Testimonials

Trevor Andrews, Hampshire, England, UK

A very good trip that provides a varied selection of rides that cover all the main terrains that Nepal has to offer. The eleven days of cycling provide everything from a city tour of Kathmandu to the extremes of cycling at over 3,500 metres in the arid and barren Himalayan landscape that is so visually impressive that it's hard to describe to people who haven't experienced it.

In between you explore the hills (2,500 metres at Damam) and the flat of the Terai. All of this combined with very friendly and helpful locals and fabulous food. A trip that should not be missed.

Michael Glodowski, Wisconsin, USA

Ox and his team were wonderful, removing any support concerns allowing our group to fully enjoy this wonderful country. The Nepal tour is my seventh Redspokes tour. My wife and I truly enjoy these wonderful experiences!

Barbara Bennett, Swanage, UK

This is a wonderful area of Vietnam to visit and bicycle tour is a great way to see it. I went on a southern cycle tour about 8 years ago with a different tour company and although interesting - this was quite a different experience. This was much more the Vietnam of regional costumes, terraced rice paddies and wandering livestock. The redspokes tour was well organised and all accommodation was sufficient with possibly one exception - however we were staying in the only guest house in town so poor plumbing and a rock hard bed had to be overlooked. Overall very enjoyable.

Victor Pulleyblank, Vancouver, Canada

Ox and his team. Sunnil, Ram. Were awesome. They made it very easy for us to enjoy ourselves. They kept us on track, well fed, informed. It was an amazing trip. Got to see remote Buddhist Temples, Rhinos, bike in the Himalayas, eat lots of Dal Bat, and bike in all types of climate. Wild. I already want to go back.

My flight time changed last second and I found out 25 minutes before departure and somehow Ox and Sunnil got me to the flight on time. We were in the middle of Kathmandu. Good work. I would highly recommend taking a trip with Ox and his team.

Natasha Herman, Alberta, Canada

This tour was a great challenge, but I never felt like I was over my head. The guides were encouraging and supportive and I loved the Big Yellow Bus! The route included the best scenic views of Chile and Argentina and took me to beautiful remote rural homesteads. I would definitely do another redspokes tour again!

David Harrington, Davis, California, USA

What absolutely delightful, charming, friendly, and most helpful staff we had to look after us: to make sure we remained safe while on our bikes, to make sure we were well hydrated and fed along the routes, to tend to our luggage before we knew it needed tending, to kept us informed and to educate us, to take care of the nearly endless little details and behind the scenes scrambling and work, and to make sure we enjoyed our Myanmar journey every step and pedal of the way!

"You want ice cream? We will get that across the street for you!" "How big is the pool? We will measure it for you (22 x 34')!" "You are not feeling up for dinner? We will give you Choco-Pie snacks now for when you wake up hungry at midnight!"

Kalayar was absolutely the sweetest and most genuinely caring woman I've ever encountered on a tour; she considered the six of us bikers her "children" in looking after our well-being, health, safety, and happiness for the entire two weeks. She also looks after her crew and fellow country men and women with the same concern, donating food or money to road crews as we biked throughout the country, supporting education with school supplies and books, and so many more things that we are certainly unaware.

The landscapes were varied and beautiful, the routes and roads challenging but not an issue with the excellent front suspension Trek 4300s, the weather nearly ideal (save for a few days with rain showers and occasional downpours), and the locals we encountered through every village simply the most sweet, friendly, curious, and happily smiling people in the world! Myanmar is relatively still a land and people beautifully untouched by outsiders, especially when compared to the many neighboring countries in SE Asia that have been increasingly influenced for decades. This precious gift won't last forever. Please start training now and give beautiful Kalayar a loving hug from Lu Kong Gee Koko and Ah Shay Gee Nyi from California!

Wally Dumont, Alberta, Canada

Our guides, Marcelo, Angel, Diego and Yal were great and were always monitoring and tweaking the program to make the best of our trip. Would gladly do another tour with this group.
10 out of 10

Liz Todd, London, UK

The local Laos team were outstanding and great to be with - Khen, Daolit, May and Khen the driver. They're committed to what they do and obviously enjoy it - Khen had some of his family helping at various points. Ken and Daolit have excellent English and interpersonal skills and good local knowledge; they give useful cultural dimensions which is useful.
I loved Laos - a special trip - one of my best adventures so far: it combined activity, beautiful scenery, great people, delicious food and cultural insights.

Robert Oddo, San Molina, Peru

A way to explore a very interesting country and culture!!!

Connie Demmel, Munich, Germany

"An excellent and truly memorable experience.
Well done redspokes - we'll be back."

Tony Halahan, Oetrange, Luxembourg

This was my first cycle organised tour and it was monumental. The tour leader David was very attentive, knowledgeable and switched on, and the support provided by the local Thai cycle company was good. The other guests were also very keen and interesting. The preparation for the tour was thorough, the daily agenda was perfect. Accommodation and food was very adequate and allowed us to really enjoy the Thai way of life.

