Tim Silverline
I booked HC Bike Tours for a trip in Mallorca. I had one day where the picked me up from my hotel and drove me to the start of a coast to coast ride as well as picked me up. It was the most beautiful ride I ever had in my entire life. The following day I did a ride with my brother who they also provided a bike for at the last minute and we had a great ride as well. The prices are a little bit higher than some other places in Mallorca, but the bike provided was amazing, the service was great, and they really made this part of my vacation a great success. I would definitely use them again.
Thank you, Tim!
Review on Google ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chris Brown
What an amazing experience!!!! Artis the guide, the bike, the food, the support, the advice and the ride itself everything was exceptional 👌 👏. Would highly recommend and would love to go back especially for some “winter sun” to break the back of a gloomy wet winter 😀. The benefits of having the van behind you really take the stress away as well, allowing you to just enjoy the island. Thank you Artis at HC Bike Tours!!!
Thank you, Chris
Eddy Hilbert
Perfect service and material, thanks to Artis. Our bikes were delivered at our residence and came exactly according to our specifications and measurements. Which was perfect, it felt like stepping on our ‘own’ bikes. Our rental Sarto’s came with 12 speed eTap and felt very fresh, light, nimble and very confidence inspiring on fast downhill rollers. Which Mallorca has plenty of! I highly recommend HC bike tours and will rent here again the next time I am back on the island. Hope to see the new coffee shop then as well 😉
Thank you Eddy!
Duncan Reid
Highly recommended! HC bike tours provided bikes and support for our mixed ability group ride in Mallorca. Artis our guide made the day, providing support all the way and keeping everyone going and motivated. Having cycled unsupported in Mallorca many times I didn’t think the cycling could be better – HC bike tours took this to another level! Bikes were high standard and Artis had everything we could have wished for. Don’t look any further HC have you covered!
Thank you Duncan!
Ryan Carroll
Thoroughly enjoyed 3 awesome rides in the mountains with HC Bike Tours. Aigars was a fantastic guide, the rides were well planned with a focus on combining challenging rides with the best scenery and above all with safety in mind. Highly recommend.
Thank you Ryan!
Mark Castrovinci
Thank you Aigars and the whole HC Bike Tours crew! You guys are SO AWESOME! I would Recommend the HC Bike tours to any of my cycling friends. We will certainly use Aigars and his crew for our next trip to Mallorca and other cycling trips around Europe.
Our guide Israel was THE BEST EVER!!! Honestly, he made our trip more enjoyable than we could have imagined. He greeted us every morning before the start of our ride with so much infectious enthusiasm. After a few days of tough rides, our legs were SMOKED but Israel always lifted out spirits to get us stoked for more Mallorca climbs. He was always waiting for us at the top of every climb with nutrition, local pastries, and big smile and hug (even though we were covered in sweat).
If you use HC Bike Tours in Mallorca, I suggest you request him specifically. You will not regret it.
Thank you Mark!
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Mariana Echeverría
I cannot speak highly enough of our experience with HC Bike Tours in Mallorca. They truly went above and beyond to make our trip exceptional. From delivering the bikes to our Airbnb and ensuring they were set up perfectly, to providing us with a selection of amazing bike routes through Strava that had detailed descriptions – they made our cycling adventure seamless and enjoyable.
Artis, in particular, was a true gem. Not only did he provide us with fantastic routes, but he was readily available to answer any questions and offer assistance throughout our stay. It’s clear that HC Bike Tours is committed to providing a personalized and unforgettable experience for its customers.
If you’re planning a visit to Mallorca and want to make the most of your time, I highly recommend them. They made our trip extraordinary, and I have no doubt they’ll do the same for you. Five stars all the way!
Thank you Mariana!
Karuna Karan
Artis is an amazing guide and then some! I thoroughly enjoyed my ride, our chat and the support given through out. I would definately recommend HC Bike Tours to anyone who’s keen to explore the island. To top it off, the ride is photographed beautifully and skillfully by the guides.
