Perfect vacation for mountain biker and non-biking partner in Scotland

Posted on 20 May 2013 by Cat

What do you do if you like mountain biking, but your partner doesn’t? Vacation separately? It’s an option, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could find a vacation that would suit both of you? We think our Tastes and Trails of Scotland mountain biking tour offers the perfect vacation for a mountain biker and non-biking partner, here’s why…

Our Tastes and Trails of Scotland tour offers the ideal mix of fantastic mountain biking and a variety of other activities that don’t involve getting muddy on two wheels! You’ll explore the stunning west coast of Scotland, from Fort William, to the Isle of Skye, to Applecross, then along Loch Ness back to Inverness.

The itinerary for this week-long adventure includes mountain biking, coastal walks, wildlife boat trip, a trip on the Jacobite Express steam train (from the Harry Potter movies), lunch in a Michelin-starred restaurant on Skye, and a distillery tour and tasting, so we’ve built in plenty of opportunities for you to do things together, rather than having two completely different holidays in the same place.

And on the days when one of you is out biking, the other can be taking advantage of the many cultural and historical sites, and beautiful scenery on Scotland’s west coast. There are many spectacular walks, offering endless opportunities for photography enthusiasts, or you can simply read a book and while away the hours sitting in a café enjoying delicious coffee and stunning views. The peace and tranquility of the west coast of Scotland provide one of the best places on earth to just ‘be’. You don’t have to have a plan or an agenda, you can just relish the fact that you are in this magnificent place, away from the crowds and stresses of everyday life.

Your accommodation will be in wonderful, welcoming Highland guest houses, where each morning you’ll be spoiled with a delicious breakfast of local produce, and every evening you can relax in the comfortable lounge and share stories of your day’s adventures. You may also be lucky enough to enjoy an evening of Scottish poetry, recited by our very own mountain bike guide/ poet, Kevin, over a wee dram!

We have availability on August 24th – 31st, so say ‘No’ to separate vacations this year and join us in the Highlands for our Tastes and Trails of Scotland adventure tour!

Highland Fling mountain bike adventure in Scotland this summer!

Posted on 8 April 2013 by Cat

Mountain biking, canoeing, wildlife spotting, whisky tasting, and the Highland Fling… All part of an unforgettable mountain bike adventure in Scotland this summer!

Mountain biking in the Cairngorms, Scotland

Group riding together on their Cairngorms mountain bike holiday

From July 13th – 20th join us for our mountain bike adventure in the Cairngorms National Park, in the very heart of the Scottish Highlands, then end your holiday with a trip to the Inverness Highland Games on Saturday July 20th to round off the perfect “Highland Fling” adventure!

The Cairngorms is the largest National Park in the UK, boasting a huge diversity of landscapes, wildlife, eco-systems, communities, views, and – incorporating the Speyside Whisky Trail – includes the largest concentration of distilleries in Scotland. And in 2013 the Cairngorms National Park celebrates its 10th anniversary, so there’s no better time to come and explore the UK’s biggest natural playground!

On our Cairngorms mountain bike adventure in Scotland this July you’ll enjoy the unspoilt, natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands and discover why, in 2012, National Geographic Magazine voted the Cairngorms National Park as one of the Top 50 ‘Last Great Places’. We’ll show you some fantastic hidden mountain bike trails that weave through ancient, silent pine forests, then suddenly open out to a glorious mountain panorama. We’ll take you on a guided canoe ride on the magnificent River Spey, then to a whisky distillery to taste the liquid gold produced from the clean, fresh waters of the Spey.

Country house accommodation Cairngorms, Scotland

Beautiful country accommodation in the Cairngorms, Scotland

You’ll have a half-day, guided wildlife walk, where our local expert will help you to spot some of the more elusive native species that make the Cairngorms such an important natural habitat.

After all this activity you’ll return to your warm, comfortable Highland lodge base in Aviemore to relax with your group, before heading out for a delicious meal in one of the local restaurants or pubs. Alternatively, you could choose to stock up on local produce and create your own culinary masterpiece in your Highland home-from-home!