I would recommend this tour to adventurers who like plenty of cycling (on 2 days we did over 100km), and a close look at Thai people and their country.

John Pech and Rosemary Mapletoft, Victoria, Australia

We highly recommend this trip. It is physically and psychologically challenging, but with good preparation the satisfaction with completing the ride is immense. All of this in a spectacular mountain setting. We think the 24 day format is excellent in allowing time for acclimatization and savouring the experience.

Excellent work from the whole support team meant all our needs and wants were met, leaving us free to concentrate on cycling and enjoyment. Thanks to redspokes for an unforgettable cycling experience!!

Paul Hudson, Queensland, Australia

I would go back in a heartbeat. I had so much fun with great people and met more wonderful people. It is the one holiday I will never forget, I think it will change my view on life forever. A lady from a small tour group in a minibus said we were mad! No you are! we see everything, you see a few chosen points along the way.

Linda Hoff, Malmo, Sweden

Amazing tour with lots of variation and new challenges every day. Very well planed itenerary and excellent guide and staff.

Gill Newman, Marlow, England UK

This was a fantastic trip. Whilst I didn't find the cycling particularly challenging, there was a nice balance between cycle days and sights / rest days. More time at the beach would have been good. I thought Julian was an outstanding leader. He was organised, supportive towards those who were finding it difficult, encouraging towards others to get the best out of them and overall a very friendly and personable guy. 5*

Keith & Pat Green, Dudley, West Midlands

We both enjoyed the trip to Myanamar. The locals seemed really pleased to see us and were very friendly. The scenery was very green and lush with lots of colorful flowers and there were lots of cultural things to see. The whole team looked after us very well and the riding group itself was good fun.

Kathryn Mayne, Boulmer, England

I was very impressed with local crew who were keen to make our visit as smooth and interesting as possible. Visiting a variety of areas of Myanmar, the city, the hills, the valleys, and the beach all added to the overall experience of trip.

John and Judy , Leeds, England, UK

A fantastic and unforgettable cycling adventure. Experienced Colombian people as very hospitable and welcoming of us as cyclists exploring part of their country. Involving Melba and her family meant we had a very special experience of life in rural Columbia which we will always remember as a special time in our lives...Thank you Dermot and the team!

Mike and Berta Glodowski, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

The tour provided us with a memorable opportunity to see and come in contact with a beautiful country and its people, certainly before it becomes commercialized and further developed. As we cycled deeper into rural areas the dress, appearance and demeanor of the people became much more interesting. As with new tours or those that push the boundaries into less developed areas there were a few unforeseen challenges presented to our group and the local crew, though these challenges were certainly worth the overall experience and I expect logistics will continue to improve as the tour evolves. Nevertheless the support crew attempted to the very best of there ability to ensure all riders were provided for.

Special thanks to the crew for decorating the restaurant and gifts to my wife and I as we celebrated our 30 year wedding anniversary on beautiful Ngapali Beach thus making it the most memorable anniversary yet.

Catherine & Stuart Wyse, Vancouver, Canada

Another great trip with redspokes - the Colombian people could not have been more welcoming as we cycled through the region.

The scenery was spectacular. Lots of challenging climbs but as the old adage goes "what goes up, must come down!" Highly recommend redspokes for those who really want to experience the country.

Jay MacDonnell and Ewa Burton, Gormley, Canada

A great trip with a lovely crew (redspokes is lucky to have them) - a pleasure to see Burma before tourism and the modern world take hold.

Cheryl Hyslop and Mike Burgener, Ottawa, Canada

We've already recommended this trip to our friends! The tour made it easy for us to see aspects of Burma that we never would have uncovered on our own. It was very well organized and the local support team was amazing ! They could not have been more accommodating and helpful.

Steve Schleppe, Surrey B.C. Canada

I really enjoyed my redspokes trip to Colombia. This ride took us into Central Colombia where we were given an honest look at the rural Colombian way of life. This ride is in no way sugar coated with extras, the food was plentiful but repetitive, the riding was challenging but rewarding, the Colombians were friendly and giving, the support staff were wonderful and the scenery was worth every drop of sweat it took to climb to the top of the mountains.

Kristina Isberg, California, USA

Burma is an incredible place to cycle, and I'm so glad I did the redspokes inaugural tour! The people are so friendly and curious about visitors. The food was wonderful. There is a rich Buddhist culture and it was incredible to visit Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the temples of Bagan and all the local stupas. While the poverty was obvious, as well as the lack of quality roads, I still learned a lot and felt I was providing money into the country. As Burma opens to tourism, I was glad to be there to experience this amazing country!

Richard Edwards, Edinburgh, Scotland

redspokes gives you an unparalleled opportunity to explore what a country's really like. In our trip to Colombia, we experienced amazing hospitality and warmth from the local people, great weather, aguardiente and dancing, and of course... as many hills as we could handle! redspokes take care of all the logistics and provide great support, leaving you free to relax, cycle and soak it all up! Highly recommended and would book again.