Thank you Karuna!
David Rees
Can’t recommend these guys enough. Artis from HC Bike tours provided us with bike transfers and a supported ride from Andratx to Pollenca. Was an epic ride in the mountains. Amazing service and made the day.
Daniel Dangoor
I just wanted to say what a fantastic week we had last week and how pleased we were with the support we received from Artis. He was a pleasure to work with and without doubt, made our trip extra special. I very much look forward to working with you guys on something else in the future.
Best regards, Daniel
Mayo Schmidt
We enjoyed the thrills of riding up over the hills of Tuscany based out of Siena. Every day a great challenge, filled with amazing vistas, legendary communities, each with charm, beauty and a warm welcome to cycling visitors. Our host and guide Aigars and photographer and driver Davis could not have done more to fulfill our dreams of a specular holiday on wheels. Aigars was the super host from our quaint hotel, morning briefs on every aspect of our rides, all while providing route alternatives to accommodate our ambitions and energy daily. Aigars proved to be agile and flexible, providing support at every road turn through the countryside for our riding group. He put us on top quality, high performance Sarto handsome handmade carbon bikes which were specular handling like a dream making climbers of us all. I am excited to consider my next European cycling holiday with Aigars and will certainly book early before the cycling world finds out about this great guide service
Thank you, Mayo!
Jenna Duffecy
In July 2019, we did a 5 day ride from Amsterdam to Ghent with HC Bike Tours. Aigars took great care of us. The routes were meticulously planned and the lodging was fantastic. Most of our group was not “hard core bikers” by any means but Aigars figured out what we needed and made sure we had it. This amazing trip was everything we could have hoped for!
Thank you, Jenna!
Janine Rood
We just finished our first European bike tour with HC Bike Tours and I can’t overstate how incredible the experience was. Aigars designed a route full of riding that was beyond our imagination, booked hotels that bathed us in luxury and planned meals that introduced us to local cuisine and fueled us for the challenging rides. He and his crew had a plan and a contingency for any scenario that could arise (weather, the wide range of fitness levels of our group, various riding goals and more). His excellent Sarto rental bikes helped us fly up many of the Vuelta climbs (in 7 days of riding we averaged 49 miles and 6300 ft of climbing!!) we were excited to tackle. They provided a level of service that wildly exceeded our expectations, meeting our needs almost before we could ask! It is clear they love sharing the best that Europe has to offer – not just cycling, but accommodations, cuisine and local history as well. We created many ‘lifetime’ memories on this trip and we are already planning our next HC Bike Tours event for next summer. My only regret is not doing an HC Tour sooner!
Thank you, Janine!
Caryn Augst
We just finished an 8 day custom trip with HC Bike Tours. It was a lot of challenging cycling with excellent, attentive guides. Aigars runs a tight ship. He and all his staff are knowledgeable, friendly and excellent cyclists as well. Aigars designed our tour of the Cantabrian and Asturias mountains in Spain to maximize smooth roads and excellent, scenic biking with lots of climbing, minimal car traffic and yet be budget friendly. He succeeded on all levels. Our group is already working with Aigars to plan another trip next year. The Sarto rental bikes are excellent as well. I highly recommend HC Bike Tours!
Thank you, Caryn!
Steffen Dahlitz
I had a great weekend in Como riding the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia. Everything was well organized thanks to Aigars and his staff. I can only recommend HC Bike Tours! Perfect weekend, thanks guys!
Thank you, Steffen!
Gary Lawlor
We had a great 4 days with Aigars, very knowledgeable and picked some fantastic routes for our group, we are looking to book HC bike Tours again next year, we would highly recommend
Thank you, Gary!
Group of great friends from Belgium
We did a private bike trip with HC Bike Tours to Asturias and Cantabria, Spain. The Sarto rental bikes were great, the route and guiding was great and the service was TOP! Thank you very much Aigars and Davis. We look forward to the next trip with you!
Thank you guys!
