Rat Race Adventure Sports

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Reviews

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  Michelle Foster

  What an amazing experience! Was so nervous before starting but was very soon put at ease by the Rat Race team, who expertly looked after us and made sure we were always in the right place at the right time. The event was so much fun and made possible by some fantastic people who put in a lot of effort behind the scenes to make it all work. I'm planning the next adventure already!!

  08-05-2023
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  Onur Yilmaz

  29-04-2023
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  David Lombard

  I have taken part in several Rat Race’s Bucketlist events (Outer Hebrides, Patagonia, Mongolia, Namibia), and cannot rate them high enough. The locations, the crews, the logistics are all top class. Rat Race is obviously a business – but they’re not primarily driven by money and profits. It’s more about a love for adventure and camaraderie. For example, I was one of only 3 participants of Week 1 of Glacier to Glacier (Patagonia) in 2021. Rat Race could have easily deferred the event, but they did not. And it was an amazing experience, from start to finish. As were all the other events I took part in … and as I am looking forward to future ones to be. I am very impressed by the organization of these events. Clearly a lot of planning and preparation go into it, but the event directors and crews are also nimble and able to adjust to unexpected circumstances. Please take no heed of the negative reviews / reviewers: some people just have a sense of entitlement and are simply impossible to please. I can’t wait for my next adventure!

  28-02-2023
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  Kristian Hackett

  Love this company. I’ve done numerous of there 1 day U.K. based events (Man vs Lakes, Dirty Weekend, Man vs Mountain etc) as well as their longer ‘bucket list’ adventures. I’d highly recommend them. T”My personal favourite is Patagonia Glacier to Glacier. Absolutely stunning trip. Thanks again Rat Race!

  28-02-2023
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  Christopher John Platts

  I’ve just returned from my 2nd ratrace event. I’ve completed Iceland Coast to Coast in 2022 and now Trans Andean in 2023. My honest opinion is that they have been excellent events that are truly unique. In both cases I have been enabled to do the sports I love while in truly remote and remarkable places that without a company like ratrace, it simply is not possible to do. The logistical feat to put on such well supported events for large groups in these places is what sets this company apart from others. They give you so much help and support to achieve the best you can and are there to pick you up and keep you happy even if you fail. My most recent experience, in South America was without doubt the defining experience of my life so far. The route, the views and the group energy were all fantastic. A true feeling of support from everyone on the trip. It really felt like we were doing something special. Looking back now, I think the most remarkable thing is how I was able to focus on nothing but cycling and enjoying the trip. At no point did I have to worry about safety, security or logistics. Everything just kind of happened.. I’ve done a lot of this type of event at various price points, and I would have to rate ratrace as the best for isolating you from the negatives of such things, and allowing you to fully embrace the positives. Do things always go to plan? No of course not… that is fundamentally the nature of massive scale exploration type events. Anyone that says otherwise simply has not got experience in the field. So you judge the organisation by how they fix problems and isolate you, as customers, from said problems. We had a few plan changes in both of my events due to dangerous weather and alike, in both cases the organisers on the ground (Rob & Abbi) sorted it and I was drinking a beer in safety without trouble. Bottom line is, I’ve delayed buying a house to afford these trips. And do I regret it? Not one penny. If you’re going to spend on a lifetime level adventure then I recommend ratrace to anyone.

