. The experience was much better that I expected. The guides, hotels and food was fantastic.

Jose Antonio Barroso, Mexico City, Mexico

"It's hard to think of any other itinerary that could be as beautiful and culturally diverse as the KKH-Kyrgyzstan. Route is very well designed, and the support by the local agents is great. I found the tour to have a good value for what we paid; I was expecting a lot more camping. Congratulations for the social projects and for involving us as your customers; travelling (as life) should..."

Ross Hill, Auckland, New Zealand

One of the most enjoyable trips I have done. Stunning landscapes, challenging cycling, friendly happy people and the best tour leader.

I would definitely do another trip with Phong, great sense of humour, never got rattled and nothing was too much trouble.

Evelyn Mullins, London, England, UK

Had a brilliant time on the trip. Everyone was so helpful, nothing was every a problem. Thanks a million for a great trip.

Dyson Pendle , Norwich, UK

A very good insight of Nepal and the Nepalese people and culture.

Keith & Pat Green, Dudley, England, UK

Keith & I really enjoyed the Colombian experience. The people there are really friendly. In fact, 4 of us were invited into someone's home for a baptism celebration! The scenery is really impressive. High green mountains with lots of coffee, banana and exotic fruit plantations.

Most of the towns seem to be hanging onto the side of a mountain with practically vertical streets! Our guides Geovanny, Alex, Adrian and John were great and the group were really friendly and lots of fun and we will miss everyone.

Ali Gillum, London, England, UK

What an amazing adventure. One of the best things I’ve ever done. Physically I’ve never pushed myself harder, but what an achievement to have done it! It was so good for the soul to be out in the mountains. A great fun group, and the team were just fab. All in all, amazing.

Bruce Irving, Norwich

We cycled through a unique landscape in the Geo park. Kien made sure we had everything we needed and was excellent at doing first aid on my bruising after a fall. We had a great time.

I had not realised that there had been another long war with the Chinese since the American departure. Such a beautiful country with gracious people but a tragic recent history.

Colm Faherty, Dublin Ireland

Another excellent redspokes trip though a fascinating part of the world that is definitely off the beaten track. Extremely friendly people in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan and fantastic countries to cycle in. A couple of border crossings so expect some paperwork.......

Anne Hillman, Southport, UK

A trip which certainly deserved its 10 out of 10 rating, but worth all the effort and training. Some days were challenging but the rewards were awsome ...magnificent, breath taking scenery goes without saying, and it was different, so very different each and every day. Watching the Tibetans make mud bricks, collect the harvest, thresh the grain, plough the fields with their wonderful yaks, move everything from horses to food to children in their magnificent tiny tractors was a privilege.

Their smiles lit up their faces and their waves of encouragement as we passed helped the legs keep going.The magnificence of the Himalayas will stay in my mind forever ...but the faces of the people and their deep affinity with their surrounding will lift my spirit and make me burst into a very very big smile

Bradley Walsh, Perth, Australia

Fantastic and unique. Seeing and experiencing the dramatic changes in language, food, culture and environment as you sweep up through the clouds and down over land boarders was amazing. Being on bikes in this part of he world seems natural, even if the lacals treated us as celebrities or family or both!! I got to drink rice wine and beers with a Sharman in Laos and mixed it with the trendy travelers and locals in Vietnam.

Each different country was accompanied by a local guide and support crew, bringing with them their own unique flair and incites. I was looking for a taste of everything in this slice of Asia and was definitely not disappointed.

Bradley Walsh, Perth, Australia

Fantastic and unique. Seeing and experiencing the dramatic changes in language, food, culture and environment as you sweep up through the clouds and down over land boarders was amazing. Being on bikes in this part of he world seems natural, even if the lacals treated us as celebrities or family or both!! I got to drink rice wine and beers with a Sharman in Laos and mixed it with the trendy travelers and locals in Vietnam.

Each different country was accompanied by a local guide and support crew, bringing with them their own unique flair and incites. I was looking for a taste of everything in this slice of Asia and was definitely not disappointed.

Bradley Walsh, Perth, Australia

Fantastic and unique. Seeing and experiencing the dramatic changes in language, food, culture and environment as you sweep up through the clouds and down over land boarders was amazing. Being on bikes in this part of he world seems natural, even if the lacals treated us as celebrities or family or both!! I got to drink rice wine and beers with a Sharman in Laos and mixed it with the trendy travelers and locals in Vietnam.

