Guests 7
from £1590.00 per week

Ben Plenge

Mon, 08/30/2021 - 13:54

I have just got back from a week at Chalet Chappelle in Morzine and I was blown away by the MTB Beds experience and their team. It is insane value for money when you consider the quality of accommodation, food and facilities. Everybody there was super friendly and full of useful local knowledge and positive energy. The whole holiday was very slick and well run and it helped us all to have an awesome time. I will certainly be coming back to MTB Beds for my next trip. Ben

Adam Staton

Fri, 09/17/2021 - 12:18

Just home from the Tweed Valley Enduro Long Weekend with MTB Beds. Wow what a weekend. Epic riding, superb guides, great accommodation and some more epic riding. A superb intro to the Tweed Valley and the riding on offer at Glentress, The Golfie and Innerleithen. Rich and The MTB Beds team are superb - helpful, knowledgeable and responsive and Murray and the Team at Glentress Hotel were brilliant. Thoroughly recommended.

This tour is built for people who want to explore, like to spend time in nature, starting in Ainsa and running through the picturesque La Pobla and into the simply incredible riding zone of Tremp. Travelling through Northern Spain from the base of the Pyrenees down to the dusty terrain surrounding Tremp. With scenery and terrain that could be pulled straight from the Utah desert, Kamloops backcountry or Squamish rock slabs, this really is an incredible adventure

MTB TOURS IN SPAIN

Ainsa put itself on the map with a round of the Enduro World Series in 2018. The riding here is not famed for big mountains or long descents. It's more about flow amongst the technical, rocky singletrack found in the hills surrounding the ancient town. With some amazing places to eat out and experience some Spanish culture and architecture, it's a great starting point for the tour.

What's Included

  • 7 Nights of Hotel Accommodation 
  • 5 Days Guided riding in total
  • Lunches on all guiding days
  • Welcome Lunch or Dinner to brief with the guides
  • Airport Transfers to and from Barcelona*
  • All internal transfers between destinations
  • Professional guides and a dedicated team on the ground

Ainsa & Beyond Trip Highlights

  • EDR / EWS trails and secret single tracks unlocked by locals
  • Epic landscapes and singletrack
  • Catalonian food and hospitality

*Transfers included at specific times

Using pedal power to explore some incredible riding, you'll move onto La Pobla, with it's rock slabs and on the edge ridgelines, it's a another stunning stop on this tour. Finishing in Tremp, you'll ride fast, flowy singletrack, tackle skinny singletrack that resembles the deserts of Utah and encounter riding zones that remind you of areas you may have only seen in videos from Squamish, but also completely unique with their own vibe and secenery.

We operate this tour with local guides and a transport company, Pablo, Dani and Dani will be your hosts, local trail builders, professional guides and incredible hosts who will ensure your trip is memorable. They are our team on the ground. This tour program has been developed between us to showcase what we believe to be, along with our Pyrenees Singletrack tour, one of the best programs on our roster, and that's still underselling it. 

This trip is available in both Enduro and E-MTB formats. If riding your regular bike, expect to climb, many of the trails here are not accessible by shuttle van, so you'll need to earn your turns. You're going to be hitting 1000m-1500m vertical each day. For this reason, it's a great tour to make use of the E-Bikes, with new model Mondraker's available to add on to the tour price, making this a very versatile trip.

Facilities

Amazing food
Local knowledge
Wi-Fi
Uplift service
True adventure
Single track
Professional guides
Mountain peaks
Local culture
Hire bikes
Electric bikes
Bike store
Wildlife

booking deposit

To secure your place on the trip a 30% per person, booking deposit is required. Deposits are non-refundable and the full balance is due 8 weeks before your arrival. Please take out adequate holiday insurance once you have paid your deposit for the full holiday amount. We recommend Yellow Jersey - We have a 10% discount code that will be sent out in your booking confirmation. 

We also insure the full amount of your holiday's value once we receive your deposit which is a legal requirement under the Package Travel Requirements 2018. So, in the case we ever went into liquidation you would receive a full refund. 

We are happy to offer date swaps within the original booking year free of charge if there is another tour with availability and we are informed before the 8-week final balance deadline. 

Room arrangements / Single Supplement

We try to keep all groups together but sometimes when group numbers are odd you can be sharing with another party member. 

