Pinkbike Poll: What's Your Dream Holiday Worth?

May 8, 2014
by Tyler Maine  
Okay, you might never have that bright yellow Lambo, yacht with a helipad, or whatever else you'd spring for if you had the disposable income of a famous rapper (or someone else who actually deserves such wealth), but there are a few cool things that us peons and peasants can afford if we put our minds to it. A bike-centric vacation is one of them. Being mountain bikers through and through, most of us have likely thought about at least bringing our bike along on a decidedly non-bike vacation, and especially so if said vacation involves visiting the in-laws, but what about a trip away from home that revolves entirely around saddle time instead of family time?

Maybe it's a through-the-night drive south and a week spent living like a dirtbag, riding hard, and working on your glove tan. Or perhaps an all-inclusive trip to some foreign land where no one speaks your language and you cap off your day with wine and tasty food that comes in ridiculously small portions that could only ever appease a tiny bird. Are you somewhere in the middle? Let us know us know by answering the poll below.

What would you spend on a 5-day guided mountain bike trip to a destination location?

We all have dreams to go ride in a foreign locale. What would you spend on a trip of a life time if you could go ride anywhere?



Author Info:
brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

78 Comments
  • 37 0
 Thats why you should be friendly with foreigners that ride your local trails. Show them around to the good spots then you will have a friend better yet you will have a guide for the awesome place where he is from.. you might even get a place to stay!
  • 22 3
 Wanna visit France? You're welcome.
  • 9 0
 Riding with friends makes all the difference. Inside local info is the ROYAL treatment and it doesn't get any better than that. Not even if you pay for it.
  • 19 3
 Been paying for guided riding in the Alps for the past 4 years.
Unbeatable and always worth the money for the quality of riding you get to experience.
Makes it much easier if you're going by yourself. Especially as the guides always know the best trails and you're not stuck in the bike parks.

Quit my overpaid job in the UAE so I can work (ride) the full season in Les Arcs this year... Cannot wait.
  • 14 0
 I think You are the first person I know of, who quit an OVERPAID job Big Grin
  • 24 1
 Crap, overpaid job Smile
More important things in life than money. :p
  • 23 1
 some say... money can't buy happiness. I disagree. "money" bought my bike that makes me unbelievable happy every day
  • 2 0
 Wish I had your attitude mate
  • 2 0
 tim, are you the bloke with the nomad I stayed with at trail addiction last year???
  • 1 0
 not sure mate. Your name's different here. Wink
  • 1 0
 Sorry, yes I am... not sure who you are though?
  • 1 0
 Doing a week at trail addiction in early july, first time with them, second time in the area. Cant wait, what are TA like to stay with?
  • 3 0
 Why don't you come to have a look in Andorra ? We got a great Bike-park and some amazing trails Wink
  • 4 0
 ha what a cack, I'm the guy you met at the airport, and we were in the same room for a bit, and did a couple of day's together including Heidi trail. I have not been home to Sydney yet, after I did the 2 month season in les arcs I went to stay with my mum in north London for a bit and hit some trail centres in wales and southern Scotland, they are sick to. i'm in new Zealand now stayed in rotorua for a bit, that was to good now in Christchurch though cause easy to get a job. going to leave tomorrow to meet some friends in whistler for the start of the season, got a working/ study visa, it's easy for aussies to get. so your guiding at les arcs, that should be such a rad time, all that crew there were top noch, it'll be bitchen three week tim haha,
oh yea I am neal btw.
  • 1 0
 Ha, nice one. Thought it was you just couldn't quite put my finger on it. Good effort getting to Whistler this year.
  • 1 1
 If you're british and 'working' in france you're almost certainly doing it illegally. You gonn get arrested.
  • 1 1
 Good grief chap. You're out of touch. Its perfectly legal if you have the right qualifications, experience and follow the right procedures!
  • 1 1
 Only if you have a licence to guide in frency territory. Qualifications and experience have nothing to do with it.

