Testimonials
We are dedicated to delivering fantastic cycling holidays through the most spectacular regions of the world, offering fascinating sceneries and immense cultural interest.
But don't just take our word for it, here is what our customers have had to say about redspokes and our services...
Audrey Midgley, ILKLEY, England, UK
Everything about our trip was excellent, from the hard working staff to the beautiful scenery.
I shall definitely be recommending Redspokes tours to my friends!
Janet Coffey, Nairobi, Kenya
This was my 5th trip with Red Spokes, and once again I had an excellent experience. I love the Red Spokes format and consider it to be excellent value-for-money. I thoroughly enjoyed the Albania Classic trip, despite the extreme heat and grueling uphill climbs. (I would recommend people to choose the October option and avoid the June/July heat!) The guide, Arjan, was excellent. The food was delicious, nutritious, and abundant - a lovely blend of culinary influences from Greece, Italy Turkey. The side line tours of medieval castles and ruins added richness to the trip, providing insights into the country's complex and interesting history. My tour mates were wonderful and good humored and created a friendly, supportive bond to get us all through the sweaty days. I'm already planning my 6th trip!
Sarah and John Blyth , Shipley, England, UK
We have had the best holiday ever, it will live with us always. The people on the trip were fantastic & the support from the team couldn't have been better.I only hope Vietnam doesn't change too much over the next few years as I would love for more people to experience what we have. Thank-you for an unforgettable experience.
Jason Heffernan, Auckland, New Zealand
The trip was exhilarating, hard, joyful, fun, exhausting, intriguing, interesting and challenging, a good old fashioned adventure. There was not a day that went by that I was not amazed or surprised by something. Ox our guide has done this trip many times and knows the toll the altitude takes on riders, he checked us out everyday to make sure we were OK, if you were not 100% on any given day, he would recommended spending a day or half day to recuperate in the support van.
Its a long ride and wearing yourself out too early means spending the whole trip in the van! His Nepal team were superb, they made sure we had an abundance of food and drinks to keep the wheels turning. Special mention, Jenzen from the Tibetan team, he was so friendly and informative about his culture and country, thoroughly enjoyed his company and knowledge.
Becky & John Layton, San Francisco, USA
Our 4th redspokes tour and one of the best! The landscapes were positively gorgeous - dramatic mountains, brilliant lakes and rivers, colourful wildflowers, lush farmlands and jaw dropping coastlines. The first few days through the Albanian Alps were challenging, but a highlight of our trip and also the rest day at Ohrid was perfectly timed. The food was fresh, tasty, and plentiful at every meal. Our guide Arjan was fun, lively and had deep knowledge of the area and the road conditions. Albania's recent communist history and older Ottoman/Roman influences were fascinating.
We highly recommend this trip!
Luke Henderson, Edinburgh, Scotland
My partner had never done a trip like this but I'd done many, we both loved every minute of the trip and the guides Nuuwan and Gayan were fantastic. Great support with water and food when needed.
Helped us out with all the small things to make the whole trip go smoothly. Thanks loads.
Andy Harriman, North Shields, England
Had the greatest time, made some new friends. Vietnam was lovely, people so friendly.. Not a day went by without being inundated by hello/goodbyes from the locals especially the children. With an occasional high five for good measure. Certainly put a smile on my face on some of the more difficult days. Brilliant way to see the country. Definitely recommend.
Peter Marsden, Blackbool, England, UK
Vietnam was memorable... for its 'off the tourist trail' cycling, its stunning rural scenery and the genuine welcome of its people. What do I most remember? Mountain scenery, especially the lush greens of terraced paddy fields clinging vertically to the hillsides. Chance encounters on the road with exotically dressed hill tribe people and a run in with a stubborn road-blocking buffalo. And above all the camaraderie of the road - cycling and sharing experiences with like-minded people.
A once in a lifetime holiday (at a bargain cost)... that is etched permanently in my memory banks.
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.
Mark Coleman, Norwich, England, UK
Never in my wildest dreams could I have dreamt just how incredible this adventure to Nepal would be!
Although I’ve been a cyclist for many years, I’ve never been on a guided tour before so this was something entirely new. Knowing that support, food and water was never far away helped no end and the sight of Mr Mamalay and his van in the distance was a blessed relief on several occasions! Although I thought I was reasonably fit, I think I underestimated the effort required; this was some seriously tough mountain biking. Most nights after dinner we were tucked up in bed by at least 9 o’clock if not earlier; utterly exhausted!
For me, the trip wasn’t all about the cycling. Some moments during the long days will stay with me forever; one of the girls in the group planting rice in a paddy field, being able to sit in on a Buddhist ceremony, sharing the ‘Holi’ festival with countless, happy, smiling, painted children, one of the boys in the group ploughing a paddy field behind 2 confused cows, goats on a bus; dancing at a wedding and flying by the seat of our pants through the mountains up to Jomsom. So many memories! All of these little ‘extras’ were made possible by one man; the legend who is ‘Ox’. The hardest working, most patient and happy, tough guy I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. Don’t ever call this a holiday; it’s an epic adventure that will push you to your limits and be etched on your memory for ever more. Book now!!
Kevin & Julia Thomasson, Poole, England, UK
Julia and I were on our 6th redspokes trip. This trip was as good as all the others. The scenery was stunning, a mixture of mountains, volcanoes, forests and lakes The Guides Tolke and German were professional, supportive and great company. The riding was well planned it was a mixture of road and off-road. Hotels very comfortable and food excellent.
A very well organised redspokes trip. Highly recommend.
David Richards, Swindon, England, UK
This was without doubt an exceptionally well organised and managed trip, largely due to the unflagging dedication of the lead guide 'Ox' and his support team, all of whom worked tirelessly to ensure every member of the trip enjoyed an amazing experience. The balance of demanding cycling on and off road, and in-country experiences interacting with locals and the local way of life was perfect.
