We went hunting for the best MTB trails in Europe!

[@paterjo8561]

Great videos, thanks for sharing! I remember riding with Doug, Antonio, Borja, and Carlos about 5 years ago in Ainsa; BasqueMTB is amazing. Great people, great scenery, great rides, and they tolerate Americans, what more could you ask? :)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

😆 Love it! Yup, they are such a good group of people. I'm sure it'll be place ill head back to and I would definitely want them to guide me again 👍

[@TrailTrackerSwitzerland]

Great video Jamie. Especially the lens flare - very artistic! Captured the day beautifully, well apart from perhaps all that climbing! Looking forward to the next release.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks Darren. Always good to get positive feedback from another creator! Looking forward to your take on things also 😀

[@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB]

Trails and landscape look amazing! Great edit, you can see how much effort you’ve put into showcasing the place as well as the trails themselves. Can’t wait for a trip here sometime!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers guys. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was deffo one of my favourite edits to do. You would love it out there!

[@walterbrown6388]

Huge difference in terrain compared to your other footage! I think the parts of the little villages adds a lot to the video.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers Walter! I appreciate that. It's always difficult to know what to keep/omit from the edit! Thanks mate 👍

[@garioch_gravel_rider7376]

Awesome mate - look like a fine change to roots and mud!! You got to grips with that tricky terrain pretty quick - you're riding well ma man!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers bud! Riding blind is deffo the hardest type of riding eh? Stoked I got some decent footage as it's cool to share the adventure with you guys 🤙 Hope you are well mate.

[@stuarthayward8717]

Awesome vid . I rode Sierra Nevada a few years ago with switchbacks-MTB, looks pretty similar! Loved riding in Spain🤟

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks man. Yeah, Spain seems to be a pretty good destination to get to. Loads of good riding 👌

[@garyhutchin]

Great video man. These trails look ace. Sounded like you were having an absolute blast too! Nice one dude

[@streetpigeonmtb]

It was so good mate. Really pleased you liked the video and thanks for taking time to comment 👍

[@simonprentice4016]

You’ve captured the Ainsa trails beautifully Jamie and you certainly packed a hell of a lot into your first day. Can’t wait to see the rest of the VLOGs. Nice one!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Nice one Simon. A kind comment that is very much appreciated. Thank you mate 👍

[@marcusdavies257]

Great stuff Jamie, looked really fun and quite different from the usual terrain particularly ridden blind. Editing was on point as usual 👌 and glad that your breaking it down into multiple videos, looking forward to the next instalment 👊

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers Marcus. I would've struggled to get all those trails in one edit for sure! Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@marcusdavies257]

I was going to ask how long the initial edit was before you started trimming?

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Each day I got about 1 hour of footage. And I was only recording the descending!

[@MTB_Trekker]

Phenomenal trails and a great edit Jamie. Top man!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ah cheers mate. That's a super kind comment. Appreciate that.

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

Fantastic! absolutely bangin' trails, they look just superb 💥💥...on my bucket list too now! I just did trails in the Sierra Nevada's with Ciclo Montana 2 weeks as well, you'd love that too. 🤘🤘👍👍😎😎

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers Ricardo. It's so cool riding abroad eh? I've definitely got the bug now. Just need to save those pennies!

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Looks like Durango! (Great vid!!!)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

It does, doesn't it?! Cheers mate 👍

[@andylanigan5267]

Great video Jamie you looked like you having the best time, enjoy 👍

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Dude, it was so good. Very tough at times and, as you'll see in later vids, it didn't always go to plan. However it was an experience that will stay with me forever. Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@carolineaddison86]

Looks fantastic, makes me want to pack my bags !

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Doesn't it just?! I've already started saving for the next one!

[@kevinwood8021]

Jamie, what trails and great VLOG. Thanks for taking the time to do it on your holidays 🤙

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks Kevin. I loved putting thus one together. I feel like it'll give me something to look back on as well. Thanks as always for taking time to comment and share the positivity 🤙

[@trevorchaplin7249]

Amazing Jamie. Those trails look phenomonal. Look forward to the next edit 🤙

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers Trevor! It was quite the trip for sure. Looking forward to getting the next edit to you guys 👍

[@Kengouru]

Awesome stuff Jamie! Let me know if you want to explore the Sierra de Madrid, we'll show you around. Some gnarly and gorgeous trails around here too!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Amazing! Thank you so much for that offer. I will definitely be back to Spain at some point... Ainsa was one of the best experiences I've had... And I know I've only scratched the surface. 😁😁😁

[@Kengouru]

