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Pictures, comments and links:
Bit of a mixed bag this page - a few photos that BV guests have taken over the years, some of the more printable quotes from our guest book and links to the sites that Sam wastes his life on whilst Lyndsey thinks he's working...
"What a fantastic experience! In the past week I've ridden trails like I've never seen, grinned like an idiot and eaten like a pig. If that isn't the perfect holday then I don't know what is! You've hit a magic formula with BikeVillage, see you again..." Tom Smith, June 2006 and 2009
"Carlsberg DO do MTB holidays! At least Sam, Lyndsey, Joe and Tom do. What a brilliant week! I'll definitely be back" Paul Carrick 2006
"The trails were of course amazing! But the reason I will return is about how the whole of my stay I felt so well looked after! No problem too big and every trail an absolute hit! BikeVillage is the best!!" - Gerrie Holloway, July 2004.
“Physically and psychologically trashed! But have just had about the best holiday of my life!! Have now discovered that a learning curve does not curve but is an actual vertical line! Am now going home to rest and fast for a week as am full to the gills with the most amazing food – thanks guys. We'll be back – keep the tin hat warm!” - Sue Rigby, Sept '07, '08 and '09!
"Great accommodation, great food (even for picky buggers like me!) and superb guiding. Sam and Niall are stars and looked after our differing abilities to perfection. Showed us the fantastic singletrack... and always with smiles on their faces. A great experience which we'll recommend to others. We will be back!" Dave and Debbie Dodd, Sept 2004. They did come back in Sept 2006 too!
“Only a fool wouldn't spit out a hot potato!” - Kiwi wisdom courtesy of Mungo's Dad Will.
" One of the best weeks of my life. Good people in the best natural environment I've ever seen. See you next summer!" (he came back in 2007 and 2008!) - Jose Lopez, July 2006.
Sam's dull links:
Here are a few other sites that might tickle your fancy. Loosely categorised into themes, if ever you try to call us and can't get through, chances are it's because Sam is on one of these sites!
Skiing
Although we're mountainbikers first and foremost, in the winter it snows loads and we happen to live at the heart of the world's second largest ski area. As such, during the winter season we run the Snow Inn, offering B&B/half board from €35 euros a night. If you fancy some deep winter biking then Sam is generally out riding his winter singlespeed with studded tyres in the snow all winter so come and join him - none of his French friends will!
Moonts
Where to begin? If you like your road riding and fancy a tarmac-based holiday then you really couldn't do any better than a trip with King of the Mountains. Based in a beautifully converted old school house near the foot of the epic Alpe d'Huez, your hosts Helyn and Guy will treat you like royalty whilst you treat yourself like a whipping boy...
If you're after kit then the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Op is a good place to start. Sam worked there for a while before BikeVillage was born. They've got the best range of clothing (including women's kit) in the U.K. and are really into promoting all forms of cycling in Britian. Worth a visit. If you're a bit further north then pay a visit to Nicholson's Cycles in Dundee – the manager Colin is a regular Bver so can recommend kit for out here from personal experience!
Want to improve your biking skills before a trip to BikeVillage? Chris Ball at Dirt School offers skills courses mostly at Glentress and Innerleithen. He's SMBLA trained and has raced DH world cups and been Scottish downhill champ riding for Fox. He's also a lovely bloke with a talent for helping others progress with their riding. Next time you're thinking of spooging on some new bits to make you go faster, why not spend the money on some tuition instead and really make yourself a better rider!
If you'd like to do some riding in the Lakes then Greg at Spinn Off is a local mountain bike leader running guided trips on what has to be some of the uk's most beautiful and challenging trails. If you live in the area then why not hook up with our friends at Ride the Lakes – bringing together lakeland riders for some epic (and not so epic) rides. No fees, no crappy meetings, just good riding. Top idea!
Wanna talk? The best site we've found for riders in Wales (and driving distance thereof) is MTB-Wales. A great place to organise rides with local riders. Along similair lines is mtbuk. They arrange rides all over the U.K. so take a peek if you have time.
As for techie sites, any questions you could ever have will be answered if you visit the late, truly great Sheldon Brown's site. Spoke lengths, Rohloff hub gear ratios, 1940s frame restoration - no problem! The man really was a fountain of amazingly useless knowledge.
Campers
Fancy a change from biking sites? have a drool over some very nicely restored VW campers and plan a road trip on your world atlas.
e-mail us on info@bikevillage.co.uk or call/fax us on 0033 615 719 932