Testimonials

Janne Turpiainen, Finland

Mike Hayward, Benfleet, Essex

I have been on several cycling trips in the past, but this was far and away the best!

The guides were first class, the people warm and friendly, scenery spectacular. 

We were all sad to leave and would love to return one day. We have been home a week and are still on a high! All three guides could not do enough for us and Phea in particular was fantastic.

AJ Smith, London, England

Really great trip, every single day had incredible views. Crystal clear lakes and snow capped mountains and met some great people along the way. We couldn't climb the volcano unfortunately for the weather that day (though we had great views most days of volcanoes), but white water rafting was a great alternative. The guides were good fun, and they did a great job at altering the itinerary when needed. One of the best days was having fun locally on some dirt tracks in the hills when we had to spend an extra night in one town. The food and wine, everywhere, was so good. Argentina especially. A steak will never taste the same again!

Steven Fort, County Durham, England, UK

Memories to last a lifetime. Many thanks.

Tony Mohr, Melbourne, Australia

The redspokes Thai / Laos tour was a rich, diverse experience. More than just 'putting in the kilometers', the tour gave us opportunities to experience Laoation community, culture, language and food. Take the time to share some Lao Lao, join a local Thai Cao new year celebration, and your experience will be kuk li li (very very good)!

The boat trips give you a different view of the country and it's people, and of course the cycling itself is a stunning mix of hills and flats, limestone cliffs and quiet rice paddies. redspokes have an obvious commitment to Laos and it's people, investing in local projects and supporting organisations like COPE. I really applaud that, keep it up. !

If you just want to cycle lots of kms, stay at home. If you want a once in a lifetime experience, get on this tour.

John and Steph MacDonald, Perth, Australia

The lost in Laos tour gave us a perfect inroduction to Laos and to cycling tours. The place is facinating and the riding was rewarding. Sharing it with a tour group and an enthusiastic guide team made for great fun, even at the end of the day when the legs were tired and the showers sometimes cold.

I won't easily forget the excitement of the Lao children as we rode by, or the village stay experience

Roger Day, Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

Dermot supported ably by local staff Ken and Daleit literally went the extra mile to ensure we had the trip of a lifetime. I'd chosen redspokes to get away from the Lonely Planet trail and get a bit fitter. I certainly got what I wanted, seeing beautiful Laos from a more native perspective including a homestay in Ban Nalay and shed a stone on the way. Dermot and team's dedication, patience and tireless good cheer made it a super trip.

I have already recommended redspokes to friends and family and am keen to go with Dermot on another cycle adventure.

Anthony Chadwick, Sheffield, England UK

Having travelled extensively I must say I enjoyed this tour, it was better than most I've been on. Good bunch of people to cycle and drink [Lao Lao] with. The Laotians were some of the friendliest and welcoming people I have ever come across.

The staff were great fun joining in on everything, Dermot kept us all laughing, but is also very charitable and helpful to the Laos people.

Ann Southall, Staffordshire, UK

A brilliant holiday with a great mixture of scenery, homestay and some nice guesthouses.

The local team work exceptionally hard to make sure you have a good time and to accommodate both serious and less serious cyclists. You can cycle at your own pace and stop to take photos or get a drink whenever you wish to, as Dowlete is always cycling patiently at the back sweeping up the stagglers.

Kate Scott, Brooklyn, New York, USA

An amazing way to have a group experience paired with hours of peaceful riding surrounded by wonderful landscapes and cheered along by generous, spirited people.

Deirdre Roche, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Ireland

A wonderful experience! A fabulous way to see a country, learn about the people and culture. Totally hooked on cycle holidays!

Thank you for making it all possible!

David Harrington, California, USA

Whether we were pedaling through the scattered corn fields or terraced rice paddies along the streams on a pleasantly warm day, climbing thousands of feet through the morning's cool mist into jungles of bamboo, or riding through the passes of majestic limestone karst formations that reached the clouds above, there was one beautiful common thread to every single day in Laos aside from the incredible scenery. Many, many times a day, we would pass through tiny, rustic villages, scattered with an array of stilted houses dotted along the roadside or spreading up the hillside or down towards a stream. And within almost every one of these villages were the friendliest, sweetest, and most charming people in the world. We would offer our greetings and wave as they shared their warm smiles, friendly waves, and 'œsabaidees,'� especially from the wildly excited children who flocked to the roadsides of most every village to exchange an enthusiastic 'œhigh fives,'� thereafter dancing with joy as we pedaled away smiling!
Ngam lai lai!

But how could we experience these wonderful days without both leaders Ken and Dermot being on top of their game the entire trip! I can only imagine there were occasions when things were not according to plan. Yet we never noticed because they did such an amazing job of taking care of business so we could thoroughly enjoy our journey.

I think I can speak for most everyone who hired a bike: the rental shop and excellent mechanics provided impressive attention to adjustments for finely tuned bikes, and that the front-suspension bikes were of very good quality! And front suspension was a must (sorry James and Tara)!

