Mark Erickson is perhaps the best thing that could ever happen to your Southern Utah vacation. Not only is his passion for mountain biking genuine, but infectious, and the car trips between the rides themselves are peppered with stories enough for a “Who’s Who in Modern Mountain Bikers”. But if names don’t impress you, then the atmosphere Mark creates around his trips will: the kind of genuine interest in your well-being that usually only comes from family and old friends. Every run begins with a breakdown of the trail—what to look out for, good spots for photographs, tough sections, length and time—and ends with you resting in the shade with a trail mix bar and an ice-cold Gatorade (both provided, of course!) while Mark stows away your equipment for the next section of your adventure.
Mark’s knowledge of the area is second-to-none, equaled only by his kindness.
On our trip back from Bryce Canyon, for example, Mark drove almost an hour out of his way so we could get a look at Zion National Park—a trip he knew we wouldn’t have been able to make on our own. It is this attention to detail that separates Mountain Bike Buddies from the competition: Erickson’s willingness to customize your experience down to the details that you didn’t know were important, or indeed even there.
And the price for such five-star treatment? Our wallets didn’t even notice the difference. Suffice to say that we would have easily paid double the amount at any other business, but the service and the product would not have been any better.
We chose Mountain Bike Buddies based solely on cost, but what we ended up with was an unsurpassable experience, and more importantly, a friend. Thank you, Mark, for everything you did for us, and know that the next time we’re in the area, we’re not even going to bother calling anyone else.
Jon Lee and Lynnette Butt
Newfoundland, Canada - summer 2005
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If you're travelling to Southern Utah, Mountain Bike Buddies is a "no brainer". Coming from the tight, twisty single track in Georgia we didn't know what to expect in Utah. Mark made us feel like "locals" the instant he picked us up from the Las Vegas airport. He spent time talking to us prior to the trip to determine our skill level, planned our daily ride itineraries, provide perfect trail info and maps, shuttle service everywhere and most importantly...sent us to the best restaurants after long days on his Kona Dawgs. Mountain Bike Buddies made sure we had only one job on our trip....to RIDE OUR BIKES!
I truly feel as if I've made a new friend....or a new mountain bike buddy.
Ted Pappas, Atlanta Georgia
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Mark was great at gauging our groups ability and found us very appropriate trails. If you think Gooseberry Mesa is great, ask him to take you to Little Creek Mesa. Our group will be using him again next year to head up to the Brian Head area. This guy's only concern is making sure you have a great time. STRONGLY recommended for a SW Utah trip. P.S. He has a million great stories that will have you rolling in the back seat of his comfortable 4x4 Ford Expedition.
Mark Piotrowski
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The October Utah trip was incredible!! Never have we done so many diverse things in 8 days. We did 7 trails and 3 hikes. All of them were epic! Special thanks to Mark of Mountain Bike Buddies who shuttled us when we needed it and for being just a great guy. If you go out there definitely look him up! His prices are ridiculously low.
Moab, Spoke Junkies Bike Club, Ohio
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Thank you so much for the awesome ride you took me on.
I think your tour is such a great value and experience. Also wow, what a beautiful place to ride you have so many trails and areas to ride. I've already referred you to my other riding friends here in NY. I'd like to get a group together and come back out this fall. By the way your bikes are
really great, compared to the rentals I've rode on the other mtb tours. I'm now considering a Kona as my next bike. They should give you demos for getting them sales.
Thanks again for your awesome hospitality and generous service, you have a good thing going. I'll be back again.
Cheers Aaron...
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I made it back ok, thanks for a great day of mountain biking, it was spectacular. I don't see any reason to ever go to Las Vegas again when all the good scenery and outdoor action is over in St George. Keep up the good work, I'm singing your praises back in Michigan, but not to loudly so there will be a spot open for me for the next chance I get to head out and hit a few of the other trails that we missed.
Bryan Nance, Detroit, MI
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I just want to thank you for the wonderful experience we experimented!
Your added value and your commitment for superior customer satisfaction is very valued. You gave us our "dream Mountain Bike trip"!!!
Thanks again for this wonderful experience!
Gabriel Scully
Queretaro Mexico
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Just a note to thank you about the outstanding experience we had in Utah. We really enjoy our time there. Thanks for all the moments and all the joy with the bikes.
Jesus A.D. Araujo
Delgado, Mexico
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I just wanted to send you some pics and thank you again for the outstanding service and wonderful time we spent together. I have another great friend in southern Utah now and I was blessed to get to know you.
Michael Arner, Pennsylvania
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Thanks again for the great time Marshall and I had mountain biking. You were right when you said it would be the high point of our trip. That was no small feat considering how great the rest of the trip was. I've really been talking it up to my cycling friends and I wouldn't be surprised if you gain a few clients.
Burt Prokop, Boston
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Just a quick note to say we have arrived back in the UK, and to say how grateful Geoff and myself were to you for your hospitality. We certainly had a 'smashing' day out on the bike with you.
The views and memories will stay with us for a long time.
