Testimonials

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.

Birgit Kistenich, Lausanne, Switzerland

This was the most fantastic holiday I've had in my whole life. There is actually nothing that could have been better, our tour leader was the world best, he managed to create a wonderful group atmosphere, integrating everybody, always very positive and creating lots of fun.

Robert & Tara Coppa, Victoria, Australia

I travelled in the bus with Mai, Meuay and Oudom - no common language and yet it was great. Some of my best memories are of Mai spotting something edible growing on the roadside and all of us piling out of the bus to 'harvest' the bounty!

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.

Klaud Simpson, Cambridge, England, UK

My first trip to India and I had no expectations or pre-set idea of what it would be like, eyes open wide you cycle through the tea plantations where you are surrounded by a mix of green, waterfalls, flowers and views that make you glad to be on a bike and free from city life. The nature reserve views made me feel like I could cycle across the canopy of trees. Have you ever heard a wild elephant trumpet while you're on a bike. I have and it was cool. The stunning views gave me a memory, the cycling gave me the feeling of freedom. This was my second trip with redspokes and I'm now planning the third......keep on moving don't stop grooving ;-)

Glenda Oldroyd, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Fantastic Trip, outstanding guide Phea and support staff, Nail, Mobithan and Vichika what a team, such attention to detail to ensure total satisfaction. Perfect holiday, great balance of cycling, sightseeing and excellent food. Would highly recommend trip and Red Spokes to all.

Carmen Lacasia-Purroy, Wirral, England, UK

Fantastic trip, thank you very much to all of you in redspokes. I have been in many cycling trips in the past, Phea and his team are one of the best teams I've ever had.

Annette Davis, Wirral, England, UK

I have just returned from Cambodia and having been on several similar holidays with other companies, I have been very impressed with this trip. Phea and his team were outstanding-pleasant, fun company and nothing too much trouble. The tour offered excellent value for money with very good accommodation and food throughout. Thanks redspokes and Phea in particular!

Mark Hoskins, Wolverhampton, England, UK

Just the best way of seeing this magnificent country, you feel part of the hustle and bustle and you'll soon lose your voice shouting "hellooo" to all the children as you cycle through the villages. If you want to tick the "Cambodia been there done it" box, you can't until you've cycled it!

Siobhan Leith, England, UK

Phea and his team ( some of the names above are wrong I think) were excellent. They could not have done more to make the trip enjoyable. They were courteous, helpful, informative and fun to be with.I have been doing an annual cycling trip for 7 years and this trip must rate as one of the best.I have always been a little dubious about having just a local team but a British guide would add nothing to the service offered by Phea and his team.

Anne Hunt, Liverpool. England, UK

Phea and his team were absolutely wonderful - and, despite the fact that Cambodia is one of the most beautiful and magical countries I have been to, THEY were the true highlight of the trip. I cannot praise them enough - thank you redspokes!

John Farrelly, Western Australia

What an epic trip! Somehow every day outshone the previous one as the legs got into the journey. Spectacular riding with excellent companions and staff. I am telling my friends to do this before they die.

Tim Dunsby, UK

More an expedition than a holiday! Ian and all the crew worked very hard to cater for our needs enabling us to focus all our energy on coping with the demands of the cycling which were not insignificant!

Nothing was ever too much trouble. Consequently, many of us came away with a real sense of achievement and memories which will burn brightly for a long time.

Kara Murray, NSW, Australia

This was my first trip of this kind and I was amongst a wonderful group of14 people from around the world on what was a unique and challenging trip.

Simon Watkinson , Edinburgh, Scotland

I found the redspokes guide Eduardo's commentary engaging and his enthusiasm infectious. No prior planning can predict all events and I was most impressed with how he dealt with situations, both personally and logistically, to ensure the group made the best of their trip.
I enjoyed the non-biking activities - the condors, hot springs, coffee factory and the Lampa church. Plus Machu Piccu of course. This was good for learning, breaking up the cycling and for group bonding. The work ethic and helpfulness of the whole redspokes team was commendable. I believe that a lot of the work required is behind the scenes to ensure a trip runs as smoothly as possible

Cath Breckell, Colchester, England, UK

I thought the trip was awesome! A real challenge physically (and psychologically too at times) but that was what I wanted when I embarked on the trip.

I had never been on a redspokes tour before and so I didn't really know what to expect. The organisation before the trip was excellent and Bryony in the office showed endless patience with all my naïve questions! Once in La Paz the tour guides gave me complete confidence in the trip we were undertaking and although I knew it could be a challenge, I felt very supported and well prepared. 