Our group was of mixed ability, yet the guides ensured we all got what we wanted out of the trip and were very well looked after throughout. They could not have done more, and I am really grateful to Ox and team for making my trip everything that I had hoped for, and much more! Thank you.
Karl Debenham-Eccles, Norfolk, England, UK
Amazing trip. Nepal really was the trip of a lifetime, very well organised and action packed with stunning scenery and varied terrain.
Our guide Ox was fantastic and was keen to make sure every one was happy and well looked after. Don't think about it, just book it now you wont regret it!
Lorna & John Forsythe, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
This tour was incredible, there was so much to it: challenging cycling, breathtaking scenery, which changed from the plains, to the hills and then amazing mountains. But it was the personal aspect of it that was most amazing: our guide Ox was superb, he really showed us Nepali life. He clearly balances the clients' needs with the local community and was always keen that we saw what rural life in Nepal is about.
We loved the fun of having a go at planting rice, watched by the entire village, and trying ploughing with oxen. I felt as if we really saw Nepal, from the craziness of Kathmandu, through the stunning rural aspects to the mountains and bleak beauty of the Himalayas.
Alden Caldwell, Vermont, United States
Waruna was far and away the most knowledgeable tour guide of the 5 tours I've done with redspokes. He knows about Sri Lankan flora, fauna, history, politics and culture in detail. He is kind, generous, thorough and attentive.
Sampeth also deserves special mention for the roads he chose. There were times we had to take busy roads to get to our destinations but whenever he could he found quiet roads through gorgeous country.
Nina Markham, La Molina, Peru
The views were stunning. The biking had a variety of pavement, dirt, gravel, hills which made it very enjoyable since it was always changing. The support was amazing. I went with my husband and 17-year old son. The guides and group were incredibly accommodating of our varying levels of biking.
What a fantastic way to spend a vacation!
Christian Carthew, Melbourne, Australia
I have been very keen to see India for some time and my expectations were exceeded. The trip was brilliant. Our guide Majid was excellent. He did a great job getting us safely from place to place, also passed on loads of great information along the way. I am missing the food, the colours and the smiles. Cycling is certainly the best way to see a new place.
Thank you Majid, Majesh and redspokes.
Karen Allworthy, London, UK
Brilliant trip experiencing the countryside and the lovely people of Cambodia. We were looked after so well by the redspokes team who really went the extra mile to make our bike trip so successful. Phea was a great guide backed up by Mr. Nal and Ramone. Accommodation and food was excellent, the problem was we didn't want the trip to end.
Tracey Croke, Sydney, Australia
I've been on many group trips and they are always different, but the redspokes trip to Burma is now among my favourites. I try not to have expectations when I go on these sorts of trips. Things don't always go to plan and I know that the local guides and staff are still working through the best way to operate. For me personally that's part of the attraction. Even with that in mind, I'm finding it difficult to pick fault. The whole experience was so well run.
I would rate everything about it as excellent - particularly the staff who were tirelessly attentive and competent in their individual roles. The accommodation exceeded my expectations. Almost the whole time we had our own bathroom and toilet. I enjoyed the local food - even more so when we were in the mix with local people. As for the redspokes guide Julian. I rate him as one of the top guides I've travelled with. See what Tracey wrote about this tour in adventure travel magazine
Paul Fisher, Walsall, UK
I have been on several overseas cycling trips before and this one exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Tolke, driver Diego and mechanic Bosco were excellent. The planning of each day, attention to detail by Tolke and Diego and transfers were expertly handled with no hitches. The hotels and lodges were very well selected - a super combination of very good lodges and hostels with a little luxury occasionally (well we deserved it).
And as for the route - just brilliant! Cycling in the Patagonian Lakes was a bit of a dream come true for me - lakes, volcanoes, waterfalls, forests and fields under massive blue skies with high whispy clouds. Cycling was varied too, sometimes tough, but always enjoyable on gravel, forest tracks or tarmac. Just a great trip!
Ruth & Phil Dunnell, Surrey, UK
Another great trip with redspokes. Stunning scenery, fun group and great crew. Some of the gravel roads were a challenge but not insurmountable - the ferry crossings provided a welcome respite & a chance to take in the majestic landscape.
Special thanks to Tolkeyen & Alejandro for looking after us so well. We've already booked our next redspokes adventure!
Harri Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland
The Nepal tour far outstripped my expectations on every level. The food was all excellent, and none of us ever got sick (our guide, Ox, was extremely careful and conscientious - even cooking some of our food himself when we stopped at roadside kitchens - and we had very very good food from places you would never have picked yourself, thanks to his local knowledge). The accommodation was much better than I expected - we had electricity every night, and everywhere was clean even when it was very basic. I am a competitive road rider with little mountain biking experience, and although the distances were low the routes were technical enough to be very challenging in many places, but with enough variety that it was still enjoyable. I would say you need at least one of fitness and skill for this trip, but not necessarily both - our group was of mixed backgrounds but we all managed fine. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking too!