Maarten Rooijakkers
Very nice and professional people! Fantastic 5 days trip in Asturias and Cantabria, Spain! Everything was very well organized, the Sarto rental bikes were great! Wonderful experience! Congrats 👍👍
Thank you, Maarten!
Stephen Foulkes
All good, the Sarto bike was fantastic. Returned in the condition I received it – I obviously looked after it like it was my own! It is one of those bikes that feels ‘right’ as soon as you start riding … if you know what I mean? Very comfortable with great handling. The bike was set up perfectly for me and HC guys were always full of encouragement and advice about what to do, where to go, what time to go etc etc. And they speak perfect English which is fantastic for English-speakers hiring your bikes etc etc. I had a wonderful two days riding a fantastic bike that I could never afford to buy myself. Thank you very much Aigars for all your help and advice: you have been great and great thanks to Alex and all his staff for all the did to make me feel welcome and for their help and professionalism. I would very much recommend your bike hire company and facility and Sartoria Ciclistica cafe.
Thank you, Stephen!
Youssef Ismail
Fantastic and suitable for all experience levels, tailored to your needs!
Thanks Youssef!
Natalie
Absolutely stress free every step of the way! Great communication via email/phone to organize drop off and routing options. Fab bikes which received numerous compliments along the way. Bikes were dropped off at our B&B and picked back up again at a time convenient to us. Great info about cafes & restaurants along the way (definitely follow these!) The bikes were fitted to suit us and we felt we had all the kit necessary supplied! Will be using these again for sure!!
Thank you, Natalie!
Nigel Gray
We have had the pleasure of working with Aigars and Davis for the last 2 years for our camps in Sicily and Calpe and they have done a fantastic job and we are looking forward to working with them again in the future.
Thank you, Nigel!
Craig Granger
Northern Spain was much more than what I expected it would be like, the team from HC Bike Tours were very welcoming and very helpful with the supply of the Sarto bikes and setting them up for our tour. The first thing I noticed was how relaxed and flexible the HC team were and always put our interest and requirement first, always consulting with us on stops, meal breaks, climbs and distances to be traveled it was all very personal tailoring for our group. The riding was fantastic with a good mix of all facets of riding with our to marque climbs of the The Lagos de Covadonga and Alto de l’Angliru offering the chance to experience them and there steepness with the beautiful surrounds making it such a rewarding time spent in Spain.
Thank you, Craig!
Terry Korn
Thank you (and Janis) for the well organized and challenging bike tour we did with you from 13-21 September, 2017. I have gained some credit points with my cycling friends in Canberra by cycling up 99.2% of L’Angliru. I walked the top 100m of the 23% section which disappointed me but I console myself by the fact that I am 71 years old and not 24 years old any more. Carol also wishes to pass her thanks to Janis for his patience and consideration. I am not on Facebook so cannot post a report but if I was on Facebook I would give you a very high score as the organisation was very good, accommodation excellent and the cycle routes an interesting and challenging variety. I liked the figs in particular. My best wishes Terry
Thank you, Terry!
Mark Davis
Great Tuscany tour with HC, Aigars and Davis. Everything was first class and , of course, completely customized for our group which wasn’t always easy between 2 regular bikes and 2 e bike riders. Great company, great tour. This is the second time I’ve used HC and am never disappointed ( Aigars even delivered perfect weather). One final note. Came close to bringing my bike as usual but last minute decided to rent. The Sarto bikes supplied were first class. Light , responsive, good components and wheels. No doubt I’ll rent a Sarto next time. Until next time, Ciao
Thank you, Mark!
Susan Housley Davis
Thank you Aigars and Davis for a fantastic 5 days in Tuscany. We really enjoyed the trip you customized for us. Every ride was spectacular and showed us different parts of the region. The ebike you found for me worked well and allowed me to keep pace with the boys on their fabulous Sarto bikes. Looking forward to a Sarto ebike on our next trip with you. I will recommend you to all our friends!
Thank you, Susan!