Lastly, every encounter with another person or place is an opportunity to be enriched and to give back in one way or another. In these two weeks, some of us found that in our fellow travellers, others with a simple smile or interaction with a local, and still others through donations. But I would venture to guess that we were all touched by the charm and beauty of the most hard-working, attentive, sweet, and loving local support staff that truly made our entire journey the wonderful pleasure that it was; an absolutely incredible experience!

Kop jai lai lai der!

Michele McCoy and Malcolm Dean, Kilmarnock, Scotland

A great trip in a beautiful country with many memorable moments. Ken, family and all the support team did a fantastic job looking after us all.

Truly a step back in time, people are friendly, welcoming and take time to smile. The sence of community in the villages is something that will stay with us for a long time. Great work Dermot with the community trust fund. Thanks!

Alastair Locke, Leeds, England, UK

The whole trip was an incredible kaleidoscope of experiences, even though I am a well traveled person. The highlights being the home stay, the friendly Loasions, your support team (even including you Dermot!! shame about your pucking skills!!?) the suprise canoeing trip, redspokes passion for the country and their charitable sponsorship.

I could go on, but suffice to say I enjoyed it very much and everyone was very tolerant of my sometimes wayward behaviour!!!

Mary and Donald, Edinburgh, Scotland

Once again redspokes does a fantastic trip. Sailing down the Mekong, cycling through villages barely changed in generations, excited children shouting sabaai-dii, lazy day in Luang Prabang, welcome ceremony at the home stay, the support provided by Khen his family and team are a few of the unforgettable memories of this trip.

We wouldn't have wanted to see Laos in any other way. Dermot you are a cycling inspiration.

Scooby Werkstatt, California, USA

Awesome Laos trip! I was so impressed with the way you do tours that I plan on taking either your Vietnam or one of your South America tours next year! I have seen first hand the damage that irresponsible tourism can cause so it was incredibly refreshing to be on your tour where I truly felt good about my role as guest/tourist.

I was really impressed with the way you help the local communities and the wonderful work of the charitable organization COPE, I'm trying to raise money for them on my website as well: www.scoobysworkshop.com/charities.htm

Ian Smith, Surry, England, UK

Many people say they'd like to go to India; few do, for fear of what they might see. This trip is a great introduction to a country that never ceases to surprise, delight and occasionally disappoint. In two weeks we experienced so much more than I could possibly have imagined in advance. The wonderful costal scenery, the tea plantations and blue Jacaranda trees, the thrill of an Indian train ride (what an experience), the intenseness of Indian city street life, the relaxing house boats, the delicious food, the smiling people, the ultimate thrill of seeing and hearing wild elephants and, of course, a little bit of cycling too! For me the cycling was incidental; it was what we saw from our saddles that will forever remain in memory. At times the cycling was tough, due mainly to the heat and humidity; coming form the UK's coldest winter for 30 years, it took a while to adjust. The accommodation far exceeded my expectations, even if one hotel did have a lift playing Carpenters songs! You will come home from Kerala with enough stories to bore the neighbours for years, so for that reason alone I recommend this trip.

John and Sara Blyth, Shipley, England, UK

John and I had yet another amazing trip with redspokes. There is no way we could have seen the things we did without the help of a local team. Craig was brilliant, he quietly asserted himself to get things done and ensured that the whole group had a brilliant experience. Thankyou for opening up the world to us. Sara x 

Another great experience thanks to redspokes. The cycling tour provided allowed us to see India as it really is. We had a fantastic time and can't wait until our next trip. John

Ray Knowles, Morwenstowe

This was our first trip with redspokes, and we can say there were only very positive things to say. The trip just got better by the day and big thanks to the support staff and organisers who kept the trip running smoothly. Kerala and Tamil Nadu were very interesting both in culture and scenery, but what made the trip was the friendliness of the people. Experiencing the way the Indian people lived in such a happy go lucky way will always be cherished and we will have long memories of our trip. It was nice to meet our cycling group and we all got along very well.

David Mitchell, Warrington, England UK

Every day's riding was different, so much variety. Most road surfaces surprisingly good and some excellent. The downhills were exhilarating, the 14 hairpins and all the bits in between en route to Palani will be difficult to beat.

Paul Borek, Surrey, England, UK

All in all an unforgettable 2 weeks in a fascinating ,beautiful country. The organising team were wonderful and the white minibus in the distance provided a welcome respite from the physical torment with its pineapple and bananas providing much needed sustenance. Some of the uphill days were tough but really it was what I was hoping for, a challenge. The village stay was an unforgettable experience, as was the mekong river trip. Cycling and scenery --simply the best I have experienced. Looking forward to my next RS trip!

