WHO/ WHAT IS SWITCHBACKS?
Started in 2000 by Michael Saunders, Switchbacks is set up to cater for the novice to experienced mountain biker who doesn't want to waste time on geriatric trails or fire roads. Our holidays are for riders who want to push themselves to new limits on technically demanding, twisting singletrack. If you are just starting out or want to improve your skills we can provide excellent coaching which will get you riding trails that you never thought you'd dare try.

Mike raced professional downhill for 5 years riding most Norba, World and European courses.

LEGALITIES?
Switchbacks/SwitchbacksDH is a Spanish registered company constituted under Spanish law, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (Registro de Turismo Activo/Junta de Andalucia) and complies fully with all legal, financial and insurance requirements. Our official registration number is AT/GR/00087. Switchbacks is the only legal mountain bike holiday company in Andalucia, Spain.

WHAT IS THE RIDING LIKE?
Mountainous and technical characterised by fast burmed sections, rocky chutes, endless singletrack and small drops (we don't ride North Shore here). Your bike will have a good workout, as will your legs and lungs.

The best thing about the trails here is how you as a cyclist will improve. You may think that you have ridden great trails or had technically demanding rides but riding our trails day after day for a week will make you faster and much more technically capable, let alone making you want to come back for more! Discover what a typical week consists of...

WOMEN AND BEGINNERS AT SWITCHBACKS
We get regular enquiries from female riders and couples worried about the apparent ´extreme´ nature of our trails and that they might be ´too much´ for their skills. This is absolutely not the case and on the contrary with the appropriate coaching, a vast improvement in skills and confidence is what is found. ALL riders are pushed by some of the trails and/or corners here but the vast majority go away having overcome these and leave better mountain bikers. .

WHAT KIND OF BIKE WILL I NEED?
A full suspension bike of 4 to 6 inches of travel is ideal. However, guests come out on everything from flat-barred XC hardtails to 8 inch DH rigs. As the Silverfish European Test Centre, we a selection of Cove Stiffees, Cove Hustler, Rocky Mountain ETSx, Rocky Mountain Slayer/Slayer SXC bikes. The hardtail Stiffee has 4" up front while the Hustler and ETSX are all-mountain rigs with 5" front and rear. The RM Slayers are built for our trails with 6" front and rear.

The kind of trails that we ride and the transport we take to the top will depend on your bikes. For example, if you want to scare yourself and DH for a week then we will shuttle you to the top and collect you at the bottom, simple.

DO I HAVE TO BRING MY OWN BIKE?
Yes, as you will need to know and be familiar with the way your bike handles and reacts over a variety of terrain. A hire bike cannot replicate this, although we do have a broad range of Cove & Rocky Mountain bikes to try out.

There is often no carrier charge for bikes on flights within Europe and we will collect you from the airport which saves any perceived hassle of transporting it.

Switchbacks Spain is the Silverfish European Test Centre so you are more than welcome to try out a variety of Cove and Rocky Mountain bikes such as the Stiffee, Hustler and Handjob from Cove and the Rocky Mountain ETSX-70.

DO I HAVE TO BE FIT?
If you ride regularly, for example every other weekend then you will be fine. Technically capable riders will love riding our trails. If you are less experienced then we will customise the week for you accordingly.

We will ride easier trails that, as the week progresses, will increase in severity in relation to your skill. We can coach you on a few technical sections if you wish or session different trails day after day to master that particular kind of riding or fluidity. Although Switchbacks is aimed primarily at the more experienced rider, novices need not be frightened off. If you are willing to learn we will get you riding very difficult switchbacks, roll-ins and rocky sections which will improve your riding exponentially.

WHAT IS A SWITCHBACK?
A switchback is a sharp bend in the trail that cuts back on itself around a corner in a zig-zag fashion. They are difficult to master and many people have not had that much experience with them, however we can show you a few simple techniques that will get you riding just about all of them by the and or 3rd day - except maybe 'The Unrideable Corner'.

WHAT DOES MY MONEY PAY FOR?
Your money takes care of transfers to and from Malaga or Granada airports, transport throughout the week, accommodation, several days breakfast and lunch, expert guiding.

ISN'T JULY AND AUGUST TOO HOT FOR RIDING?
While this may be true down on the coast or inland, we make the most of this time to do higher altitude riding where there's always a breeze and the temperature never soars too high.

CAN MY NON-CYCLING FRIENDS OR FAMILY COME?
Yes. There are plenty of activities for the non-MTBer such as walking, horse riding, paragliding, lounging by the pool or skiing in winter. We can arrange a week's itinerary of activities for family or friends or they can pick and choose upon arrival.

WHAT KIND OF MEDICAL INSURANCE DO I NEED?
A European Health Card and medical insurance covering you for MTBing are both required. No insurance no riding!!

IS THERE A SUPPORT VEHICLE
Yes. If you don't fancy a particularly long or steep climb to start the day, we can shuttle you up.

DO I HAVE TO RIDE EVERYDAY?
No. The week is catered for you and we will ride however much or little as you like. To see what a typical week looks like click here.

WHEN ARE YOU OPEN?
We are open year-round.