The real highlight for me was the Nepali people - everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly, and even as a female travelling alone I never felt unsafe exploring big cities such as Pokhara and Kathmandu. It was a lovely feeling to connect with and be welcomed by so many people as we cycled through the villages. Where we cycled on bigger roads (not very often), the traffic was fine and generally well behaved. There were plenty of times we all ended up on foot due to the challenging terrain, so if you are in road cleats (as I was) I'd definitely recommend carrying and using a set of cleat covers. High SPF suncream is a must, particularly for the high altitude days. A buff or pollution mask helps with the dusty roads and for walking around in the cities. A swimsuit for the hot springs came in handy too! We were very well fed, and I didn't use much of the cycling food I brought with me, but I did use electrolyte tablets - it was very hot on some days. If I did this trip again, I would only bring a small micro fleece towel as backup (rather than a full size one - they were always available), and I would bring more transitional clothes - short sleeved jerseys with arm warmers, shorts with leg warmers etc were used a lot more than the softshell jackets etc that I took. A decent waterproof cycling jacket was very useful too. I bought cheap baggy shorts in Kathmandu and wore them over lycra instead of expensive mountain biking shorts - there is plenty of knock-off gear for sale. Overall, this trip was a fantastic experience that was only possible with the level of knowledge and experience provided by the guides, and I'd absolutely recommend it to people with a solid cycling or mountain biking background
Ann & David Nicoll, Prestwick, Scotland
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole of our Burma experience with redspokes. Burma is a beautiful country and we felt very lucky to see a mixture of larger cities, smaller villages and unspoilt countryside. The people are very warm, friendly and welcoming. Our tour guide, Min Min did a great job of trying to explain the diversity of the country, it's history and traditions. The food was fabulous.
The cycling was hard at times, mostly due to the heat but also the odd hill or two!
Tom Carroll, Bishops Stortford, UK
I had never been on a group cycling holiday before so I was not sure what to expect. I am very pleased to say that this was an absolutely fantastic experience. The scenery in both Chile and Argentina was truly spectacular. Cycling beside the huge lakes with the snow topped volcanos was stunning.
The two guides Jeronimo and Gustavo were so helpful and friendly. My fellow cyclists from all over the world were really great company and very supportive of each other. The accomodation and food varied from location to location but was always great. I really loved it, I'm already planning another trip.
Larry Nafziger & Jane Snider, Ottawa, Canada
Cycling on a variety of roads, lanes and tracks through countryside ranging from flat stretches along beaches and rice paddies, to high elevation forests and tea plantations, was a great way to be introduced to Sri Lanka. The accompanying support team was superb.
Philippa Mann, North Yorkshire, England, UK
An incredible adventure through the towns and countryside of Cambodia. With Phea and Sekhom as our leaders, we saw the country through their eyes, with their brilliant local knowledge and passion, they showed us so much more than just a country. Every day provided a new and often unexpected introduction! From Kampot Pepper growing to how to milk a Palm tree (!) and meeting local families, school kids, impromptu volley ball games and crazy Karaoke, it was a dazzling assault on all your senses.
We laughed every day (and cried at The Killing Fields) and came away feeling like we had made long term friends, with fellow travellers but most of all our guides. I recommend it without reservation. (Oh, and amazing accomodation, pools, views, fab food - but its MUCH more than just that).
Mark Hervey, Timaru, New Zealand
I have done 7 tours with four different tour groups and would rate our tour leader Kasun as one of the very best. Outstanding
redspokes, .
This is a new tour for 2022
Kirsty Seddon, Chester, UK
This trip and redspokes were recommended to me by a friend and the whole experience far exceeded my expectations. The diversity of experiences that were packed into the two weeks astounded me. The team led by Raju were absolutely brilliant. Raju himself was so attentive to every detail of the trip and couldn't have done any more if he tried. He clearly had very high expectations of what he wanted to offer and he worked incredibly hard to maintain those expectations jthroughout. Baba and Keshu were so professional as bike guides and brilliantly skilled as mechanics, again nothing was too much trouble for them. Jamal was a brilliant driver and again so attentive to delivering a high quality experience. As a team, the four of them worked brilliantly together and really made the trip a fantastic experience - thank you to them all!
Beth de Sousa, Exeter, UK
Phenomenal trip. We both loved the cycling and the scenery. The trip was made extra special by the personalities there. The other members of the group were great and we loved the combination of the guides. Tolkeyen who was shy and more reserved but helpful, sincere and very kind and Alejandro who was fun, knowledgable and organised and who mother ducked us around the trip.
I would without hesitation go on another redspokes trip and in fact went straight onto the site on returning home to check out the Albania trip for next year. Thank you for an AMAZING holiday and especially to the guides, who made everything run so smoothly.
Robert Cieri, Vermont, United States
Guides and drivers were excellent. Attended to our every need and couldn’t have been more pleasant. Water stops and snacks were frequent - exactly as needed on hot days. Side trips were fascinating and gave us a real feel for the culture, religion and way of life. Everyone was open and friendly- we always felt safe and at home. We leave Cambodia with a deep sense of affection for the people and how they have endured a tragic history with a positive attitude and great hope for the future. We hope to return soon.
Catherine Hunter, Vermont, United States
Outstanding trip in every way. The staff was exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable. There was a new adventure every day - from varied cycling terrain to eye-opening cultural experiences.
As Americans, whose history is so intertwined with Cambodia’s, we found it particularly meaningful and profound. Thank you.
Sheena Hall, Victoria, Australia
We had a great group and great trip. The guides were very attentive and thoughtful and could not do enough for us.
The cycling was tough but very rewarding, and a great route on small roads with little traffic and spectacular scenery, a perfect way to see the country and experience local culture.
Mark Jolly, London, UK
I had been thinking of riding the Karakoram Highway for years and now I’ve done it with redspokes my only regret is that I didn’t do it with them before. Pakistan was fantastic in every way, China interesting in more ways than one and Kyrgystan a wonderful end to the tour. The local guides in each country were great and Craig, our redspokes guide, was better than the perfect person for the job. The trip was everything I was hoping for, and more.
Robert Oddo, Florida, United States
Another excellent redspokes tour. This tour gives you a taste of the lakes region of Chile/Argentina. What is different about this trip it also give you a taste of a wide variety of biking including road biking, hill biking and gravel biking. Highly recommend. Spectacular views.
