How to pick the best Cycling Tour location

Hello, fellow adventurer! We see you´re trying to figure out where to go on your next cycling tour. With so many destinations, options and prices it can be awfully overwhelming to try to figure it out by yourself. But don´t fret, we are here to give you some pointers, suggest a couple of our personal favorite destinations and give you some knowledge that will help you choose where to go next.

FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU WANT

The first step in planning a cycling tour is to figure out what you want to get from it. You need to have a frank conversation with yourself and decide what you´re looking for in terms of adventure.

By that, we mean, ask yourself questions that allow you to define the type of package that you need to buy. Are you looking for a challenging trip that will leave you tired but happy? or maybe, a peaceful sightseeing tour that will allow you to relax and go at your own pace? Perhaps you want a package that is not all about cycling, you want to combine different activities, visits to famous landmarks and only ride a bike a few days. There are no wrong answers here because, in the end, it will be you who will enjoy or regret your decisions, so don´t be afraid to go for what you want.

If you want a challenging trip then go for a full biking trip, perhaps at an exotic location. The lack of distractions means you will be able to focus on biking and no other activity, the unfamiliar terrain will give the tour an added level of excitement and difficulty. The best tours in this category will manage to give you about a full week of daily riding, different terrains and still manage to include some nice views and cycling through beautiful locales.

If, on the other hand, you wish to relax then it is a better idea to pick a scenic tour with shorter daily bike rides and perhaps some additional activities in each locale you visit. It is also a good idea to ask the travel agency or tour operator if they provide e-bikes that may make the trip more enjoyable.

CONSIDERING DESTINATIONS

Political situation

While it may be tempting to go and book a trip to the most faraway exotic place, somewhere almost no one eve goes to, but it is good to remember that some places are called exotic for a reason. These places may be beautiful and majestic but they may also pack a lot of danger. Sometimes this danger stems from the fauna, the weather or other natural factors and sometimes it may come from the natives of the zone or the geopolitical situation.

Before settling down for a location be sure to read a couple of things first. Check out your country´s travel advisory if they have one, otherwise, you may check the USA travel advisory page for general info on your possible destinations.

If the general recommendation is to no visit the place then may it´s time to reconsider and try to find somewhere else to go, perhaps another country in the same region, that way you may have a chance to experience a similar culture and ride similar roads. Now, there is one caveat regarding the US advisory system and that is the system may sometimes exaggerate the threat levels, right now the United Kingdom, a popular touristic destination shows up as a level 2 threat due to terrorist activity, so take the ratings with a grain of salt. Be sure to complement your research with some recent reviews by other travelers who have visited your intended destination.

TOP 5 CYCLING TOUR DESTINATIONS

TAIWAN

Taiwan is obviously our # 1 pick. We have had the joy of cycling in different countries but Taiwan stands out as the most beautiful, engaging and unforgettable. The combination of climates, biospheres, culture, and landscapes make this tropical island a superb for any type of tourist, but particularly for bike riders.

With over 600km to cycle, beautifully maintained roads, an excellent track record for safety on the road and many national parks peppering the routes to give tours added value, there is nothing to consider… Taiwan should be your next tour destination.

BELGIUM

The country is famously known for having lots of bikes. The average Belgian has at least one bike and routinely rides it to work, the bar, markets or anywhere. An environmentally conscious society mixed with great infrastructure for riding makes Belgium a great place to ride a bike. But of course you want to know about the countryside, the touring routes and Belgium has got you covered as well.

Coming to Belgium in the summer is the best way to experience the country. The weather will be much more forgiving and predictable, you will be able to choose the flatlands to the north or the hills to the south, or maybe even a cross country tour. Be sure to consider this wonderful country for your upcoming vacation.

MALLORCA

This Spanish island is greatly popular among expert and amateur riders alike. Being such a reputed cycling destination has forced the island to adapt and the result is an abundance of touring companies, bike rentals, and specialized hotels. What this all means is that whether you go biking in Mallorca as a part of a tour or independently you will find everything needed for a comfortable and enjoyable trip.

The main issue with Mallorca is that many people are aware of how great of a destination it is, so you will usually find that the roads are crowded, so those of you looking for a genuinely exotic destination that makes you feel unplugged from the world, you probably won´t find it here.

MORZINE

The French Alps are widely known for their touristic value. Whether it is skiing, biking or just trekking the Alps will be ready to accommodate. When it comes to biking the area has amazing roads, affordable chalets and hotels, and even a couple of local guiding companies that can help you on your trip. We recommend going during May-June when the temperatures are much more forgiving, usually staying above 0 degrees.

TUSCANY

While other roads in Europe are famously known for their uniformity and smoothness, Tuscany is a throwback to the first days of cycling by offering more rustic and primal routes, covered in white dirt. Of course, the great spanse of the region allows for great variance and you will be able to find many different types of roads, but for an authentic and challenging experience book a trip that goes through a “Strade Bianche” or white road.

ANALYZING AGENCIES

When it comes to agencies there are two main choices you can make.

Internationally owned: These are usually bigger and tend to offer many different choices regarding destinations and services but you will probably be just one of the hundreds of clients and when it comes to getting personalized attention your experience may suffer.

Local or family businesses: Local businesses usually provide better and more personalized attention as well as having the added bonus of truly knowing their trade as a result of years of tradition. If you opt to go for a family-owned tour agency know that the company may not meet the higher standards but you will surely be treated as part of the family.

Pricing: This is an important part of the process. When considering the price you can certainly look for bargains and discounts but don´t cheapt out too much. Know that if a deal sounds too good to be true it´s probably because the tour sacrifices quality somewhere. We understand that you want to get the most bang for your bucks but sometimes it is worth paying a little more to guarantee quality of service.

No matter if you end up going for local or international, expensive or cheap, be sure to check for reviews and opinions from previous travelers to get an idea of the kind of service you can expect.

BEFORE GETTING ON THE PLANE

Get insurance! This is an incredibly important part of the planning process. We all hope nothing goes wrong and the whole trip moves forward as planned, but if something happens it is incalculable to have some backup. We always say; better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Before leaving make a tally of all the tasks that need to be done and complete them, that way you will have a free and relaxed mind during your trip. At the same time take notice of all the processes that need you either at the office or at home and figure out how your absence will impact them. Are you the one who usually deals with a certain client? Then notify said client you will be unavailable and maybe pick a replacement to take care of them while you´re gone. Do you have plants that need daily watering? Ask a friend to stop by every now and then and water them for you. Remember life back home doesn´t stop when you are away and it´s better to deal with preparations before leaving than to deal with messes when coming back.