BasqueMTB: Backcountry Pyrenees and Basque Coast Mountain Bike Holidays 2013
The 2013 mountain bike season has drawn to a close and now is the time for me to look over the season´s photos and comments from guests and hope that is enough to keep me warm over the cold winter season! Summing up 2013 is pretty hard, it has been an amazing year and has felt like we have taken a big step forward. It hasn´t all been perfect and there have been a few things I am not happy about but more about that later.
The guiding team has been a high point for me and has been something that guests have commented on. This year I was guiding full time as always, (I´m Doug by the way!), and I was joined from June to September by Dave. Dave is another Scottish guy who lives in Navarra and is a great rider and a fun guy to have along. We also were joined a lot by Antonio, a local rider and mountain bike guide who guides with me when we need him and helps in the never ending search for trails. With that team we have really varied what we offer, with big days in the hills, shuttling, big point to points and easy/hard groups. It is something I feel worked really well.
The Backcountry Pyrenees really took off during 2013 as well and we ran several trips and really streamlined things there. There are lots of new trails on the Backcountry Pyrenees already, giving us the option of changing things up for guests.
One thing which hasn´t worked so well is the hire of bikes, specifically full suspension bikes. We had set up a deal with a local shop to hire out good quality bikes but it came too late for some people and we had to turn them away because we couldn´t commit to supplying bikes. Later in the year the shop failed to supply us bikes on a couple of occasions, leaving us to supply our personal bikes to guests which wasn´t a great situation to be in. For 2014 this is something that needs to change and we will be working on that over this winter so we have control of our own hire bikes.
The weather was something which was out of our control! This winter was extreme, with the most snow in living memory in the Pyrenees and some of that snow stayed for our Backcountry Pyrenees weeks in March. It didn´t affect the holidays at all, apart from some quite exciting uplift driving and some damper than normal trails. May was the wettest month in history in the Basque Country and the weather was biblical. We put in a lot of effort to find dry trails, but we even got wet on trails which only see a few days of rain each year. With June came the sun though and it was an incredible summer, with weeks on end of dusty trails.
Thanks to everyone who has visited, written about us or told friends about us. It wouldn´t be possible without you all, and even if it was possible it wouldn´t be any fun. It has been amazing to have the opportunity to share my trails, lunch stops, days and stories with you all. 2013 has been the best year ever and you have all added to that. I really can´t wait for 2014, bring it on!
Some Feedback from our Guests from the 2013 Mountain Bike Holiday Season
Below are some (a LOT!) of the lovely comments we received from our guests. Sorry for blowing our own trumpet, the comments are really special for us and it´s important for us to share them. On all the photos, if the comments are covering up something you want to see, just click on the photo and the words will slide away! Some of the comments are listed below the photos if you would rather jump to them.
“The riding is challenging but extremely rewarding, both Doug and Antonio were fantastic guides and hosts throughout. I cannot recommend this holiday enough.”
Mac
“This is the 3rd time I’ve been with BasqueMTB in 2 years… and the reason for this is that Doug and everyone else at BasqueMTB will give you best mountain bike holiday you can think of! ”
Jamie
“I’m still walking around with a large grin after what was one of the best mountain bike experiences I’ve had.”
George Mc
“Loved ripping Basque’s flowy singletrack. I only wished I booked more days. Doug is an awesome rider but really knows how to take care of his riders, whether your a pro or just love riding bikes”
Jack from Canada.
“Some of the most wonderful countryside I have seen too! Can’t stop talking about our trip and can’t wait to get back there! Doug, honestly you have the whole experience nailed!”
Jason and Addie
“Great riding, great scenery, great company, great food. Basque MTB has it all. We’ll be back as soon as we can!”
Simon
“Just back from a week with Basque MTB and what a week it was. Doug and the team where excellent. Just wanted to say many many thanks for a great experience last week”
Michael
Memories of a FAB day biking with @MargaretMcCorm2 Thanks @doug_basquemtb for the guiding, can’t stop smiling :-)”
Beccy
“It broke my body.. but the amazing trails and skills learned will last forever in my memory”
Ian
Hard riding, gorgeous scenery, brilliant food and lovely people.”
Jon
“The riding was as good as the Alps, but in a much more relaxed atmosphere. For me, this was my favourite mtb trip, and none of my previous trips to the Alps or Southern Spain were exactly rubbish. The overall thing you pull together is just absolutely bloody spot on.”
Steve Turner
“Couldn’t really ask for more from Doug this week; fantastic trails, food and company. Will be back for more!”
Other Steve
“Top banana experience, big big recommend – very much worth a visit. What you offer really is a blend of everything that is best about mountain biking: brilliant variety of trails, unique setting, fantastic food, eagles, and best of all you guys are just top top people to ride with”
Steve T
“We keep returning and returning!”
Jasper
“Fun, challenging, diverse, beautiful mountain biking and great food”
Kirsten
“More of an Adventure than a Holiday; mountain biking is certainly the greatest part but don’t forget the scenery, cuisine and atmosphere of the region”
Bill
“Easily the best mountain bike holiday (or any holiday for that matter) that I’ve ever been on”
Steve
“Just this second arrived home after spending a week with Doug at BasqueMTB. Want to say what a legend the guy is but feel “legend” doesn’t do him justice. Best holiday I’ve ever been on”
Onzadog on Singletrackworld
“I’ve done four mtbing hols over the years and this is by far the best”
Miss Notax on BikeRadar
“Hands down best MTB holiday I’ve ever had!”
Rosie
“Great trip, fun trails and so much more to still explore so need to visit again.”
Tony
“The Basque Coast has some stunning scenery and technical singletrack to die for. I can’t thank Doug enough for his guiding skills and holiday he put on for us… we will be back”
Ian
“It was a great trip!! I don’t think I could’ve asked for anything better”
Kent
“It was a great trip. The riding, the guiding, the accomodations were all top shelf. I couldn’t have asked for more – except maybe having more holiday to ride more days. We’ll be back!!!”
Chris
“The Basque Country in Northern Spain might just be our new favourite place to ride bikes in Northern Europe!”
IMBike Mag
“Great trip, fun trails and so much more to still explore so need to visit again.”
Tony
“I honestly can’t recommend the riding here enough, the trails are seemingly endless and the quality of riding is on another level. Riding at home will never quite be the same again, knowing there is this magical place a few hours flight away”
IMBike Mag
“Tim, “Hardest, most improving, most fun riding I’ve ever done, with the best food and wine to go with it”
Tim
“The holiday was fantastic .. Perfect biking in a variety of trails. And the area is fabulous very upmarket with excellent affordable food. Plus the Spa in San Sebastian is the perfect way to spend some time on the rest day”
Rod
“Awesome, epic – the list of superlatives continues….. everything that was asked for, promised and more. We’ll be back and soon. Addicted
Gav
“Best holiday I’ve ever been on and I used to work for a company that ran alps holidays. His knowledge of the trails and how to maximise a day in terms or terrain, trails and weather is just beyond belief”
Onzadog
“We had a top holiday with Doug last year. The trails were so quiet and beautiful and the locals friendly and the area and the food and drink was great… It was so good we’re going again. We can’t wait!”
Esther, on her 2nd trip in 2013
“A truly amazing four day experience. Doug was helpful, informative, incredibly knowledgeable and just good fun”
Tom
“So all in all, a fantastic holiday. I honestly can’t say enough good things about Doug and BasqueMTB”
Rosie
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