The mountain bike holiday to remember
At CvA travel we take the view that you experience a country differently from the saddle. You do not simply travel from one place to another; along the way you are part of the landscape. You see it change slowly, smell the surroundings, feel the wind and sometimes the dust on your skin. Our mountain bike trips deliberately lead away from the crowds and along routes you would not easily reach by bus or train. Through nature reserves, over unpaved roads and past villages where daily life takes place right in front of you. Along the way there is time to get off the bike, meet people and experience what makes a country distinctive. The bike takes you to places that are otherwise hard to reach. From the green hills of Rwanda to the karst mountains of Vietnam: every trip has its own landscape, routes and encounters. You are active on the road, but it is precisely the pace of the bike that gives you room to take in everything around you. For us, that is what a mountain bike holiday is: not covering as many kilometres as possible, but travelling in a way that brings you closer to a country.
What is a mountain bike holiday?
A mountain bike holiday with CvA travel combines active travel with the time to get to know a country properly along the way. You ride on unpaved roads, singletrack and jeep tracks and are outdoors for a large part of the day. On the bike the landscape changes gradually and you reach places you would easily ride past from a bus or a car. But it is not only about the kilometres or the effort. It is along the way in particular that the moments arise which make a trip distinctive. Stopping for a while in a village, having lunch with a view over a crater lake, or resting along the route while the support vehicle stands ready with fresh water. One day asks more of you than the next. Sometimes it is climbing, taking in dust and steering your bike over an awkward section; at other moments you ride at an easy pace through the landscape and have all the time to look around you. That variation is part of travelling by mountain bike. You do not have to be a seasoned mountain biker for it. As a recreational rider with a good basic level of fitness you can also take part in several of our trips. The routes differ in distance, surface and difficulty, and support is available along the way where the trip provides for it. That way you can choose a mountain bike trip that matches your experience and your level.
What is the finest mountain bike route?
The question of which route is the finest is almost impossible for us to answer, because the beauty lies in the variety. For one person it is the “Pearl of Africa” route in western Uganda, where you ride past tumbling waterfalls and straight through Queen Elizabeth National Park, eye to eye with wildlife. For another the ultimate route is the cross-border ride from the mountains of northern Vietnam to the quiet banks of the Mekong in Laos. What our routes have in common is that they have been mapped out carefully to show you the “real” country. We avoid the busy main roads and deliberately choose the gravel tracks, the red sand roads and the small paths that wind through rice fields and past tea plantations. In the end the finest route is the one that challenges you, surprises you and that you look back on with satisfaction in the evening by the campfire or in a local lodge. At CvA travel we are happy to help you find that particular route.
A group trip by mountain bike
Our group trips are designed on the principle of setting off together and coming home together, but with plenty of room for individual freedom. You set out in small groups of like-minded adventurers (often at least four people), accompanied by an experienced guide and a driver. The great advantage of a group trip with CvA travel is the company and the shared experience, without giving up comfort. A support vehicle always travels with you, carrying your luggage and offering support along the way where it is needed. Are you having an off day, or is a particular climb just a little too demanding? Then you simply get into the vehicle and travel on in comfort to the next suitable point. That makes our group trips suitable for a range of levels. While the keenest riders can push on ahead, others can ride at their own pace. In the evening you share the stories of the day, while our mechanics make sure the bikes are in top condition again for the next stage.
An individual trip by mountain bike
For anyone who prefers complete freedom and wants to set their own pace, we offer fine individual mountain bike trips. You always travel with an experienced private guide who knows the route, shares his knowledge of the area along the way and puts you in touch with the local culture. We make sure your luggage is taken from one place to the next, so that you can enjoy the nature and everything you meet along the way without worries. This type of trip is ideal for couples, groups of friends or families with particular wishes, such as extra rest days or, conversely, longer daily distances. You ride at your own pace, stop whenever you want for a photograph or a chance encounter and set the rhythm of the day together with your guide. It is your own adventure, while behind the scenes we arrange all the practical and logistical matters down to the last detail.
Mountain biking in South Africa
On our twelve-day cycling trip through South Africa you experience three very different sides of the country. You start with a safari in the African bush, then ride in and around Cape Town and finish the trip with several cycling days on the gravel roads and mountain passes of the Klein Karoo. That way you alternate wildlife and coastal landscapes with the dry, wide-open interior.
Although many cycling days are on gravel roads, a mountain bike is an excellent choice. The wider tyres and suspension give extra comfort and control on loose stones, corrugations, potholes and rougher gravel. The slightly more upright riding position can also be comfortable on longer cycling days. If you usually ride a mountain bike at home and feel at ease on it, you do not need to switch to a gravel bike for this trip.
The route is not aimed at technical mountain bike trails. You mainly ride longer distances on varied but generally rideable roads. The longest cycling days in the Klein Karoo range from around 56 to 85 kilometres and involve the necessary climbing as well. If you would like extra support, an e-mountain bike can be a comfortable choice. A support vehicle also travels with you on every cycling stage, so that you can skip a section if you wish.
The trip goes ahead from four participants, with a maximum of eight. You can bring your own mountain bike or hire a mountain bike or e-mountain bike through us. Bike hire is not included in the trip price.
Have a look at the cycling trip through South Africa for the full daily programme, the departure dates and the bike hire options.
All cycling trips