Mountain Bike Guide in the Cairngorms National Park
“The hghlight of our stay was the Flow into Slow package. The guided ride with Phil was an amazing experience. Beautiful lochs & conversations. We loved learning about his passions and beliefs, integrating into the local community not competing with it, respecting the natural landscape while following your passion. Quite inspiring! We then had the most calming therapeutic massage with Sarah after.’ Bea & Oli April 2024
find flow live slow is the mountain bike guide and well being offer at Lazy Duck, curating exhilarating days out on guided bike rides followed by relaxing evenings of massage, hot tub, hammocks and gathering. Check out the March 2021 MBR article ‘Call of the Wild’. We are delighted to be recognised by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland as a premier accommodation choice. The Cairngorms National Park is one of the world’s most exciting outdoor playgrounds and a mountain bike guide on our endlessly developing trails is a must for any visiting rider to get the most from holiday trail-time. Whether it is lower level trails or big days on high mountains you are after, being guided by us ensures you hit the best trails on the day for your skill level, experience and aspirations. We attended the 2022 DMBinS industry workshop and here is our overview.
riding: Doorstep delights or All Mountain adventure, you choose. The Cairngorms National Park has routes for all from novice/family rides to remote mountain experiences or wild technical challenges. We have built an exhaustive knowledge of local riding, putting together the best loops and adventures. Our local knowledge delivers the perfect flowing mountain bike adventure for you during your stay. If you have an iconic Scottish ride on your bucket list (the Torridon Loop for example), we will gladly guide you there.
Our three guides are highly experienced and qualified under the British Cycling MBLA scheme/Cycle Scotland Go MTB programme. We are all absolutely nuts about riding in the Scottish wilderness and sharing the experience. With around 80 years on two wheels between us, we know all the ingredients for an amazing day out on the bike and will love sharing them with you. Having Jac on board allows us to offer Ladies Only rides for groups of up to eight.
staying: Options for couples and groups of four or six. We have secure/dry bike storage and fully stocked service station/bike wash. If you need to hire a bike for your stay/guided ride we are able to organise that for you.
All Planned and Delivered specifically for you
We are delighted to ride with and be supported by Stolen Goat, Orange Bikes & Singular Cycles. We are regulated by, involved with or endorse these organisations. Have a browse if you fancy.
Photography on this page is by Alec Seaman and Andy McCandlish.
Coaching, Guiding & Flow into Slow
Half Day Guiding/Coaching
Couples: £80 | Groups: please get in touch
We’ll hit the trails for a morning/afternoon ride on flowing trail pitched at your skill/experience level and preference. Coaching delivered if required.
Full Day Guiding/Coaching
Couples: £150 | Groups: please get in touch
Based on your preference for riding experience, we will create an amazing day. High mountains/remote places, technical trail loops or family friendly/novice paths. Coaching delivered if required.
You choose and we will deliver the perfect Cairngorms ride for you.
Flow into Slow
Couples: £160 | Groups: please get in touch
Have a full day guided ride then come back home for a hot tub & discounted leg rub*
*£30 per rider.
Meet the Team
Phil Hodgkiss
Phil’s earliest happy memory was his Raleigh Tomahawk (appropriately the younger brother to the Chopper) built and given to him by his older brother Paul. Since then he has toured, adventured, raced and commuted by bike. He has created endurance mountain bike races and helped out/marshalled at many more. Now living in the Cairngorms National Park, Phil is amassing an ever-expanding list of rides from Lazy Duck’s doorstep at all levels; from family and novice to advanced. Phil is mostly either thinking about, preparing for or on a ride. We are delighted to have good friends Jac and Marty on board to deliver both ladies only rides and larger groups where more than one guide is needed.
British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader. Cycling Scotland Go MTB Instructor. Outdoor Emergency First Aid Trained.
Jac Marquis
Jac has been riding bikes across the UK, and further afield, for long enough to know all the great spots for whatever type of riding you’re looking for. She loves nothing more than sharing a mini adventure with other riders to show them the treasure trove of trails we have here in Scotland. From classic wilderness loops in the Cairngorm National Park and other highland delights. Just let her know what type of ride you’re after and she’ll find the right mini adventure for you.
British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader. Outdoor Emergency First Aid Trained.
Martin Steele
Martin has been mountain biking for over 30 years, working in the cycling industry for the last decade. Over that time he’s done a bit of everything: exploring, racing, event organisation, trail building and, for the last three years, working as an MTB instructor for the Endura Lifecycle Trust. He has huge experience of riding in remote terrain, almost 50 Munros ticked off by bike and a love of exploring the remote islands off Scotland’s west coast. With an extensive knowledge of the Cairngorm National Park and beyond, his guided rides will show you to the best trails that the Highlands have to offer.
British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader. Cycling Scotland Go MTB Instructor. Outdoor Emergency First Aid Trained.
How to Book
To book your ride please complete the sign up form below and we will be in touch, ideally by video chat, to talk through/confirm your day.
Payment is collected once the ride choice is confirmed and date set; couple or group, half or full day.
Please get in touch with any questions or requests for a specific ride destination; Cairngorms, Torridon etc.
Booking Form
Please complete the booking form below in full.