Volker Daring, Berlin, Germany
One of the best cycling tours I took part ever, excellent balance between cycling and visiting cultural highligts, very good accomodation, helpfull and flexible guides, interesting and sometimes surprising visits and also food.
Inbetween three mostly challenging days in terms of climbing, but the roads are good to cycle an the team is looking to be helpfull in any case.
Alastair Locke, Leeds, England, UK
Really enjoyed the Burma trip and the people on the tour. The food was much better than I was expecting, with every day providing a new foodie experience. The support crew were full of fun and enthusiasm. Whilst the riding at times was quite tough due to the heat and road conditions, the MTB bikes coped very well. The lovely Burmese people and the incredible variety of landscapes, plus of course one or two Pagodas!! were simply the icing on the cake. Many Thanks to redspokes
Diane Tenbuuren, , Hope Valley, England, UK
We are back from a wonderful holiday with redspokes in Vietnam and Cambodia. We had the best guides we could wish for, Le Trung Keen in Vietnam and Art Ourn & Phea (Sim) Ousaphea in Cambodia and fabulous drivers/back up support - a lot of knowledges, very kind, everything you asked they arranged, nothing was too much or impossible. We loved it! Despite the weather, rain at the first three days, we enjoyed the Vietnam N.E. tour.
Magnificent scenery when the clouds were gone and not much traffic on most of the tour – it felt like we did get to see unspoiled Vietnam. And the culture tour in and around Siem Reap was great! We did get to see Angkor Wat and other nice temples, seen how the mushrooms are grown, visited the village on stilts and were moved by the personal account of our guide at the war museum. And this all with the most beautiful tracks to cycle on!
Jack Clode, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong
redspokes looked after us really well. Our team was pushed hard, but not too hard, and so we ended the trip very fit and happy.
Mark Glaisher, Gillingham, England, UK
There were plenty of contrasts during our trip through Uzbekistan! The carefully chosen route passed into the mountains and across plains, and often there was hardly a building in sight, let alone a village. Coming to remote settlements we were made really welcome – cyclists are not common. Once we reached the bigger towns there was the bustle of buses, motorbikes, donkey carts and so on, whilst the travel for the classic tourism sites (Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent) was by High Speed Train. This was my fourth redspokes trip, and as on previous ones the support was really good. Our local guide filled in gaps in our knowledge, and the crew was on hand for the food stops during the day and to give any mechanical help. After a day’s riding, arriving at the camping place with the facilities set up and the afternoon tea on the go, was great. Such a variety of food, too; freshly prepared with little repetition, and there was always provision for me, a vegetarian. A memorable tour for all the right reasons.
Dawn Horsburgh, Kilninver, Scotland, UK
Thanks redspokes for an inspirational trip. I’ve been keen to visit Thailand for several years - the cycling, views, culture, food and company did not disappoint.
A jam packed fortnight of amazing experiences, memories gained and I am already wishing I was on another trip :)
Roger Troughton, Surrey, UK
Everything I expected of a redspokes trip to Burma combining "must-sees" and cycling off the beaten track to observe another side of the country. Backed up by a really good local crew. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip to others who like the way redspokes does things.
Richard Mann, North Yorkshire, England, UK
This was a great winter holiday and a brilliant way to explore and see the real Cambodia , but with great service, good quality, clean hotels and an enjoyable variety of local food. Our two guides Phea and Sekhom and our day support van driver really just made the holiday. They were fun, informative and attentive. Our bikes re appeared cleaned and lubed every morning, our overnight bags would be waiting for us in our hotel rooms and every day they arranged an interesting sight seeing visit or informal visits and briefings at nearly every regular rest stop.
They carefully selected a variety of cycling routes for us to experience all aspects of Cambodia, connecting by coach transfers. Their company and exceptional service and support really made the trip so informative and enjoyable.
Marcella Loehr, Minnesota, United States
I signed up for a 3 country, Asian bike tour because I wanted to see this part of the world! What a wonderful way to see it! We saw every aspect of the areas we traveled through Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
Since the guides were divided into one group from each country and were from these areas we learned first hand from their knowledge about their country. They took us to local spots that we would never had seen on any other tour. The biking was challenging but the guides and van drivers made sure we were all safe and were very well organized.
Marcella Loehr, Minnesota, United States
I signed up for a 3 country, Asian bike tour because I wanted to see this part of the world! What a wonderful way to see it! We saw every aspect of the areas we traveled through Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
Since the guides were divided into one group from each country and were from these areas we learned first hand from their knowledge about their country. They took us to local spots that we would never had seen on any other tour. The biking was challenging but the guides and van drivers made sure we were all safe and were very well organized.
Louise Farley, London, UK
A fantastic blend of culture, local gastronomy and exercise - what better way to explore a country than by bike!
Michael & Christine Lawton, Rhyl, Wales, UK
Our fourth tour with redspokes and it will not be the last. The information supplied before the tour was really very good. The guide Mr Elle (Al) and his wonderful team of drivers/assistants were excellent and always ready to deal with any issues quickly. We were provided with a constant supply of cold drinks, fresh fruit, biscuits and crisps on the regular stops en route.
A pleasant cycle down the coast of Thailand passing through some beautiful scenery, riding through traditional fishing villages and plantations producing latex from rubber trees and some growing bananas and coconuts. Regular stops to meet the local Thai people, often at work in the fields or processing coconuts.
