Beginners Mountain Biking and Yoga weekend in Elan Valley

FAQs

Q: Can I drink alcohol on the weekend events/retreats?

A: In some venues there is an honesty bar and on our weekend yoga retreats we do serve wine with dinner. We neither encourage nor discourage drinking alcohol as we see it as a personal choice.

Q: Do you cater for special diets/vegan/gluten free?

A: We cater extremely well for most dietary needs. Often our gluten free puddings are the envy of everyone else at the table. Just make sure you let us know any dietary needs

Q: Is there wifi/phone reception?

A: In most of our venues we have limited phone reception and wifi. We see this as a rather good thing, giving everyone time to switch off and unplug.

Q: Can I have a single room?

A: In Elan Valley lodge everyone can have a single room if they wish. At some of our other venues the rooms are shared twins. We do have some single rooms available with a supplement. See individual events pages for details.

Q: What equipment do I need?

A: Firstly you don't need to go out and spend lots of money on expensive kit. It is good however to have a decent waterproof (especially in Wales!) and a decent helmet. You can wear trainers or old walking boots/shoes and use a small backpack for carrying food and drink. It's good to have gloves and some warm layers, sometimes we will be out on the hills and even in summer the temperature can drop. We carry bike tools, first aid kits and group shelters so you only need to bring what you need for the day. It is helpful to have spare inner tubes that fit your bike. If you are hiring then we provide these.

Q: Will I be the slowest person/won't everyone get tired of waiting for me?

A: As a group we can only go as fast as the slowest person. We focus on the journey rather than the destination and personally do enjoy taking in the views so don't worry about being slow (although we do like to get back in time for tea and cake!)

Q: How long are the rides each day?

A: On the beginners weekend we aim to cover 25km the first day and around 20km on day two. This might take us all day but we like to take in the scenery too. On the non beginners weeekends we typically cover 35-40km each day. Doesn't sound much? There's plenty of big climbs to make up for that!

Q: Can I hire a bike if I don't have one?

A: Yes - we can arrange bike hire.

Q: I'm a complete MTB beginner, will I cope?

A: The beginners weekends are aimed straight at you so you should be totally fine although we will offer sufficient challenge throughout the weekend to enable you to progress and gain confidence. The non beginner weekends can be fine for beginners too but the fitness requirements are a bit higher. That said if you approach the weekend with a positive attitude and a willingness to give it a go we think you might have a great time!

Q: What type of yoga will we practice?

A: I teach Hatha yoga with a emphasis on Vinyasa Flow. This is a freestyle form of yoga where poses are linked together with the breath to form flows. It's not necessarily fast but it is strong and dynamic. There will also be elements of Yin and Restorative yoga included.

Q: My balance is terrible, why is that?

A: It's very common to struggle with balance, especially if you are just starting out on your yoga journey. The best approach is to not worry too much about it. Don't focus too hard on trying to balance and definitely don't worry if you fall over. Focus on keeping the breath nice and steady and stay relaxed and with practice you will improve.

Q: Isn't yoga just about sitting and meditating?

A: Meditation is an aspect of Hatha yoga, however there is much more to yoga than sitting in the lotus position. We use a strong physical practice along with specific breath techniques to tap into our focus and concentration. We see this practice as a form of moving meditation.

Q: Are the yoga sessions suitable for beginners?

A: Yes! The sessions are tailored to be accessible for most people with plenty of options for more or less challenge. If you do have specific limitations or an ongoing condition or injury do get in touch to discuss.

Q: I'm not flexible at all, can I still do yoga?

A: Yes! You don't need to be flexible to practice yoga. The practice itself will improve range of motion, strength and flexibility so being stiff is all the more reason to start.