Jen Parsons, Cheshire, England

Eddie Brocklesby, London, England, UK

Didn't think the last great trip in Vietnam could possibly be improved upon, but it was! Helped by David's consistently excellent group leadership qualities, the geographic and community delights of Laos, great biking, breaks and evening meals, Bier Lau and Lau Lau, and an amazingly cohesive, supportive and positive group. The kayaking was a brilliant addition - albeit mortifying to skull through the backpacking riverside nightmare near Vang Vieng. Thanks to all

Chris Ellerton, Torquay, England, UK

Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed the Kerala cycling holiday. It was the great combination of some challenging cycling days, and a fascinating opportunity to see the off-the-beaten-track India. The memories of friendly people, beautiful and varied countryside and fantastic food will stay with me a long time. The highlight though has to be relaxing on the luxurious river boats to finish. Thanks again, and hopefuly I'll see you on the Karakoram trip next year.

Chris Chin, London, England, UK

Our guide, mechanic and drivers/assistants (Pia, November, Nall and Tam) were superb and made our trip a pleasure. A seriously great team. Always smiling, ever helpful and anticipating all of our needs. Nothing was too much trouble. Incredible.

Gail Buswell, Oxford, England, UK

Ken, Mai and team were fantastic, they ensured the trip was truly memorable by helping us to understand their culture and enjoy the best of their country whilst also being sympathetic to our 'falang' requirements and ensuring everything was easy and enjoyable for us. Thanks for a great trip.

Rick Algar, Essex, England, UK

The company, a fantastic, considerate and fun group; the Laos experience, nothing prepared me for the excited laughter and uninhibited, unconditional delight of the village children as a stream of falangs in gaudy cycle gear streamed through the village;

The guides and support team, unfailingly attentive and just genuinely lovely people, a great trip.

Anita Gupta, Liverpool, England, UK

This holiday was an exceptional experience for me and I think I will find it difficult to find another like it. Laos is a beautiful country - Dermot and Khen's passion for it and its incredible people is the unspoken part of the tour that is priceless. The tour offers a wide range of real cultural exchanges which would not be found on any other holiday. We were all made to feel so welcome in Laos by everyone we met which was really very humbling. This vital sense of community that this country exudes is sadly such a rarity in the rest of the world.

This really is a cycling holiday and is very well organised and paced. Transport by buses etc are kept to an absolute minimum. Some days are tough but you are on those hills before you know it and the sense of achievement is worth every effort.

The group was very well balanced and it was great the way that everyone pulled together whilst on the rides - no one was left cycling on their own unless they wanted to be. An approach that was encouraged by Khen and Dermot from the start. Help was always at hand.

The thought and energy that has been used to create this tour - down to every last detail - is an inspiration. I would recommend this trip to anyone without hesitation. If you are interested in exploring this country properly and understanding its complex issues then this tour is a very good introduction.

Katja Stille, London, England, UK

I think the tour was fantastic all around even for someone who normally avoids organised group holidays. I wouldn't have gone with any organisation and redspokes and the personal involvement of Dermot made organised group travel seem appealing. It sets a great example that organised travel is possible without the negatives associated with it.

Ken was great! His beaming smile is still one of the major impressions of the trip.. He was also always approachable and willing to explain local customs and details about day-to-day Lao life. Above that he was attentive and helpful in sorting bike problems.

Ashley Makepeace, Fremantle, Australia

A fantastic trip!!! There is no doubt that there are some long days but what goes up must come down, a long way down sometimes. I cannot fault the organization from Dermot and Ken. The distance travelled each day was split up to make even the longer days manageable.

This beautiful country, full of friendly, mellow people was enhanced by the contact with local people, including a home stay where there is electricity (from a generator) running water (otherwise known as a river). Hearing about what some charities (inc. Cope) are doing to help and being able to give a small donation and seeing exactly who the money was going to was a bonus.

Biggest traffic jam we encountered, was the cows. Skills obtained included proficiency in executing high-fives to children at speed and not running any of them down, shouting 'sa bai dee' to everyone, while fighting for breath on the 'wee bumps'. Finally, a big thanks to the group, who added so much to one of my favorite holidays, I couldn't ask for more.

Graham Searle, Oxfordshire, England

We had a fantastic time on the tour. We were hoping that it would be a really memorable experience, but it absolutely exceeded our expectations all the way. We came back firmly believing that cycle touring is the very best way to see a country, and that Laos is one of the very best countries in the world to see.

Everything about it was pretty much spot-on - the route, accommodation and food were great. The overall atmosphere was really good - in a group that size, I think that it's actually pretty impressive that there weren't any major issues in two weeks. I think that the effect of the personalities leading the group can't be underestimated. Dermot and Ken were fantastic, it's a tricky thing that you do but your cheerful and friendly ways really do make a difference. It's obvious that you both take a personal interest in each individual and how they're getting on / enjoying the trip - that's appreciated.

We are pretty impressed by the work your charity has done, and by how much difference a relatively small amount of money can make to these rural communities if invested wisely.

Dave Whitton, Exeter, England, UK

I thought this was an excellent tour. The welcome and hospitality from the Loas people was very touching. The local knowledge and contacts that Dermot and Ken have established enabled us to see and experience so much more of the local communities.The Homestay was a great experience where we were guests of honour at their evening party and were treated to no less that three breakfasts to set us on out way the next day! The impact of the Vietnam War on Laos was broght home when we visited the COPE Carity HQ, and I aim to do my bit to help repair some of the damage caused by the legacy of the remaining UXBs on the civilian population.