The group I was with were a fantastic bunch of people who I feel privileged to have met. I believe that was one of the key things that made the trip so fantastic '“ especially when unavoidable things like illness strike, the support and encouragement of like-minded people is awesome. From what I can gather, redspokes folks are always pretty cool by definition!

I loved the variety of the adventures we had along the way. Bolivia and Peru were such vastly different countries and every day gave us new insights into the fascinating cultures and amazing sights to be seen. I know I would never have been able to see so much travelling any other way than on two wheels '“ it was definitely the way to go.

I would definitely do a redspokes tour again and I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone '“ even if they had never done a trip like that before. Do a bit of training beforehand though'¦ I was glad I put some hours in on the bike for a couple of months before I went. Although you don't need to be super-fit or super-human, you will get more out of the tour if you are fit enough to relax about the demands of the ride and cycle every last mile if you can (you didn't sign up to sit in a minibus after all!)

John Blyth, Shipley, England, UK

This inaugural trip provided an insight into the fantastic scenery of this magnificent area and affording us close contact with local people and their way of life. The guides and support were outstanding leading us to some remote areas and arranging an unmissable opportunity to climb the active volcano on our 'rest day' in Pucon. As the team continues to strive for improvements, the friendships made and lessons learnt on this first trip will no doubt make future trips even more enjoyable, if that's possible!!

Vik Lomax, Edinburgh, Scotland

 I'm glad we bought a new camera for this trip as the scenery was stunning right from day one, with volcanoes, mountains and turquoise lakes aplenty. Dermot also brought that redspokes flavour to the tour, getting off the beaten track, meeting and staying with local families and listening to their stories (and sitting in their hot springs!). A great tour!

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.

Marie Sadler, Toddington, England, UK

I took my first organized cycling tour with redspokes to Peru. It was a wonderful adventure from the beginning. The tour was fantastic. The cycling and places we visited were awesome. It never felt like an organized trip, it was so relaxed and felt like the group were old friends.

All they guides were a wealth of knowledge and very helpful. I will keep the memories with me for ever. South America is amazing. Well done redspokes.

Christine Jackson , Isle of Wight, England

This was my fourth redspokes tour and it totally lived up to my expectations yet again! A magical 17 days of stunning scenery, challenging and varied biking, and amazing cultural experiences, culminating in a visit to the breathtaking Machu Picchu.

It was so rewarding to be able to explore the more remote areas of Bolivia and Peru, with a delightful group of like-minded cyclists and get a real insight into life in these beautifully diverse countries. By the end of our third day in La Paz we had been treated to the local fireworks display, attended a evening function with a well known Bolivian musician and participated in the local street carnival, all superb extras that we just weren't expecting!

The organisation was excellent and it was difficult to believe that this was the first time the trip had run. Even the political strikes around Cusco and an enforced change of route didn't mar the group's cycling, due in no small part to the fantastic support and expertise of Dermot (trip leader), our local guide Eduardo, and his support crew of Alex and Bernabe. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They all looked after us brilliantly and were always happy to answer our endless questions! I now know the difference between a llama and an alpaca and due to Bernabe's never ending patience my Spanish continues to improve!

Can't wait for my fifth adventure with redspokes!

Alan Sales, Saskatchewan, Canada

I have traveled around the world and there has been nothing in my life that has gripped me with such passion as this challenging trip did!The unbelievable sense of accomplishment every time I crested another 5000+ m pass, marked by the prayer flags that cover this amazing country. Dermot led us on a trip that can only be called unbelievable. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't relive this trip: the sight of Everest for the first time, the Buddhist temples, the friendly people, even the total exhaustion of riding head on all day into a strong Tibetan wind. After completing this trip, the only way I will ever top it will be to do it again, and someday I will.

Cliona Kenny, Dublin, Ireland

It was possibly the best experience of my life, and is certainly one that I will never forget. I can't speak highly enough of the well oiled redspokes machine (plus partners), and have been singing your praises to all and sundry. (I particularly liked the hands on personal service, especially when I first enquired-although I didn't really realize till after, that I was being assessed for suitability as much as I was finding out about the trip!! I was very sad to see everyone leaving Kathmandu at the end of the trip, it was kind of hard to try to describe the experience to anyone who hadn't been there, even cycling pals. Anyway, thanks again.