Gordon Leith, Meols, Merseyside, England

A great trip in Laos, the variety of cycling was perfect, the people were so warm and friendly and the redspokes support team worked hard to make sure that we all had a great holiday.

Dominique Bongaerts, TN Leiden, The Netherlands

Again a fantastic cycling trip with overwhelming hospitality of the local people. 

It was great to be accompanied by local cyclistas while going up hill and I still wonder whether the Movie star guy waving at us was Quintana.

Paul Noonan, Tauranga, New Zealand

A very enjoyable, well organised trip. There was a good mix of experiencing the country, with the comforts that Westerners like when doing demanding exercise.
We had a great group, and were fortunate with the weather- everyone cycled the lot.

Peter Durrant, Guildford, Surrey, England

Khen was an outstanding tour leader. His love of his country, Laos, and his commitment to everyone having a good time was faultless. He had a really strong level of English and was 'in tune' with the cultural differences of the different members of the trip. He had tireless energy and a great sense of humour and could crack jokes about himself. He was diligent in the way he carefully described each day's events so we knew what to expect each day.
His support team did an excellent job of checking and servicing bikes and serving up a great variety of food at the rest stops. They were always there, especially when we were tired and hungry. All logistics worked perfectly and nobody got ill from any of the food.
Overall this was a really great trip.

Louise Ryan, Pearl Beach, Australia

I loved this tour! Kalayar's caring and thoughtful leadership added significant value .... She ensured that her cyclists were not only healthy and happy, but that we were learning and experiencing the culture of here beloved Myanmar.

Celia Parker, London,England

The warm welcome and stunning scenery in Pakistan was unforgettable.

Mike Wood, Surrey

I really enjoyed the trip, my first to such remote locations. The support team was excellent, always there with a friendly smile and an offer of a cup of tea. Although it was disappointing that the Chinese border was closed for ten days, those of us with mountain bikes were kept well exercised. The generosity and friendliness of the people in the Hunza valley was a real bonus. The contrast between landscapes in the three countries was also a highlight.

Harry Lyons, London

The support teams, especially in Pakistan where we spent most time, were wonderful - personable, knowledgeable, generous, hard-working and efficient at sorting out local problems. Tour leader, "Dermot the Great", personified the three e's - energy, enthusiasm and efficiency and managed the difficult task of balancing the needs of the group with the needs of individuals. Highly recommended to cyclists of all types.

Andrew Hearn, Scunthorpe, England, UK

Another memorable redspokes tour that captures the beauty of Patagonia and offers an insight into the more developed side of South America but still allows plenty of 'off the beaten track' adventure to experience the other side of local Latin life.

Tim Rednall, Norfolk, UK

My first redspokes trip and hopefully there will be many more. Such a fantastic experience and superbly organised but still in a relaxed 'nothing is '˜too much trouble' manner . Both before and after booking all my queries and requests were taken care of by Dermot, Bryony or Ann who were swift in getting back to me. Cycling the 'roof of the world' is amazing and the feelings you get cannot be put into words. Each day the ride never ceases to amaze you with different surroundings and each day seemed to end at an even better place to stay with enough time to enjoy it and then the support team would produce amazing food for all. The group was a nice size with a good blend of people and the camaraderie which occurs on a trip like this was fantastic to experience. All in all we were looked after superbly and the itinerary is well put together so you get the chance to acclimatise and there is plenty of time each day for the rides. I stayed in Nepal before and after the trip and redspokes were very helpful with ideas and organisation for this.

Kiran Nimmagadda, Los Angeles, USA

I would like to thank Eduardo for leading an outstanding cycling trip in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes and the Amazon basin - he was a perfect ambassador for Peru and strove to make the trip as best as it could be for the cyclists. Many thanks also to Alex and Lucho for their tireless work in providing support for our group.

Thank you to redspokes for offering this cycling tour - the scenery was spectacular, the food was delicious, and the cycling was adventurous! I very much look forward to going on another adventure cycling trip with redspokes.

Ann Robertson, Edinburgh, Scotland

This was really an incredible trip and I'm so glad that despite being a bit unsure if I would be able to cope that I took the plunge and just booked it!
Ken, Mae and Lid were an amazing team and from teaching us the language to lots of laughs and fun they supported us 100% on the tour. We've come back with some new friends in Laos:
I loved the trip and would definitely do it again!

John Farrelly, Claremont, Australia

I had another great trip courtesy of redspokes, my third. Had a fantastic holiday with all problems sorted by Eduardo and his crew. All I had to do was ride, eat and enjoy the scenery. Definitely not my last tour with you guys.

Wendy Holland, New Zealand

One of the best trips I have ever been on, loved it all, I just had a big smile on my face everyday! Thank you so much for the opportunity; I have been telling everyone about it and redspokes. Ken, May and Daolit made the trip for me, you couldn't ask for a better trio. We quickly became friends and we felt like a family. I felt so sad saying goodbye to them and sincerely hope I see them again. Daolit and I have made a pact that I will repeat the trip when I am 70!