Nigel & Ceri, Christchurch, New Zealand
The Sri Lanka Classic tour did truly allow us to experience classic Sri Lanka. We cycled through an incredible variety of landscapes, from immaculately groomed tea gardens to wild jungles, teeming with wildlife, and visited the incredible monument of Sigiriya - a must-see in Sri lanka. There were some challenging climbs on the bike for those that wanted that (others gratefully jumped on the bus), and some gentle cruising days with more focus on the sights and sounds. The Sri Lankan people were a highlight, always returning our smiles and waves with their own, and the children were especially excited to see us cycling their rural lanes. Getting up very close to wild elephants going about their daily life was another highlight.
Our guide Kasun and his team looked after us exceptionally well, and introduced us to true Sri Lankan life that you might not experience on other tours. Highly recommended.
Eli Baron, Texas, United States
The 3 countries was an outstanding and varied experience. Every day different from the previous one and with exceptionally beautiful scenery.
Eli Baron, Texas, United States
The 3 countries was an outstanding and varied experience. Every day different from the previous one and with exceptionally beautiful scenery.
Ross Prielipp & Annette Meier, High Halstow, England, United Kingdom
This was our 4th tour with redspokes and having thoroughly enjoyed the previous 3, this trip did not disappoint. The cycling is stunning, well surfaced roads, very little traffic, beautiful scenery and plenty of challenging climbs followed, of course, by exhilarating descents. The small towns and villages through which you pass are fascinating. The rest day in Chiang Kham is a particular treat, we were absolutely spoilt by the resort owner Rico and would love to go back there sometime.
The real highlight of this trip however is the guide Preecha, he epitomizes the friendly open nature of the northern Thai people and is someone you will not forget. This was as much a gastronomic tour as it was a cycling tour. During the day we stopped at roadside cafes for delicious pad Thai or noodle soup and had snacks of sticky rice flavoured with coconut. In the evenings Preecha took us to restaurants, night markets and riverside stalls for amazing dishes of grilled fish, firery curries and even deep fried bamboo worms (absolutely yummy). Thanks to Preecha, Rico and the redspokes team for a memorable trip.
Roger Hill, Crawley, United Kingdom
The trip included more than other tour companies did and yet the price was still very competitive. The trip included the amazing internal flight and cycling up to Muktinath which none of the others did, so that's why I chose it.
The trip was made so enjoyable by Ox. He had a great sense of humour and worked so hard to help all of us with any problems we had. He helped get my suitcase when it arrived a day late on my arrival. He arranged to get an sd card for my go- pro. Ox helped make it the best adventure holiday ever.
Joanna Reaves, Edinburgh, Scotland
Another great redspokes tour. A smaller group but just as much fun, experiencing the colorful, friendly culture of Kerala and Tamil Nadu together.
Sarah Howes, Tonbridge, England, United Kingdom
This was my first time travelling with Redspokes and the cycle tour in Uzbekistan did not disappoint – it was a fantastic experience. Although a regular cyclist, mountaineer and camper, I’d never done a cycling trip like this before or visited this part of the world so for me it was such an adventure! Riding through the arid and desolate landscape, dotted with colourful oases and villages that seemed straight out of the Old Testament (albeit now with electricity, cars and mobile phones!) meant we truly saw the real Uzbekistan. Riding over the vast high plateaux was exhilarating and great fun! There was also some very challenging terrain at times. The support crew were absolutely fantastic and looked after us really well. They provided plenty of food & drink, and a huge variety, three times a day. Camp was always tidy, well organised, bikes checked and fixed/adjusted and even hot water for the shower tent. Sightseeing in Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva was absolutely fascinating and a great complement to the ‘wild’ part of the trip.
Adrian Sankey, Ambleside, England, UK
This was an excellent trip through the most beautiful countryside of Thailand. The cycling was great. A carefully chosen route with lots of interest and variety. Some of it was challenging, but the rewards were spectacular.
Our splendid guide Preecha looked after us admirably and found us imaginative places to eat both at lunchtime and in the evening and we stayed in some very comfortable hotels. I would happily do it again tomorrow!
Karina Lehrner, Santa Cruz, USA
redspokes, you did it again! Trip three with you and once again, the result is an environment where we become a "family" cycling around a new country, with a local guide and a support team that join in the spirit of family as well.
There are so many good memories, in all, the trip was a remarkable experience. Highlights include climbing the famed highway up and over a mountain pass. Stopping and learning about a family in the countryside growing rice, thanks to Phong's dedication to connecting us to Vietnamese culture, was another of many highlights.
Thank you, redspokes! Now, will it be Tibet, Peru, or Kyrgyzstan... See you soon.
Wendy Holland, Whangarei, New Zealand
This was my 4th trip with redspokes and again I have been blown away. The trip design was excellent (as usual)- the back roads, small villages, cultural experiences, and amazing vistas of rice fields and agrarian life was so fantastic and so interesting. I would never be able to organise this trip outside of redspokes because of the critical use of local knowledge and researched planning and cycle routes away for any usual tourist routes. Outside of the two cities we saw no other foreign travellers.
Forrest our guide was excellent. He could not do enough for us, he looked after us in every way, always wanting to do more. I loved his kindness, humour, and integrity. The food was excellent, Forrest got to know what we all liked and each meal was delicious. Mr Bi our driver was also great. Our coffee stops were great and Mr Bi is an exception cycling mechanic, he is also very funny - the bikes we used were put together by Mr Bi and were excellent. My fellow cyclists also made this trip very special, thank you, I loved being with you. So thank you, thank you, thank you redspokes, Forrest and Mr Bi, hmm where shall I go next!
Andrew Vittery, Guildford, UK
Claire, Guildford, UK
Marie Sadler, Luton, England
This trip was a wonderful surprise. Albania is a hidden gem. The cycle route takes you through beautiful countryside, mountains, rivers and lakes, the scenery is breathtaking. We had a great group and very well looked after by Arjan and our driver. The food and accommodation was to a very high standard and the Albanian people very warm and friendly.