@@streetpigeonmtb you're welcome at any time! I just only discovered your channel and I love your approach, it's refreshing to say the least. The beauty of Spain is the huge variety of its mountains and nature of the trails. Sometimes you just have to travel for twenty minutes to change scenario completely. The area around Madrid is pretty challenging and at the same time incredibly fun and satisfying. People and food are amazing too. Feel free to contact me at any time and I can hook you up with the right people and help you organise everything. I'm glad I've discovered your channel! Keep it up, Eric.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

That's awesome Eric. I'm really glad you discovered the channel also. It's so nice to connect with other MTBers from across the globe. Cheers man 👍

[@connorcampbell144]

Nice video, as much as I love Scotland it’s good to see you riding in other places, and doing a great job I must say :)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks Connor. I'll never fall out of love with Scotland, but it was really cool to challenge myself to ride in a different country. Thanks so much for the kind comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@mtbuk1982]

I wondered how Dan had gotten such pro riding photos on his Instagram recently 🤣 Looks like an amazing trip!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ha ha! Hopefully his GoPro footage is sweet as I played with his settings! It was such a good trip. We were all broken by the end.

[@mtbuk1982]

@@streetpigeonmtb I’ve been waiting to see Dan’s GoPro footage from our last trip to Les Arcs… in 2019 😂

[@streetpigeonmtb]

There is a secret edit! You need to message Rob so he turns the KZbin link live!

[@LMRomao]

´`ve been in Aínsa twice. I think it`s one of the best place for MTB. Subscribed the channel.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you saw the video and it's great to have you on board 😁

[@LMRomao]

@@streetpigeonmtb ✌️

[@streetpigeonmtb]

😁🤙

[@DizRidesMtb]

Wow indeed n thats only day 1 . Cant wait watch more. They showed u some awesome trails 2 dude . 👏👏 for Basque mtb great ridin everyone 👊

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers bro. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks again for all the kind words 👌

[@DizRidesMtb]

@@streetpigeonmtb NO worries mate 👊👏👏

[@streetpigeonmtb]

😁😁😁

[@rossridesmtb7497]

Aww man! One of your best edits to date! Awesome trails and fantastic riding, this is certainly the way to get your mojo back on the bike! So how did you find travelling with a bike? That might be worth a vid on its own, Its something I have never looked into, but will be now after seeing this vid :D

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers dude! I appreciate that. I put a fair bit of work into the edit. Travelling with a bike is a bit of a pain. The secret to it is getting a really good bike bag like the Evoc XL. I was using a Chain Reaction bike bag which I would tell you to avoid. Walking a kilometer in Barcelona with a bag that won't stand up whilst you wheel it is not fun!

[@rhettetherington1351]

Looks amazing. Great riding! You were flying 👍

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks so much Rhett. I was pleased with the riding so thanks for acknowledging that. Hope you are good bud 👍

[@5492sparky]

Stunning!!! 👍

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheer Mark. It was quite the place!

[@gazza5155]

That looks ace 👍

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks Gary. I won't lie, it was pretty good 🤙

[@_S13_]

What a coincidence! Just left Ainsa yesterday after a 3 week stay. Its sure an amazing place to ride mtb! Can recognize many of the trails in your video. Too bad for all those horrible Pine Processionaries that litter some of the trails this time of the year. Im still covered in red bumps and itchy everywhere...

[@streetpigeonmtb]

No way! We must've been there while you were. Small world! Is that the caterpillars? We were warned about them but never saw them. They do exist then?!

[@_S13_]

@@streetpigeonmtb Oh yes, there are loads. Just look for the spidery web sacks hanging in the pine trees - the ones without needles. I guess you got lucky :)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

It sounds like it 🙈

[@dougmcdonald937]

@@streetpigeonmtb Lucky ;-)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Very!

[@darrenclemmy718]

awesome vid great to see you got your mojo back for riding

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Yup! The mojo is back mate. Thanks for the kind words 😁

[@RAFSmartSam]

loving it mate something different but it gives me ideas keep it up.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers Steve. It was great to be able to share this with you guys. Something new for me. I would definitely recommend going there 🙌

[@rossjacksonmtb]

Great video. Those trails look incredible

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers Ross. They were pretty mind blowing. So much variety and challenging to ride. I'd definitely like to get back there at some point.

[@JayRidesTrails]

YES mate! Amazing video, you put it together really nicely 😀 crazy how you comment live while riding all the time - I was more than occupied with the riding myself, haha! 😂 Also, relieved that was just day 1... was kinda worried you'd try and put it all in one video... so excited for your next edits!!! P.S. *great* riding btw 👌 edit: btw, still a massive fan of that slow mo shot by the river

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks so much Jay. I'm pleased with how it came together. I managed to get some shots I was really pleased with. Yes, commentary is not easy on those trails is it?!