Tim Dunsby, Dorset, UK

A varied and excellent tour. Eduardo, Alex and Eduardo 2 looked after everyone exceptionally well. Eduardo was very knowledgeable and enhanced the trip for everyone. The ride out of Copacabana provided one of my best days on a bike ever and "the road of death" was very memorable. Overall great value for money.

Nigel Hardy, London, England, UK

The trip itinerary was at an ideal pace; fast enough to cover significant distances each day, but slow enough to absorb the stunning scenery. There was plenty of time for ad-hoc breaks, photo opportunities, interaction with locals and stopping off at places of interest en route. Food, water, shelter and mechanical expertise were always on hand, even in a difficult environment logistically.

Anna & Lynyrd de Wit- in 't Veld, Netherlands

We have had a wonderful trip with stunning mountains, warm people in not often visited areas. The tough roads, heat and upset stomach made it sometimes a challenge. But in the end of the day we always looked forward to a warm welcome in the homestay or yurt. It was a unique cultural experience. We can't decide on the trip's highlight: Whakhan Corridor, Karghush, Pamir Highway, and Karakol all deserve a nomination. Let the pictures decide.

Berta and Michael Glodowski, USA

We had an amazing trip. Mike had used you guys before, for his Tibet trip. He couldn't say enough about you guys. My first traveling excursion out of the country doing anything like this. Your services made it so enjoyable for me, that I am READY and WILLING to do something like this again. I am hooked.

The employees that were our guides throughout the entire trip in Cambodia, were extraordinary. We connected extremely well, and they were excellent in tending to our every needs, at times before we even knew we had needs. They were great. Our friendship has extended long distance to dropping emails and friending on Facebook, also sending pictures of our experience with one another. Some of the most gracious people I have ever met.

 

Mathis Trepp, Chur Switzerland

What a wonderful trip to this remote part of the world. My highlight was seeing the snow capped Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan as we cycled the Wakhan Corridor! To share this with a nice group of fellow cyclists and friendly locals was very special.

Sarah Todd, Berlin

I had been looking for a cycling trip to a part of the world where people don't often travel, that would provide both an interesting cultural insight, great scenery and challenging cycle. This tour didn't disappoint, it was everything I had hoped for, plus some; the Tajik people were extremely friendly, the cycling was challenging whilst still remaining good fun, the scenery was variable and breathtaking.I would strongly recommend this as a trip for people who want to get off the beaten track....though be warned, you do need to be pretty fit!

Anthony Lengden, Sheffield, UK

This was my second redspokes trip, and I was pleased to be reunited with people I'd met on my last trip 4 years ago. The cycling itinerary was comfortable with regard to hours in the saddle while allowing for challenging climbs and descents. This also meant time off the bike could be put to good use exploring local areas and customs. Some of the best memories weren't planned, like mingling with the locals at a bullfight in Lampa and eating diverse street food. I'd be very happy to book another cycling adventure with redspokes.

Charlotte Hall, Northants, UK

I just wanted to personally say how much I enjoyed the biking! I didn't get off to a great start with my lung related uselessness and road hugging experience (I left my knee in Manali!) but due to the amazing Raju and his team it was soo fantastic! I did find it obviously very challenging but with the breathtaking scenery, amazing care and great group it was all made so much easier! I am now plotting the next biking experience next year!

Sarah Cutts, Perth, Australia

The Peru / Bolivia trip was even more exciting than I had expected. Amazing scenery, great cycling and a fascinating culture. The support from the team couldn't be bettered.

Stuart Williams, Kidderminster, UK

This tour was fantastic. It managed to throw up so many different unforgettable experiences. Riding the Altiplano, descending the Road of Death, climbing Andean passes, downhill's that went from glaciers to jungles with humming birds, festivals everywhere we visited, Machu Picchu, bullfights and dancing in the streets of Lampa, seeing La Paz, cycling the shores of Lake Titicaca, karaoke with Henning and much, much more!

The support of Eduardo and his team was just great. Nothing was too much trouble! With lots of explanations and assistance with translations, they helped me get so much more from this tour.If you want a big taste of South America tied in with some great riding '“ this is the tour for you!

Steven Lindsay, Manchester, UK

The Peru / Bolivia team were fantastic, extremely helpful, great mechanics and huge fun. The tour provided many great moments and memories and the local staff were top draw. Superb tour!!!

Trevor Hammond, Northwood, UK

Where did you find Eduardo? An absolute gem of a guy. It was a great trip but he made it a great experience with his fountain of knowledge and ability to deal with the negative situations that unfortunately occurred. Two amazing countries with such diverse and spectacular scenery. Photographs don't do it justice. You have to be there to appreciate it's beauty.