Debbie Denton, Chesterfield, England, UK

A big, big, thanks for a fabulous holiday in Laos/Thailand. Everything about the holiday we both enjoyed;- the friendly smiley Laos/Thailand's, impressive scenery, great cycling, food, weather,various types of accommodation, organisation, the diversity of each day, not forgetting our fellow cyclists - even the mad Scotsman !!, the list could go on and on !!! Best holiday ever, look forward to the next.

Jenny Nicoll, Sussex, England, UK

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last Christmas/New Year in Laos. Know my comments are a little late but I've not long been back in the UK. Do you remember that the tour was part of my round the world travels and it was the first time I had ever been on a cycle tour as well as travelling on my own. I had an amazing time travelling, visiting over 10 countries in just 6mths.

Now I'm back, friends often ask where was my favourite place. Of course that is difficult to answer as I've had a great time nearly everywhere I went experiencing many cultures and doing some amazing things. However, I must say that the cycle tour comes right up at the top of my list for an overall adventure. I loved Laos, the people the country and the actual challenge of the cycling, which I did find tough at times. Ben and Ken were both great and very supportive and I thought the tour was very well organized. I was so glad that I decided to include this as part of my travels and would love to do another one sometime.

Yvonne Knowles, Morwenstowe

A fantastic trip with lots of interesting things to see and do along the way. Nothing was too much trouble for the guide and support team. I would recommend this trip to friends and family. Thanks redspokes for a great trip!

Penny Weir, Aviemore, Scotland

The Cambodia tour was excellent, a lovely country so full of recent history as well as ancient history, easy biking and a terrific team of local guides and drivers.

We were spoilt!

Claire Thomas, Edinburgh, Scotland

During the course of our travels through Laos, as well as experiencing wonderful scenery, good food and amazing cycling, we also managed to touch the Laotian culture. The Laotians have so little but gave so much warmth and encouragement which helped make this trip so special. The Laotian support crew who were driving the van, cooking and acting as local guides as well as Dermot the Tour Leader, did their utmost to make this a holiday to remember. I would recommend this trip to everyone.

Paul Massie, London, England

The tour delivered everything, and more, that I was looking for. Great friendship, a wonderful country, lovely people and a physical and mental challenge! The tour was superbly led by Dermot and Ken. It exposed us to a culture in a way I think very few other tours could match.

It was that insight into and brief experience of the Laos way of life that for me made this trip unique and certainly this was a view echoed by one or two of my fellow cyclists that I talked to.
So well done! And to cap it all, I am now on the lowest notch on my belt and trying my best to keep it there.

Ian Smith, Letchworth, England, UK

Laos/Thailand Lost In Time: believe everything you read about this tour. Go with high expectations and expect to come back saying every expectation was exceeded. You will be transported to a country where everyone is your friend; where everyone smiles and time has indeed stood still.

Don't expect luxury; expect to muck in a bit, expect it to be uncomfortable at times as it can be hot and sticky; if you can handle this your reward will be an experience that will move you deeply and have you returning home singing the praises of a wonderful country. I promise.

Trevor Best, Lyttelton, New Zealand

Just writing to say thanks to you and Lee for a great trip through Tibet last October. Tibet has always been one of my dream destinations (Hillary, Everest, high altitude desert, Buddhism, Shangri-La, etc) and the way the trip was organized met all my expectations. 

I really enjoyed the chance to interact with the locals through Nawang and Mr. Loka yet still have the challenge of getting through a real adventure and experiencing all that goes with that. I'm already looking forward to doing this again with you guys somewhere else.

Ros Lawson, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

The Nepal cycling trip completely exceeded my expectations & it was challenging in many ways (not just the terrain, suspension bridges, rivers & hills but the toilets too!).

Our guide Lee was excellent, striking the right balance between being in charge & joining in. Nepali guide Ox was always keen to make things happen & provided great local support. Food would get a 9/10, accommodation mostly 8/10 (on a Nepali scale) although a couple of nights' accommodation could be improved upon.

The scenery was breath-taking & the locals very friendly. Not once did I feel intimidated as I have done in some other countries. I would not hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone. Go for it!

Sunil Bhopal, Newcastle upon Tyne

My first time on an organised tour, and my first time in Central Asia. I highly recommend the camaraderie, organisation and excitement on this redspokes tour. Great fun. Do it!

Chris Reade, Lancaster, UK

"COPE visit cancelled which was a shame. Trip was fantastic and very enjoyable. Cycling was tough, challenging and fun and camaraderie was great.
Hosts Ken and Co were always great and informative and humorous . Would be interested in another tour somewhere.
Food was good. We talked with Ken about varying the breakfasts a bit, maybe some porridge or muesli which he liked the sound of.
Interesting to see the place and meet lots of people. Homestay was a definate highlight as were the high mountains.
Thanks to you all. "

Anne Hillman, Southport, England

'This was my first tour with redspokes and I wasn't disappointed. A wonderful country.'