Thank you redspokes once again for a well organised trip giving a true feel of AlbaniaThis trip was a wonderful surprise. Albania is a hidden gem. The cycle route takes you through beautiful countryside, breathtaking mountain, rivers and lakes, the scenery is breathtaking. We had a great group and very well looked after by Arjan and our driver. The food was and accommodation was to a very high standard and the Albanian people very warm and friendly. Thank you redspokes for once again for a well organised trip giving a true feel of Albania. This trip was a wonderful surprise. Albania is a hidden gem. The cycle route takes you through beautiful countryside, breathtaking mountain, rivers and lakes, the scenery is breathtaking. We had a great group and very well looked after by Arjan and our driver. The food was and accommodation was to a very high standard and the Albanian people very warm and friendly. Thank you redspokes for once again for a well organised trip giving a true feel of Albania. This trip was a wonderful surprise. Albania is a hidden gem. The cycle route takes you through beautiful countryside, breathtaking mountain, rivers and lakes, the scenery is breathtaking. We had a great group and very well looked after by Arjan and our driver. The food was and accommodation was to a very high standard and the Albanian people very warm and friendly. Thank you redspokes for once again for a well organised trip giving a true feel of Albania.
Joseph Steel, Rosenheim, Germany
This cycling trip was truly amazing. The cycling was hard, with many long, high climbs although most came with long, fast descents. The scenery was outstanding and something of a surprise. I wasn't really expecting it to be so good!
The accommodation throughout the trip, although it varied in standard, was always good - hot water in the shower, plenty of electric points for charging, and wifi in nearly all our rooms. In particular, the hotel in Shaxi was excellent.
Our guide was a great help - very knowledgeable and keen to share information about the places we were in and give his views about China. He took us to many different restaurants for some very good food.
Ged Browne, London, United Kingdom
Another great redspokes trip in a remote, hard-to travel-to Asian location. Deserving of its 10/10 rating due to altitude, repeated camping and Nepali roads, although it should be noted that the majority of this route is now good-quality surfaced road.
Kathrin Wieczorek, Rosenheim, Germany
This was probably the most scenic cycling tour I have ever done. Yunnan is simply stunning. I wish more people would go.
The trip is tough with very little flat roads, but the climbs are really rewarding with spectacular views. We were a very small group and together with Jia and Ken it felt like 5 friends on the road together. What a lovely team they are. Everything was planned perfectly, from the arrival to the hotels, luggage transfer, food ordered, the daily cycling and the few but well deserved rests. I highly recommend this trip!
Couldn't have a better guide than Jia who also provides valuable insight into the local culture. Bikes provided are good, and food is plenty and (for Chinese standards) quite varied.
Ian Kirkland, Australia
Would highly recommend this trip into the heart of the Indian Himalayas. Manali and Leh are both very picturesque towns and the route between them takes you through some stunning scenery. Very well organised. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for Ragu and his team. The two cycling guides, Naveen and Vee, both spoke near perfect English and were great company on the road. The camp meals were tasty and varied and the food plentiful ( which was fortunate as everyone seemed continually hungry).
There is a lot of climbing on the trip and the road surface is pretty rough in some places but some great downhill sections as well. A very enjoyable trip all in.
Brian Ingle , Davos, Switzerland
This is a challenging tour with hard earned but ultimately hugely satisfying rewards and stunning scenery. The altitude demands that the pace is slow but the sense of achievement on reaching such dizzying heights arrives, eventually.
The support of the crew as always was first class. The quality of the food on this trip surpassed what I would expect from a good restaurant and yet it is all prepared in the confines of a tent, extremely impressive. You have to work hard during the day to produce an appetite worthy of the cuisine. The trip was particularly special for us as having met my now fiancee on a redspokes tour in Kyrgyzstan it seemed fitting to propose on this tour at the top of the (claimed) highest pass in the world (she said yes). It left our tour leader with the surprisingly difficult task of finding champagne in Leh, he rose to the challenge and procured some on the black market down a dark alley, thanks again Ragu, good effort. Thanks redspokes for another memorable tour!
David Mercer, Middlesbrough, England
It was great to ride with redspokes again, this was a potentially tricky tour with quite a few ferries to catch, variable Scottish weather, not too many alternative choices of food or accommodation if timings went wrong, Demot made it all look effortless, modifying the rides if necessary to ensure we stayed on track. He is a very motivating and enthusiastic tour leader, always being there when some encouragement is needed to get to the top of a hill.
The group rode well together, no one really ahead or behind, again with Dermot watching out to make sure we could all cope with the route, and providing a much needed stop with a cake and cup of tea at the critical moments.
A really enjoyable tour, with the hills and the weather providing a nice challenge and sense of achievement at the end of each day
David Mercer, Middlesbrough, England
It was great to ride with redspokes again, this was a potentially tricky tour with quite a few ferries to catch, variable Scottish weather, not too many alternative choices of food or accommodation if timings went wrong, Demot made it all look effortless, modifying the rides if necessary to ensure we stayed on track. He is a very motivating and enthusiastic tour leader, always being there when some encouragement is needed to get to the top of a hill.
The group rode well together, no one really ahead or behind, again with Dermot watching out to make sure we could all cope with the route, and providing a much needed stop with a cake and cup of tea at the critical moments.
A really enjoyable tour, with the hills and the weather providing a nice challenge and sense of achievement at the end of each day
Emma and David Smart, Bristol, UK
This was a great trip. The first trip with redspokes for my wife and I. Despite a flight delay, we were welcomed to the group meal and our first taste of healthy Albanian food. Meals were all arranged with communal food to take as much or little as you wanted. While it was hot cycling weather (it was summer, so expected to be hot), we were a fast and friendly group so able to get off the bikes in early afternoon to rest in the midday sun.