Each different country was accompanied by a local guide and support crew, bringing with them their own unique flair and incites. I was looking for a taste of everything in this slice of Asia and was definitely not disappointed.

Richard Searle, Hornsby, Australia

The bike tour from Manali to Leh was wonderful. The tour guide, Susheel, and the rest of the support were great. We had a 120km detour due to flooding that damaged the road, but this only added to the experience as we got to travel through a more remote area. 

It's a pity that a few people pulled out of the tour beforehand, as they missed out. Hope you can get the numbers to keep running the trip in future.

Heather Wickham, Hamilton, New Zealand

This trip was a bucket list item for me, and it meet all my expectations. It was the first time I had ever joined a tour group and because of my experiences on this tour I would have no hesitation in joining another tour group. The scenery was magnificent, food and accommodation great and our tour guide "the best". Also, the local guides enhanced the different country experiences. :-)

Diana & Gerben, Utrecht, Netherlands

Our second trip with redspokes was just great, again. The stunning landscapes and brilliant cycling on- and offroad and the good cooperation with the local guides made this another unforgettable trip. Despite the fact that we were refused a visa for China, Redspokes gave us the opportunity to go to Pakistan with the tour and helped us out organizing our trip back to Islamabad.

Keep up the good work, redspokes!

Cindy Richards, British Columbia Canada

This was my first cycling adventure and Dermot and the group helped me feel comfortable with cycling at my own pace. I could challenge myself without feeling I had to compete or keep up with others. I loved it; it was one of the most satisfying and gratifying vacations I have ever had.

Kolja Stille, Bremen, Germany

Wonderful two weeks in the Patagonain lake district. Good riding, not too severe despite a few up-hills and down-hills. The trip was enjoyable for a large variety of cyclists. The two Guides German and Guido did a very good job to show us the different sceneries of the lake district. Recommended!

Bruce Irving, Norwich, England, UK

Both guides are proud of their country and keen to show us everything. They were tremendous fun. We stayed in fanatastic places ranging from downtown Las Vagas, to super cool luxury and a farm stay cabin. All beach hotels were actually by the beach, perfect for a swim. The food was really superb and so healthy. Excellent Macedonian wine. Albania was well above my expectations I did almost everything I could but left without eating a goats head, so I will have to go back!

Christine Versteegden, Amstelveen, Netherlands

Memorable, on this tour a lot of Nepal has been shown: mountains and 'hills', beautiful landscapes and nature, accompanied with the guide's interesting stories, the delicious variety of food. We cycled with good support and nothing to worry about. I have very good memories about this tour.

Paul Goulding, Birkenhead, England, UK

For me it was my third redspokes tour. I find the tours good value for money and go on the road less traveled.  The trip gives a taste of it all, from cycling in the high country and magical scenery with cyclist from far afield that soon become friends, to super downhills, and snacks enjoyed in the shade.

The tour has hills, and more hills, but it also has long stretches of flat passing though remote villages where people's lives can be seen and experienced, cooking, working, and even rice wine distillation in the back shed.

The tour is relaxed, but the attention to detail behind the scenes on this tour makes it all work like clockwork, just turn up, cycle, and have a fabulous time - "I would like to say a big thank you to Dermot, who was the glue that held this tour together, a person who irons out many wee bumps so we can just enjoy the cycling.

Paul Goulding, Birkenhead, England, UK

For me it was my third redspokes tour. I find the tours good value for money and go on the road less traveled.  The trip gives a taste of it all, from cycling in the high country and magical scenery with cyclist from far afield that soon become friends, to super downhills, and snacks enjoyed in the shade.

The tour has hills, and more hills, but it also has long stretches of flat passing though remote villages where people's lives can be seen and experienced, cooking, working, and even rice wine distillation in the back shed.

The tour is relaxed, but the attention to detail behind the scenes on this tour makes it all work like clockwork, just turn up, cycle, and have a fabulous time - "I would like to say a big thank you to Dermot, who was the glue that held this tour together, a person who irons out many wee bumps so we can just enjoy the cycling.

Paul Goulding, Birkenhead, England, UK

The redspokes inaugural 4 countries tour appealed to me as it was my 10th year cycling anniversary cycling through 4 distant lands, combining adventure and mystique. For me it was my third redspokes tour. I find the tours good value for money and go on the road less traveled by the other big travel companies. so different This tour gives a taste of it all..from cycling in the high country and magical scenery with cyclist from far afield that soon become friends..to super downhills, and snacks enjoyed in the shade.

