Cycling in Europe travel guide

If you’re new to cycling vacations, or traveling solo, then joining a fully escorted small group trip can be the ideal solution. A pack of 12-16 riders, led by a professional guide, is a very sociable way to explore, and of course you all have a shared interest in cycling. As the guide knows the way, you can relax and enjoy the exercise, the scenery, and the conversation.

Some small group trips also have a support van accompanying you, so that any issues with your bike can be resolved quickly, and you can always hop into the van for a rest if you want one. This type of trip does stick to a fixed schedule, so you will need to be ready each day to depart on time, and deviations from the set route will only be when necessary. Early starts may be required to avoid midday heat or on days when there are long distances involved.

Another option is a tailor made, self-guided trip, which gives you a great deal of independence, while also providing a framework of pre-booked accommodation, luggage transfers, and 24-hour support. A self-guided vacation means you can take a detour or a rest stop whenever you fancy it, and GPS devices along with comprehensive route notes are provided. These trips are well-suited for those with a bit more experience and confidence. You should also be capable of fixing a puncture – the one eventuality that can’t be 100% ruled out no matter how well-planned the itinerary! Though a friendly rescue will only ever be a phone call away if necessary.

Our vacations prioritise locally owned and run accommodation as far as possible. This can lead to some wonderfully characterful hotels, and enjoyable interludes with hosts who are always happy to see a gaggle of cyclists pulling up outside. Naturally only cyclist-friendly hotels are chosen, with secure storage, charging for electric bikes, and hearty breakfasts all provided – and no worries about a bit of mud.

Perhaps the most important factor when choosing a vacation is what you can expect from your daily distances, and the type of terrain, including gradients, that you’ll encounter. On a leisurely trip you can expect to cover 40-50km each day, but you will be going at a relaxed pace and while you will tackle the odd climb there won’t be many steep gradients to worry about. There are more demanding itineraries around for those who would prefer a challenging cycling vacation but most of our trips are suitable to any casual cyclist.

Do put in a bit of practise before you go; the odd weekend 30km will stand you in good stead. And note that on many vacations, especially self-guided trips, it’s possible to hire electric bikes which you can charge overnight at your accommodation.

While there may be the occasional section of off-roading involved (where a support van cannot follow) for the most part our vacations stick to tarmacked roads and marked trails. This minimises any damage to natural landscapes and makes the cycling easier. While traffic cannot be avoided entirely, quieter, secondary roads are sought out as far as possible.

Cycling from place to place is a fantastic way to get a feel for a region, and daily rides are often broken up with cultural experiences such as food tastings, garden tours, or museum visits. Small groups of cyclists are routinely welcomed as they can get to quite remote areas, spreading the financial benefits of tourism to places that typically see few visitors. Turning up at a remote village on two wheels can be quite the event for local people so be prepared to chat bikes, distances and what’s in your saddle bags.

While cycling is the way you choose to get around, not everyone wants to make pedalling from A to B the entire focus of their vacation. Small group trips will often have excursions threaded through the itinerary, such as wine tasting, or tours of archaeological sites.

On a self-guided trip your precise route, and your diversions, are your own affair, but there will always be lots of interesting stops to make where you can stretch your legs and learn a little as you go. You could wander the historic salt pans of the Algarve, the landing beaches of Normandy, or ancient sites of myth and legend in Greece.