This mountain bike adventure in Scotland is suitable for novice and intermediate mountain bikers with level 2 fitness, and to find out what this means read the explanation of our skill and fitness levels.

So, if you’re planning an active holiday this summer, why not join us in July for this fantastic natural, cultural mountain bike adventure in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland?! See you there!

Top 10 reasons to book a mountain biking holiday with us

Posted on 1 April 2013 by Cat

If you’re spending hours searching the web, comparing trips and operators, and feeling like you’re going round in circles, here’s a very quick overview of the top 10 reasons to book your guided mountain biking holiday with H&I Adventures. (You see, we’re helping you already!)

All the colours of Nepal

1. We do all the hard work for you
We spend years researching and testing the best trails, accommodation, guides, cultural experiences, transport services, and food in the most exciting destinations around the world so that you don’t have to. All you need to do is decide which one of our incredible mountain biking holidays is right for you, book your place via our secure online system, then organise your travel. It’s that simple!

2. Exceptional, professional local guides
Our mountain bike guides are some of the best in their field and local to the areas in which they operate. Not only that, they are genuinely nice and interesting people, with lots of life experiences and plenty to talk about both on and off the bike. For example, one of our guides in Scotland, Kevin, is an accomplished poet, artist and teacher, as well as being a mountain biker. At the end of a superb day on the bike in the Cairngorms National Park you can relax with a ‘wee dram’ and some Scottish poetry recited by Kevin.

3. Safety first
Your safety is our number one priority and when you come on one of our mountain biking holidays you can rest easy and have the time of your life, comfortable in the knowledge that our expert guides have planned and risk assessed every detail of your trip before your arrive, and are managing your safety every step of the way.

Local boy in Oaxaca, checking out our bikes

Local boy in Oaxaca, sizing up our bikes!

4. Responsible travel policy
We operate a responsible travel policy so you can be sure that local people in the communities you’re connecting with are benefitting – in real terms – from your being there. For example, on our mountain biking adventure in Oaxaca, Mexico, you’ll stay in rustic cabanas in the Sierra Norte, run by a sustainble tourism partnership of eight local communities who all benefit equally from tourism monies spent in any one of the villages.

5. Experience new cultures
Exploring an area by bike is one of the best ways of experiencing the local cultures and traditions of that region. You can cover more ground than is possible by foot, and wherever we go in the world, people just love bikes and cyclists! In Nepal we visit the famous Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath in Kathmandu, thangka artists in Bhaktapur, and stay in family-run tea houses in remote corners of Mustang and the Kali Gandaki Valley.

6. Go home a better rider
An integral part of all of our mountain biking holidays is on-the-trail skills training, as and when you need it. We don’t run formal skills sessions, we simply work with you as you’re riding and if you come across an obstacle you’re not sure how to tackle we’ll talk you through it and help you to improve your riding technique in a natural, informal manner.

Local chagra at hacienda in Ecuador

7. Great local accommodation
We select the most comfortable, welcoming, interesting accommodation providers in every area we take you to. From traditional working haciendas in Ecuador, to luxury yurts in the Yukon in Canada, you’ll enjoy the best hospitality available, after a big day in the saddle.

8. Food, glorious food!
Food is a very important part of all of our mountain biking tours around the world; after all, why expend all that energy on the bike if you can’t enjoy a good meal afterwards?! We’ve eaten our way around the world to find the best local cafés, restaurants, pubs, and even homes, to make sure that you’re well rewarded for all your efforts and ready to tackle the next ride!

9. Excellent personal service
We pride ourselves in offering excellent, personal customer service at every stage of our relationship with you: from the first time you contact us, to after you have returned home from your trip. Our team will offer as much help and advice as you need to help you plan your mountain biking vacation, but you won’t have to deal with several different people and explain your circumstance anew with every contact. You’ll have one point of contact who will manage your booking from end-to-end.

10. Our customers keep coming back
It’s all very well for us to say how wonderful our tours are, but what do our customers think? Well, one of our coast-to-coast Scotland customers said:

Leg busting climbs and thrilling descents! I’d travel to the ends of the earth with H&I Adventures, dedicated as they are to providing adventure and comfort while safety and competence lead the way.

