Popular Cycling Holidays

After polling the keenest cyclists among tour leaders and staff here at Explore HQ we’ve come up with a selection of our favourite cycling days from all over the world:

Mike Tyler, Finance Director

Favourite Trip: Cycle the Cape!

Tour Code: CTC

Our last day. This is how a cycle trip should end: a fast, non-stop 40 km ride over flat terrain; a mixture of tarmac, gravel and dirt roads; clear skies; a slight breeze and virtually no traffic. The goal: the end of the continent.  Initially passing fields of ostriches, then a more barren landscape, the horizon stretches to infinity, until finally a lighthouse appears like a small jewel in the far distance. At last we are there: Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point in Africa.  Next stop Antarctica. Dip the wheels in the sea, climb to the top of the lighthouse and get together for the last group photo.

Ali Butler, Product Manager

Favourite Trip: Vélo En Provence 

Tour code: CVP

"My best day so far was on the fourth day of Velo en Provence, when you do a 65 km round trip from Carpentras. The day starts with a challenging hill climb to the hilltop town of Gordes to see the Tuesday market. You can wander round the market and refuel with some lovely fresh pastries and shop for picnic supplies. Then you head off on the mainly downhill trip to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, perfect for a picturesque picnic lunch, before heading back to Carpentras mainly along canal paths. A long but memorable day."

Check out all cycling tours in France

Martin Muller, Explore Tour Leader

Favourite Trip: Cycle the Backroads of Cuba.

Tour code: CUC

“On the new strenuous grade trip in Cuba, the ride from Marea Portillo to Chivirico on day 7 is quite challenging but really satisfying. A narrow tarmac road runs alongside the imposing Sierra Maestra mountains to your left with the turquoise Carribean Sea on your right. No cars at all, just pure, stunning nature!!”

Check out all cycling holidays in Cuba
 

Denise McAvinia, Operation Manager

Favourite Trip:  Backroads of Kerala in South India

Tour code: CKB

“The last day of Backroads of Kerala is my favourite.  A 40 km ride that has it all – downhill, flat, coastal roads, villages, markets, hilltop views and one final beauty of a hill at the end that shows you just how far your fitness has come over the past two weeks and makes you glad you chose to cycle in this wonderful corner of India”

 Check out our cycling holidays in India.

Ramon Pereira, Explore Tour Leader

Favourite Trip: Cycling through Sri Lanka

Tour code: CSL

 “On day 8 of Backroads and Tea Trails in Sri Lanka there’s an amazing ride from Hatton to Belihuloiya. Cycling along an extended valley through tea plantations and small Tamil hamlets you reach the highest point and then ride a glorious downhill through tropical jungle, moist and full of the sound of millions of insects"

Check out our cycling holiday in Sri Lanka.

James Adkin, Product Manager, Asia

Favourite Trip: Cycle Spain, Morocco and Gibraltar

Tour code: CGIB

 “The ride from Ronda to Algeciras on day 3 of the new Cycle Spain, Morocco and Gibraltar trip is about as good as a biking day can get! One of the most scenic train rides in Spain takes you up to Ronda, then the 100 km route back along the ridges of the Sierra with great views and typical white villages is Andalucia at its best."

Check out all cycling holidays in Spain

Brian Bestford, Explore Tour Leader

Favourite Trip: Provence and the Ventoux in France

Tour code: CPV

 “My choice has to be the climb to the summit of the Mont Ventoux. This is a classic Tour de France ascent up a legendary mountain. Challenging and extremely rewarding with huge views and a great sense of achievement when you reach the 1,912 metre summit."

Take a look at all our Cycling Holidays.