Mountain High - Cycling Holidays

28/01/2021

With heavy hearts we have taken the decision that we will not offer any EU-based holidays, tours or training camps in 2021. The Covid-related uncertainties around travel compounded by the huge increases in 'red tape' emerging as a result of Brexit, mean that we cannot see a viable way to run an appealing programme of trips this summer.
We will re-group, weigh up our options and make a decision later in the year as to what the 2022 season & beyond might hold.
In the meantime, thank you for all of the support, friendship and inspiration you've given us since that day, way back in 2007, when we embarked on the adventures which became PyrActif & Mountain High.
Happy Pedaling to you all!
Chris & Helen

16/09/2020

As the Tour climbs the Col de Madeleine, I am reminded of the scariest descent of our last 12 years, coming down that same side in 2014 with our all-female Geneva-to-Nice group. About 2°c at the top. Full-on thunderstorm on the way down. Six of us huddled together for warmth in a tiny bus shelter half way down (everyone with more sense had abandoned & got into the van), before an old lady beckoned us into her hallway/porch for 15 mins while things calmed a bit. Properly, spiritually grateful to get the whole group down unscathed. Character building!

05/09/2020

However the race is ridden today, it will "be emotional" for Helen and I as the pros wend their way through our old 'back yard'. So many happy memories; so many friendships forged; so many ambitions realised.
I give you - in no particular order of importance:
- Menté being the very first Cat 1-or-above col that we ever rode, back in 2007 when doing our 'training/induction' visit with previous owners, Steve & Brenda. Felt a bit sick.
- Port de Balès: our first HC. But also, the first 'proper' climb for so many of our visitors joining us on the early editions of Epic Cols in '08 & '09. Chaingate with Schleck & Contador in 2010.
- Peyresourde: where Wiggins proved that Nibali couldn't drop him uphill in 2012, where Froome 'invented' torpedo-descending attacks & where one of the loveliest men in the whole of France still rustles up some of the most gratifying crèpes you'll ever eat.t
- Cyclist magazine 'Big Ride' feature in 2014. Helen's '15 minutes of fame' (and about 15 pages, too). Thank you, Trevor Ward for the wonderful words & to colleague, Paul, for the stunning photography.
- Helen & Christina Maddox dominating the Barousse-Balès cyclosportive in 2015 and taking home France's most impressive baked trophy!
- Feeling all smug in June 2016 about how the (then brand new) Storck seemed to descend a bit quicker than my trusty Cervélo (clever aero tubing), then stacking it about 3 minutes later on the hairpins where the Balès & Peyresourde intersect. Rank amateur!
- Feeling a bit better about myself when Chris Froome (led by Mikel Nieve & followed by Fabio Aru) disappeared off the road & amongst the campervans on exactly the same hairpin at the 2017 Tour!
Thank you to all of you who've contributed to those memories.
Enjoy today - it'll be a cracker, whatever the racing.

22/04/2020

When travel, holidays & cycling return to the agenda in happier times, please remember the small firms like us who've proactively refunded well in advance of booked dates, without quibble or excuses. Funny how it is the ABTA/ATOL members with their supposed guarantees & insurances who are the ones delaying or refusing to refund.

Our cashflow & income for 2020 is crucified in just the same way as 'the big boys'. We're hurting, for sure. But we've chosen to run the business without over-gearing or an unsustainable debt burden and we protect customers' pre-payments in a ring-fenced account. It ain't rocket science & it doesn't need the UK tax payer to help us pay people back.

Stay safe, All & happy pedaling.

Which? has found the 20 biggest airlines and holiday companies in the UK are breaking the law by refusing to refund customers or issuing credit notes instead

19/03/2020

If you are booked on a 2020 tour or holiday with us that is scheduled to run AFTER the 1st August, then we will be in touch with you at least three months before your trip start date to let you know whether & how your trip is proceeding. We remain hopeful that events running in late-August or September may still go ahead.
All riders who are booked onto trips planned for March through to July have already been contacted by personalised e-mail.
Keep healthy, Folks and happy pedaling if you're able to manage some rides.
All the best, Chris & Helen.

24/10/2019

Spain friends - anyone free Saturday morning g from 9am for a couple of hours? The lovely folks at Pego doggie rescue centre APROP need dog walkers. Shout if you can help and I will forward your details. Fresh air and helping out a good cause for a couple of hours. Thank you x

29/09/2019

Great to see the Mountain High jersey manufacturer AGAIN providing the kit for a UCI Road Race World Champion. Well ridden, Mads Pedersen. Well kitted out, Parentini. (Stocks still available if anyone wants to wear a World Champion standard jersey with a classy colour scheme). ;-)

18/07/2019

As the Tour enters the Pyrenees today, here's a little montage of some of our favourite snaps from 'the good old days' when these climbs were 'our back garden'. Saving our Grand Tour excursions for La Vuelta this year, but the Pyrenean stages of Le Tour will always be close to our hearts.

18/07/2019

As the Tour enters the Pyrenees, here's a mini-montage of some of our favourite moments on Pyrenean stages during our years living in the region.

19/06/2019

Another successful Raid Pyrenean in the bag. One day of ‘bit grim’ and three days of sunshine. Some wonderful riding and some surprise, pleasant improvements to our hotels since last year. Three days (Pyrenean) holiday for us now then the full Atlantic-Mediterranean traverse twice more. Love these mountains.

11/03/2019

Great couple of days with our 1st guests of this season in the Costa Blanca, in Spain.
Saturday: local warm up ride to test bikes are built correctly.
Sunday: in to the mountains.
Monday: to the coast.
3 fab rides so far on great road surfaces in the sunshine. Happy days :-)