Like many before you working for amateur guiding companies who claim "we're just showing friends around", you're gonna get arrested and slapped with a huge fine.
  • 1 0
 You have no idea who I'll be working more so stop assuming I don't know what I'm doing. You can only get a license if you have the right qualifications and experience... they have everything to do with it.
  • 1 0
 SMBLA / CTC / MIAS aren't recognised in France. Say hi to the gendarmes for me, lol.
  • 1 0
 I refer you to my previous comments. Just because you've tried and failed doesn't mean others can't do it. I'm done with this now. You're clearly not fully up to date with your information. Move on.
  • 1 2
 I'm not stupid enough to try that in France. You, like so many others who try to make a quick buck 'guiding' in the alps, have no idea what you're doing.
  • 1 1
 I'm working for a company thats been based out there for over 10 years. They know what they're doing.
Quick buck? Are you fricking kidding me... Did you not read my original post.
I'm not working out there for the money. I earn in a month there what I earned in less than 2 days in the UAE, so you can piss off with the 'quick buck' BS.
  • 16 4
 LOL money....I wish I had some of that! But I do have a sick bike, friends, and places to shred, what more do I really need? Although one of these trips for free would be gladly accepted....cough...cough...
  • 20 3
 you're only 18.............. at least you know that your parents' support doesn't equal your own money.
  • 8 0
 Depends on your definition of guided. My personal idea of guided would be like visiting a friend you used to shred with, then he moved, and he's showing you round his new zone. The most fun tracks, not just the legal ones. Say you want flow tracks one day, then some gnar the next, then some more relaxing single track with a view for the third. I guess what I'm trying to say is a local with a extensive knowledge of the area, while the time you spend there is not structured in any way, just spent doing what you feel like doing that day.
  • 6 0
 I quit my stressful job of 16 years and am riding my bike and renovating our house followed by 6 weeks in Canada and USA in
July - August (with bikes) I'm a lucky guy having an extended holiday thanks to my awesome wife!
  • 10 0
 Step 1: Marry rich.
Step 2: Be happy.
  • 6 0
 I just rode in North Thailand. Wicked trails with awesome local guide. Wouldn't ride without the local knowledge of trails.
  • 3 0
 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I have a 4runner, 4-bike rack, a private bike shop, a house on a mountain right at trailheads, and multiple shuttle options. Let's do a trail trade. I've ridden all over BC, the Alps, in almost all of the US, a lot of Korea, a lot of Chile, a lot of South Island NZ, Bolivia's highlands, Olmeros in Peru, plus some other areas. Ethiopia is up there with the best natural trails.
  • 1 0
 Stifford - I am moving to Khartoum this fall, leaving behind a MTB paradise; I was thinking of leaving my MTB behind, too - but maybe I need to get to know you and chase you down in Addis. Maybe we can create a Horn of Africa Mountain Bike Club? - Maelstrom
  • 1 0
 Welcome. Ethiopia is an undiscovered MTB gem. Did 4000m vert of shuttles yesterday on my Demo.
  • 2 0
 "PAY" kills biking. The best of biking is done on cheapest crap bikes, and ocean of laugh. The more money is spent, the more jealousy around, less friends, more stupid worries, stupid rituals, too serious attitude.. It's now mainly about gear. Frame, parts, clothes, protections, gadgets. Everyone is silently bullied by commercials and other riders to fit standards, like at least latest fresh frame, at least better wheelsize, at least something to take a place in riders community hierarchy. It may be that I am talking only about experienced situations and things are very different elsewhere, but I am just tired of people treating those who buy the most expensive bikes, like they were the best. I thought that riders' skills decide more in biking, but I was wrong. It is sad, and hopeless. Paying for a trip? Now thank you. Just because of the posh reason. Boasting about climbing Mt. Everest sounds loud and proud, provided that you made it by yourself, now payed for being carried all the way up. My dream trail, my dream place of the worlds for biking consists mainy on the fact that I did it by myself including figuring out how to get there, what to eat, where to go etc. Obviously that means commiting mistakes, but they are beginning of adventures and adventure is what it is all about. Paying for dream smells like shallow modern world when richer human means better and this is simply sad.
  • 7 2
 id rather just explore on my own, isnt that the point of riding?
  • 9 5
 emmm... I am affraid you are a weirdo - why would you miss the chance to ride the best trails any area has to offer. Whywould you miss a chance to say to your friends that you rode some secret trail? You could at least get in contact with the local community of the place you go to and download all the Strava segments. Then you may try to beat some of their times. Ekhem, sarcasm it was. Now seriously, I like your attitude but we are quite few...
  • 1 0
 I love exploring on my own in some remote areas (I try to take a week-long trip every summer for this purpose, and its nice to have reliable local information), but have also ridden with a couple of legends of the sport, and they got that way because they are stoked on riding and do more of it than the rest of us. I would not be averse to taking a trip to ride somewhere with fellow riders who happen to be well known for their skill, knowledge and stoke.
  • 7 2
 Reverend: if you are after getting most for your time and money, riding with buddies, meeting famous athletes, learning from them, more importantly getting to ride awesome trails, then you have a great strategy out there! And if it is a really remote location, hiring a guide also So many boxes ticked on a list that majority of people would appreciate. Who wouldn't like that?