Armand and Arjan were very welcoming and were excellent tour leaders. The bikes were very well maintained with almost no mechanicals for any riders during the week. All the riders were great fun with lots of fun enjoyed over the odd drink in the evenings.
We are now working on which redspokes tour to do next.
Andrew Wiggans, Rochdale, England, UK
How best to sum up my experience in just a few words? Flawless organisation and support throughout; fabulous Albanian hospitality, food and accommodation; a glimpse of a country yet to be "infested" by our takeaway culture - not one McDonalds or Starbucks in sight; fabulous snow-capped mountains and fields full of poppies; and a chance to learn all about the culture and history of this land and its people.
I was a month short of 70 when I did the trip and worried about a slightly dodgy knee. No need to have been too concerned, not least because of the friendly and supportive group with whom I rode. If I can make it so can you. Go soon before it gets too busy.
Mike & Berta Glodowski, Wisconsin, USA
Our tour through Scotland was wonderful! The beautiful landscapes and colorful character and warmth of the Scottish people made for a truly unforgettable experience. The accommodation included interesting historic hotels and expansive rural estates and warm comfortable Bed and Breakfasts. Last but certainly not least our tour guide Dermot with his amazing logistic skills and entertaining personality made for another fantastic redspokes adventure!
Andrew Richards, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
It was great to see parts of Scotland which I hadn't seen before, and I will definitely be going back to some of the places again. Keeping away from the tourist areas and speaking to locals was also nice, rather than being caught up with the masses all the time.
Andrew Richards, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
It was great to see parts of Scotland which I hadn't seen before, and I will definitely be going back to some of the places again. Keeping away from the tourist areas and speaking to locals was also nice, rather than being caught up with the masses all the time.
Sandra Groenewold, Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands
Great trip. Heavy because of the altitude. Great views. Perfect crew. Fantastic tour. I am redspokes addicted. After a fourth wonderful trip with you (Peru, Pakistan, Colombia and Manali Leh), I will not choose any other. Always good organized, good staff, guides that know well, good food, tents etc.
Julian Parkinson, Hamilton, New Zealand
One of the greatest experiences of my life! The whole thing was brilliant, A fantastic way to see life on the ground ,to really feel part of it and not just another tourist passing through. The challenge of the tour is undoubtedly the goal of getting to the destination, generally over extreme passes and at some serious altitudes .
Is it a tough challenge, yes! but it's completely doable just seems to happen as theres so much to see and take in along the way. Loved it!
Victoria Seymour, La Rippe, Switzerland
This is a tour of pure emotion. Be prepared to pit yourself against the wind, the sun, the altitude and most especially yourself, to dig deep to support your team mates up and down the scenic trade roads. As always, this is a well prepared and executed non-technical route.
redspokes, .
redspokes, UK
redspokes, .
New for 2020!
respokes, .
Sorry! this is a new tour, we do not have any testimonials just yet.
We recommend that you view our customer testimonials for our other cycling holidays to get a general feel for what this Scotland tour will entail.
redspokes, .
This is a new tour for 2020, we do not have any testimonials just yet.
We recommend that you view our customer testimonials for our other cycling holidays to get a general feel for what this Scotland tour will entail.
Gary Cohn, Portland, Oregon, USA
Cycling the redspokes Loch Ness and the Great Glen Way was a dream come true. The stunning scenery, from the serene Loch Ness to the lush Great Glen, made every pedal stroke a joy. The well-maintained paths and friendly locals added to the magic. An unforgettable cycling adventure in the Scottish Highlands!
Michael Litchfield, Emerald, Australia
A unique combination of great cycling, great accommodation and amazing food the best of any tour I have been on !
Arjan's passion for his country shone through by providing great insight into Albania's dark past.. Both he and Juli worked tirelessly to ensure we had a fantastic trip. Highly recommend.
redspokes, .
Sorry! this is a new tour, we do not have any testimonials just yet.
We recommend that you view our customer testimonials for our other cycling holidays to get a general feel for what this Scotland tour will entail.
Bryan Pooley, Auckland, New Zealand
The Spiti to Ladakh ride is a physically demanding challenge but Raju and his team have, in my experience, assisted and encouraged each rider to achieve their objectives. This is my second trip with Raju and his team and I have thoroughly enjoyed both experiences. The whole team (guides, cook, drivers & camp attendants) have always make every effort to provide for the requirements of the rides with well timed energy stops, bike repairs, arranged camp facilities and tasty meals.
The landscape along the entire route is stunning but the isolation of the Spiti Valley was particularly attractive to me although road conditions were often challenging on both riders and bikes. Being prepared for the long, high climbs make the challenges achievable, even for an aging rider such as myself!
Michael Heath, Nuneaton, England, UK
Absolutely superb trip and my eyes were really opened to this stunning country. I took a lot of convincing to travel here, but I'm so glad I did make the effort. Friendly people, great food, great cycling on safe roads and a good standard of hotel all around. Put this country on your bucket list before it becomes discovered properly by the tourists.
Simon Barrett, Edinburgh, Scotland
This was a great trip. The cycling was physically tough due to combination of heat, altitude, climbs, head winds and some terrible roads but the incredible scenery was a great reward. We were lucky with our large group who all got on well and we had fantastic support from the redspokes leaders and the local team. Stuart was particularly efficient: I found it very helpful to have accurate information about distances, climbs and rest stops and it was very reassuring to know he has superb bike mechanic skills. The local guide, Daniyar, and his team (Kokon, Kuban, Aiym, Adil, Muna and Rachman) really made it special. All of them were fun, kind, welcoming and obliging, and seemed to be enjoying themselves too. Some of Aiym's cooking was delicious with some great soups and pulses; healthy too. I have returned home feeling that I had a holiday as well as having explored a fascinating and remote corner of the world. In addition I think we all had fun. Thank you redspokes!