Dave Clemmett, Manchester, England, UK

I lost 1.5 stone and can testify that redspokes is much better value for money than Weight Watchers.

Excellent organisation of the trip along with lovely people and fantastic scenery lead to a bundleful of memories and a humbling experience. If people can survive in the Andes with nothing I should be able to live with everything without a complaint.

Real mixture of the usual sights that tourists go to and also places where you will be the only foreigner. The tour guide Eduardo was flexible enough to meet our individual needs and offer support to people when it was needed. Most importantly he was very personable, knowledgeable and entertaining.

Arthur Twiggs, Surrey, England, UK

My recent trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu was the most fascinating holiday and hardest work out I have ever done. Because of my age and the fact of not having done anything on this scale before, I was apprehensive for many months beforehand, and was so pleased when we started to find that the back up and support was as comprehensive as advertised. No one felt obliged or pressured to ride in the vehicles unless absolutely necessary to reach the planned stop before nightfall which lead to a genuine sense of cooperation and camaraderie between all members of the group from youngest to oldest, and no stigma attached to having to accept a ride for a while.

I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of hotels used, not expecting the clean 3 star establishments with en-suite facilities and "proper" toilets that were provided. A local guide and transport were used on the five acclimatisation and rest days in Lhasa, Xigatse and Kathmandu for the sightseeing trips which I had not expected and which added greatly to the overall holiday experience. However, I must say that most of my comments must go to the fantastic service and facilities provided by Loka and his team. I was expecting very primitive conditions with tiny two man tents and not much else, but we were made very comfortable and well fed under a wide range of climatic extremes and from dawn to dusk, not only at the camp sites, but also at the regular 20km and lunch stops during the cycling days.

I will always remember Loka looking out and walking down the road to see that everyone was managing to reach the stops OK with genuine concern and encouragement. There was always more than enough food providing ample carbohydrate three times a day with hot water for washing as a wake up call every morning and a proper sit-down toilet.
Bye for now.

Nick Boyd, Edinburgh

A great 2 weeks of amazing cycling. The variety and ever changing landscapes, places and people made every day different and fun. Great leaders and a wonderful group made this an incredibly memorable holiday.

Tim Eagle, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Well organised supportive proactive exciting adventure tour at altitude. It tested my limits and pushed past some of my boundaries, not to mention the compulsory fun factor.

Neat bunch of people to have an adventure with. No wet blankets allowed on these tours!

Owen Cooper, Manchester, England, UK

I was hugely impressed by the Organization throughout the tour, which was always low key/relaxed, yet clearly well planed. A huge thank you for designing an experience that'll stay with me for many years - the combination of cycling, scenery and meeting local people was superb. Few experiences live up to expectation, especially when you are really looking forward to something, but "lost in time" not only lived up to expectation, but exceeded it. Thank you

Ian McIntosh, Caterham, England, UK

For me the trip had everything I was looking for. Great weather, challenging cycling, fantastic countryside, but above all, the opportunity to meet and communicate with the local population. Due to the fact that we often travelled on small roads far from the cities, the enthusiastic, excited and welcoming greeting we received from the villagers as we cycled by made me feel very honoured. Coupled with the fact that these people have so few material possessions but were willing to unreservedly give me their love, hospitality and friendship without expecting anything in return made and continues to make me feel very humble.

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.

Johnny Morris, Manchester, England, UK

The guides were fantastic. A great team who looked after all of our needs and kept us constantly entertained with jokes stories and tons of information about the places we visited. They could not do enough for the group. Super friendly and approachable as were the rest of the support team. I cannot praise them enough.

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.

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 benefit for 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!

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.

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.

Ailsa Rutherford, Surrey, England

The Tibet tour was an experience that will make me smile again and again. We were very lucky on our tour with the weather conditions, but luck wasn't the only thing: the teamwork and flexibility between the tour leader (David) and the Nepalese and Tibetan crew to ensure we all had a fantastic time was unsurpassed.

The food was better than I cook for myself at home and the the camping had a hint of colonial luxury. I cannot recommend redspokes more highly.