Paula Dyche, London, England, UK

I don't think there could be a better way to experience Vietnam than cycling around the northern loop from Hanoi to Sapa. One of the great aspects of the trip was that you are on the bike all the time which allowed you to experience the contrasting landscapes - rice fields, mountains, villages and towns. You get a real taste of daily life - you happen upon events - stop to admire someone's pig, watch rice pickers, sample some local food. Some of the days I found tough but Dermot and his crew were there to keep me moving and there were carefully planned 'strategic' stops where you can see the table with refreshments up the hill/mountain that you need to get to. The rest days were well placed in the itinerary and meant that we had time to explore Sapa and Hanoi, stay in more luxury accommodation and sample some great food.Going on a redspokes holiday (this was my second one) is like going away with friends on an adventure!

Arthur Brittenden, Aberdeen, Scotland

Laos, 'lost in time', was my third cycle trip in the past 13 months with the previous 2 trips being with Exodus. Although I enjoyed both of the Exodus trips, my Laos redspokes experience far exceeded either of the previous trips. Value for money, organisation, overall cycling experience, lack of bus transfers and above all the leadership and compassion of both Dermot and Ken could not be faulted.

Throughout the trip I can not recall a single meaningful complaint from any of the participants. One of my outstanding memories of the trip was when tired and hot and ascending a fierce some hill spotting the blue table and chairs with a smiling May waiting with a most welcome picnic. I will not hesitate in future to prioritise redspokes for any future cycling holidays.

Peter Dilks, Christchurch, New Zealand

What an amazing experience. The rural areas were scenically stunning and we encountered really friendly people wherever we went. Especially the children who shouted sabaidee and held out hands for a high five.

Often the whole school appeared when they sighted cyclists and the shrieking of the school-girls post high-five was guaranteed to bring a big smile and take your mind off the heat or sore bum! Laos is a very laid-back country (compared to Vietnam where I went next), the trip really well organised and run, and the guides provided a wealth of information throughout the trip. It's a trip I would highly recommend; I would consider repeating it in a year or two.

Peter Marsden, Blackbool, England, UK

Vietnam was memorable... for its 'off the tourist trail' cycling, its stunning rural scenery and the genuine welcome of its people. What do I most remember? Long, steep punishing climbs (to 1,900 metres) and adrenaline fuelled downs. Mountain scenery, especially the lush greens of terraced paddy fields clinging vertically to the hillsides. Chance encounters on the road with exotically dressed hill tribe people and a run in with a stubborn road-blocking buffalo. And above all the camaraderie of the road - cycling and sharing experiences with like-minded people. A once in a lifetime holiday (at a bargain cost)... that is etched permanently in my memory banks.

Sarah and John Blyth , Shipley, England, UK

We have had the best holiday ever, it will live with us always. The people on the trip were fantastic & the support from the team couldn't have been better.I only hope Vietnam doesn't change too much over the next few years as I would love for more people to experience what we have. Thank-you for an unforgettable experience.

Nicola Hardie, Paris, France

Just loved it! Perfect balance of sport, culture, contact with local people, stunning landscapes off the beaten track, fun, chilled beer time and great fun. Can't recommend it enough.

Chris Southworth, London, England, UK

I really enjoyed the trip, we covered lots of ground, saw different parts of Peruvian history (beyond the Incas), and dealt with the bumps in the road as they came along!

I was particularly grateful for the Birthday cake that Tito/Eduardo arranged because my birthday fell whilst we were on the trip; but it's the first birthday in years where I couldn't get my hands on a beer.

Don Stephen, Hockley. Essex

What a wonderful trip, being on a bike, seeing the country and the people that package tourists miss out on. The tour was planned with a really good mix of activities, sights and experiences. From out varied accommodation to the small towns and off-road villages we rode through and the great lake with its floating market, restaurant and school and finally the chaos of the Phnom Penh traffic on a bike. Truly a trip to remember at the ripe old age of 76.

Nicola Prestage, Birmingham, UK

As a novice I found the tour challenging but was well looked after and encouraged by everyone involved. A great team and a brilliant redspokes tour.
Look forward to the next one.

Colm Faherty, Dublin, Ireland

As per other redspokes trips, a great holiday with an excellent local support team that did very well to manage a large group of diverse personalities and cycling ability. They also took very good care of people that were ill and attended to the cuts and bangs.

Breda Keating, Co Kildare, Ireland

Take some nice big round boulders, pour some cement around them, add a few landslides, just to narrow things down a bit and hey presto you have a paved road in Peru! Having never ridden off-road before, Tito's first outing along the river in Arequipa really helped to give me an idea of the adventure that lay ahead: teeth chattering, bone rattling, brain squashing, eyes goggling along what must be the lumpiest, bumpiest, rockiest, highest, mountain roads in the world.
Or is this just normal for mountain bikers?
I loved every minute of our three week odyssey: the scenery '“ mind blowing; the company '“ mostly cheerful, always friendly; the colourful people '“ so enterprising; the guiding '“ knowledgeable and accommodating.
Thanks to Eduardo for taping me back together when I tried to knock down a bit of mountain and to Chatto for appearing in the rain when we were worried he had gone over the side, to Lucco for never taking the van over the side, though it seemed quite close at times, and to Alex for pushing Michael all the way to set a new jungle speed record!

