Editor’s Note: “Over a Beer” is a regular column written by Greg Heil. While Greg is the Editor in Chief for Singletracks.com, any opinions expressed in this column are his alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Singletracks.com.
When I lived in the Midwest and in the Southeast, my mountain bike travels had one main goal: to ride more impressive trails than I could find at home. Whether those trails had longer descents, better views, or more technical features, the goal was always to find higher quality trails than I could access on a daily basis—even if it was just a quick trip from Georgia to North Carolina.
But now, I live in the High Rockies of Colorado, with one of the most acclaimed trails in the nation—if not the world—located virtually in my backyard. Yet I still love to travel.
Calling some of the best trails in the nation my stomping grounds has changed the primary objective of my travels. Now, I’m not necessarily interested in finding trails that are better, but instead I try to search out trails and places that are different.
I recently completed a 5-day mountain biking trip in the Pyrenees mountain range, which forms the border between Spain and France (with Andorra sandwiched in the middle). While we were riding in a mountainous, alpine environment—similar to that found in Colorado—the trails were still remarkably different. They were steeper for longer amounts of time, less manicured (despite how wild some of our trails in Colorado are), and the mountains, while lower elevation, were steeper and just as formidable. Stay tuned for a full analysis in a future feature story!
Not only were the trails different, but the entire culture and experience was absolutely unique and totally foreign. Being immersed in a sea of Spanish and Catalan with nary an English word to be seen anywhere, popping out of the singletrack into a thousand-year-old village for a quick beer or Clara before continuing our ride, and staying in a stone-walled bed and breakfast that looks more like a medieval castle than a hotel—these are experiences you simply can’t get anywhere but the Spanish Pyrenees.
At the end of the day, were the trails I rode objectively “better” than the ones I ride every day in Colorado? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is certain: the trails, the towns, and the culture are completely and radically different.
And variety, as they say, is the spice of life.
5 Comments
Sep 7, 2016
I am one of those lucky enough to travel with my bike to a lot of renowned riding locales. Even some of the not well-known locales (i.e. Manitoba, Canada) have surprised me. Every trail and area is a little different.
I know everyone can't do it but if you can consider it. Travelling with a bike, even for a short business trips, is worth it and not complicated. Get a decent bag and a small tool kit. Takes 10 mins to put together and take apart once you get hang of it. Then take find a local trail (on Singletracks.com of course), and you go for a ~1hr loop, grab a bite/beer on the way back to the hotel. Better than hitting the hotel fitness centre!
If you cant take your bike, consider a local rental, or reaching out to someone on a forum. On that note, happy to show any visitors around the varied riding up here in Toronto.
happy riding!
Sep 7, 2016
Can you guys share your experiences on that? Do you always pay? Is there a better bike bag to avoid extra bike charges?
Sep 8, 2016
Sep 9, 2016
Thanks, Greg, for a look at that little slice of Spain. That little courtyard seems like a place I'd love to sit day after day for the rest of my life, basking in the post-ride joy while sipping a tasty beverage and enjoying the world around me.
Sep 8, 2016
I am spoiled because as a frequent flyer so I get to take it for free on Air Canada but agree airlines can vary wildly. In fact I get 3 for free, which I often take advantage of if a group of us goes somewhere.
AC is $50 each way if you pay but some of the big US airlines are insane. I recall Delta or AA being like $200! UA was $100 the last time I paid and that was on a business ticket... I recall Jet Blue being cheap and even free when the Tour de France is on.
Mongwolf: haven't tried Korean but that's good to know they have great service, will keep that in mind.
Bags
I originally built my own bike bag out of Cordura, some custom cut foam, and a large durable cardboard box. This was to hold an XXL FS bike that regular bags didn't fit. Now, I use that for a 2nd bike and use a Pro (i.e. Shimano) bag primarily. Both are just fine and no damage yet (fingers crossed).
Also rented a Trico case years ago, was way too small for an XL hardtail, had to pull the fork. Other than that great. You could look into local rentals, I recall it being about $40/wk, $100/month.
One thing to note, in my experience anyways, they almost never weigh bike bags, so if you can cram extra stuff in to save you from a regular checked suitcase it can save you.
Lastly, there are services (or you can do it yourself) to ship bikes around. Pack it up small and light, send it by courier (FedEx or whoever) and make it hold for pickup.
cheers,