John Thompson, Newcastle, England

Having been lucky enough to travel in Asia a little, I had high expectations of our trip to Laos. These were more than surpassed. The trip combined the beauty of an amazing country with the spirit and huge smiles of a fabulous people.

Dermot and Ken provided professional and yet hilarious guiding and made us all feel very well looked after. One of the luckiest features of our trip was the fantastic group I cycled with. I couldn't have wished for a nicer group of fellow travelers, and really hope we can meet up again soon to do a similar trip. One of my best holidays. I can highly recommend it.

Cathy Sheehan, Auckland, New Zealand

I want to thank you again for a wonderful wonderful tour in Laos/Thailand. I am totally hooked and recommending redspokes to everyone I meet. I can't think of a better way of doing it.

The group was brilliant and so was the organisation, really stress-free for me. And having Lao guides and translators was fantastic.

On the first night I decided not to make snap judgements about the people in the group and just accept everyone and let them reveal themselves, and it really worked. They were all wonderful.

You have just the right touch - it's organised beautifully and takes away all the worries of doing it on your own, but leaves enough freedom to still make it an adventure. I liked the skillful way you went around and checked on everyone without being overbearing.

I fully expected to be bundled into the back of the truck on the day from Luang Prabang to Kiu Kacham but it was great I was able to complete that challenging day.Your initial instructions about respect were spot-on. I felt proud of our group and the way we conducted ourselves - I think even our drunken behaviour was within acceptable limits.

Grahame Beard, Spalding, UK

Tony Duckworth, Surrey, England, UK

In spite of the weather - heavy rain around midday - the ride was a delight. Marvellous scenery, friendly crowd, generous refreshments, a nice pub half way down, all well organised.

Pete Raimes, London, England, UK

Thanks to redspokes for organizing an excellent event on Sunday, my 13 yr old son and I very much enjoyed the day and were very impressed by the organization and the all the staff and helpers involved.

Heather Weaver, London, England, UK

Julie Niven, Edinburgh, Scotland

The best holiday I've ever had - it's going to take some beating. I've been on organised cycling trips before and this trip blew them all out of the water. The organisation was faultless, the cycling was awesome, the scenery was stunning, the people were fabulous. The welcome we received in Ban Faen will stay with me for a long time. A truly humbling experience.

Clifford Erett, Belfast, Ireland

Belated happy new year to all at redspokes. I'm emailing to thank you and your team for a fantastic holiday Dermot, it was one of (if not the most) interesting and enjoyable experiences of my life to date. The warmth shown to us from the people of Ken's village and the population generally was most humbling. Please convey my thanks and good wishes to Ken and his family, not forgetting Mr Lucky, forkeeping us well fed and watered while we enjoyed ourselves.

I will not fill your inquestionnaire Dermot because for me the trip was better than I expected. OK so the hotels were not up to western standards but I feel that adds to the experience.

Don't change a thing Dermot; it's a bloody marvellous tour!

Stuart Hill, Kurnell, Australia

One of the most rewarding incredible adventures I have ever had the pleasure to experience! Would definitely do this again!

John Beckley, London, England, UK

This was my third holiday with redspokes and just as good as the two previous ones. The holidays feel like real adventures (you get a long way off the beaten path) but the organisation is superb. Each holiday has given an opportunity to get to know local people and understand a bit more about local cultures.

The cycling is fantastic, but stopping, looking and talking are just as important. I cannot rate redspokes holidays highly enough.

Chris Morfas, California, USA

This was the bike tour of a lifetime (so far). I say "so far" because the pleasures provided by this tour have inspired this Yank to consider even more adventurous outings! redspokes did a great job feeding and housing us and moving us along through many kilometers of challenging roads and terrain in Vietnam and Laos.

The other riders in the group were jolly fine chaps and lassies. Tour leader Dave is a fountain of wisdom, enthusiasm and energy. redspokes' UK staff was very helpful with pre-tour arrangements.

Cathy McCartney, New Zealand

Vietnam and Lao was made amazing by David, Phong and Dao Lit by their ability to relate to me as an individual. My view of this is that each of them addressed the individual needs of each participant on the trip. David personally discussed with me very early on what it was I was seeking. I talked to David about why I had come on the trip and we worked out a plan to accommodate my needs as an individual trip participant and the needs of everyone else.

The big things for me were scenery - what will I see? experience? smell? participate in? how does each local community operate? what is important? How many water buffalo? why do you need these water buffalo? what do you get for each water buffalo? Children what happens - what is the rhythm and plans for the emerging country? where are they? where are the schools? medical? what happens when why and how??| and then cycling - that was pretty obvious!!!. They met the view I had before I left and then some instead of me feeling like I had gone on a bulk buy trip.

The situations in each country were vastly different. David, Phong and Dao Lit adjusted the trip to accommodate. The recognition of cultural differences was extremely important and those needs were met. Thanks to David, Phong and Dao Lit the individual attention of each of these extremely unique people made this an incredible journey, Ka kete ano.