We’re delighted that so many of our customers keep coming back to us year after year to experience new places and have new adventures with us. You can read more customer reviews of our mountain biking holidays on our Why H&I Adventures page, and if you’d like to discuss any of our trips just drop us an email or give us a call on 0044 (0)1463 239716, or toll-free from the US and Canada 1-888-228-50-35. We’re looking forward to sharing your next mountain bike adventure with you!

New partnership with Yeti Cycles

Posted on 13 March 2013 by Cat

Here at H&I Adventures we’re absolutely delighted to announce the start of a fantastic partnership with Yeti Cycles, makers of some of the finest mountain bikes in the world!

We have been working hard over the past couple of years to align our mountain biking holiday business with the best product based companies in the mountain biking world. We feel that these partnerships are special and not only enhance our tours, but align our core beliefs and company ethos with these other high quality brands.

Yeti Cycles and H&I Adventures partnership

Yeti Cycles, makers of world-class mountain bikes

Our new partnership with Yeti Cycles will be a long-term brand partnership that can only bring exciting developments, for both Yeti Cycles’ and H&I Adventures’ customers alike.

Why Yeti Cycles?

“Well, not only does Yeti hand build the best mountain bikes available today, every worker within the company rides and tests their bikes. It’s a real riders’ company that has a wonderful customer/brand relationship. Yeti Cycles is the only bike company in the world that arranges ‘tribe’ meetings where owners can meet up, exchange stories and ride bikes,” says H&I Adventures director, Euan Wilson.

Yeti Cycles has been in the business of producing world-class mountain bikes since early 1985, with a ‘race breed’ to be proud of. Being at the forefront of the bike racing scene has allowed Yeti to develop and test new and innovative bike designs that have migrated on to the production bikes that you can ride today.

Here’s what John Pentecost, international sales manager for Yeti Cycles has to say about our new partnership:

“When I learned about the amazing trips that H&I Adventures have put together, I knew they’d make a great partner for Yeti. We design our bikes to be ridden hard in the most extreme conditions, and H&I Adventures spends all their time in locations that test the limits of their equipment. We’re very excited about working with H&I Adventures for many years to come.”

We’re at the early stages of this positive and exciting partnership with Yeti Cycles, so watch this space for up-and-coming developments from Yeti Cycles and H&I Adventures!

Coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday in Scotland

Posted on 27 February 2013 by Cat

“Coast-to-coast” is a term that’s used to cover many different routes and tours, so what’s our coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday in Scotland all about?

Well, it’s not about connecting the most easterly and westerly points in Scotland. Our coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday is about the challenge of riding from one coast to another, yes, but on the most enjoyable off-road trails that lead you through some of the most stunning and remote landscapes in the UK.

Mountain biking in Torridon, coast-to-coast Scotland

A tough, but rewarding ride in Torridon

It’s an adventure and a challenge, but it’s certainly not a race, and your expert guides will be on-hand every step of the way to offer you skills advice on some of the tougher, rockier, more technical sections towards the end of the week, so that everyone makes it to the finish line in Applecross at the same time to celebrate in the famous Applecross Inn (Scotland’s Pub of the Year 2012)!

You’ll spend between six and eight hours on the trails each day, with a rest on day six, and each evening over dinner your guides will brief you on the following day’s adventure and you’ll have the chance to look at the map and ask questions before the ride. You’ll find that the first couple of days of your coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday in Scotland are long, but not overly technical in nature. As the week progresses and your confidence builds, so too does the difficulty of the trails you’ll be riding on your westward journey, but the distance will reduce accordingly.

As with all of our mountain biking vacations, the coast-to-coast Scotland isn’t just about great biking and spectacular landscapes. Each evening you can relax and enjoy delicious local food and drink in small, family-run cafés and pubs, and relive the day’s events over a wee dram. You’ll spend each night in a comfortable local guest house or B&B, where you’ll receive a warm Highland welcome, and set yourself up each morning with a great breakfast. You can read our guide and resident poet Kevin’s account of our coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday to get a feel for the whole adventure.

