Trail riding in the Dordorgne. Independant JAXSHACK review

Barftone · Post by **Barftone** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:58 am

Just got back from a great weeks stay at Jaxshack and thought I would share my thoughts. We were a gang of 5 with 3 riding down through back road France and 2 of us flew in via Bristol Toulouse with Easyjet (£130 inc 23kg) as we did not have the luxury of extra time and wanted to maximise the trail riding when there. I took all my kit inc boots, helmet, jacket, tousers, gloves, along with other clothes easily. Toulouse is a well organised airport and pick up of a hire car was simple followed by an hour and a half’s run north to Phil and Jacky’s pad. Shack it is not quite what I would describe it as! Set in a lovely rural meadow in a quiet part of the Quercy area. The pool looked good and a cold one awaited us along with a lovely evening meal prepared by Jacky washed down with a nice red/beer as required…. Good start. The apartment has triple and twin rooms along with a good size lounge and kitchen. Bread, milk and juice supplied. It got better the next morning when introduced to the fleet of hire KTM EXCs. A 520EXC with my name on it begged for me to look after it for the week. We did 4 days trail riding with Phil at the helm. He has been here 15 years and knows the trails inside out and we headed off on a different route every day. He tailors his pace to the group and checks we are all good regularly. A packed lunch was provided and we had a coffee/ice cream stop on route as well. The trails are a great mix of hilly open going along with technical woods riding with a few “special challenges” thrown in for good measure (voluntary of course). I noted the absence of gates and ruts along with great scenery. A great days ride ended back at base for a dip in the pool with a beer followed by a delicious evening meal with the usual tales of bravado riding skills and even a sing song (sorry) one night! On the couple of rest days off the bike we visited Rocamadour and St-Cere DuPopie which are piccy perfect villages and there are prehistoric caves with paintings, etc nearby. You are near the Dordorgne and Lot Rivers so there is plenty to see and do. Might be a tad hot July and August for riding but makes a great trip any other time. So if there is a gang of you or just yourself and a partner I am sure Phil and Jacky can tailor something to keep you happy and found them very flexible and willing to help with any requests. I found the flying option very easy. I thought it was good value for this type of “all in” holiday and would thoroughly recommend it. I always gauge how good a holiday I have had is by how pi**ed off I am the following week at work……and I am really pi**ed off this week!

beddowsm · Post by **beddowsm** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:53 am

Cracking review! Really need to find time and get down to Phils.

PHILinFRANCE · Post by **PHILinFRANCE** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 1:15 pm

Thanks Tone, it was a pleasure to have you here along with all the guys , riding, drinking, swimming , laughs all the way

PHILinFRANCE · Post by **PHILinFRANCE** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 1:23 pm

Hi Tony,
So glad you enjoyed yourself. Always good to have/meet new people and you were a great bunch! Look forward to doing it all again,hopefully in the not too distant future,
Jax

92kk k100lt 193214 · Post by **92kk k100lt 193214** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:23 am

I cant comment on JaxShack as I have never been there but I did just spend yet another 3 weeks in the Dordogne not too far from you.

Trails are indeed fantastic, just so much to see and enjoy words don't describe it. Cave paintings, scenic towns and villages, spectacular views.

If you get a chance, just go for it. Anyone I have brought down with me has fallen in love with the area.

I am spoiled for choice because I live 5 miles from a ferry port that can take me to Roscoff or Santander on Brittany Ferries. So I usually pack up the bike and camping kit and head off.