Kerrie Cooper
This was our first trip to Spain & our first tour with HC Bike Tours. Hopefully it won’t be our last. We could not have chosen a better tour company to introduce us to this wonderful part of the world. Customizing the original 7 day tour & accommodating two non-riders was not a problem. We did not want for anything, accommodation was excellent, the route was interesting, scenery unbelievable & the professionalism of Aigars & Janis in delivering this trip was second to none. The Sarto bike, to my surprise, was exactly as Aigars described – a Ferrari of the bike world. I found it to be very comfortable, light & responsive. I would highly recommend HC Bike Tours to anyone looking to do a trip in Europe – we had a fabulous time – thanks to you both.
Thank you, Kerrie!
Terry & Carol Korn
I must apologise for not contacting you sooner to thank you (and Janis) for the well organized and challenging bike tour we did with you from 13-21 September. I have gained some credit points with my cycling friends in Canberra by cycling up 99.2% of L’Angliru. I walked the top 100m of the 23% section which disappointed me but I console myself by the fact that I am 71 years old and not 24 years old any more.
Carol also wishes to pass her thanks to Janis for his patience and consideration.
I am not on Facebook so cannot post a report but if I was on Facebook I would give you a very high score as the organization was very good, accommodation excellent and the cycle routes an interesting and challenging variety. I liked the figs in particular.
Thank you, Terry & Carol
David Ossip
I have have had four wonderful tours (3 privates and 1 custom) with HC Bike Tours. Each trip has been excellent. Aigars and team have consistently exceeded my expectations. Two weeks ago, I had a few days between meetings in Milan and London. So, I emailed Aigars. He responded within a few hours with a detailed agenda, Strava links, bike rental, hotel and hotel recommendations. I confirmed the next day and had two great days of riding including a Grand Fondo around Lake Como. Aigars met me on the first day at the hotel, provided a great bike that was comfortable and had gearing appropriate for mountains, he fully supported me and took pictures on the rides, arranged a shower and lunch after the Grand Fondo, and dropped me off at the airport (with ample time to make my flight.) I do not know of another tour group where it is so easy to arrange customer/unique tours anywhere in Europe. Coincidentally, I had coffee with a friend this morning and described my recent ride. He responded that he had also had a great experience with HC earlier this year. I highly recommend them and will definitely use them again.
Thank you, David!
Boris Ginzburg
It was my second tour with HC Bike Tours, last year I did the Pyrenees! What a great experience and fun to ride with Airgas and Janis! They take care of you and organize everything like A+, all you need to do is to eat, sleep and ride! If you want to feel like a pro with team morning meetings, team rides, team dinners just sign up and enjoy it! Thank you guys for my best cycling vacations ever! I will try to do the Vuelta next year and then I can retire 😊
Thank you, Boris!
Michael Lysyk
I have heard from many people that have taken biking tours and they have always expressed disappointment that a ride was cut short or a climb they wanted to do was not included. This will never happen with HC Bike tours as they are well organized and have researched all the area climbs and will insure that you get your money’s worth! I have booked with them before and would never entrust my hard earned money to anyone else. Thank Aigars and Janis!
Thank you, Michael!
Sally Moston
Great week spent with 15 friends travelling from Nice to Girona. Fantastic support, organisation and accommodation along the way. Aigars and Davis were the perfect hosts – we will definitely be booking them again next year!!
Thank you, Sally!
Mike Noble
Thanks to Aigars & Davis for a trip of a lifetime. Unforgettable scenery and perfect route choices. Aigars & Davis were so attentive to our needs. We had ‘mechanicals’ but we were quickly aided in the repairs and Aigars even came up with 2 spare wheels for 2 different bikes. I would definitely go on tour again with HC Bike Tours. Thanks guys. Mike.
Thank you, Mike!
Don Bennett
Aigars and Davis could not have been better hosts – great leadership, encouragement and support throughout our ride from Nice, France to Roses in Spain. A week I’ll never forget – for all the right reasons!
