FINALE LIGURE SHUTTLE TOURS OR WITH A PRIVATE GUIDE? - THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE

In this guide, we want to illustrate the main differences between the types of MTB tours available in Finale Ligure.

As you probably know, every year more than 300,000 bikers from all over the world (mainly from German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria) come to Finale to enjoy the endless trails and variety that characterizes the Finale Outdoor Region (over 200 trails)

But which tours can I participate in that are fully organized? How much do they cost? Are they worth it? Let's take a look together....

• SHUTTLE GROUP TOUR FINALE LIGURE

First of all, it is important to make two important distinctions. In Finale, there are many companies offering organized tours, and most of them offer group tours, which means a tour with a guide and shuttle (a van/Defender equipped for transporting bicycles) that takes you as close as possible to the start of the trail and then descends. These types of tours are the most common but have pros and cons that should be considered.

Firstly, the group may be very fast or very slow, which means that if you are a fast rider and find yourself in a slow group, you may spend a lot of time waiting for the others at the end of the trail because you are too fast for them, or vice versa, if you are a rider who likes to go slow, you may find very fast riders who have to wait for you at the bottom of each descent, which could lead to general discontent within the group.

A second key point to consider is that the time spent loading/unloading bikes and transferring to the new trail is part of the game and sometimes far exceeds the time spent on the bike. In the past, we have had very fast customers who, at the end of the day, spent a total of 42 minutes on their bikes. The rest of the time was spent waiting for the shuttle (they were faster than the shuttle in reaching the end of the trail), loading the bikes, waiting for the transfer, unloading the bikes... So what are the pros and cons of group tours with shuttles?

• PROs

1. There is very little pedaling because they try to get directly to the trail (for some, this is a disadvantage).

2. You generally ride more downhill trails than on a private tour with a guide who does not use shuttles.

3. More economical than a private tour (generally €80-90 per person).

• CONS

1. You spend a lot of time locked in the shuttle or loading/unloading bikes (sometimes many vans don't even have air conditioning).

2. You have to adapt to the general level of the others, so it's not tailored to your own needs.

3. You spend little time on your bike.

4. If you are too slow, you risk not seeing the guide's lines (the guide tends to stay ahead of the group with the fastest riders)

5. In many cases, the guide for this type of tour (not all) is a foreigner with little knowledge of the area (and the safest routes) and who does not even speak Italian (which can be a problem in an emergency)

6. The guide does not have time to give technical advice because they have to manage a mixed group.

   
   

PRIVATE GUIDE

A private guide is a guide just for you or your group of friends who organizes a personalized tour based on YOUR needs, not those of a group of strangers, thus providing a more personalized and safer experience.

How does it generally work?

The rider contacts the guide (and speaks directly with them, not with an intermediary who doesn't even ride a bike), tells them about their general experience, the number of people, the technical level of the trails they usually ride (if they ride them), the type of bike they have, and their level of training. Based on this information, the guide will organize a personalized tour for them. So what are the pros and cons of this type of service?

• PROS

1. Personalized tour to maximize the enjoyment of the rider(s).

2. You spend much more time on your bike.

3. You spend much more time in contact with the guide. Since it is a private tour, the guide will always be with you and in front of you to show you the right lines.

4. The guide has time to take souvenir photos, explain where you are, and tell you about the history of the routes/monuments you will encounter.

5. You receive advice on how to improve your riding technique.

6. The guide has time to check the rider's bike before setting off to ensure the safety of the tour.

• CONS:

1. Generally less economical than a group tour (this is not always the case)

2. You cycle and spend more time on the bike than on a group tour (for some, this is a disadvantage)

   
   

CONCLUSIONS

If you are visiting Finale for the first time, are unsure of your skill level, or do not wish to join a group of strangers with varying skill levels, consider hiring a private guide. If you are an experienced rider who simply wants to enjoy the downhill slopes and save a little money, opt for a group tour.

Where can I find private guides? Here we are!