world reviewer
Andrew Straw
Half way through taking a year off living and working in Japan to cycle around Chile and Argentina, Andrew and business partner, Paul Snedker, were sitting in a snowed in tent chewing the fat about what to do next when they hit upon the idea to share the fantastic experiences they had had on their bikes with others and Saddle Skedaddle was born. It was a popular concept and with support from Chilean travel specialists, it was launched in 1995 as an independent biking company.
Andrew still loves taking people around on his favourite trips and sharing with them as they experience things for the first time, though now he also gets to trail blaze for new trips (which pretty much involves hopping off at the airport buying some maps and seeing what is out there - the original recipe for their Chilean adventures.). Peru, Brazil and Eastern Europe are the next on the list for trailblazing.
Andrew is also a fan of whisky, chocolate and chocolate whisky liqueurs.
Andrew Straw's activity
- 15 Oct 2007
Andrew Straw reviewed Scotland: coast to coast cycle in Scotland, United Kingdom
Go west from the Isle of Skye to Montrose on Scotland's east coast and ride on 235 miles of drovers roads, military tracks and forest trails through the Great Glen region and over high passes in the Cairngorm and Grampian Mountains. The civilised part…"
Andrew Straw reviewed Riding in 'green' Northern Spain in Asturias, Spain
Visit 'green Spain', the sharply rising regions of the foothills jutting towards the jagged limestone of Picos de Europa for the already described fantastic mountain scenery, mix of trails, tiny, traditional mountain farms and pretty Spanish towns produc…"
Andrew Straw reviewed Bike Patagonia's Lake District in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
If you have seen a dinosaur documentary recently this backdrop of huge, bright blue, brimming lakes rimmed in the foreground by monkey puzzle trees and behind that with snow capped mountains will be familiar to you. Cycling around the lakes you'll find …"
Andrew Straw reviewed Cycling Chile's Altiplano in Tarapacá, Chile
Chile is a safe, super friendly country to cycle around, and what a country it is, though narrow it includes some of the world's driest desert, most verdant National Parks and the breathtaking Torres del Paine region. The Altiplano region is one of the …"
Andrew Straw reviewed Adventure ride in Peru's Sacred Valley in Sacred Valley, Peru
With single track trails that have you hugging to the sides of cliffs and challenging altitudes of up to 4,300 metres providing days of 2000m worth of descent as you plummet towards green valleys, Peru's Sacred Valley is a great place for a proper bikin…"
- 09 Jul 2007
Andrew Straw reviewed Walking in the Torres del Paine in Magallanes, Chile
Unbeatable mountain views of classic peaks on a massive scale. The Torres del Paine has some of the world's most astounding natural views, when green it's verdant, its glacial lakes are bright blue with the odd ice berg to add to the drama and the mount…"
- 27 Jun 2007
Andrew Straw reviewed Cycling on the Lofoten Islands in Nord-Norge, Norway
Go north in June for 24 hour riding, hiking and fresh air you can taste on Norway's pretty Lofoten Islands, a string of small, bowler hat shaped, green islands set just off the coast. Long bridges or ferries take you between the islands and you can cyc…"