Thank you, Don!
Beverly Denby
We had a fantastic week. Loved the cycling even though we didn’t do quite as much as the others. Fabulous routes through some lovely places and the gorge was amazing. You and Davis were fabulous. I have spent a week cycling and laughing. What more could anyone want… Thanks again to you both!
Thank you, Beverly!
Tom & Deborah Garcia
We both thank you for a wonderful week in Italy. You put together a first class cycling vacation. You, Janis, Arvis, and Davis are exceptional people, a pleasure to know and to have as friends. I learned a lot from you and Janis which has inspired me to work harder and continue to improve as a cyclist. I look forward to the possibility of a future HC bike tour.
Thank you, Tom & Deborah!
Alec Castellanos
Our trip to the Italian Alps with HC Bike Tours was excellent, and surpassed all of my expectations. Aigars came up with six days of incredible riding, incorporated any requests our group had, and did a great job of making sure that there were plenty of options for those who wanted shorter or longer ride options. Arvis, Janis and Davis, provided great road side support, fitness advice and took professional quality photos along the way. It was great getting to know the entire HC team and learn from their extensive experience cycling in Europe, both as tour guides, and in the racing scene. I would recommend HC Bike Tours to anyone looking for a challenging and well supported bike tour, and am already looking forward to my next trip with them.
Thank you, Alec!
Frederick J Ruegsegger
After going on a 2015 HC Bike Tours ride in the Pyrenees, we came back to Europe again this year for a custom tour in the Italian Alps. I can’t say enough good things about the HC team – they not only take care of all logistics, coaching and guiding, but they are great people and we enjoyed our time with them quite a bit. Our rides were memorable and now it’s time to think about working with the HC team on a 2017 adventure!
Thank you, Frederick!
Tim Garcia
Thank you for the great tour. I’ve been telling family, friends and coworkers about our experience on the Italian alps & lakes tour. I tell them about our 6 days full of exciting and challenging bicycle moments. I tell them about the great people who led the tour, taking on multiple roles: Aigars, Janis, Arvis, and Davis were drivers, photographers, selfie-takers, picnic chefs, fig harvesters, cheese connoisseurs, cycling veterans and professionals. There were rocky moments, like the unpaved, um…rocky uphill climb to start off the first day. But everything challenging became part of a great success story for our group. I would not have changed anything.
Tammy & Ben
Just wanted to thank you for organising our trip. We had a wonderful time. Thank you for recommending Annecy as a place to stay. It was absolutely beautiful and we really enjoyed our time there. Ben enjoyed the rides very much. Toms was a fantastic host. Friendly, reliable, punctual and helpful. He also took some great photos and emailed them to me. He was at the airport waiting for us to arrive and got us back to the airport in time. We also met his lovely girlfriend Elli. Please thank both of them for us. If you or Toms or Elli are ever in Melbourne please do not hesitate in contacting us. Thank you again.
Thank you, Tammy & Ben!
2016 was the second trip I have taken with these guys and it surpassed my previous experience. With Aigars planning and coach Janis technical support, HC Bike Tours will ensure that you do all major Tour de France climbs. There is no other viewing like it based on the shear area you will cover. In my two trips, I have totaled 80k ft. of climbing in both the Alps and the Pyrenees and look forward to more in the future. If you want to get some biking in, as well as watch the tour, this is the company to book it with!
Sam Llewellyn
Thank you HC Bike Tours and Aigars Paegle for an exceptionally well organised training camp catered to our goals whilst touring the beautiful island of Gran Canaria. Thoroughly recommended for any cycling enthusiast and i will be back!
Thank you, Sam!
Bronwen Lacey
I had a blast at the Gran Canaria training camp. Challenging but doable. Gran Canaria was beautiful and the roads were great. Your pre-ride descriptions were very accurate and although the weather did not always cooperate you were able to plan a good ride. Thanks for being a great guide and providing support during the rides.
Thank you, Bronwen!
