Hey Folks,

 I have been rubbish at planning a holiday this year, so am lookign last minute for a biking one in Spain- really need some sun after the miserable wet, cold summer we've had in Scotland (and everywhere else I know!).

 So, I have been looking into companies but there are so many!! Can anyone recommend any they ahve been on, preferrably in Andalucia/Seirra Nevada area. I would be going on my own, so want a friendly/sociable group too!

i have been looking into a company called Joyriders- they seem pretty good but pricey!!

 Really need your help on this!!

Cheers,

Sam

www.freeridespain.com my friends Simon and Emma run the company. The guides, food and accomodation's great and they're all very friendly...with anyone that you go with you might have to slot into a group that's already going, but they're quite good at assessing you after the first day's ride as to who you're best to ride with.

They are based in Lanjaron,which is a quiet little town about 40mins drive from Granada in the Sierra Nevada.  Check out www.bikemagic.com  just here for reviews of freeridespain 

hope that helps

I would probably go with the recommendation above.

I went with 'Sierra Cycling' a couple of years ago. They were based in Fuengerola (spanish Blackpool !!) I would not have booked it had I know that ! Great if you like nightclubbing/loud pubs. Accomodation was nice staff/owner friendly and helpful. My friend and me found the biking a bit basic lots of wide easy fireroads a 'great desent' was down a fireroad !! Friends have been with 'Switchback' and enjoyed it there.Depends on your level and what you want. I would reccomend Sierra but I would not go back personally.

I'd second what Julie says - I know Simon and Emma well too (in fact it's through them that I met Jon, Julie's other half).  Simon will tailor the riding to exactly what you want and it's generally a really nice laid back holiday.

There's a few pics from my last holiday here

Hi Sam

I went with Joyriders in May this year for a week (along with a friend).  They have two sites - we stayed at Cerro Macho which is a bit remote but very pretty location. 

Good Company to go with, excellent guide and great riding.  The only thing I would say, no matter who you book with is, if you are going on your own, try to find out if the others are in groups, couples, singles etc.

When we went there were no other singles.  We started the week with just us and one couple.  They were into racing and were much fitter than us.  Later in the week we were joined by four guys on a "Lads weekend" so, if I had been on my own, I may have felt a bit out of it.  As it was we had a great time and our guide was the one who really made the holiday for us.

It may even be worth trying to find other She Cycles member/s that want to go with you.  Just post your preferred dates on here and see if you get any takers. 

Good Luck. 

I am going with Sierra Cycling, slightly concerned now after reading Carolyns comments, I don't want anything too hard core, but fireroad descents, hmm will not be impressed with that.

Anyway it's booked now, but we will be a small group going from 6th Sept for a week, one other girl and 3 blokes from our club, we are sociable and just want some nice riding, a tan, some R&R and good food so if you are interested.... 

Oopps didn't mean to concern you Lala. We did enjoy the week but just would prefer something a bit more challenging. May depend on who is doing the guiding. There is a lot of stuff out there but as I said most of what we did was easy.

Hope you do enjoy it. 

Hey,

Thanks for the tips. I am going to contact Freeride spain and see when they have space and take your point Suzibear about finding out who else is going!!

Lala- cheers for offer but i can't get away until later in sept. but if any others wanna join me, just give me a shout!

Sam