Because the other way may be: riding alone, ending up on a miserably boring descend on a fireroad, if having no GPS, ending up in the wrong valley, taking 5 hours to get home over the pass (eventualy needing to sleep on the ground in the wild). If that guy just hired a guide he'd be on a sweet trail which trail head he missed when going down fireroad. Who can want that?

A bloke that enjoys the unknown, that accepts and seeks risks other than ones coming from riding a bike fast. A very rare and probably foolish kind: for the lack of less pompatic word: "explorer". Exploration starts where tourism ends. We all have different things on our check lists.
  • 1 0
 Riding on your own is not pompous at all IMO. It gets you off the beaten track and while it gives you a great opportunity to miss the 'best trails in the local area' it also gives you the chance to discover the sickest lines that noone has ever done as they simply followed the herd. I am not saying you should do this on a daily basis but do not stop exploring, no matter how dull that might be in others' opinion. Few months ago I took some hardcore and heavy stuff local riders into the local bit of woods and led them through it few feet away from the track they rode endlessly for years- they liked it; new trail was discovered and established; it is busier than the old one now... Without people who explore we would be still comfortably sitting in our sheds unaware of Vikings...

And above all- JUST RIDE! Alone or not...
  • 4 3
 Off course it SOUNDS pompous to people. The only question is whether it is a bad thing. It is impossible to explain therefore people think you are pompous when you try and you run out of words... because in the end you must use the sentence: you get it or you don't, where as for things like "guided riding, climbing, diving", there are millions of "reasonable" arguments. Why not use this and that advantage? Why not use GPS? Why ride a rigid bike? How can you really explain to another mountain biker who is into full race, action sport, extreme bit, telling you that you should maximize your ride experience (and all the carbo ti tech truly does it for you), that you choose to expose yourself instead? That riding as fast as you can MAY not be your bit. People watch those editorials from Yukon or whatever and they say oooh that is so epic. But then they go check trail maps on Strava and they search which one is the most fun, which is perfectly understandable. People seek obvious stunning, if someone gets more stunned than they are with something that is not stunning for majority of people then... you sir are elitist pompous prick because you appreciate something majority would never appreciate. Because you evade their common point of reference. And you should not try to make them appreciate it - that is the very point, because even if you had 12 gopros, Strava, 12 film makers around you, 6 more in 3 helicopters, then made 10h of interview and wrote a book, you could never ever truly express what you really feel when you are doing what you really love. Freedom is freedom, it is humble and it hurts with it's loneliness. Therefore ideas of exploration are pompatous, because they lead to such sentences as I just wrote. You get it or you don't, and you probably don't. Because you are not me, and I am not you, and the counterintuitive thing is that it is great this way Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Master WAKI,
I enjoy reading your posts.

Having been 'benighted' on a ride, lost and coming down the wrong drainage and ending up miles from my intended trailhead, riding for hours after our lights gave up the ghost, and fighting to remain awake while riding back the 3 hours to the car in the wee hours of the morning, massive Montana, Washington and BC back country solo loops hoping the trails on the maps exist and that junctions are findable, hunting for a rumored trail, starting at 23:00 on a Sunday night knowing I've got to be awake and in front of a group of students less than 5 hours after finishing... Either one gets it or one doesn't, agreed.

By the same token, I've also paid for the opportunity to ride with and learn from some of the best in the sport, and have benefitted mightily from that experience, and enjoy my riding more each ride because of the skills I've developed through the insights gained from them. I also work to pass that knowledge on. As much as I love my solo and partner rides, I am also part of a larger community, and there are benefits to being part of something larger.

Different times, different rides, different stages of life, different rides all provide opportunities for growth both as a person and a rider. Part of what keeps me cranking the pedals week in and week out over the past 28 years. (got my first mtb in '86 at the age of 21.)

Keep on doing what brings you joy!
  • 1 0
 The irony of telling other people you ride alone. My mountain bike is my ticket to freedom. As for money and holidays. I live in B.C. Im a dirt bag camper living in paradise.
  • 2 1
 Yes reverend, I agree, there's place, time and company for every drug Smile even gopro orgy Big Grin I was just reflecting on the "unattractive side of freedom" Smile
  • 1 1
 I'am agree with people who say that they want to find by themselve the trails, but when you spent a lot of money to get to the other side of the world, don't waist your time in bull-shit ! Take a local guide. He will show you is secrets spots and you will learn a bit more about the country that you are visiting ! Cheers.
  • 1 0
 Most tours seem to be week long events. Is there much for for shorter/cheaper extended weekends? Something like a weekend in the Chilcotins would be perfect since I live near Seattle!
  • 1 0
 Yes there is. Do a search - its been mentioned a few times in the front page
  • 1 0
 Retallack is shorter, but def not cheaper!
  • 1 0
 Something like Retallack for sure, but that recent article about Barel & the volcanoes was very interesting. Wonder how much the Guatemalan trip would be for 3 days vs 3 days at Retallack?
If I ever get to Moab or Sun Valley or Park City I'll try & get a guide for a day or so, and spend a day or two solo. I do the same when I fish new spots. But it really has to be affordable, I dont need expensive meals or extras; just show me where the fun stuff is and let me handle the rest.
  • 1 0
 @deadtime- The thing to do in Moab is to find a shuttle. They'll drop you off at the trailhead for UPS/LPS/Porcupine Rim, or if you go in summer, the Whole Enchilada (which I've yet to do since I've only been in winter and spring). Lots of singletrack on that one, then get out and explore. Lots of good maps and guidebooks/websites with ample trail descriptions.