Dee Finlay, Killcare, Australia
Kasun and Veejay were a great team, very helpful and supportive, always ready to lend whatever assistance was necessary.
Kenneth Fant, Sweden
I went on this tour because I wanted to go on my bicycle in the Himalayas, with the security of support. But I wasn't really prepared for the impact the scenery and the mountains would have on me. For me this was a fantastic trip with everything into it. Amazing mountains and challenging cycling, a true adventure with a great support from the local crew. Still looking back to this tour and feeling very lucky that I had the possibility to go on this tour. Will never forget it.
Mark & Jill Moran, Exeter, UK
Another brilliant trip to beautiful Cambodia with the great company of Phea, Sokhom and Mr. Nal. So well looked after by our guides who were the main reason we booked up to repeat this trip that we first did 2 years ago. The boys love Cambodia and are so keen to share their country with their guests. Nothing is too much for them. It's hot in Cambodia, but if you're OK with that then you can't fail to have a great time on this trip.
Peter Dilks, Christchurch, New Zealand
The Tajikistan trip was different to other redspokes trips I’d done - a country not commonly visited by tourists and with little tourism infrastructure. The cycling while hard is rewarding, the scenery stunning and the Tajik people were the friendliest and most welcoming of any country I have visited.
Joanna Reaves , Edinburgh Scotland
Another memorable Red Spokes trip. This time to Albania. Lots of fun and laughs with some lovely people, a few of which we’ve met on RS tours before and have now formed a firm friendship. Albania is a beautiful country, with spectacular scenery which is constantly changing.
On the whole quiet country roads, with a bit of everything from steep ascents and descents to soft (and not so soft) undulating hills.
Arjan our guide and Rimi our driver could not do enough for us. They never stopped even during meal times, attending to our every need. I enjoyed Arjans sense of humor, his professionalism and organizational skills leaves one in no doubt that you’re in safe hands.
Greg Challis, Sheffield, England, UK
This was a great trip with thoughtful support from our guides Arjan and Julian. Albania is wonderful place to cycle. The mountains are remote and beautiful, the people incredibly friendly and the history and heritage fascinating.
Ms Alison Osborne, NSW, Australia
redspokes' Sri Lankan Classic tour was fantastic - great routes, accommodation and food. Our route guide was amazing with his knowledge of the back roads and our tour guide always giving us interesting and knowledgable information on the cultural aspect of the country and the places we visited.
redspokes, london
Colm Faherty, Dublin, Ireland
A fascinating country at the cusp of great change. One of the best redspokes trips I have been on with an excellent local support team who cannot do enough to support the trip. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough!
Douglas Pulleyblank, Vancouver, Canada
This was not an easy trip but it was a great trip. Before signing up, I had no idea what it would be like to go over multiple 5,000m passes. Now I know. I now know what it's like (answer = hard: effects of elevation, effects of long climbs (at elevation), wind, snow, sun, etc.), and I also know that I can do it. I did it!
The country is beautiful. Everything is so big. Sometimes vistas were similar to other places I've been, but always on a bigger scale. Whenever things got tough in terms of the biking, I would find myself at the back of the group, which meant that I would be with Ox (who was riding sweep). He saw everything that happened in the group, how people were riding, who was having problems. This was not my first trip with Ox -- I hope that it is not my last!!
Jeremy Bird, Managing Director, Wickes, Middlesex, England UK
Although it's now four months since we returned from the Himalayas, it's never too late to say 'thank you'. As you know, I organise and lead a different group of work colleagues on an expedition to raise money for charity each year and we have been to some extreme places and done some great things - so think I'm pretty well qualified to comment on the skills of the different organisations we've worked with over the years.
redspokes turned out to be the best we've worked with yet and the next time we go cycling it will be you we come to first. In particular I would like to single out Giles and Ox who made a great team and dealt with the uncertainties of life in Nepal and Tibet with all the flexibility and great humour you could hope for - not everything went to plan and not everything was perfect, it never is on trips to places like that, but every challenge was met and overcome without unnecessary fuss and minimum disruption. We had a brilliant time with redspokes and will recommend you to every cyclist we meet.
Gregor McPherson, Glasgow, Scotland
The guys did a tremendous job and were endlessly patient. The cultural insights were an added bonus.
Tom Gardner, Edinburgh, Scotland
As an experienced cycletourist used to self-planned and supported trips, and who had never been on an organised trip before, this was a new experience for me. I was very impressed by the organisation and staff- everything went very smoothly, the support for the riders was good, and the camps were great, with good food and plenty of it. The weather was fantastic for our May trip, which allowed us great views of the mountains, and especially Everest. We also had plenty of time for acclimatisation- very important not to rush this. I'd definitely recommend redspokes to anyone wanting to do this sort of trip without the hassles of researching, planning and carrying everything yourself- not even an option for Tibet these days anyway.
As one of 3 riders on traditional touring bikes I can confirm that this was perfectly fine, with good strong handbuilt wheels and 35c or fatter tyres. Slightly slower than the mountainbikes on the rough sections, especially descending (and no doubt harder on the arms without suspension!), but faster on the majority of the roads which were excellent tarmac. "This was a really fantastic trip, not to be missed!"
Gerard Dunford, Hewelsfield, England, UK
Tibet was absolutely amazing! Our local guides made sure that we were comfortable and safe and the Nepalese support team couldn't have been better: hard working, caring, and an amazing chef (the word cook wouldn't do him justice!). Thank you for taking us on an epic journey!