Paul Brown, Cumbernauld, Scotland

I have not travelled extensively and so was unsure what to expect from the group and the country itself. The group was a mixed bag of individuals who maintained the delicate balance of making sure no-one was left isolated while respecting everybody's personal space. Time spent alone was not seen as disrespecting the group ethos. Colombia was different from any other country I have visited. The big cities were very westernised, which disappointed me. The attraction of Colombia is in the countryside where almost all of the trip took place. The perennial hills were full of life. A combination of man made coffee and sugar plantations and jungle. Cycling over high passes surrounded by these rolling hills with higher mountains lurking in the background while fast flowing rivers cut through the valley below gave a unique sense of perspective.

Even the spectacular Colombian countryside took second place to the most enjoyable part of the tour, namely the people of Colombia. In every small town we passed through with it's replica square and church people gathered round us eager to welcome us and engage with us. Local media wanted to interview us, local people wanted pictures taken with us and local cyclists wanted ride part of the way with us. In some of the small towns people were not as forthcoming until we initiated some sort of dialogue and then they opened up. These were vibrant places where almost everybody was out on the streets. The few who stayed inside left their doors opened so as not to shut themselves off from the gathering. The communities seemed more integrated with young and old mingling with the general population and a benign harmony permeating the atmosphere. redspokes allowed us to glimpse the real Colombia far removed from the perception we receive in Britain and the West and for that I am very grateful. Thank you Dermot.

Dawn Manning, Calgary, Canada

Thanks as always to redspokes for a great experience. I'll be back!

This trips a great cycling experience for people who want a relaxed tour and new to cycle touring.

Claire Waddington, Oxford, England, UK

This was the perfect break from a busy job. Great way to see the country. David was a legend of a tour guide, he worked tirelessly to try and make the holiday the best possible experience he could.

Alex Mayes, South London

Thanks to all those in the office/ team who made this possible. I met a lot of people who felt a high level of personal success and achievement. I know to some it may be just a cycle ride but to others its was a massive boost to confidence and personal development.

Ingrid Pelssers, Belgium

If you want to know how life really looks in the remote and adventurous countryside of foreign exotic destinations, you definitely should join a MTB tour with redspokes. They take full care of the organisation, with experienced guides, while you concentrate on your cycling adventure and meeting local people and culture. My MTB tour in China was a great experience, for my body and soul. Thanks Dermot!

John Lingford, London, UK

See and feel (!) the back roads of Southern China on this tour. Always interesting and some amazing scenery. The food was surprisingly good, sometimes an uncomfortably close relationship with where your food comes from! But that`s China.

Nigel & Jen Fielden, Cheshire, England, UK

Perfect escape from the wet and cold UK winter.

Comparatively easy cycling, coupled with attractive destinations each day, make this a relaxing and enjoyable tour.

David Watson, Norwich, England, UK

We were a good mix, in both age (from early thirties to late sixties) and cycling experience, and from varied backgrounds, (hod carriers to company directors). A motley crew with eyes wide open to the exciting prospect of experiencing the heartlands of Colombia on a bike. We knew from the start of the trip that this was redspokes' inaugural visit to Colombia. Dermot and Melva had planned it all, and the other members of the team were Melva's sister Stella, their cousin Fernando, our two drivers, Camilo and Diego and last, but by no means least, Geovanny Aranzazu our local guide. All apart from Dermot had no previous experience in running a cycle tour, but looked after us impeccably. When we visited Melva and Stella's family, I think we were quite literally bowled over by the welcome and hospitality. Good food, good music and good rum.

The people of Colombia are without doubt very warm and open. Those without much spoken Spanish were still able to communicate, because arriving anywhere in Colombia by bike assures you an automatic welcome, with knowing smiles and nods of approval. The country, like the people, is infectious. Great roads with endless hills and beautiful vistas that seem to go on for ever. The group found its own pace. The nice thing being that everyone was comfortable doing their own thing. Whenever we stopped for a rest, the team was always there offering beautiful fruit and snacks, and filling our water bottles. The accommodation was great - especially in the smaller colonial towns. In these places one got the sense of being in the real Colombia. The larger cities are all too soon becoming very westernised, which I fear is the general direction for the whole Country. Colombia is rapidly changing. Gone are the days of Pablo Escobar and drug cartels. On our last day in Bogota we walked through the commercial centre and I felt we could have been in any western city. Bright lights and Dolce and Gabbana. We had travelled through the soul of Colombia only to end up where we all come from... Many thanks to everyone. My fellow cyclists. The whole team. Melva and her family. Demot. And especially the beautiful people of Colombia.

Tony Onwood, Cape Town, South Africa

The riding with 15 of the nicest people i've ever met in the most fantastic place i've ever been............ PRICELESS
well done to Ox ................ you made it happen "Ka-Chang"

Stephan Barnett, Kent, England, UK

You are going to have to train hard but it's worth it. The landscape is spectacular and our group was great fun, full of characters.

Loads of laughs and a real sense of achievement.