[@jamessaddler1]

Classy vid.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks James! 😁

[@GaryHarwood]

Nice video. I’m only 2hrs away, on the French side. It’s my favourite place and I try to get there at least 4-5 times a year.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Wow Gary. That's awesome. What a great place to be able to travel to regular. Where would you recommend in France?

[@GaryHarwood]

@@streetpigeonmtb I’m from Yorkshire originally. But lived in Australia for 20 years. Australia, NZ and Tasmania, have the best riding ever. Ive been very underwhelmed by the riding in France tbh. Even though I’m only 20 mins from Lourdes DH course. I’m planning on getting to Ainsa more often. If you’re ever over here again. I’m happy to show you the trails I like best. Some big pedally days out. Real adventures to be had.

[@GaryHarwood]

@@streetpigeonmtb None of the trails in this area have decent travesrsing/climbs. Just boring firetrail or road climbs that go on forever, then the descents are over before you know it.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Aw man. That's mega dissapointing 😔

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks man. That sounds awesome. Sounds like I have to get to the Southern Hemisphere!

[@knollyDT]

Sweet 👌🏻😎

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@alanmorton8459]

The Ainsa area looks absolutely amazing for MTB's and all the wee villages as well just add to it. Its been almost 7 years since I last rode outside the UK and can wait to get back out to Europe. How many vids do you hope to put out of your trip? Keep them coming, loving them!!!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Hey Alan. I think it's going to be four videos in total. I really want Spain to feature as much as possible in the vids as it has been a really important and unforgettable part of my riding this year. Thanks as always for keeping the stoke high. Also, huge well done on the MacAvalance 🤙

[@alanmorton8459]

Thanks Jamie.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Nae bother. I think you've almost inspired me to give it a blast!

[@alanmorton8459]

Do u fancy joining me for next years race?

[@alanmorton8459]

😂😂

[@wayneemslie8904]

Those trails did look really, really awesome, the one with all the ridges would've shredded my nerves though! There's something about riding in semi-arid areas like in Spain - like you say its utterly different from temperate/maritime climates. No slippy roots there - sounded like the dry surface on the corners was like biking on marbles or snooker balls. How do you feel Ainsa is set up for more non-guided riding? Do you think you could get by without uplifts (at least for some days)? Also curious how you found that airline with your bike bag - some are fine about it, others can be awkward, and sometimes it just depends on what mood the check-in staff are in that day.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Hey man. Cheers for taking time to comment. Ainsa was ace. You could deffo do non guided rides. The only thing I'd say is I'd probably favour the to maximise the riding in the short space of time. I reckon I'd non-guide if I had a couple of weeks for sure. We were Ryanair and it was fine. The biggest hassle was having a bike bag that towed really badly. It was such a faff. I'd defo invest in a really decent bike bag next time 👍

[@gordonhenderson1287]

Looks a fantastic experience

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks Gordon. Something I'll never forget for sure 😁😁😁

[@gordonhenderson1287]

@@streetpigeonmtb I would like to do it with my sons.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I think that would be an amazing trip to do with your sons mate 👍

[@andyclarke2969]

Very much MTB heaven

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I agree mate. Some place for sure ❤️

[@Mugtree]

Awesome video, trails and villages. Definitely looking to ride with these guys soon 👍 What do you think of the Assagi?

[@streetpigeonmtb]

The Assegai was perfect in those conditions I have to say. It was good under braking and had loads of grip when leaned over. I would say I haven't enjoyed it quite as much since coming back to the UK, although I've only ridden it in really sticky mud - which I'd normally use a Shorty in anyway. Overall I think it's a great tyre.

[@Mugtree]

@@streetpigeonmtb thank you for the review. Interesting to hear. Now can’t wait for the rest of your videos

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers. They are on their way 🤙

[@BEnji4]

All that in only one day!!!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I know! There were so many trails mate. Crazy to ride all that in one day!

[@gwpee1727]

Unless you've ridden in every European Country,then you will never know.Looks like some great trails,but the best?Probably not.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Of course mate. I realise that, and in truth there is probably no definitive answer to 'Where are the best trails in Europe?' The title was there to create some interest in the video and was meant to get a little discussion going. Hope you enjoyed the video anyway. Whilst we are on the topic, where's been your favourite place to ride?

[@gwpee1727]

I've ridden around Morzine/Les Get and Les Arcs.Also near Tarifa,Malaga and the Pico's Mountains Spain

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Nice. I'm hoping to get to some more places in the next few years. Just need to find the cash! Thanks for sharing some of the places you've ridden 👍