Your luggage will be transferred in our vehicle each day, so you’ll be free to enjoy the pleasure of riding across the Scottish Highlands, experiencing some of the last wilderness in Scotland that most Scots themselves will never visit.

The coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday is our most popular trip in Scotland and, according to one customer:

“Riding across the Highlands on great mountain bike trails everyday and staying in very comfortable accommodations at night was THE way to do it. The trails were varied with lots of technical, single track fun and the scenery was spectacular. I really felt like I earned that Guinness at the end of each day!”

We have four dates confirmed for 2013 (May, June, July and September), so why not join us for this unforgettable adventure on our coast-to-coast mountain biking holiday in Scotland this year!?

The importance of good accommodation on a mountain biking vacation

Posted on 19 February 2013 by Cat

One of the things that we believe sets us apart from other mountain bike tour operators is the quality of the accommodation that we use on our mountain biking vacations around the world.

Drinking tea on the roof of the world, Nepal

Sharing tea in the home of a local farmer in Nepal

When you’re spending between four and eight hours in the saddle for several days in a row, you want to know that you can relax and unwind at the end of each day in comfortable surroundings, enjoying a warm shower, exceptional hospitality and get a good night’s sleep to set you up for the next day. We carefully plan every aspect of your mountain bike adventure with us and the importance of good accommodation on a mountain biking vacation cannot be underestimated, as far as we’re concerned.

That doesn’t mean that you’ll be put up in five-star luxury hotels everywhere you go! Our mountain bike adventures around the world are as much about expriencing local cultures and enjoying the diversity of people and places, as they are about great mountain biking, so we seek out the best local accommodation in each area, which is often in small, family-run hotels and B&Bs.

In some regions, such as the Himalayas of Nepal, we stay in family-run tea houses in remote mountain villages, which are very basic by western standards, but your hosts will ensure that you are comfortable, well-fed and warm, and the experience you’ll have with them will be one that will stay with you forever. You won’t find this kind of intimate connection with local people in a big hotel chain, no matter where you are in the world, and having someone open their home to you is one of the truly special aspects of a mountain bike adventure with us.

Beautiful country accommodation in the Cairngorms National Park

Beautiful country lodge in the Cairngorms National Park

We like to use a diverse range of accommodation, from the traditional, like a Highland country lodge in the Cairngorms in Scotland, or a working hacienda looking out on to the world’s highest active volcano in Ecuador. To the more unusual, like our luxury yurt accommodation in the Yukon, Canada, which sits on the bluff high above the capital city of Whitehorse, with an almost 360° view over the surrounding mountains.

In the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico, you’ll stay in rustic ‘cabanas’ in the village of Llano Grande, which is part of the most successful community-run sustainable tourism project in Mexico. The eight mountain villages in the Sierra Norte work together to provide accommodation and guides, and the revenue that comes into any one of the villages is shared equally amongst all eight communities.

Our mountain biking vacations aren’t just about the riding; it’s the whole package that counts and good quality local accommodation is an important aspect of all our mountain biking holidays around the world.

Luxury yurt accommodation, mountain biking in Canada

Two-minute tour of Scotland

Posted on 18 January 2013 by Cat

Two-minute tour, mountain biking in Scotland

Pausing to admire the loch, mountain biking in Scotland

Where? Scotland is the northern-most nation in the United Kingdom, on the western edge of Europe, and east of the United States and Canada. The Highlands and Islands are the most northerly region of Scotland, and also the most diverse and beautiful

When? The best times to experience mountain biking in Scotland are between April and October. 2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland, a celebration of Scotland’s wild places

Why? Spectacular scenery, world-class mountain biking, delicious local food, whisky!, castles, history, friendly locals, remote wilderness, real adventure

Best for beginner mountain bikers? If you’re just getting into mountain biking our Tastes and Trails of Scotland tour, or our Cairngorms Adventure, could be just what you’re looking for

Best for intermediate mountain bikers? Our coast-to-coast Scotland tour is a real adventure and ideal for intermediate mountain bikers looking for a challenge and to improve their biking skills

Best for experienced mountain bikers? Our mountain bike tour in Torridon and Skye, on the west coast of Scotland, is our most technically advanced trip and perfect if you’re looking for the best mountain biking in Scotland. This tour is also a ‘must-do trip’ in National Geographic Adventures’ Ultimate Adventure Bucket List 2013!