  28-02-2023
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  Budgie Wright

  Glacier-to-Glacier in Patagonia delivered everything it promised. This was my third Rat Race experience (the others were in Namibia & Iceland) and, as always, it was an exhilarating and well-organised adventure. Several friends from previous RR events were in attendance too, which was great. The usual challenges of weather, kit choices and general fitness raised their heads, but many/most of us were able to complete what we call 'EAK' - 'Every Available Kilometre'. (Doesn't always follow that the whole proposed route can be completed, if conditions don't allow - Safety is taken very seriously, by the RR staff and medics!) The scenery was as spectacular as advertised, the routes challenging and the attention required to get the most out of what is, after all, an adventure, was at its height. Food and accommodation, especially the camping section, was very good, considering what we were doing & where. Inevitably, on a trip like this, something will go wrong. The measure of the team looking after you, is what proves their worth. We had issues with over-officious park rangers, but were able to circumvent most of that, with a bit of quick thinking and the following day's 'off-piste' adventure became a proper challenge of character and endurance. All the while Rat Race staff were on course, ahead and behind. Be assured, the people who run Rat Race, their local organisers and guides know their stuff, especially when things get tough and edgy. Incredibly detailed logistical plans can be adapted, amended or completely changed to suit conditions and environment. We had potentially serious issues in Namibia, Iceland and now Patagonia. All of them were resolved by the contingency plans and resourcefulness of the RatRace team. In all these trips are (to my mind) MEANT to be a challenge. If you want a day-trip to a glacier, a cocktail in a five-star hotel and a widescreen TV, there's always Kuoni. If you want to test yourself and find out whether you have character and determination, with a spirit of adventure, there's RatRace. Thanks Jim, Rob, Abbi, James, David and all the others who make up your team. I, for one, will be back for more.

  28-02-2023
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  eamon etherson

  AVOID AVOID AVOID- RAT RACE I’ve given one star because there’s no option for no stars. This was to be the trip of a lifetime but in all honesty our lives were put in danger. Two days running in the mountains in the Patagonian wilderness. They sent us out with gps and trackers that didn’t work. The had no permits in place for the duration of the trip, which is highly illegal. The shabby mountain bikes that we hired from them ($351.87 for 2 days cycling ) for the cycling stages had flat tyres, brakes and gears that didn’t work, totally not fit for purpose and extremely dangerous. They didn’t have enough kayaks for the kayaking stages. This is only a few of the points, you can see a more detailed review on Trustpilot. It was a o disappointing.I’ve been on loads of adventure trips around the world and this was by far the worst and would nearly put you off travelling. Caused so much stress and anxiety not to mention the huge financial costs.

  29-01-2023
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  William Naylor

  My experience of this company was fantastic. I did the Svalbard test pilot and could not have had a better organised, adventurous but safe experience. Thank you Rat Race, this certainly won’t be my last adventure with you. Looking forward to the next one!!

  29-12-2022
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  Tomasz Jegier

  My experience of Rat Race was HORRENDOUS. While on the Patagonia Glacier to Glacier November 2022, advertised as navigating through the National Park it was revealed that Rat Race had neither applied nor been granted permission for the event resulting in several of our party being picked up by the police and as they presence was illegal. We were advised to take our vests off and walk if we encountered the Police again. GPS still didn't work the second day. On the bike section we were forced to navigate public roads as we did not have permits for the National Park. The bikes were not fit for purpose, the gears only partly worked at the beginning and broke down completely so I carried the last part of the ride. Rat Race didn't have the appropriate tools to fix the bikes. I left on the third day along with several others as we didn't feel safe. It seems they didn't have enough kayaks for last leg and that some of the group would have to continue on bikes. The Gross incompetency continued on a grandiose scale. The organisers on the ground were at a loss to fix the litany of problems we encountered and allegedly had no way of contacting the head office to address our complaints and fears. One other bitterly disappointed participant complained this was a repeat of a previous trip she booked where she had been assured this was not the norm. The whole experience was a very expensive nightmare. I am still waiting for the company to respond. Tomasz Jegier

  29-12-2022
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  Icomputa Yami

  A horrendous experience with these clowns. They are a bunch of cowboys from my experience. I arranged to collect some equipment from them and so agreed on the day and time that I would be there to get it because they are in York and was coming from Birmingham and I wanted to make sure there were no problems. Before I set out, on the agreed day, I tried calling them to let them know I was on my way, but only got an automated answering service. I wasn't bothered because the arrangements had already been made, so I made the journey to their store. 3 hours later, I get there only to find that the place was locked up and there was no-one there. I tried pressing the buzzer, but no answer. I tried calling, but nothing but that automated service. With no way to get in touch with anyone, I had no choice but to make the 3 hour journey back to Birmingham, empty handed. As you can see, Rat Race customer service is none existent and, if I was you, I'd do yourself a favour and give them a wide berth! I have given them 1 star for my extremely bad experience but, believe me, if I could have given zero, or even negative stars, I would have. You deal with rat race at your own peril. You have been warned.

  29-11-2022