If you would like your own room there is a £400 single occupancy supplement depending on availability. This is limited to 2 rooms maximum per week. 

Flights & Transfers

Barcelona Airport

Arriving

Our van will leave Barcelona Airport at 15h or earlier if all clients have arrived. You should book flights that land before 1330h. Your arrival time in Ainsa will be around 17h - 19h

Departing

Our van will leave Tremp at 11h. Your arrival at Barcelona airport will by 14h. Departing Flights must be booked no earlier than 16h. This timetable may move up on the morning if we note potential delays.

It is possible for you to arrive in the days before your trip to Barcelona and spend a day or two exploring the city. Bike storage at the airport is possible if you would like to stay light.

A private transfer can be arranged at an extra cost if flights need to be booked earlier, later or from a different airport than Barcelona. If you choose to book flights outside of these times we cannot be held responsible for missed flights.

The Program

Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona, Travel to Ainsa

Landing at Barcelona airport by 14h for departure at 15h, you'll be transferred to Ainsa which takes just over 2.5 hours. This leaves enough time to settle in, have a beer, build your bike and meet the guides over dinner to talk about the week.

Day 2 - Ride Ainsa

Up and at them, breakfast is served in the hotel, before we put the bikes onto the trailer and get one uplift up to one of the highest points to start the day. We will ride some classic Enduro World Series trails, some secret local trails and some of the most amazing slab tracks you have ever seen. Lunch is also special on day one, traditional, plentiful and so tasty. The afternoon will be spent riding more trails before finishing with a ride back into the old town for a beer! Iconic! 

Day 3 - Ride Ainsa

We'll be riding some more of Ainsa's hidden gems, with trails that look like they are straight from the lunar surface and tehnical singletrack that will keep even the most advanced riders on their toes. Not not enough elevation for you? For groups looking to take on more vertical, there is the option of heading 30 minutes north and riding Bielsa, which is full of steep, challenging singletrack.

Day 4 - Rest Day 

A well-earned rest day, one that you maybe be tempted not to take but you'll need to for the days coming up. If you not already, you'll have a chance to explore the old town, take a dip in the river, or go for a some canyoning in the cooling mountain rivers. It's a day to unwind, soak up some culture, enjoy some good food and drink, throwing a bit of action in if you see fit.

Day 5 - Transfer to Tremp via La Pobla

We start to head into Catalonia and away from the bigger peaks in the Pyrenees but we don't cut the gravity riding short as we drive into La Pobla. La Pobla is raw, rocky and challenging. With rock slabs, exposed ridgelines and some awesome descents through steep forest the riding here has a more wild west feeling to it as you head into the less touristic parts of Spain.

Day 6 - Ride Tremp

Tremp is unreal. There's no other way to describe this zone and honestly it's a mystery why it's not been ridden by more people. lucky you! Compared to many that have ridden both to a European Squamish, it has everything a mountain biker could need. Fast open grassy descents, ridges, loam, rock, tight and technical, wild and loose. It's an awesome place to ride.

Day 7 - Ride Tremp

Today you'll tackle another part of this incredible riding area, where yesterday was more focused on the desert, the iconic ridgelines and open, flowy fast singletrack, today is more about the stunning views from the zone surrounding Lake Pantano de Sant Antoni.

Day 8 - Return to Barcelona

It is nos vemos en espana de neuvo from your guides and your new friend but we don't say goodbye, it means we will see you soon! 

Bike / Ability

Advised bike - 140mm - 170mm enduro or E-Bike
Skills and Technical Ability - 2/3 
Riding Style - All Natural 

The riding standard and fitness level required to ride this Ainsa Tour is as a confident intermediate rider, to very confident. You should be happy and safe riding technical rocky terrain for prolonged periods. There are no obligatory gaps and jumps but there are exposed ridgelines and technical sections.

There are several climbs in this trip and expect to cover up to 1500m of elevation daily, for nearly double the descending time.

Some sections can be walked if necessary but please consider your ability before booking this trip. 

FAQ

Can I book as an individual?

  • Yes, but we need a minimum of 6 people to run the tour.

My group is over 7? Can we still come?

  • Places are limited to 7 due to van requirements. Groups of 10 -12 can be accommodated if booked far enough in advance to secure extra transport, guides and accommodation, please note this will effect the price.