Diane Davis, Glasgow, Scotland

A fantastic support team! Dermot, Eduardo, Barnaby, Alex......what a great job you did. Endless patience, kindness and helpfulness. Outstanding. I thought the people on the tour were great. It was also small enough for us all to gel and be ' a group', that worked well for me. The trip was excellent value for money. There was always plenty to eat (except on the Chicken Feet Soup night!!), I enjoyed the roadside eateries, and the local restaurants. The accommodation was always the best of what was available. The itinerary was good.......the cycling was adventurous, fun and challenging. The scenery was stunning. It was a great way to see Peru, we got to see lots of things you wouldn't see on a usual tour. I think a highlight for me was visiting the local villages up in the mountain on their market day...I found the cycling very tough - the hardest of the whole trip, but it was great to visit these places and a great way to see them.I so enjoyed the trip and that was largely down to you guys who helped get me over those tricky early days. I'm so glad you didn't let me duck out in La Paz!!

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.

Patricia Caro, New York, US

This redspokes tour attracted the coolest nicest people (remember summer camp?) and was led by a caring, competent, and cheerful staff who loved sharing their insights. The cycling was a rich combination of ever-changing slopes and surfaces.

The peoples in the Andean settlements were welcoming and very sweet, including the kids who stole our hearts and sometimes -temporarily- our bikes. Cycling into their communities and markets, past their terraced fields of potatoes (4000 kinds!) and quinoa and wheat and corn was heart-warming and enlightening.

Hannah Macdonald, Liverpool, England, UK

What a fantastic experience, The culture, scenery and company of both the group and the support team made the whole experience a memorable adventure, every day a different encounter. once again redspokes has left me hugely impressed, and in ownership of some fantastic memories.

Phil Tuner , Middlesbrough, England, UK

I want to say a big thanks to Dermot, Eduardo, Bernaby and Alex who pulled out all the stops to make our tour of Bolivia/Peru a wonderful experience bringing together a fantastic group who made it even more enjoyable with constant good humour and camaradarie, despite some minor setbacks, which as we were the first group to undertake this ride were to be expected.

To top it off were the ad hoc activities, a street party, bull fight and crashing a private party in a Bolivian restaurant were just a few, not to mention the Star Wars bar!!!!! (Cusco) unforgettable. Many thanks again redspokes see you next tour!

Bea Bowen, Oxford, England

All in all an absolutely fantastic trip which has opened my eyes to the huge advantages of seeing a country by bike instead of zooming past in a bus from A to B.Both Ken and Dermot were great tour leaders, always ready with a smile and keen to make sure that everyone was getting the most out of the trip, I loved it!Thanks for everything.

Klaudine Simpson, Cambridge, England, UK

A fun enjoyable tour with lots to do and mini adventures along the way. Good accommodation/ some great choices i.e. rabbit island/ the bungalows. Your guide Dave is a real professional and is a solid asset to redspokes tours. He really ensured that each member had his attention and managed our needs. Big thanks!

Phil Hurcom, London, UK

I had a wonderful time and was very impressed with the organisation, standard of camping accommodation and all other bits redspokes are directly responsible for.

Murray Piesse, Rotorua, New Zealand

To cycle across the "roof of the world" and experience the mysterious and magical world of Tibet is a dream that I can relive with others for the rest of my life. The highlights for me were to visit base camp where we stood in the face of Everest and then to cycle the world's longest downhill into Nepal.

Thanks again to Dermot MacWard of redspokes and my fellow cyclist who were a joy to be with.

Steve Cuming, Wellington, New Zealand

Yet another wonderful trip from the folks at redspokes, one that allow's you to see the real essence of the country and it's melting pot of people. The NW of the country is for the most part off the regular tourist trail and better for it, the people are friendly, receptive and not averse to inviting unusually clad, complete strangers into their home for a cup of green tea. Great company with like minded souls who enjoy riding and something a little different in a holiday. Another winner from the team at redspokes.

Cathy Sheeman, Auckland, New Zealand

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.

Robert Burford, Essex, England, UK

For our first cycle trip abroad we decided on Peru and it exceeded all our expectations. The cycling was awesome, the food fantastic and the constantly changing scenery will never be forgotten. Everywhere we went the locals were so welcoming and hospitable.

One of my many highlights was walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We were so well looked after throughout the trek, with some great home cooking at camp! The diversity of the plants and birds and above all the Inca sites were a mystical experience.

It's "Independence and freedom on 2 wheels" with all the support you need. We will be tagging on for more trips that's for sure.

Karen Smith, Edinburgh, Scotland

I really loved this trip and had a magic time. It was great to get off the beaten track in the 3rd week - the places we stayed and things we saw were fascinating. The scenery was unbelievable and it was great to see such a variety of terrains and climates in one 3 week trip.

I always felt well looked after and safe, whether cycling or trekking, the guides were fun, friendly and really boosted my confidence and egged me on with the cycling, which was brilliant.