Rod McPhee, Australia

After the first 2 days I was saying to myself what the hell has my daughter talked me into, after day 4 thanks to everyone on the trip and especially David our tour guide I started to believe I could do it, and I was really enjoying it. As we neared the end of the trip I wished the trip was longer I was not ready for it to finish.I will definitely be doing another redspokes tour with David and hopefully all of us will do it together I met on the trip.

Phil Hurcom, London, England, UK

My third redspokes trip and the most enjoyable. Stunning scenery and wonderful welcomes from the Laotians, challenging cycling that was still within everyone's abilities plus some great evenings on the Beer Lao combined to make the most memorable of trips, all topped off with the usual excellent redspokes organisation and tour leadership

Paul Tierny, Galway, Ireland

Overall I had another excellent adventure with the redspokes group. This is my third trip with them and it once again exceeded my expectations of the trip. Laos is one of the nicest places to go cycling and there were some good climbs which presented some nice challenges. The cycling vs. non bike time was perfect and the rest day for Christmas in Luang Prabang was fun. Really nice mix of eclectic riders on the group and some fun nights!Well done redspokes and thanks for another unforgettable experience, will be back for another adventure next year.

Andrew Rankin, Dorset, England, UK

This was a great trip and I would happily recommend it. David was brilliant as the Tour Leader and his knowledge of Laos added greatly to the experience.I have many happy memories of a great group, a beautiful country and laughter.

Mark Pearson, Bath, England, UK

Can't put in words how much I enjoyed the trip. Challenging physically and intellectually. Beautiful country and people. Great group and redspokes is a fantastic company. Will recommend Laos and redspokes to everyone who'll listen.

Louise Goldingham, Oxon, England, UK

This was a truly fantastic holiday. The cycling was great, the local people so warm and welcoming, scenery amazing and the organisation of the trip was brilliant. I didn't need to worry about the cycling as the pace was so good, with lots of refreshment stops. It was an experience I will never forget.

Heather McCulloch, Australia

I loved the opportunity to interact with locals in a meaningful way. I can't fault the organisation, it all went so smoothly, and I know there's always so much work behind the scenes. I had such a wonderful holiday, every day was like a new adventure. I really enjoyed the way Dermot was involved and how he (and the whole group) was into all the spontaneity, for example here's some crazed guy in a car yelling that he's a cyclist, and we all end up having a great time visiting his bike museum and pub.

redspokes would always be first preference for me, I fully recommend them.

Lieve De Neve, Belgium

Cycling trough Laos was an extraordinary experience. The unspoilt and lush landscapes, the harvesting on the rice fields, thesmall remote villages andwatching from close bythe daily life of the people: this cycling journey was unique and surely a "once of a lifetime" experience.

The organisation was perfect, thanks to David Walker and Ken. The entire team took really good care of us. In my case, the presence of the van was really assuring and I regularly used it to avoid the steepest and hardest parts of the route.The members of our group had different nationalities and backgrounds, which resulted in interesting conversations and exchange of points of view. Another benefitfor me was it even resulted in an improvement of my English conversation skills!

Going through my photographs, I realise again how wonderful this biketour was... The decision to go to Laos with redspokes was one of the best decisions I ever made :)

Thanks again!

Stuart Butler, Jersey

I really enjoyed the Peru experience, from the cycling & trekking to the scenery, culture, food and people. We had good comradery within our group, which included our guide (Eduardo), the mechanic (Alex) and our driver (Migel). Eduardo demonstrated excellent leadership and we put our 100% trust with him. He and his small team responded well to the needs of the group.
The majority of the cycling was off-road mountain biking which I particulaly enjoyed (well, the downhills anyway!). .

The Inca Trail was a highlight of the tour for me - much tougher than I had expected but also much more rewarding when we reached Maccu Picchu.
Our guide (Jimmy) and porters looked after us well and luckily the weather was on our side too!

Richard Wakeford, Gloucestershire, England, UK

A trip with something for every kind of rider, from vast downhills of 40km, through long days of gravel roads by wild rivers to highly technical single track, all interspersed with a fascinating mix of historical sites, local food, thermal baths and a visit to a school at about 4000m above sea level.
Our guide Eduardo had patience with the less adventurous while challenging the most competent among us. Never a dull moment, utterly amazing scenery and the sun shone every day!

John Entwistle, London, England, UK

It is rare and special privilege to cycle through such a unique and truly breathtaking part of the world. It also presents a great, and ultimately rewarding physical challenge, at least to most as there are those blessed with superhuman physiology! 

The experience is enhanced and the pains are eased by the great support crew and the genuine human touch which has been bought to the super organisation of all aspects of the trip and to the relationships with all the people who are involved in it.  And don't forget, Everest awaits you.

David Whitton, Bristol, England, UK

This was a fantastic trip, which included the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, and remote countryside. The contrasts were great, from rapid development with new roads and dams, to quite rural communities. I loved the climate, hot and relaxing. The food was interesting, including the deep fried grasshoppers and snakes in wine! The cycling group soon formed a close knit supportive team and the leaders and back up team were great. This trip is a brilliant challenge, and the rewards, including the friendliness of the local Vietnamese people added up to a most memorable holiday.