Sun Valley is definitely on my list of places to visit. Maybe this summer. Woot.
  • 2 0
 I'm living in Switzerland so I guess that participation on Trans Provence or this brand new Swiss Epic Flow would be my dream holiday.
  • 1 0
 Do the cost ranges above include airfare?

I'd love to ride in Chile or other places in South America, but airfare would cost at least $900. I'd love to ride in Puerto Rico, airfare is only $400.
  • 1 0
 definitely not guided, but then I've just quit my job and spending the next 4 months exploring the west coast of the US and BC with my bike.
  • 1 0
 come to Tenerife and check out www.fluyendo.net... Clementz, Absalon, Weir, Lau and awesome general-public mountain bikers approved!
  • 2 1
 I live in Europe so Whistler is really far..and would be an expensive trip(but not imposible).At least I hope I can get to the European Whistler (in Norway).
  • 2 2
 Get there this year then, as it does not look very well for the future of Hafjell. More people will go the higher the chance that they will open next year.
  • 4 1
 $3000, that's about £30 right???
  • 1 0
 Come to Chillan, its my backyard!! Ill show you the places, the trails, the w%&D and the you can return the favor in your country. Best trade ever!!
  • 2 0
 going to peru on a guided trip in a month. luckily my Dad decided to pick up the bill for this one. thanks Dad!
  • 1 0
 Saved all my pennies for a trip to ride Megavalanche last year from New York City. Set me back a bit but one bucket list item checked.
  • 1 0
 Going to Arizona for a couple of weeks of road trip, cheap motels and riding the dusty trails, can't wait!
  • 1 0
 I flew to Spain from SoCal to ride with the guys at RoostDH - worth every penny.
  • 3 1
 part of the fun is the adventure and getting lost in the woods!!!!
  • 2 0
 Id like to do some time in Canada and Europe one day.
  • 2 0
 Wait! Whose photograph is leading this story? It looks awesome!
  • 2 0
 If I'm going to pay $3000 for a guided trip, it's called heli-skiing.
  • 2 0
 A week of heli skiing is going to run you more like $10,000 or more depending on vert, operation, location etc. Whether it's at a lodge or in town. Try $1500-2000 a day for heli skiing, or 800-1200 for cat skiing.
  • 2 0
 Now compare the poll results to the cost of most guided MTB vacations.
  • 1 1
 Never understood why my meager salary should pay for someone's dream job. Now, if the cost is going towards private lodging, awesome meals, free beer on behalf of my host, and it helps pay for their home/hotel, I can understand it. When youre paying $3,000 for your tour operater to pull up in a $80,000 van/truck, rides with you (and another group) for a few hours, drops you off at your hotel and says "see you tomorrow", I think we're paying too much.
  • 3 0
 PHeller, I've been on a guided tour, and the price included pickup from the airport, private lodging (not in some Motel Cool , all the tools needed to build my bike after the airport, breakfast/lunch (some trips include all food), bars/snacks on the trail, post ride beers, and an extra water rafting activity. Oh and our guides were with us from 8 am to 10 pm on average. Airfare wasn't included, but how could they when people were coming from all different places? You just gotta shop around and find the right company if that's what you're looking for.
  • 1 0
 That's cool. I'll admit that I hadn't really shopped around but some of the prices I saw a few places in the states were a bit off putting for a single person with no lodging provided.
  • 1 0
 will spent 700€ to unguided bike trip @ France this year
  • 1 0
 Get a heli go to Utah... Nuff said
  • 1 0
 over 3000 eur, riding and partying for a week in the isles of Capo Verde.
  • 2 0
 Guided? Hah
  • 2 1
 fly to LA, ride mx in So Cal for a week. Watch Anaheim 1, go to vegas.
  • 1 0
 Guided trip? I can find my own way around Whistler.
  • 1 0
 Guided, no way! No risk, no adventure!
  • 1 0
 BC Bike Race







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