Matthew Bland
I joined the HC Bike Tours Spring Training Camp in Gran Canaria in 2016. 2 great weeks – lots of challenging (and picturesque) riding made great fun by Aigars and his team. A lot of thought had gone into the schedule and routes and the team were very flexible and adaptable to cater for differing ability levels, fatigue levels and, for the first week, unusually unpredictable weather. Lots of great training tips were offered, the on road support was second to none and the camaraderie and vibe made the whole trip a pleasure.
Thank you, Matthew!
My son and I recently completed the 2015 Pyrenees Tour de France tour – 6 great days and a real challenge. It was made exceptional by the HC Bike Tours team (Aigars and Janis). Everything was well planned and executed – accommodations, rides, support – all of it. By the end of the tour I felt we had made new friends and plan not only to stay in touch but look forward to another tour in the future. I cannot recommend HC Bike Tours enough – small tours with a personal touch and great people. Hey, they put up with an old guy trying to keep up finish the climbs each day. Great job guys!
Thank you Fred!
2015 will forever live in my memories as the vacation that allowed me to learn what it means to “climb” as well as view the races of the Tour de France. An avid “crit” racer who lives in Florida, my previous climbing experiences have been little or non-existent when compared to the 39,000 ft. I tackled on this journey. With the aid of them leader Aigars Paegle and coach Janis Musins, I received the personal attention necessary to allow me to achieve my goal of climbing the mountains of the Tour de France. HC Bike Tours specializes in catering to small groups that are hard core cyclists so you will never find a excursion like this, that will be allow you to fulfill your cycling needs and special viewing set-up complete with satellite dish and gas grill. Thank you Aigars and Janis for fulfilling the dream of a lifetime!
Thank you Mike!
Lasma Ozola
I joined HC Bike Tours as a guest on Tour de France 2014 Alps tour. I had the great opportunity to climb the most beautiful climbs in Alps that were included in Tour de France stages. It was a bit hard core, as it should be. Days when we watched the Tour de France live were really exciting – seeing how pro cyclists are climbing the same climbs where we had been just few days ago was amazing! HC bike tours truly provided perfect service and organisation for our well being. It was a great week in Alps! Thank you!
Thank you Lasma!
Nick Leggett
I road with Aigars, a co-founder of HC Bike Tours, for five amazing days in the Alps during the 100 year anniversary of the Tour de France. I will never forget that trip, and highly recommend cycling with him. Aigars helped create the most epic moments, like descending a pass in the pouring rain or sprinting for French city signs. Yet he also took great care of me. He navigated crazy country roads, lead me to amazing food and shelter, and simply matched my pace on a tough climb. I’m already looking forward to my next trip!
Thank you Nick!
Colin Ruegsegger
To any/all folks poking around the internet, trying to track down a reputable, small-group cycling tour with great challenges and greater guides, I could not recommend HC Bike Tours enough. My father and I just wrapped up a week-long battle through some fantastic Pyrenees climbing, and walked away feeling like the experience was essentially unmatched. The rides are very well guided, flexible for varying levels of experience and fantastically well-supported. Despite near-100f temperatures all week, the HC Tours van kept us very well fed and hydrated throughout all of our rides, allowing us to focus on completing some historical climbs and enjoying the atmosphere surrounding Le Tour. Honestly, could not say enough things about the company. Thanks for a great week, guys!
Thank you Colin!
Sandris Pavlovs
Nearly two months after our Cantabria & Asturias Tour all the physical tiredness is gone and only good and positive memories cross my mind when I remember this trip. The route was very interesting and HC Bike Tours was very flexible to adjust it in order to match different fitness levels in our group. Half of our group had only some MTB experience and it was the first time on decent road bike for us. In the very beginning to climb Lagos de Covadonga seemed mission impossible, but we did it only 4 days later 🙂 It was a great achievement for men who are not very regular cyclists and quite often prefer pub to the bike 🙂 . All this was possible because we could concentrate only on cycling and HC Bike Tour did the rest, spoiling us with excellent service and assistance en route and perfect after-cycling program with nice diners and accommodations. Cantabria & Asturias itself was very nice with scenic nature, perfect roads, friendly people, good cuisine. Definitely it’s worth to go there but be prepared for heavy pedaling in some sections:). However it’s not that tough if you are in safe hands of HC bike Tours !!