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...

Ilkka Nyknen, Finland

This trip had a very good combination of cycling and culture. Passing through so many small rural villages and receiving such a warm welcome , was fasinating. Its not easy to find places like these nowadays. It would be good if everyone living in the western countries to do this trip sometime.

Before this trip I was a little woried how I would understand native English (Scottish) speakers but thanks to Dermot and Ken and the whole group it was not a problem.

Michael Forde, Dublin, Ireland

What a great part of Vietnam to cycle, empty roads, stunning scenery and great craig with a nice bunch of people. For me the essence of travelling is getting on roads less travelled and meeting different cultures and experiencing their warmth and hospitality, well done for helping me achive this.

Alastair Ward, Dorset, England

What a wonderful trip. A combination of camaraderie from others on the tour and welcome from the local peoples in an astounding geographical area less travelled made the whole experience truly memorable. Organisation was good but not intrusive allowing for flexibility and time to stop and meet the local people along the way. My photos really don't do it justice. Looking forward to another trip with redspokes in another part of the world... just can't decide where.

Eddie Brocklesby, Southampton, England, UK

What a privilege - cycling in North Vietnam while tourism is still in its infancy. Spectacular countryside and endless variety from rice fields to the towering mountains, steady ascents and awe-inspiring descents. But it was the markets, the street vendors, the colourful tribes and, overwhelmingly, the kids and their families that made the trip so memorable. A great sociable though disparate group and competent redspokes organisation made the trip a fabulous, once in a lifetime Christmas experience.

redspokes organisation was superb - we had our own well travelled, informed English guide. The ages, nationality, cycling skills and experience of our group were widely varied - with not a bike mechanic amongst us, so David's skills and the motorised backup were much appreciated. We also had an enthusiastic knowledgeable Vietnamese guide, Phong, who managed the balance between his loyalty and pride in Vietnam, patiently answering our endless questions about the legacy of his formerly divided country, and its occupying forces.

Robert Wright, St Margaret's, Ireland

What a great place for a cycling holiday. A mesmerizing hidden corner of Vietnam, totally unspoilt, notraffic, no tourists and undoubtedly the most spectacular scenery in the whole country. Cycling among the different hill tribe people, seeing close up, how little their lives had changed over the generations, was truly a fascinating experience. For me that's what cycling adventure holidays are all about. Well done redspokes.

Brett Smith, London, England, UK

The Nepal tour was excellent and an extremely enjoyable 2.5 weeks. Ox was a fantastic guide; he and his team were very helpful and did everything they could for us. His knowledge of all the different areas was great and he was always willing to spend time with group and answer any questions that they had. He dealt well with the differing levels of ability in the group and also took care of food and drink stops.

James Attree, London, England, UK

Fantastic country, glorious scenery, wonderful people and amazing cycling - very hard to beat either the 45km climb or the 4 hour descent! redspokes has a brilliant itinerary that shows off this tiny but varied country to the full. Ox (our guide) and his crew were simply brilliant - nothing too big that couldn't be sorted and nothing too small that it got overlooked.

Just go - you know you want to!

Scott Chesney, Hampshire, UK

My wife (Judy) and I were really looking to do something very different with our holiday. The Nepal cycling trip was everything we were hoping for. The people were so friendly, the scenery and landscapes breath taking, the cycling tough but enormously rewarding and finally the great people we shared this experience with.

I can't speak more highly of our guide Ox and his team. Please pass our thanks onto him as he wasn't just helpful but was a real character in our group and made some of the tougher days easier to get through.

I would recommend redspokes and this trip to anybody (and have) with a sense of adventure. Thank you!

Stuart Williams, Kidderminster, UK

My second trip with redspokes and my second time riding the Lhasa to Kathmandu route. Had a fantastic time, made some great friends and rode this truly spectacular route. 

Thanks to all the crew support I managed to do every high pass and all the big mile days. Great! I cannot recommend redspokes and this trip enough!

Juanjo Blanco Cerrajaro, Madrid, Spain

Definitely a great experience, I really enjoyed far beyond my expectations. A very well organized tour and very good leader who did everything he could to get the best of the group as a whole and of everyone of us. As for the tour itself, Tibet has a very interesting cultural and religious legacy and astonishing landscapes, it's a nice trip destination.

Ian Mcintosh, Caterham, Surrey, UK

Each year the redspokes London to Brighton ride gets better and better! From small beginnings with a handful of enthusiasts it is now enjoyed by a large cross-section of cyclists who enjoy a challenging ride through beautiful and sometimes remote countryside. The organisation, support and encouragement from Dermot and the redspokes team was superb!

Dave Townsend, Redhill, Surrey, UK

Dianne White, Belair, Australia

This was a great trip - a physical challenge ++ due to the altitude, wonderful scenery and the support crew could not have done a better job being efficient, helpful and friendly. The meals they produced were full of variety, tasted delicious and there was always more than enough. Big thank you!