The tour has hills, and more hills, but it also has long stretches of flat passing though remote villages where people's lives can be seen and experienced, cooking, working, and even rice wine distillation in the back shed. The tour is relaxed, but the attention to detail behind the scenes on this tour makes it all work like clockwork, just turn up, cycle, and have a fabulous time - "I would like to say a big thank you to Dermot, who was the glue that held this tour together, a person who irons out many wee bumps so we can just enjoy the cycling.

Quenon Claude, Nivelles, Belgium

Despite the difficulties to smoothly go through 3 borders crossing I have enjoyed being part of this inaugural tour for various reasons:

- the beauty and diversity of the regions visited 
- the warm welcome of local populations
- the true as close as possible contact with a village inhabitants in Laos
- the challenge represented by such demanding roads on the 1.400 Km long trip
- the very friendly spirit within the cyclos team including Dermot and the various agents teams in the 4 countries visited

Quenon Claude, Nivelles, Belgium

Despite the difficulties to smoothly go through borders crossing I have enjoyed being part of this inaugural tour for various reasons:

- the beauty and diversity of the regions visited 
- the warm welcome of local populations 
- the true as close as possible contact with a village inhabitants in Laos 
- the challenge represented by such demanding route
- the very friendly spirit within the cyclos team 

Quenon Claude, Nivelles, Belgium

Despite the difficulties to smoothly go through borders crossing I have enjoyed being part of this inaugural tour for various reasons:

- the beauty and diversity of the regions visited 
- the warm welcome of local populations 
- the true as close as possible contact with a village inhabitants in Laos 
- the challenge represented by such demanding route
- the very friendly spirit within the cyclos team 

Ken Baxter , Melbourne, Australia

I would recommend this tour to all riders, a cultural yet challenging ride through a beautiful country with a great ride leader and support crew.

Mike Litchfield, Emerald, Australia

This is an iconic redspokes adventure trip that successfully "marries" the isolated splendor of the Spiti Valley with the high altitude challenge of the Manali - Leh route. For the serious cyclist this has it all from tough climbs to stunning downhills on every possible road surface !

This is my 2nd trip with Raj & the team and once again their support was fantastic while the food was some of the best I have had on any cycle tour. A must do adventure !

Ines Versteegden, Amstelveen, Netherlands

A 100% recommendation, my first tour via redspokes won’t be the last, I think. Before booking all my questions were promptly and fully answered. Also the information before departure was useful to prepare well for the tour. A tour to the Taj Mahal was also arranged, great. The local tour guide and crew were excellent: all the support during cycling, maintenance of the rented bike, the camp ready at arrival, a great variety of delicious food, bed tea, and friendliness all over. The mountains of Ladakh are beautiful, hard work rewarded.

Ian Hadden, Surrey, Canada

It was great to be on the inaugural 4 country trip, and with a terrific group of riders. Starting in Kunming and heading for the hills , the trip just got better and better as each day came and went.

It's amazing how the food, local people , and scenery change so much in each country. I know this trip was difficult to organize due to logistics, and maybe it was a one time thing, but if it ever goes again from China or Vietnam, I highly recommend it.

Ian Hadden, Surrey, Canada

It was great to be on tour with a terrific group of riders, the trip just got better and better as each day came and went.

It's amazing how the food, local people , and scenery change so much in each country. I highly recommend it.

Ian Hadden, Surrey, Canada

It was great to be on tour with a terrific group of riders, the trip just got better and better as each day came and went.

It's amazing how the food, local people , and scenery change so much in each country. I highly recommend it.

Peter and Geraldine McGill, Belfast, Northern Ireland

 This was the first redspokes cycle trip for us,we have in the past used other companies. However we were hugely impressed by the local redspokes team particularly Kalayar who nurtured and looked after everyone. She was amazing & a HUGE asset. Nothing was too much bother and both she & her team worked very hard to ensure that we all had a positive experience. One note of caution, this is not a cycling trip for 'softies'. The climbs are tough as is on occasions the terrain. This is a very challenging trip but worth the effort.

We were also impressed by redspokes commitment to the local communities, good to see that tourism can be used positively for the benefit of all.

Robert Burford, Luton, England

This is my fifth trip with redspokes and once again all our expectations have been repeated a relaxed friendly trip with our guide Arjan and our Driver who both passionately spoke about their country, it’s past present and future.

