Internationale groepsreis Cycle North Macedonia & Northern Albania

Albania June 2016

Great trip - challenging but very rewarding.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Stunning scenery throughout- way beyond expectations.

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent- a relatively new trip but well organised and suitably flexible where necessary.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Albania is as safe as anywhere in Europe - don't be put off by any reports to the contrary.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you are thinking about it - do it. You will not regret going.

Northern albania and Macedonia cycling

Wow - certainly a challenge, but so worth the sweat of the uphill undulations! Stunning scenery, beautiful lakes and very comfortable accommodation all the way. Go do this trip - it will push you - but it is worth it.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting off the bike at the end of each day knowing I'd done my best and it had been good enough. I genuinely thought I'd be in the bus, but I made it. A great team from Exodus motivated us all the way and the company was such fun. Standing on the top of some of the hills and looking down at where we'd started from was a great feeling of achievement.

What did you think of your group leader?

Great giggle! He could out cycle everyone and make it look easy!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Get fit.................do lots of uphills in heat!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't expect the countries to be behind the rest of Europe - they most definitely are not. Be prepared for some children to be very capable of knowing rude words in English and also throwing sticks. The vast majority were lovely and friendly, but the odd ones were nasty - to women and men.

Northern Albania and Macedonia August 2016

After riding the southern Albania trip last year I had to go for this one. It was a fantastic trip over the mountains with beautiful views every day, the lakes, the mountains, the valleys. It was a bit tough going at times but it was worth the effort. The scenery was quite different to the southern trip. I'm glad I did both. Macedonia was different again. Lots of small farms with their goods on display by the roadside. Ohrid, UNESCO town was very picturesque overlooking lake Ohrid.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Climbing out of Ohrid to the plateau overlooking the Lake and seeing the tiny villages bellow. Also for me it was making it up the steep sections on days 2 & 3 without getting off.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader was very fit, he often had to drop back to help someone with a problem, then ride up to the front again.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Yes, you need to get fit riding up 10% hills (1 in 10) and be able to ride up long hills before you take the trip or you may not enjoy the tough sections so much. Some of the shorter gradients reached 14-16% (indicated on my Garmin). You do get some good down hill bits to recuperate, and there are stops for people to catch up. Age is not the problem it's the fitness that counts. Ride at a speed your comfortable with, don't try to keep up.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our trip was in late August and the weather was great, sun every day with morning rides starting at around 19deg to 30 at the end of the days ride.