This coming summer will be no ordinary holiday for me, as I intend to experience the ever-popular mountain biking holidays for the first time that many active people enjoy! Mountain biking is best practised during the summer months when the surfaces are dry, no elements are against you and you are less at risk of having an accident. For me the winter periods are best enjoyed with friends or family skiing in the Alps or taking a short spa break away.

Mountain biking holidays are great for people looking for active entertainment with the option of working on your tan at a nearby beach. Some of the most popular places include Chamonix in France, Lake Garda in Italy, the Coast of Andalusia in Southern Spain and even taking a desert ride in Morocco. Many prefer to go trekking to keep active and fit, however, those keen on mountain bike trails will feel the thrill of experiencing a different trail whilst enjoying a different kind of sightseeing.

Since mountain biking holidays are intended for people looking for that extra edge in taking a break, I figured that there is no harm in trying some of the new trick I had learnt when going dirt trail biking in my own home county of Essex. The best rides are ones that come uninterrupted on single tracks, with a few hills and the challenges of climbing tall mountains. The feeling of reaching to the top in the blazing is nothing short of absolute satisfaction and pride.

The journey downwards, for a beginner especially, is somewhat frightening at first, but at the same time, it will take you next to no time to reach to the bottom so this is where you have the most fun. Beginners should be careful, as they are not as familiar with gear changes and knowing when to apply a small amount of pressure on the brakes. Trails like these require a strong bike, designed especially for high impact riding, which will mean that the trail surface will not be a smooth ride.

All mountain biking holidays come in various grading and difficulty, in which different holiday agencies have their own grading system therefore, when you do look for a holiday like this you will find that they will all a different system from each other. It is always good to clarify what each of these levels mean for each agency as one level may not be the same as the other - for instance, you may choose to opt for a moderate trail biking in Bhutan with one agency but find that this may be more difficult than what you had expected.

Similarly, with more experienced bikers, the trails you choose will be based on the difficulty level that may or may not suit your own level. It is always best to gain some insight and research into the specific places that you want to visit prior to making the booking. It is a good idea to speak to people who have had the chance to experience the trails either on forums or to people you know. Most of these expeditions come with expert professional instructors who are always at hand to help and guide you through the trails.

You can pick the holidays based on the difficulty level only rather than the location, if you are a beginner and are unsure of which one to choose. However, as mentioned before an instructor or tour guide will guide you, therefore, you are sure to be taken care of for the duration of your trip. These should be purchased with insurance, like any other activity holiday, just to cover for any potential accident or unpredictable situations that occur.