Can I change the arrival and departure dates?

  • The departure and arrival dates are set but arriving a day early in Barcelona to enjoy the city is just fine. Though you can arrive earlier or later in the week it will not decrease the cost and it will not change the tour program.

Can I travel to a different airport?

  • Transfers can be arranged from another airport subject to availability.

What are the options for dinner?

  • On the first night of your arrival, we will eat together in Ainsa, where you will meet your guide(s) for the trip and talk about the plan and logistics for riding over a locally brewed beer. Throughout the week there is an array of amazing restaurants in all locations from fine dining at the hotels to traditional restaurants in the town. Your guides will assist you all the way. Evening meals are not included except on the first night.

What are the options for lunch?

  • Lunch will be at a variety of spots throughout the trip. In the villages and towns you are riding, a mix of restaurants and cafes with amazing local food. Lunches are included

I have a dietary requirement or choice?

  • Vegetarians or pescetarians are no problem, though please advise us on booking. Please contact us before booking if you are a vegan or have a medical dietary necessity to ensure your needs can be met.

How many trails will we ride each day?

  • Depending on the length of the trails and how long it takes to get to them between 6 and 10 roughly. 

How hard are the trails we will be riding?

  • All of the trails present their challenges, there is a lot of technical riding, and rocks, and exposure are common. If you are very comfortable riding technical red runs in your local bike park you should be ok. 

Is there any pushing or pedalling?

  • Yes, every day is different, expect to climb between 1000m and 1500m each day, dependent on the day.

Recommended bike?

  • We would recommend an aggressive enduro bike for this tour. We suggest a minimum of 130mm/170mm travel; modern geometry and enduro casing tyres setup tubeless, with inserts.

What equipment should I bring?

  • Your bike and kit should be well prepared for long enduro rides away from bike shop support. You'll need to carry a pack with you at all times with hydration, a tube, pump, tyre levers and at least a basic multi-tool. Sun cream is essential. 
  • You should bring a full-face helmet, or at least one that has a detachable chin guard, a hydration pack and the protective equipment you would feel comfortable wearing.

What is the average cost of a beer? An evening out?

  • A pint of Spanish Lager will set you back between €4 and €5 depending on where and when you buy it. Dinner in a decent restaurant will cost you around €12 -  €20 per main course.

Will I need insurance?

  • Absolutely. With the UK's departure from the EU your EH111 card no longer covers medical care. You'll also want insurance against other circumstances such as bike theft, damage or cancellation for personal reasons. We recommend Yellow Jersey. Booking with us gets you a discount code for a 15% off.

Insurance

You are required as part of your booking to have personal injury insurance and we also recommend cancellation insurance.

If you are travelling from the UK please use  - Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance

Since 2017 we have partnered with Yellow Jersey Mountain Bike Insurance to provide professional mountain bike holiday and personal bike insurance policies to our clients. All our clients receive a 15% discount code in your booking confirmation. 

Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance

If you are traveling from outside of the UK we can recommend World Nomads

Make sure you set your residence location using the flag icon top left

Currency

The currency in Spain and France is the Euro, and all major credit cards are accepted in all of the towns we visit but we do advise bringing some cash, even €100 for some tips and some of the more remote shops/bars in case your bank questions your spending abroad or your phone batteries dies and so on.

Booking and Availability

Ben Plenge

Mon, 08/30/2021 - 13:54

I have just got back from a week at Chalet Chappelle in Morzine and I was blown away by the MTB Beds experience and their team. It is insane value for money when you consider the quality of accommodation, food and facilities. Everybody there was super friendly and full of useful local knowledge and positive energy. The whole holiday was very slick and well run and it helped us all to have an awesome time. I will certainly be coming back to MTB Beds for my next trip. Ben

Adam Staton

Fri, 09/17/2021 - 12:18

Just home from the Tweed Valley Enduro Long Weekend with MTB Beds. Wow what a weekend. Epic riding, superb guides, great accommodation and some more epic riding. A superb intro to the Tweed Valley and the riding on offer at Glentress, The Golfie and Innerleithen. Rich and The MTB Beds team are superb - helpful, knowledgeable and responsive and Murray and the Team at Glentress Hotel were brilliant. Thoroughly recommended.

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