Jo Reaves, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

A fantastic and challenging experience. Enhanced by the like minded people on the tour and calm efficiency of Lee and Ox.

Lots of highs and a few lows but great support and oh how we laughed! A brilliant trip.

Graeme Guilford, Matmata, New Zealand

I had a wonderful trip, with a wide variation in accommodation which gave us a real feel for Nepal. Ox our guide was really excellent and coped withevery situation calmly and efficiently.

From the cities to the little villages to the amazing scenery, a trip to remember.

Paul Noonan, New Zealand

I thought the trip was very well organised, and good value for money. The food and accommodation were better than expected- we were in Nepal after all.

I thought Ox did an outstanding job- his networking and interpersonal skills were exceptional.

I like the redspokes philosophy of combining cycling and travel with assisting the local economy by spending with the locals.

Kathryn Mayne, Boulmer, Northumberland, England , UK

Enjoyed the cycle ride through Nepal in April. So much varied scenery from the green rice fields in the south to the spectacular mountain landscape further north. Also varied rides from the bustle of Kathmandu using small tracks linking local villages to those fabulous downhill switchbacks and not forgetting the more challenging off road sections in the mountains.

I felt supported throughout the tour and encouraged when my energy began to run out, probably should have eaten more dhal bhat.

Thanks for a memorable adventure.

BeeJay, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England

Great trip, very diverse and well organised. The balance between hard and easy days worked really well and I never felt tired or over stretched on any of the days..

Ox was a great people person and always had a smile on his face no matter what situation was thrown at him..

Really good guide, great team and brilliant holiday so thank you redspokes.

Ian James, Cornwall, England

Having never been on an organised tour before or even on a cycling holiday I found this trip to be very enjoyable. Quite a sociable holiday and I got to see places in Nepal which I would not have got too normally.

Ox the guide with his team were very capable and I felt they could handle any situation thrown at them. Overall a great time and I felt good value for money.

Dean Murray, San Jose, California, United States

Great opportunity to see Chitwan NP plus the west side of the famed Annupurna circuit trek from the seat of an mtn bike on very challenging terrain and dirt track. Loved the stops for tea and lunch in the villages. Ox was friendly and encouraging.

Tobi Grimminger, Zurich Switzerland

What a wonderful trip! Thanks for supporting us so much for the Thorung La attempt and organizing flights/helicopter, guide, hotels... These were the best mountains I ever did on my bike.

And Ox and the guides were such a fantastic team to explain Nepal and help in every situation (plus teaching us how to eat with hands properly). 11/10 points!

Clive Smith, Bexley, England

A great tour - varied and value for money.

Ox is a cool guy and looked after the group well - the bike was really good - far better than I expected.

The whole team were good and I would recommend them...

Dave Macfarlane, Mt. Maunganui New Zealand

Great trip all round and up to expectation for a developing country.

Thanks for the enriched experience and I look forward to the next redspokes adventure.

Charles and Marie Mcilroy, Ashbourne, UK

Our first redspokes tour and we will be back for more. Burma was a revelation as well as an adventure. The organisation was outstanding and our guides were really very good indeed with a wonderful personal touch. The Burmese are quite simply the friendliest people we have ever met. Hurry before it all changes!

John Lingford, London, England, UK

An excellent way to see the Colombian countryside and small towns.

Susan Shyllon, London, England, United Kingdom

The weather did not bode well for this trip when we set off, but the clouds and mist lifted, the sun came out, and the beauty of the terrain we were cycling through was revealed in all its stunning glory.

This is not an easy trip, but the rewards - scenery, food, cultural experiences, and the excellent Mr Phong and team - make it worthwhile.

Benny Faria, London, England, UK

It was a privilege and pleasure to tour Colombia's coffee growing district with redspokes. This is a verdant, alluring part of the country, with bright colours and fertile earth, bursting with tropical fruit and veg. The tour stayed well off the tourist hotspots, and it was very gratifying to encounter genuine and very friendly curiosity. I was humbled by the Colombianos friendliness and generosity. My highpoint was our stay at Neira and the overwhelming hospitality from Melva and her lovely family. We cycled through beautiful little towns, each with their characteristic central green squares, overlooked by mostly Spanish-era churches. Being Christmas (v big in Colombia!), there were evening lights, parades, and lots of exciting feliz navidad anticipation, very welcome after a long day's ride.

I still dream of paisa, sanconcho, bunuelos and empanadas (world class at Melva's brother's house), and pine for those mangoes, papaya, and consistently good coffee. We had an excellent tour group, and an outstanding support team. Thank you Dermot, Melva, Stella, Fernando, Camilo, and Diego for the absolutely cracking holiday. Finally, a make-noise, big-up Hackney thank you to Geovanny Aranzazu, our erudite, songful, ever cheerful and helpful guide for Gracias a la vida and Solo le pido a dios.