George Porter, Australia

The leader (Phong) on the NW Vietnam trip is exceptional and understood the riders and their needs really well. He also understands an ironic sense of humour! The cycling route traverses some beautiful and isolated areas, and the locals were universally friendly. We saw almost no foreign tourists anywhere except in Sapa. Accommodation was far better than any of us expected. At the moment (April 2013) parts of the route are being rebuilt by the Vietnamese government which made sections of the road an obstacle course, but this work should be largely complete by 2014. Overall a highly original trip.

Jean François Bieler, Montreal, Canada

I was out of my comfort zone for 2 weeks and I loved every minute of it.

Alden Cadwell, Vermont, US

redspokes is a terrific tour company. Our trip through Laos and Vietnam was inspired. A trip leader has to make dozens of decisions every day to accommodate his clients. In the course of our 21-day trip, our redspokes guide, David Walker, never made a bad one. He was unfailingly well-informed, resourceful and fun to hang out with. In addition, the itinerary redspokes chose was spot on, taking us through gorgeous and bike-friendly corners of Vietnam and Laos. I don't regret a single kilometer. Plus, every meal we shared was delicious... and, for the record, there is no post-ride recovery drink like a Beerlao.

Nigel Fielden, Sale, Cheshire

Steve Loken, Missoula, Montana, US

John Roche, Leeds, England, UK

Catherine Wyse, Vancouver, Canada

Stuart and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The scenery was stunning and apparently we experienced the best weather of the season - if not a tad too hot at times! Rodrigo, John and Gustavo were excellent and made everyone feel part of the team regardless of level

Katje Stille, Hackney, London

Great trip again. The landscape in Patagonia is as I imagined it to be “ barren, wide, open, empty “ beautiful! Thank you for a fantastic experience. Everyone got along and it was a great group of people.

Sylvia Churba, London, England, UK

Even though there are many tough climbs and even more great down hills, the presence of support means that it was always possible to take one or two trips in the coach with the guides and wait for a more gentle section. I would recommend the tour.

Ian and Lynne Hewitt, Asheville, NC, USA

For the two of us, although there were several things we were initially uncomfortable with, the tour turned into an unforgettable experience and an adventure of a lifetime. We saw and experienced things we would not have, had we tried to do it solo.

Renea Jaeger, San Diego, USA

The trip was fantastic! Phea is Cambodia and shows off his country with pride, laughter, and knowledge. A memory that will last a lifetime is cycling by all the rice paddies and stopping to take photos. Vichika (November) asked if we'd like to try pulling the rice. Chris and I laughingly took off our shoes and socks and got to work. After working in the fields for 10 minutes, I have a new found respect for all the local farmers and learned about rice farming with a new found interest. redspokes isn't about driving by the local culture in a van; it's about immersing people in the culture and experiencing what the country has to offer.

Barbara Bennett, Swanage, UK

"Heang went out of his way to make sure we had some local experiences which really added to the trip."

Peter Wilkinson, Leicester, England

Another superb trip and wonderful as an introduction to a continent I had not visited before.

Victoria Lomax, Edinburgh, Scotland

A great trip! If you're looking to travel beyond the guide books and get a real insight into remote village life in Vietnam, then this is the ideal tour.The informality of a redspokes tour is one of its greatest aspects, giving the opportunity to stop and meet locals, share a cup of tea and cycle along with groups of children, all of which gives a snapshot of the way of life in some of the villages we pass through. The cycling did have some challenging climbs but these were broken up into manageable chunks and for every uphill, there was always a great downhill ride just around the corner!I'm just trying to decide which trip to do next now.

Mike Glodowski, Milwaukee, USA

Please forward my appreciation to the redspokes team that supported our tour through Tibet. I cannot praise them enough for making this my most memorable adventure!

Vanessa Bridge, Leeds, UK

Highly recommended - stunning scenery, lovely people, great guides!

Andrew Lindsay , Otford Kent, England, UK

I took part in a very successful Cambodia tour in January 2011. The tour was well planned and we were very well looked after. The hotel accommodation was good and the food excellent. The country is flat so cycling is straightforward apart from sand on some of the dirt roads Cambodia is a lovely country emerging from its past. The people are very friendly and welcoming, to the extent of our attending a wedding. As a result it is a lovely and interesting place for a cycling tour.A unique aspect of the tour was the tour leader who had a fantastic ability to get into conversation with anyone he came across and a keen desire to show his country to us. Through him we had some fascinating conversations with many farmers, shop keepers, children, a medicine man, doctor, palm juice collector and processor and others. This gave us a great insight into the country and really added to the interest of the tour.

Carol York, Washington, USA

Lhasa to Kathmandu is one of the classic overland routes and any cyclist who is looking for a good challenge with spectacular scenery should sign up.

This trip is definitely physically challenging, but redspokes' well-planned itinerary with sufficient days in Lhasa to acclimatize and reasonable distances each cycling day, plus a rest day in Shigatse and great support staff enabled everyone to accomplish the trip. Trip leader and the local crew led by Loka were superb; they even prepared delicious gluten free meals while camping at 5,000 metres.