We were looked after in every possible way, Albania is a hidden gem and long may it stay that way. Thanks redspokes for another great cycle.

Ged Browne, London, England, UK

This was a brilliant trip from start to finish. One of the real pleasures was the contrast in scenery and cultures in the 3 countries along the way. The cycling was challenging, but never too much, and the backup from the support teams and our guide, Carl, contributed greatly to this. A special mention for Carl from me- after my MTB developed gear-shifter problems, he went out of his way to nurse it along and provide an ingenious work-around. Cycling apart, the group were a great bunch of well-travelled, interesting people and I am keen to repeat the experience.

Robert Latta, Fakenham, England, UK

Both of the guides were excellent and very supportive as we were a good deal slower than others. Some of the gravel hills were too hard for both my wife and I but everyone was very helpful and encouraging. This was the best thing I have done in a long time and look forward to doing more whilst I am still able. Thank you, my wife is now looking to go somewhere else in the future ! How things change.

Robert McGraw, Banchory, Scotland

Overall this was a wonderful trip, that will long be remembered as an outstanding experience.

The admin from redspokes was very good, with all queries dealt with efficiently. I also had a very helpful phone conversation with Dermot, who was able to give me some specific information about the trip. This was helpful, as it enabled me to decide to take my own bike, which proved to be a good choice for me.

All of Raju’s support team did an outstanding job. The food was excellent, varied, tasty and nutritious. How do you make quality lasagne in a camp kitchen? The hire bikes were looked after every day, the tents were pitched for us before we arrived each day, with hot water soon following. Raju was also very sensitive to our needs and wishes, and totally willing to help with anything. Not only was the service outstanding, the friendliness and good humour of all the team contributed mightily to the overall experience.

The route was very well planned to provide gradual acclimatisation, which enabled all of us to cope ok with the altitude, Raju had a good though unobtrusive eye on our safety. All in all, 6 stars for all the support team!

Steve & Anne , Harrogate, England, UK

We really enjoyed the Albania tour with its challenging climbs and exhilarating descents. The guides love of their own country was inspiring. They could not do enough for us. The route and scenery were outstanding. The accommodation was all of a very good standard, allowing us to recover in comfort from each day's efforts. We would highly recommend this trip.

Diane Tenbuuren, Hope Valley, England, UK

We are back from a wonderful holiday with redspokes in Vietnam and Cambodia. We had the best guides we could wish for, Le Trung Keen in Vietnam and Art Ourn & Phea (Sim) Ousaphea in Cambodia and fabulous drivers/back up support - a lot of knowledges, very kind, everything you asked they arranged, nothing was too much or impossible. We loved it! Despite the weather, rain at the first three days, we enjoyed the Vietnam N.E. tour.

Magnificent scenery when the clouds were gone and not much traffic on most of the tour – it felt like we did get to see unspoiled Vietnam. And the culture tour in and around Siem Reap was great! We did get to see Angkor Wat and other nice temples, seen how the mushrooms are grown, visited the village on stilts and were moved by the personal account of our guide at the war museum. And this all with the most beautiful tracks to cycle on!

Peter Dilks, Christchurch, New Zealand

This was a really great trip, well organised and run. The scenery was stunning from begining to end and its a very different India compared with the densely populated lowlands - a lot more like Tibet.

Its not an easy trip; I'd rate it 10 out of 10 for organisation, the experience/scenery and also the effort required (due to the altitude). Highly recommended and a totally enjoyable 3 weeks that I won't forget.

Malcolm Thoms, Fife, Scotland

Albania: great holiday and people, excellent food and guide!

Claire Waddington, Crawley, Australia

Had another great redspokes holiday - thank you!

Dee Finlay, Killcare, Australia

Kasun and Veejay were a great team, very helpful and supportive, always ready to lend whatever assistance was necessary.

Karen and Rob Jones, Kenilworth, England

We chose this trip because it included some challenging cycling and is a new country to tourism. Most of the accommodation was better than expected, and a couple of places challenging, but this is to be expected. It was our first 2 week trip - full on and no real rest days because we wanted to make the most of Bagan etc. It was great to see the beach, but would have been good to have longer there - don't know how this would be possible. Would it be possible to do any sort of circular cycle for a day?

It was good to eat in the local restaurants and try new foods and be helped to do this by the Burmese guides. The local agent Kayalar was great and I would be confident to contact her if we wanted a future trip to Burma. Thanks for a great experience.