Find out more about our mountain biking tours in Scotland and book your perfect 2013 adventure!

Reviews of our mountain bike tours in 2012

Posted on 5 December 2012 by Cat

As the end of the year fast approaches, we’ve been reflecting on the past 12 months and the incredible adventures we’ve had, and rather than give you our perspective on it, we thought we’d do a round-up of customer reviews of our mountain bike tours in 2012.

And just for fun, we’ve created this word cloud from comments made by our customers this year!

Coast-to-coast Scotland, September (Dave and Margaret, USA)
…epic, challenging, awesome. A few words to describe our recent holiday with H&I Adventures. This was our first experience with H&I Adventures and we’re already trying to figure out when we can holiday with them again. We were impressed with the resources available to allow individuals of varying abilities to maximize their experience over the course of the week. The skill level rating and description for this tour reflects the scope and scale of all that the Coast-to-Coast Scotland has to offer.

Ecuador, December (Holger, Germany)
Amazing trip and perfect trails in the very beautiful country Ecuador. Unbelievable how different the trails are: from jungle trails to sandy trails in the desert, up to Highlands and downhill on the slopes of Cotopaxi. Perfect bike trip with lots of culture and gorgeous landscape!

Nepal, November (Gavin and Elaine, Scotland)
If you love the idea of riding some awesome trails in the Himalayas then this is a must. If you also love the thought of mixing this with a cultural experience unlike any other then even better. Every day is special in its own different way making this without a doubt one of the best adventure experiences you’ll ever have.

Torridon & Skye Scotland, September (Luke, Canada)
Amazing trip from beginning to end!!! Trails were challenging and fun. The scenery is inspiring and absolutely beautiful. The guides were knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly and I’m a better rider today because of them. Even the food and accommodations were great! Best of all, I now have some new riding buddies to go on future trips with. H&I Adventures took care of everything perfectly!

Mexico, October (Cynthia, USA)
This adventure is a great cultural biking experience. Welcoming and friendly local guides, fantastic food, amazing biking, breathtaking views, and fun company made this trip truly memorable!

Cairngorms Scotland, June (Samantha, England)
A brilliant holiday! The trips out were amazing with beautiful scenery and challenging routes. Being in a small group was ideal as we all got a chance to get to know each other. Also meant that the holiday could be tweaked so it suited everyone. I would definately recommend this holiday… for the cycling, the beautiful Cairngorms and the holiday itself which felt personal and very relaxed.

Nepal, October (Brian, England)
Ride in the shadows of the Himilayas from rainforest to baron wastelands it feels like riding on mars. If you really want to see all that Nepal has to offer and I mean ALL book it! The most amazing trip you will ever do!

Coast-to-coast Scotland, September (Joni, USA)
Leg busting climbs and thrilling descents! I’d travel to the ends of the earth with H&I Adventures, dedicated as they are to providing adventure and comfort while safety and competence lead the way.

Torridon & Skye Scotland, June (Fernando, Spain)
An amazing bike trip. Best way to know awesome landscapes, trails and people. and all of it put together with a fantastic guide. The food and acommodation are really good. The Torridon area is unforgetable and what can I to say of Skye…. uffff. If you are thinking about this trip, no doubt any more, do it!

This is just a selection of the comments that we’ve received from the fantastic people we’ve had the privilege to mountain bike with this year, and if you’d like to experience one of our unforgettable adventures for yourself, join us for the ride in 2013! You can also follow us on Facebook to see more informal, ‘live-from-the-action’ photos and videos of our tours.

Call us! +44 (0)1463 239716
US / Canada (toll free) 1-888-228-50-35

Author Archives: Cat