Thank you Sandris!
Richard Ross
HC Bike Tours is a good tour company if you would like to do a lot of riding in the high mountains and a lot of kilometers. Good food, well organized. It’s a good idea to travel with HC Bike Tours. I plan to travel with HC Bike Tours in future and recommend that to my friends as well.
Thank you Rich!
Liene Bleidele
Thank you, Aigars, for the live opportunity to witness such an amazing event as Le Tour de France 2014! As a non-rider I initially expected a boring time in some cycling camp and was not sure how will I fill in my free time. However, it turned out me having no free time whatsoever! Every day was fulfilled with new impressions, activities and amazing sightseeing of Alps. Looking back at the trip I am amazed by HC Bike Tours professional investment to create the trip as it was. I could fully rely on the organisers; everything was carefully thought through in advance even for me as a ‘city cyclist’ – regardless if that was joining the group in mountains, receiving other special service or enjoying amazing company. Exclusive opportunity to ride the Tour de France track myself on the electro bike and then seeing Tour de France live for sure was a highlight! It was extremely emotional for me to have that special presence feel of thousands of fans involvement. Thank you for the comfort in race viewing areas, the service level is impressive! My friends also appreciated the grilled camembert cheese with French jam :). I would very much enjoy exploring new places in future with the service as this.
Thank you Liene!
Clement Kim
Just returned from our Tour de France Alps Tour w HC Bike Tours. First, this was my first trip to Europe and a first bike tour. And HC Bike Tours company made it a memorable, hard but enjoyable and well organized experience. Couldn’t have asked for anything more…I attempted many hard, beautiful climbs in the Alps…minus the heat, I think I would have fared much better. But the overall experience was awesome and Aigars Paegle and Janis Musins “Coach” were awesome hosts. Took care of you when it was needed. Left you alone when it was warranted. They were very accommodating and generous. Felt like many “Sunday” rides with a handful of your buddies. If you are thinking of some serious riding in Europe, consider HC Bike Tours to even accommodating your custom tour. The routes they select are awesome and breathtaking. The accommodations are clean and comfortable. Prepared food are delicious!!! I wish I can do a Tour with them several times a year…. Thank you Aigars and Janis for the experience and memories.
Thank you Clement!
Harold Conter
Overall really enjoyed the bike tour. The tour was well organized for the whole tour and in particular for the days we watched the Tour de France. The locations for viewing of Le Tour were great and the amenities provided were awesome. The itinerary for the tour covered all the major Cols in the region with options that helped eliminate “junk” miles. In addition, as sometimes happens on holiday, forces beyond your control change the plan. HC Bike Tours was well prepared with alternate options that were equal to my expectations of the original route. I thought the tour was a little pricey compared to other tours, but it can be hard to compare value without actually going on all the tours. I was disappointed that none of the guides on the tour spoke French. I had communicated that as an expectation prior to the tour. Luckily no emergencies came up, but based on my previous experience it helps enhance the experience of being in a foreign land when you have guides that know the language.
Pros: Nice route covering all the major Cols, Well organized, excellent support, Le Tour! Cons: A little pricey, no French speaking guide.
Thank you Harold!
Edgars Adijans
My dreams of cycling in Alps and watching Tour de France LIVE came true this summer. Aigars, the owner of HC Bike Tours helped me to fulfil both at the same time. This trip certainly was the highlight of this summer. Watching Tour de France LIVE in HCBT dedicated race viewing areas and supporting Latvian cyclist Gatis Smukulis was amazing experience. In this kind of cycling trips it is extremely important to have a guide you can rely on; who could share his experience, suggest and educate how to cope; sometimes simple thumbs up was required. Aigars certainly provided that all. We had a true team spirit. I appreciated Aigars helping me to adjust the route and workload to match my physical condition. He also took good care of my non-rider girlfriend, she was pleasantly impressed. I wish good luck and non-stop development!
