Meet our Ride Leaders

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Nico Watkins

Inspired by Chris Stewart's evocative book 'Driving Over Lemons,' I was inspired to visit the enchanting city of Granada and was captivated by the stunning countryside, wonderful climate, and laid-back pace of life. So much so that I sent for my bike and never returned to the Olde Country! I come from a sporting background, more specifically rugby, having played at Saracens in London and a season in Sydney, Australia.

We now have a gym in the city, and I enjoy working in a healthy industry where people tend to walk out the door feeling better. Personally, however, this land and these mountains have a way of just encouraging me to ride my bike. It's great therapy, which, let's face it, we all need sometimes. For me, it's a genuine pleasure to introduce people to these roads and share these experiences with them.

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Duncan McDonald

My helicopter flying has allowed me to fly, live, and ride my bike in some of the most fantastic locations in the world. I used to live in the Highlands of Scotland, a great place to ride your bike for the one day of summer each year! The other 364 days, I faced headwinds, snow, rain, midges (if you know, you know), sleet, and more headwinds – normally all in one day.

Oh, and did I mention the potholes? This is why I looked to move much further South to enjoy the quality of cycling in and around the Lecrín Valley. Even if you are not currently suffering in the wild weather of Northern Scotland, I’d love to accompany you on a relaxed ride down here in Andalusia.

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Anisa Stienstra

My name is Anisa, 31 years young and from The Netherlands. I’ve been living in Granada for nine years. I'm a passionate cyclist who has been riding for many years. I love the sense of freedom and exhilaration it brings! My favourite time to ride is in the early morning when it's quiet and peaceful, whether it's road biking, hitting the trails, or enjoying a leisurely ride through scenic routes. The mix of different cycling experiences keeps things interesting and exciting. I'm excited to show you beautiful, unknown Andalusian landscapes and share my knowledge and experiences with fellow cyclists and enthusiasts. Riding with VSN is a fantastic way to explore Granada and Sierra Nevada.

It's all about having a great time, supporting each other, taking coffee breaks, and simply loving being out on our bikes! So, let's gear up and pedal our way through this incredible world of cycling together!

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Ali Munro

Having cycled throughout the UK and Mallorca I can’t recommend Granada and the Sierra Nevada enough. Not just because it’s a fantastic part of the world to visit anyway, but it’s also a cyclist’s paradise! Beautiful, quiet, peaceful roads. Long winding climbs on smooth almost unused surfaces. Fantastic views everywhere. Routes to suit every rider. Big city history, gorgeous countryside, with mountains as a backdrop, then you can ride down to the coast for lunch on the beach. There is nowhere else that comes close in Europe. I’d love you to join me and the team at VSN exploring this oasis of cycling heaven. I guarantee you’ll return again and again!