Paul Stewart, UK
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“Mark Erickson’s service is an absolute MUST if you are planning to ride in Southern Utah. Mark does all the things that make a mountain bike trip complete: he rents you a sweet full suspension bike, delivers you to the trailhead in his Ford 4x4, points you in the right direction, gives you a GPS on the days you may need one, and is standing there waiting with cold Gatorade when you are done. Then, he’ll drive you to another trail head and start the process all over again. Our group of sport riders wouldn’t have seen half the stuff he showed us had we been on our own. He adopts your group for the time you are there and dedicated his day to making sure you are happy.
First class service all the way for a nominal fee. You cannot get any better than that.”
Daniel Acker
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We had a terrific vacation, and especially enjoyed the mountain biking. Thank you for making it so memorable. Candice and I are still grinning from ear to ear and remarking to each other, "Wow, what a great vacation."
Dave Brown & Candice Wilson, New York
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We had a great time and would never have been able to do it without you!
Ralph, Minnesota
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Thank you very much for making our cycle trip to Utah so memorable. I know your first love is mountain biking, but your suggestions and help made our road trip an excellent cycling experience. I'll be back to take you up on your mountain biking suggestions.
After finishing day 1 of our 3 day trip to St George with MBB, we knew we would be coming back again and again for more. We were taken to the top's of the greatest trails we've ever done, given excellent directions, and picked up at the bottom and taken to the next new trail, all day long. The views from the mesa's and canyon rim's had us stopping constantly to admire them, while the trails themselves had us grinning from ear to ear as we rode down them. We had the best times of our lives on our mountain bikes that weekend as I'm sure everyone does that visits St George with MBB. We could tell that the MBB staff truly enjoys this beautiful place they live in, as well as sharing its beauty with others. We now return to see them and ride almost every month and endure the 7 hour drive from California to get there to ride it again and again.
Matt & Kim B., California
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Mark, Thanks again for a great day of riding. Memories we will always treasure.
Five friends and I had planed to visit southern Utah to do some mountain biking, but none of us had any idea where to find the trails. I had been to St George in the past and tried to find the trailheads for hours at a time with no luck. While searching for trails for this trip on UtahMountainBiking.com I found a link for Mountain Bike Buddies. I hesitantly clicked on the link and called Mountain Bike Buddies. After talking to Mark, the owner, for about five minutes we had a whole day of mountain biking planed. We chose trails that would fit a large range of riding experience. One week later the day started out at Mountain Bike Buddies. Mark started by looking our bikes over, and making sure they were in good working condition for the ride to come. Then he moved onto the his rental bike for the people who did not bring their own. The bikes that Mountain Bike Buddies rents are better than any of the bikes that we brought. He carefully set up each bike for the individual riding it, and made sure each of us was comfortable with the bike that we would be riding for the day. Then he loaded the bike onto his Ford Expedition and we headed for the trails. Once we arrived at the first trailhead Mark thoroughly explained each fork in the trail and things to watch for. He then met us half way to make sure that everyone was doing OK. At the end of the trail he loaded the bikes back onto the Expedition, and we were off to the next trail. On the way to the next trail we enjoyed energy bars and drinks that Mountain Bike Buddies provided. We rode three or four trails that day, each with a similar experiences. I would suggest Mountain Bike Buddies to anyone. I would also like to add that for the services provided, he is far under priced.
Sincerely, Jason Jones
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We were lucky enough to find Mark off a link from the UtahMountainBiking.com site from here in New Zealand. Given we were only coming over to the USA for 9 days it was essential we could maximize time on bike and could find someone who could show us Utah's best. Mark provided this and more! He was exceptional when it came to arranging the types of rides were wanted online, from there it just got better, we were able to get preferential rates for accommodation through his contacts, and when it came to ride time, the trails he showed us on were just awesome! We couldn’t have asked for a better guide, and we were struggling to think of how you could have done any better! Mark we will definitely be back!
Rob, Andrew, and Clement (3 Kiwis from New Zealand)
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St. George has some world class Mt. biking and extremely fun singletrack. It is a beautiful area and only a short drive from Las Vegas. Mt. Bike Buddies is a great shuttle service with great prices. If you are in the area I highly recommend taking a day or several to ride St. George. Mark knows the best spots and he is extremely flexible to work around schedules. He also has some great stories so there is never a dull moment.
Thanks again Mark for the great time.
Jonathan & Doug Harvey, Alaska
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Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed yesterday. It was a magical day for all of us and am sincerely grateful for your amazing attitude, friendliness and expertise. You inspired me tremendously to keep practicing and... I love challenges - and this sport sure provides them!
The boys don't say a lot to me, but I can tell from their conversations to others how proud they were of themselves - maybe one day they will say they are proud of me too <grin>
We loved your enthusiasm and encouragement, that was special. I am quite impressed with your people skills and ability to make people feel so at ease and important.
Holly McLaughlin, Oregon
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The experience we had with you is now like a dream. Unfortunately, reality has set in and it's back to the hectic work mode. Keep plugging away and don't let those lazy overpriced bike shop owners with bad attitudes cut you out.
You have a great personalized recreational service, it's affordable to the average person, and the finding the trail on your own aspect of the whole thing adds a degree of adventure to the atmosphere.
Barry Cosgrove, North Carolina
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