Roger Troughton, Dorking, England, UK

Cycling is such a fantastic way of visiting places like Kerala and Tamil Nadu - allowing you to get closer to the country and its people. This was my third trip with with redspokes so far, so they must be doing something right.

Sandy Hore-Ruthven, Flax Bourton, UK

The trip was amazing. The scenery fantastic. Like being in another world. The distances are fine and once you are over the altitude sickness it was plain sailing. Almost all the roads are well tarmaced and I would suggest a heavy touring bike is a better choice than a mountain bike. I travelled on 35c tyres with no problems at all and much faster and smoother than the mountain bikes.

Ian Smith, Letchworth, England, UK

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.

Alastair Macpherson, Dundee, Scotland

Another fantastic trip. Riding through the first village of the trip with everyone waving and shouting hello was a great feeling which continued on throughout the duration of the tour. This direct personal contact with universally friendly people made my first trip to India a wonderful experience. Can't think of a better way to spend my holidays. Thanks again.

Louise Goldingham, Oxon, England, UK

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.

Stirling Slingerlan, South Africa

I want to thank you for a great trip, it more than exceeded my expectations. I was a bit concerned that the price of the trip was somewhat cheaper than other companies, but no corners were cut. The food while camping was excellent as was the standard of hotels.Lee was a great guide too and went out of his way to keep everyone happy. 10 out of 10 to him.

The local guide, "Sushi" was absolutely amazing. We couldn't have asked for a better local guide. Even his English astounded me. Nothing was too much effort for him.The cycling was awesome, some tough days, along with a few easy days. The scenery was something out of this world. The only complaint about the cycling was that we may have had too many sunny days, so one had to apply plenty of sun block.As for another trip, I hadn't even completed this trip and I was thinking about my next cycling holiday. I would definitely be going on another redspokes in the near future.

Clifford Erett, Belfast, Ireland

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!

Lisa Eagle, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

It was fantastic to have such great support the entire trip, from our bikes being maintained for us, having a safe driver and supportive guides that happily pushed you along when you needed it and rode with you even when you were stuffed.

Keith Pearce, Aylesford, Kent, England

The trip was a fantastic trip of a lifetime. I have so many fond memories of it and repeatedly look back at the photos to recap all that went on. It was great to meet so many nice people, fellow guests and organisers alike.

I don't know if the experience can be topped but I'm certainly going to give it a go on another location. Thanks again!

Tracey Binks, Broughton-in-Furneess, England

What a brilliant holiday.
The company, guiding, bike maintenance, food, accommodation and transport were all excellent. We got to see such a range of different terrains and far more than we would have done by ourselves.
I really recommend this trip.

Ilkka Nyknen, Finland

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.

Dave Corkill, Harrogate, England

The places visited, sites seen and area covered over the 3 weeks were fantastic, especially the remoteness of the 3rd week.
A true adventure as this was my first cycle holiday and slightly apprehensive with what to expect. Well at my tender age the cycling was hard but finishing the 100k will be cemented on my mind forever. Also climbing Wanapijchu at the end of the Inca Trail was "breathtaking". I never went hungry as lunch was always following behind my right shoulder.

Evelyn Mullins, Dublin, Ireland

The trip was really well organised. Dermot, Ken and all the team were so encouraging and helpful. I couldn't fault anything on the trip. The country was fantastic and I think what redspokes is doing for the villages is fantastic.

Evelyn Mullins, Dublin, Ireland

The country was fantastic and I think what redspokes is doing for the villages is fantastic.

Nicolas Cheatle, Blackpool, England

This trip must go with all time best holidays, great food, scenery, exercise and saw parts of Peru that I wouldn't have reached under my own steam.

Karen Allworthy & Geoff Messenger, London, England, UK

redspokes cycle tour was very well organised and flexible without being restricting and rigid in its itinerary showing us the real Laos and its people along the way.

Rory Morrison, London, England, UK

What a great way to see beautiful Laos and to meet it's friendly and welcoming people. The route is brilliantly conceived. You are taken on a self-propelled roller-coaster of a ride through some of the remotest and least spoilt tropical landscapes imaginable. A completely stress-free holiday.

A cycle adventure tour company who are passionate about the countries they ride through, taking care to positively contribute to the communities encountered along the way. You will come away with a far greater understanding of the people and issues of the region, this is what makes redspokes tours unique.

Julie Niven, Edinburgh, Scotland

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.

