Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling between two capital cities in one day: slightly blighted by the planned 70km day turning into a 100km hack on busy main roads due to having to backtrack to Vienna to avoid a flooded cycle track. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anna was lovely and very helpful to me when it came to odering the correct food for my dietary restrictions. Her inexperience organising a cycle trip did frustrate and annoy others. There was no safety briefing; we were often dangerously bunched up in groups on busy main roads. There were no plans or intention to supply water given we started the trip during a heatwave which is basic negligance - on our insistence the bus driver agreed to carry and sell bottled water to us. Twice I was concerned and upset to be left behind with no map and no directions - Anna couldn't be contacted to ask her to wait as her phone was switched off. She had no way of organising fast and slow cyclists. On other trips faster cyclists are usually sent ahead to wait at a designated point whilst the guide remains with the slower cyclist to ensure they know the route. Each day's cycling felt like a race to get to the night's destination - I did not dare to stop to take photos for fear of being lost a long way behind. We had to constantly remind her of the need to organise an occassional break - after all we were on holiday not a cycling boot camp. Anna appeared not to receive any back-up from the company she was sub-contracted from. She was clearly untrained and often got lost. She also should have been informed in advance of road closeures folllowing the Danube floods.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take ear plugs for the noisy hotels, bug repellant for the mosquitoes and keep your fingers crossed that your guide is better trained. Be vigilant of the busy roads in Hungary as they are very potholed and the motorists are intolerant and unforgiving to cyclists. The hotels were very clean, though at times very basic (my matress at the Grand Hotel Cerny Orel comprised of seats cushions squashed together - very uncomfortable). Food, beer and wine was very good and pleasingly inexpensive in the Czech Republic and generally a very good standard in all four countries.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the capital cities and their archetecture. The great local knowledge of the guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Matt was an inspuration to all of us, I would love to holiday again with him but I think he will go further in life than just guiding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check your abilities against the Exodous guidelines as both a too fast or too slow cyclist will not be popular. Thank goodness it was not me (Mr Average). Make sure you want to see all the super things you will see whilst you are off the bike too, not just the great scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

visiting Vienna- never visited before so was overwhelmed by the beauty of the buildings, and their numberthe beauty of the many towns in Czech republic, their history and architecture

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mat was well organised, and provided many opportunities to check we were all ok, and to gain feedback. He adhered to the trip plan which is what we had bought, and checked if unsure with his manager. This may have come across as an inflexible approach, but he could not please all people all the time. We felt some people on the trip had unrealistic expectations in this trip, wanting significant changes that would have meant a very different holiday, which may have suited them but not others! perhaps they should pay extra for a 1-1 trip with a guide! It would help if the itinery plan was emphasised in the trip notes as the holiday, rather than an idea with great flexibility. The only time more help from Mat would have been appreciated was at our final hotel in Budapest, which was the worst of all in terms of its location which was in a run down part of town with evidence of drug using and low lifes, and so difficult to get into the city. The concierge was not helpful so Mats advice would have been good at the time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

you need to be able to manage gears as well as distances on this trip. those who were not experienced slowed the pace of the group significantly at the beginning few days

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning how to 'ride' those dreaded 'rolling hills', enjoying the different scenery that each country had to offer and meeting up with other group members

Thoughts on Group Leader

A great leader with an excellent knowledge of the countries we visited, he was also a very nice person

Advice for Potential Travellers

Research your chosen trip carefully before you book and ask for advice re the classifications , I learnt that what I call significant hill climbing is to others' rolling hills'

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing into austria and cycling round Vienna all on the same day was great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very competent and managed some strong willed people in the group very well.