Precursor: The following review was written and revised over a couple of days… Sacred Rides did try very hard to make my situation right.
The guides did try very hard, but I will say the trip was a disappointment on more than a few fronts. I would not recommend riding the “Magnificent Mesas” trip if you are above a high middle level mountain biker. The meals were also pretty badly oversold. The breakfasts were very light continental type served by the hotel, and the lunches were mostly the “pack your own sandwich” variety. The one included dinner was 2.5 medium take out pizzas and salad split between 6 people. Lastly, I was charged more than what I was told by the company operator, and then told “Oops, I made a math mistake.” No correction was offered. I’m sure after reading other reviews that the more exotic locations they do this would be of much greater value, and if I was wanting to go to one of those locations I think they would offer a better value proposition. For Saint George, Utah… not so much.
As a followup, I am revising this review because the owner reached out to me by phone, and it was clear that they take these types of concerns seriously. I did not personally take him up on his offers, because that is not why I wrote the review. I will, however, say that the way he handled the situation was stellar, and makes up for a lot of the way I had been feeling about the experience. Thanks Nate.
Revision 2: Nate sent me an email reminding me that “if there’s any chance you would consider joining us on another sacred ride, we would be happy to offer you a credit for the full amount of your Magnificent Mesas trip (essentially a $2500 credit).” I don’t think I will take him up on it, but it does speak volumes to how seriously they take criticism.
I may not have had a fantastic, off the charts, amazing time… but it’s pretty clear to me that they really strive for this. I can’t quite give them 5 stars for my experience, but I sure have to give them that for trying to make it such. Keep up the good work, I’m sure I’m an outlier.