I've taken up cycling. Is a bike holiday for me?

If you're relatively new to cycling, our easy-graded trips are a great introduction to travelling by bike. Be assured that our cycling holidays are not about speed or competition; they are more about enjoying the journey, riding at your own pace and appreciating the surroundings. Exploring a destination in the saddle is one of the most immersive and rewarding ways to travel, so we encourage you to soak it all up as you pedal. The group naturally splits into smaller groups of different riding speeds wherever possible, and we'll regroup regularly to visit a special site, enjoy a coffee or simply admire the views. On the other hand, if you are more confident and want to challenge yourself a bit more, we have cycling grades for all abilities - easy, moderate and challenging - so check the trip notes to see which is best for you. 

Our easy graded cycling trips don't require you to have done any physical training, but if you haven't ridden for a while, we recommend doing a bit of riding at home before your trip just to get used to being on a bike again. This will help you to enjoy the journey fully. We typically ride for 2-4 hours / 20-40km each day. If you're used to cycling regularly, the easy/moderate graded trips offer a great mix of flat and gently undulating terrain with occasional hill climbs. 

We always choose the type of bike most suited to the route and terrain. Approximately half of our cycling trips use hybrid bikes, which are ideal for riding along mostly tarmac or gravel routes without much rough terrain, and the other half will be on mountain bikes able to cope with rougher terrain. If you are used to riding a road bike, you may find the seating position of a hybrid or mountain bike more upright, but this makes for more comfortable touring and is ideal for sightseeing; enjoy the views of southern Spain's apricot orchards or the lush vegetable gardens of Vietnam as you pedal past. 

Absolutely! Couples of different cycling abilities often join our cycling holidays together. Groups often include riders of varying fitness levels, so if you're happy to ride with other people, you can each find someone of a similar pace to ride with. Alternatively, if you wish to ride together, you could upgrade your partner to an e-bike so they can keep up with you. If you have concerns about which cycling grade might best suit you both, it may be a good idea to opt for half a grade or a full grade lower than you might usually choose, to ensure that you can both enjoy the trip to the full. 

If you join one of our small group cycling holidays, we will all set off together, but you do not necessarily have to always cycle as a group. We understand that most riders would like to cycle at their own pace wherever possible, and you are welcome to do so, but we will regroup regularly throughout the day wherever needed - for directions to keep the group together or for a rest, food or site of interest stop. 

The cycling overview that features in the individual trip notes should give you a good idea of the kind of terrain you can expect during the trip, including any long ascents. Further detail or each ride is given in the day to day description of the holiday. There is absolutely no pressure to power up the hills at speed - take your time and ride at your own pace, or walk up them if you like. There is also the option to travel in the support vehicle if you prefer. 

Due to having a mix of different rider abilities in the group, we rarely ride the entire route as a peloton. Everyone will naturally spread out, with mini-groups forming according to pace, so you can choose to cycle alone or with others.

A pair of padded cycling shorts and padded cycling gloves will make riding more comfortable, but you don't need super technical or expensive cycling clothes to join one of our cycling holidays. We recommend wearing moisture-wicking fabrics, and you will also need to bring your own cycling helmet. If you don't want to invest in lots of cycle-specific kit and want to travel light, many people hand wash their cycling shorts and jersey in the evening and hang out to dry ready for the next day. Please take a look at our How to pack for your cycling tour guide to find out more.