Cycling Short Breaks

Fascinating trip through interesting cities and countryside in the Baltics, led by the brilliant Lina. I was surprised to read recent negative reviews of this tour as it certainly didn’t match our experience. We were lucky to have a great group that really gelled and we all thought Lina was a brilliant leader. It is more of a cruising sight seeing tour then a full on cycling trip, the cycling is incidental on some days and the bikes are heavy shopping type bikes, but the terrain is generally flat and the riding is easy. The hotels were fine, though towels in the in Baltics are very thin and cheap and the trip would perhaps benefit from a non cycling day in the middle with a free afternoon to allow time for laundry and chilling.

James Tarran Cycle the Baltics

Really loved the cycling, it was challenging and very rewarding .Our guides Mohamed and Yusuf were excellent as were the drivers. And the food was wonderful. Apart from the hotel in Agadir which survived very ordinary buffet food. Sadly neither the bikes or the transfer vehicles were up to the job. The bikes were worn out and constantly needing attention and the vehicles did not have enough legroom for comfort, particularly the Prado, which was painful if you were unlucky enough to be in the back.

Fiona Stiff Cycle Morocco's Great South

I do feel a little mean just giving 4 stars but there were a few niggles. It’s a great trip and particularly satisfying in that there are no transfers until the end – you cycle from hotel to hotel for 6 days. Lovely scenery, though not quite as gorgeous as described in other reviews. Accommodation basic but clean – no luxury but you don’t spend much time in it. Sardinian food and wine is pretty awesome but mostly fish based.
Gripes. Bikes are old and heavy which make the second and third rides more onerous than they should be- 3400 feet ascent in 36 miles does not usually faze me but knees were complaining for a few days after. I experienced a degree of bike envy for the guide’s lightweight gravel bike. As noted elsewhere the flight times are awkward and we were pretty bored by the end of the last day awaiting our transfer to the airport- a late check out from our rooms on a hot sticky day would have been good. The trip notes were inaccurate which, sadly, is a common issue with Exodus trips. Biggest grouse was, however, that there was only ever one guide on the rides, which meant that the weakest member was either cycling alone or dependent on the good nature of other participants for company. To my mind a bit of a safety risk but I guess we might have been spoilt after our trip to Indonesia where there were always three guides.
I am sounding a bit negative. We had a great time but some minor alterations would improve the experience substantially.

Steven Elliot Cycling in Sardinia