Mary and Donald, Edinburgh, Scotland

Another fantastic trip with redspokes. The tour guides Dermot and Rodrigo were very professional and thorough and the support provided by Gustavo with meals, back up van and mechanical support for bikes was exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble for all three. The opportunity to cycle from Chile to Argentina and back was a real thrill and friends are pretty impressed when you say you cycled from Chile to Argentina over the Andes! The scenery was spectacular and as always with Dermot's tours the opportunity to go off the beaten track gives you an experience and holiday not to be missed. Where next?........ Laos Thanks again

Dermot Bailie, Edinburgh, Scotland

Chile & Argentina was an amazing trip. The daily cycling environments are so diverse it makes each day really exciting and adds the sense of a real adventure. From crossing the Andes at the snowline from the Wild West like scenery when leaving Bariloche the trip has something around every corner to keep your eyes occupied.

Dawn Manning, Calgary, Canada

The Chile/ Argentina experience was wonderful. The local tour leader, Rodrigo, was exceptionally knowledgeable and informative, as well as being a world-class cyclist, and we had a great mix of 'off the beaten path' locales, as well as some classic cycling routes. The weather was spectacular, as was the scenery. The people that we met were warm and welcoming, and the food and wine were excellent! I wholeheartedly recommend this trip; cycling is the best possible way to get to know this part of the world. 

Richard Matheson, Leeds, England, UK

The trip to Chile-Argentina was interesting and challenging. The highlights were climbing the Andes into the snowline (which was a satisfying achievement) and crossing the border between the two countries among the stunning peaks; as well as the challenge of gale-force winds and gravel roads which tested our cycling skills. The hospitality shown to us by the family at our homestay in the Mapucho region in Chile was humbling. Lying in the hot pools after a rewarding climb and eating fresh trout from the stream were both wonderful. We experienced all four seasons of weather in two weeks as well as lakes and volcanoes and rivers of immense beauty. The tour guides Dermot, Rodrigo and Gustavo were brilliant. In total the whole tour: bueno!

Peter Bowman, Surrey, England

Great countries; great scenery; great people; great group; great leader and guides; great tour. So where next? Lebanon & Syria, Cambodia or even one of the 'Stans' perhaps!

Nic and Julie Hodgetts, Sutton Coldfield, UK

We have just had the most amazing time in Myanmar. The organisation was second to none. Bagan was breathtaking and dare we say that the electric bikes were a great way of seeing the pagodas and temples. Myanmar is a very special place and we are so pleased to have seen it at this time. Now looking forward to planning our next redspokes trip.

Steve Coral, Boulder, Colorado, USA

redspokes puts together an awesome trip. The cycling can be serious, but my friend and I had no shame being the slow man group, bringing up the rear, stopping a lot and chatting up the locals. No one looked down on us for riding the sag bus about 20% of the time. The local crew was wonderful, always super supportive. It's fascinating being on this kind of gritty trip, you're close to the ground and the local population, gathering experiences that the tour bus riders can never access.

 

John and Pat Flower, Surrey, UK

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and felt it was a good route with an excellent tour leader and driver. Rodrigo was the best tour leader we have had and we have done at least 8 trips with different companies.
 

Peter Whitford, Santa Cruz, California

"What an incredible journey of spectacular scenery, warm people and delicious cuisine through the green, blue and white of the lakes district of Patagonia! The good amount of riding off road meant that we often had the roads to ourselves to soak in the beauty. Riding 3 segments and taking 3 ferries to cross the Andes from Chile to Argentina was a definite highlight!"

Karina Lehrner, Carmal, California

redspokes you did it again! This was my second tour with you and once again, your tour organization from start to finish exceeded any expectations that I could have. I particularly appreciate having local guides on your tours. German, Diego and Marcelo were extraordinary...like family. They guided us in an environment that created a sense of family and community. Their contribution provided much laughter, joy and good fun. Their fantastic leadership was combined with ongoing scenes of snowcapped volcanoes and excellent food and wine, all while getting to ride a mountain bike that is better than mine...who could ask for more?! Thank you again for making another year one that I can reflect on with great happiness...that is due to the thoughtful planning by redspokes. Oh and loved the overnight at Dona Alicia's with her goat-like-dog protecting the front door. Thank you and see you soon, redspokes!

Alex Fahey, Berkhamsted, England

"An amazing experience more than a holiday"

Carol Pelham-Thorman, Victoria, Australia

.... if you want pristine luxury and clockwork conditions do not do this trip, however if you have a sense of adventure and want a unique exhilarating insight into a culture and place where the physical challenges will test your values and attitudes this tour is it.

Andy Goodwin, Crowborough, England, UK

This was my first redspokes trip and it certainly wont be my last. The itinerary was well planned and had the right mix of cycling and other activities. The homestay visit was certainly interesting!
Ken was not only an excellent guide but highly entertaining too! I am sure it can't be easy to get all the logistics of a tour in a country like Laos right but Ken managed it perfectly.

Jonathan Pearce, Marrickville, NSW, Australia

 redspokes has given me the opportunity to enjoy challenging cycling in beautiful parts of the world with great companions whilst also supporting worthy local causes. Chapeau to Dermot!