Testimonials

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

I would like to thank you for a great day on the London to Brighton ride. The organisation was great and everyone, I think, had a great time. I had a few mechanical problems as did my son and it was great that the backup was there to help us out of what could have been a sticky situation. The only complaint that I have is that you couldn't stop it pouring down with rain and soaking us just before the excellent lunch beak

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

I just wanted to thank you and your team for a brilliant day to Brighton last Sunday. Everyone was so helpful and efficient, wish I could go again this Sunday !

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

The event was well run, complete with first aider, cycle mechanic, route marshals and plenty of food. Snacks and energy drinks were always on hand during the breaks and sandwiches at lunch. The route taken was very scenic with some spectacular scenery on the off-road sections and even the road sections were planned well to avoid major roads. You really get a sense of achievement at the end when you see Brighton in the distance and cycle down the hill finally to the pier. It is very rewarding. The pace naturally forms into slow, medium and faster groups so would suit all ability levels. I had never cycled more than 18 miles before so if I can do it anyone can. I would highly recommend this trip.

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

As ever it was a hugely enjoyable experience.

Our tour leader was outstanding in every respect. Open, friendly and professional. He dealt with everybody's issues no matter how trivial.

Steve Loken, Missoula, Montana, US

Life changing trip! Great to meet these wonderful people showing us their fascinating countries, and with warmth, humor, and passion. Biking is the only way to see it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It was as good as it gets! my thanks to all that guided us through this adventure.

John Roche, Leeds, England, UK

A great experience we would definitely recommend this trip to others

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

After my initial concern when I saw the redspokes Vietnam Laos tour was subtitled 'œmountain madness'�, I am very glad I did not back out. My fellow cyclists came from UK, the States and Australia; we soon bonded as a group. The redspokes tour leader took care of the needs of the group, which extended from beyond expected cycling tour duties. The local Vietnamese guide, and his support drivers also cooked special meals and helped at every stage, enhancing the experience greatly. Lao is a wonderful country of gentle people and incredible scenery, and there our local team spread a sense of calm and general wellbeing over the entire group. In both countries our local guides took time out to help us in understanding more about life in their country.

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!!