Thank you Edgars!
Hannah & Rob Eckstein
Aigars was our team leader when we rode in France, 2013. We followed the Tour and rode many of the Epic climbing routes in the Alps during the last week of The Tour. My husband and I have been avid, hardcore cyclists our entire adult life. We originally met racing and training in NYC. We have done many a lap in Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. We have always dreamed of seeing the tour and of riding in The Alps. Aigars led us through the stages in the Alps with professionalism and humor. His love of the pristine mountains and scenery added to the joy of our experience. He was always there to support us. Happy Cycling!
Thank you both Hannah & Rob!
Ryan Gee
HC Bike Tours helped me fulfill a dream of cycling through the Italian Alps and Dolomites. My goal for the trip was to climb Italy’s highest and hardest mountains. The company designed a custom bike tour for me that fit my travel schedule and budget. The CEO and founder, Aigars, took me in his personal vehicle on a five day trip from Munich to Bormio to Val Gardena to Salzburg. HC Bike Tours did all the planning and allowed me to just focus on cycling. HC Bike Tours made sure that I finish every ride, have fun, and enjoy the scenery. The best day was the first and only day in the Dolomites when we knew the weather would be bad the next day so we went big and put two days of riding (Five climbs, 130km, 3500m) into one! I never felt rushed and I never felt alone the whole time. HC Bike Tours was well prepared for the trip with everything I needed for 8-10 hours on the bike each day including energy bars, gels, snacks, and recovery fuel. The ride leader had spare tubes and bike tools in case of any unfortunate flats. I didn’t even carry a saddle bag the entire trip! In the morning, the leader serviced and washed my bike. Aigars is an incredibly strong rider and will definitely have the strength and fitness to tackle any ride no matter how hard or how far. He has a very positive attitude and is easy to get along with. Aigars is passionate about cycling and passionate about nature. Any tour with HC Bike Tours will offer plenty of both! More importantly, Aigars is passionate about its clients! He started out as just a tour guide, but ended up being far more for me. He was tour guide, coach, trainer, support vehicle, photographer, and motivator. He was a great travel companion and we ended the tour as good friends. He would constantly remind me to refuel with snacks and water and he encouraged me to take as many breaks as I needed. I would recommend that anyone unfamiliar with cycling in Europe hire HC Bike Tours because of its experience and local knowledge of the roads, great support staff, and transportation services. The founder is a good guy and will certainly get along with anyone. I am not sure when I will be able to travel to Europe from the US again for another trip, but I know that when I do it will be with HC Bike Tours. Thank you Aigars for getting me through it!
Adrian Hamilton
I just wanted to express my gratitude for your hospitality on Hautacam while we were in France. To be able to watch a stage of the Tour de France, on the hill, from the comfort of a tent with TV, BBQ, good company, was a real privilege. I can only wish you all the very best. I am sure HC Bike Tours business will be a success.
Thank you Adrian!
Amazing express tour. Aigars picked me up at the Toulouse airport. Two hours later we were on our way to climb Tourmalet and Hautacam. Amazing experience even with the subzero temps and snow storm. Aigars was fantastic – rode to my pace. Now planning another express tour for July!
Thank you David!
Matt Tanner
My wife and I enjoyed an amazing trip riding and viewing the 100th Tour de France. Aigars was one of our ride leaders. He was the only one brave enough to descend and climb to the lunch stop from Croix de Fer through rain and two hail storms with me and my teammate.
Thank you Matt!
Robert Johnston
We just finished a great custom climbing trip through Italy. The HC team was great and kept everything fun and up to us if we wanted to change things up. Their service was impeccable. Can’t wait to plan another trip with them.
Thank you, Rob!
