Cyprus - any advice

KT1973

We're thinking of going to Cyprus next year for a family holiday, probably to stay around the Protaras area as we have friends there. I'd like to go mountain biking as I hear it's fantastic in the Troodos mountains, but i wondered if anyone has been and if it's advisable to get a good tour company. I'll probably only go for 1 day out since I'll only be there a week so there is little point in taking my bike over, probably just take my kit, camelback etc and maybe pedals if needed.
Anyway, I found 2 places advertising on the net, 1 of then using Marin Alpine Trail bikes which should be Ok. They are called www.mountainbikecyprus.com - does anyone have any experience of this or any advice?

scale20

I was out in Cyprus as an mtb instructor/guide over the summer of 2007. there is a thread on here that was written recently with some good pointers from someone who hired bikes out there. We had our own bikes so didnt hire.

If you are thinking of doing it, the troodos mountains are cracking on the bike, the place is criss crossed with singletrack and if your only there for a week the best way to go is to have a guided ride. In 6 months we hardly scraped the surface of what trails were available!

When are you thinking of going? during the summer months troodos is a lot cooler than down on the coast.

clwydian_rider92

Troodos will be an 'all dayer' definetly from Protaras. I think it'd be atleast a 2hr drive from Protaras.

scale20

Yeah it will be about a 2 hour drive to troodos, that will be a long day. Worth it for the riding up there though.

pigeon42

Me & Daniel B went to Cyprus end of Sept/beginning of Oct this year and had a brilliant time on the bikes with mountainbikecyprus.com - definitely recommend them very highly! We hired road bikes for the whole 10 days, and also did 3 days of guided mountain biking (1 easy run along the coast near Paphos, 1 quite technical day up in the Troodos mountains, and then a longer less technical ride on the Akamas peninsula).

Al & Kirsty (aka Mountainbikecyprus.com) were so friendly, knowledgeable & helpful (and patient!) They really looked after us, the bikes & equipment provided were top notch, and we really felt we got some great riding in - both on road exploring for ourselves, and off road with their advice & guidance.

If you want any more info at all, feel free to PM me!