Rory Morrison, London, England, UK

A cycle adventure tour company who are passionate about the countries they ride through, taking care to positively contribute to the communities encountered along the way. You will come away with a far greater understanding of the people and issues of the region, this is what makes redspokes tours unique.

Damian King, Cheltenham, England, UK

Fantastic trip, very memorable and very educational. Hard work at times but that's the point of an adventure.
If you set out to educate and show people the real Peru, you succeeded.

Nicky Finch, London, England, UK

Great tour. Probably the most scenic cycling I have ever done. Loved the combination of cycling and the trek (the trek brought a whole new dimension to things).
The way you gradually acclimatized us was really good. This let us achieve a lot more and put us in a very strong position for the trek.

Michelle Emery, London, England, UK

Ashley Roots, London, England, UK

This is one of the all time greats! I have never felt such a sense of being the adventurer. Bring it on!
Would have no problems in using redspokes again, I have already recommended them.

Andrea middleton, England, UK

I cannot now imagine a better way to visit a country than by bike. redspokes gave us the opportunity to see visit real communities and experience the humbling generosity of the Laos people. The scenery was incredible. The cycling was enjoyable at not as tough as we'd expected and the group pulled together for the larger wee bumps along the way!

Andrea middleton, England, UK

The scenery was incredible. The cycling was enjoyable at not as tough as we'd expected and the group pulled together for the larger wee bumps along the way!

Richard Matheson, Leeds, England, UK

It has all been said in the other testimonials the most vivid memories will always be of the three most important things: the welcoming and friendly people of Laos, great food and interesting and varied terrain for cycling! A wonderful experience, and a privilege to visit such a beautiful country which gives so much to its visitors.

Richard Matheson, Leeds, England, UK

A wonderful experience, and a privilege to visit such a beautiful country which gives so much to its visitors.

Adrian Parnell, Sutton Coldfield, England, UK

I feel that the organisation of the holiday was extremely good. The transfer arrangements from Lima and to Lima were important and were handled very efficiently. I particularly wanted to visit Machu Picchu and Cusco. Everything else (including the cycling) was an enjoyable extra which perhaps makes me slightly different and untypical of the group as a whole.

I would unreservedly recommend redspokes to anyone interested in a cycling adventure holiday and hope you go from strength to strength.

Robert Burford, Luton, England, UK

Dermot and team gave their all! The support and help, routes and accommodation were all A+. The area we cycled in was chosen for us to see the very best of culture and scenery in my opinion! Lots to see do and take part in. The cycling group was the best. Hope to meet up with a few on future trips.

Tom Carolan, Westmeath, Ireland

In short, it was mind blowing - so many things to experience, to see and to savour.I loved Pakistan. From the first day, when we flew in a little plane around the high mountains of the Karakoram range, to the murderous slopes of the Khunjerab, there was always something to wonder at. Mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and icy rivers formed the daily backdrop for our cycling, but most of all, the local people were just so friendly and welcoming. Schoolkids cheered us on, offering high fives as we passed. Our guide, Arman and his team worked well beyond the call of duty to help us on our way.The opportunity to see Raka Poshi up close - that for me was the best moment of the trip. To stand in front of a mountain that rises vertically for almost 6,000 metres in front of you is, quite simply, a never to be forgotten experience. China had beautiful scenery also, especially round Lake Kara Kol, and the descent to this lake was probably the single most enjoyable hour of cycling of the entire trip. Kyrgyzstan was desperately poor economically, but the people were just great.The border crossing was epic and memorable - the cold war revisited. There was enough variety here to keep us all interested, from the yurts of the nomadic horsemen to the home stays in the houses of the locals. The food was also excellent and Bishkek turned out to be an appropriate setting to end the adventure. I would heartily recommend the trip - especially if you like doing something a little different. As the brochure said, "if you are looking for one of the world's great rides, then this is definitely it". I couldn't have put it better myself.

Ailsa Rutherford, Surry, England, UK

For want of a less clich'd phrase: this was a life-changing experience. I wish I had discovered cycling tours earlier in my life. It's the perfect speed to see a country if walking's too slow for you and buses/trains whisk you past too quickly behind glass. The Laos tour provided a great sense of work and reward for me; the work is the cycling; the reward is seeing such a beautiful place and lovely people more intimately (and not forgetting the odd Beerlao at the end of the day too!). I can't fault the tour leaders, David and Khen, for their continual cheer and encouragement along the way, striking the right balance between supported group travel and personal space . I look forward to my next adventure with redspokes.