Zoe Balmforth, UK

Cambodia is a fabulous trip. Easy cycling and plenty of time to take in the exotic sights and sounds of a wonderful country that hasn't yet been overrun with tourists. Most of all it's the Cambodian people who made the tour for me. They are without doubt the most welcoming, happy and gracious people I've come across. Our group of 8 on this tour were all returning customers - all had been on at least one tour with redspokes before. This says everything about redspokes that anyone would need to know. People come back again and again because they provide the best value for money, the best service and the most carefully thought out trips of any operator out there.

Bryan Crosland, Swansea, Wales

A thoroughly enjoyable and well organised trip, with great company, excellent food, and brilliant guides Arjan and Juli. This is another great trip in the redspokes itinerary.

Reggie Johnston, Berkshire, UK

Well, what an incredible adventure! Extreme and adventure seem to equal "Exhilaration" and this trip has it is bucket loads.

It was well thought out and paced by Raju, the stops were well planned for effort and acclimatization, the scenery is breath-taking both figuratively and literally- the altitude takes some adjusting to, and you feel a sense of pride in doing it by bike rather than motor bike or bus!

The support team are simply superb and the food is plentiful and freshly prepared every evening.

Graham Crawford, Poznan, Poland

This trip is everything it shapes up to be and more. Truly something to give memories for a lifetime. It's hard, so the better you prepare, the more you enjoy it. I took six months making sure I was in the best condition of my life, and it really paid off. Raju and his team really look after you, the food is fantastic and plentiful.

This is a once in a lifetime holiday, a must on everyone's bucket list. I'm so glad I went.

George Porter, Waverley, NSW, Australia

I was expecting a post-communist underdeveloped country but discovered that Albania is an outward-looking and very welcoming place with good infrastructure, fabulous mountain scenery and few tourists.

Richard Evemy, Hythe, Kent, England, UK

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dermot (specifically) for getting the balance right on this trip. The independence we are given as riders on this trip is just right, and I was glad to not find to rigid a timetable each day. I lost my dad a couple of weeks before this tour started and naturally debated as to whether or not it would be a wise move to go - but I found I could ride on my own for most days if I wanted to, or ride as part of a larger group - it was ideal 'thinking' time for me, and for that I thank the ethic on which redspokes is clearly founded.

The whole experience was just glorious and I truly think Dermot has a lot to be proud of in the 'redspokes' company. I'd like to wish both him and all of the team a fruitful future. Really hope to be in touch again at some point in the New Year to book up Peru! Best get writing to Santa...

Andy Green, Isle of Wight, UK

Amazing Albania. What a wonderful country. You are certainly well looked after on this tour.

The food is excellent, the roads are quiet and the scenery is stunning!

Katja Stille, Hackney, London, UK

Yet, again a fantastic holiday with redspokes. I didn't know much about Albania before booking the holiday and I have come home with a much better idea of the country and its history. On top of that the cycling was fantastic, beautiful climbs and exhilarating descents.

At the end of the day we were rewarded with a selection of tasty and fresh food that set us up for the next day. The days cycling along the coast held a the special treat of being able to cool down in the sea.

Jason Cooper, Samut Prakhan, Thailand

Cycling the Manali-Leh highway with my 15 year old son is an experience that we will never forget. The redspokes team took very good care of us and ensured that all we had to focus on was riding our bikes. The food was plentiful and very good quality, and all the guides and support staff were very friendly and went above and beyond to ensure the trip was enjoyable for us.

Tobi Grimminger , Stuttgart, Germany

Superlatives are not my cup of tea.. But this trip just was epic, awesome, amazing, exhilarating, stunning, rewarding, tough, challenging, wonderful, fun and fantastic. Superbe organization by the whole team of guides and cooks, beautiful landscapes and lovely passes made it an experience of a lifetime. I'll be back.

Dr Heather Ross, Toronto, Canada

Wow - truly awesome trip that i would recommend to anyone!!! Ox was incredible - flexible, organized, responsive - met our every need and tailored the trip to be exactly what we wanted. i hope it was clear from the blog that we were thrilled with the gruelling nature, stunning scenery and what we believe was quite the accomplishment.

We couldn't have achieved it without the amazing team. Dorje was exceptionally knowledgeable about Tibet and Tibetan history. He provided incredible information, modified our tours so we could be present for prayers. Thanks!

Dr Heather's blog - what an inspiring lady