Welcome to Switchbacks Downhill

• We offer guided lift-assist downhill MTB holidays from November to April from our base here in Benalmadena, Southern Spain.
• Empty trails: no queues,  no braking bumps, no fire roads and nothing groomed.
• We have a selection of about 20 DH-specific tracks that we’ll shuttle you to the top of; at the bottom we’ll be waiting to take you back up again.
• Regular SBDH visitors: Steve Peat, Gee Atherton, Greg Minnaar, Josh Bryceland, Nathan Rennie, Matti Lehikoinen, Mitch Delfs, Rowan Sorrell, Dirt Mag, MBUK and just about every team out there. Chances are you’ll be riding with one of ‘em while your here.
• SwitchbacksDH is the longest operating downhill holiday company in Spain.

About

What do we offer you?

• Winter lift-assisted downhill mountain biking close to Malaga in Southern Spain.
• 3 x Mercedes Sprinter vehicles for support, shuttling, loading and unloading of bikes.
• Fully qualified guiding, airport transfers, all shuttles and a 24 bed super-villa with pool, sauna, gym, football pitch, WIFI, laundry facilities, kitchen, satellite TV, workshop/ secure bike storage garage, tools and spares. All within our own gated premises.(Villa)
• FREE SKILLS TUITION.
• Exceptional winter training and testing for racers and teams alike.
• Discounts for longer stays (available upon request).
• Downhill bike hire (available upon request).
• Started by Michael Saunders 11 years ago, SwitchbacksDH is a Spanish registered company constituted under Spanish law, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (Registro de Turismo Activo/Junta de Andalucia) and complies fully with all legal, financial and insurance requirements. Our official registration number is AT/GR/00087. We offer fully qualified guided riding in Malaga, Spain.

Trails

• 20 DH specific tracks with a mixture of full on DH courses that include loose rock, sandy aggressive chutes and switchbacks to fast and flowing 4x style runs. (video)
• Empty trails: no queues, no braking bumps, no fire roads and nothing groomed.
• Average descending for a long weekend 20,000 – 30,000ms vertical.
• On average riders put in 4 months worth of descending in a long w/ end.
• Incredible variety of tracks combined with the intensity of riding day after day, ups your riding level gradually leaving you a much better and focused rider.
• Maximum 8 riders per van means fast uplift and minimal waiting time.
• Rental of Go-Pro Hero cameras to record your holiday (available upon request).

Location

Benalmadena, Malaga, Southern Spain

• 36° 36′N, 4° 34 12′W, altitude 285ms, population approx 10,000.
• Warm and sunny with odd rainy periods. (Villa)
• Shorts and long sleeve shirts, but make sure to bring cold/ wet weather gear.
• 10min drive from Malaga airport means full-days riding on arrival and departure days.
• Several local bikes shops close by in case of emergencies.
• Located within 15mins drive from 5 different riding locations and about 12 tracks.
• Top 10 favourite tracks: Ridiculator, SRAM Test Track, Air Miles, 911, Gaza Strip, Happy Days, Rockadillo, Itchy and Scratchy, Tom and Jerry, and Minnaar’s Test Track.
• A full suspension bike with a minimum of 6” of travel is required.
• Carnage of the Costa del Sol night life only 10min taxi ride away.
• Several excellent bars and restaurants within seconds walk from your accommodation. Indian, Italian, Spanish, International etc, supermarket, bank machines, pool, darts, tapa bars, WIFI.

Blog

Switchbacks DH Video

http://vimeo.com/40162292

April 12, 2012

Switchbacks on Facebook

For more info, vids, feedback and lots of pics about us please ‘Like’ us on www.facebook.com/Switchbacks

April 3, 2012

Viking Invasion

We have got no less than 16 Norwegians here and there are 10 more arriving this coming Thursday. Think we might have to hoist their flag over the villa!!

March 27, 2012

After 3 weeks of digging our new and what I must say is going to be an absolutely SICK track, is now nearing completion. The track is now cut from start to finish and now we will head back up top to start grooming it with berms, jumps and other fine tuning. Come out and give it a go.

March 13, 2012

Dirt Mag March issue

Check out the latest article on Switchbacks in issue 121 of Dirt Mag. Well its actually just about me so not that interesting but very cool to be included on the cover-ish:D

March 1, 2012

Trail building

Looong day with the shovel today. 3 Spaniards and 2 ‘Giris’ out digging a completely new track which when ready, should run no less than 8 minutes in length. Hopefully in 2 weeks everything will be in place and we’ll be hitting it. Many thanks to Jesus, Juan Carlos, (can’t remember name guy) and Mike for your backs today. Watch this space for further details.

February 29, 2012

Team Norway DH

For the 3rd year in a row, we have got the pleasure of 10 of Norway fastest riders here training with us this week. They are joined by no less than Marco Milivinti (13th at Champery Worlds 2011) and Ludovic May (18th). All this in preparation for next months SA World Cup.

February 16, 2012

Josh Bryceland returns

For those of you riding here the week of the 21st of Feb, you will have the pleasure of trying to keep up with DH World Champion and Santa Cruz Syndicate rider Josh. Glad to have you back mate.

February 10, 2012

Sponsors of the Danish DH Cup

Switchbacks is pleased to announce that once again we will be offering up the chance of winning a free holiday with us to all those who enter in a race of the Danish DH Cup for 2012. For more info check out their website here

February 5, 2012

Lifers have arrived

Chris, Olly and Steffan have now arrived and moved into the Playboy mansion. They will be here for the next month/s riding and, if last nights party is anything to go by, doing a lot of other types of Costa del Sol training too! Great to have you guys here:)

February 2, 2012

Costs

• Switchbacks guided weeks for 2012 cost 675€
• 600€ for returners or groups of 4 or more.
• 475€ long weekend costs: includes 4 nights & 4 to 4. 5 days riding.
• 425€ for returners or groups of 4 or more.
• Single/ few day trips available (contacts us for availability and prices)
• Costs include: FREE tuition, guiding, full-time vehicle shuttles and support, airport transfers, uber-villa with SKY TV, WIFI, laundry facilities, kitchen, salon, BBQ terrace, pool, gym, football pitch, secure bike storage etc.
• You will need all your regular riding kit plus elbow, knee/ shin pads, about €200 spending money, and INSURANCE – a proof of medical insurance covering you for mountain biking and/ or extreme sports just in case. No insurance – no riding! For European citizens this must be supplemented by a European Health Card available online

Booking

• We check our email regularly and will contact you shortly.
• If you do not hear from us in 4 hours you may have been blocked by our anti-spam software, or our reply to you may have been likewise blocked by yours.
• If you have not heard from us please SMS us on 0034 660 623 305.