Top Winter Cycling Destinations Where You Should See Some Sun!

It’s that time of year again, and if you cannot bear the thought of layering up for your next ride, let alone heading out into the frosty temperatures outdoors, now is the perfect time to start searching for your annual winter getaway where long rides in sunnier climes come as standard.

While only the bravest of cyclists head to the Mediterranean at this time of the year you could be blessed with a week of sunshine in the Balearics, and you might even be treated to toasty temperatures in the Canary Islands, but the truth is, if you want to escape winter, you need to head further south, down below the equator, where spring has sprung and temperatures are starting to rise.

World’s Best Winter Cycling Destinations

So what are the best destinations for a winter cycling holiday? Here are a few suggestions that will have you packing your Scicon this weekend:

Cycling Holidays New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the best cycling destinations in the world, but due to its remote location, it is often overlooked by European cyclists. While it’s a long way to go to cycle in the sunshine, the cycling routes are here are simply spectacular, with the Alps 2 Ocean Road, the Rimutaka Cycle Trail, and the Old Ghost Road to name a few. While many of the trails here are aimed at mountain bikers, there are plenty of options for roadies, and with sunshine all-but-guaranteed during our winter months, NZ is the perfect destination for a sunny cycling break.

Cycling Holidays Chile Patagonia

The Patagonia cycling season 2019/2020 is officially underway, and if your idea of the perfect cycling holiday includes riding through deep valleys, along glacial lakes, and up snow-capped volcanoes, this is the destination for you! Temperatures average between 20-25 degrees at this time of year, ideal for long days in the saddle, and the scenery gets better day by day.

Cycling Holidays South Africa

When it comes to value for money, South Africa is the ultimate winter cycling destination. There are accommodations to suit every budget, the roads are better here than many parts of Europe (yes Italy, we mean you!), and there are spectacular routes to suit all abilities. You can cycle the Cape Winelands, cycle the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, or even take a cycling safari! South Africa has it all, and if you visit in March, you’ll be able to participate in the iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour, the world’s largest timed cycling sportive.

So head south this winter and treat yourself to some sunshine on a cycling holiday of a lifetime. It certainly beats spinning classes!

Summer Cycling Holidays 2020: Back To Back Tours in Austria and Italy

Unless you’re a hardcore cyclists, the 2019 outdoor cycling season has all but come to an end, and if you dread the thought of sweaty spinning classes, the next five months of virtual cycling on Zwift, and trying to regain your balance on your indoor roller, why not book your 2020 cycling holidays and distract yourself from the abyss that is winter.

So where should you go cycling next summer, well, the world is your oyster, but if you are looking for a great value cycling destination with pristine roads, magical mountain landscapes, cycle-friendly accommodations, and traditional homecooked cuisine, Austria and Italy should be top contenders for your 2020 break.

Here is a selection of summer spins that might just tickle your taste buds:

25^th June – 29^th June: Summer Spin 2020 including the Mondsee Radmarathon. This 4-night cycling holiday will take you to the lake district of Salzburg, where you will enjoy two cycle tours, guaranteed entry into the Mondsee race, accommodations with half-board, and airport transfers. From £685.00 per person.

30^th June – 3rd July: Cycling Grossglockner, Austria’s highest alpine road. This 3-night trip includes all accommodations, half-board, airport transfers, and two cycle tours, one up the mountain, the other around a lake. From £495.00 per person.

4^th July – 8^th July: Cycling South Tirol. This time we’ll head to the north of Italy to cycle some demanding passes in the region. This 4-night trip includes accommodations with half-board, airport transfers, and 3 cycle training tours with some mighty mountain climbs. From £495.00 per person.

9^th July – 13^th July: Bormio 3 Mountain Challenge. One of the most popular cycling trips in Italy, this 4-night adventure includes cycling Bormio’s three major mountain passes, Stelvio, Gavia, and Mortirolo. As you would expect from a fully-inclusive cycling holiday, this trip includes all accommodations, half-board, escorted rides, and airport transfers. From £525.00 per person.

The beauty of the above cycling tours is that they are all back-to-back so you can one, two, three, or all four on one cycling holiday!

Radreise entlang der Garden Route in Kombination mit der Cape Town Cycle Tour

Cape Town Cycle Tour 2021

Möchten Sie nächsten März an der Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020 teilnehmen? Gefällt Ihnen die Idee, die Garden Route von Kapstadt nach Port Elizabeth zu radeln? Dann ist diese Tour der perfekte Radurlaub für Sie!

Diese kleine geführte Tour in deutscher und englischer Sprache zeigt die besten Radrouten, die Südafrika zu bieten hat, und eignet sich für alle, die gerne um die 100 km pro Tag Rad fahren möchten. Das Paket beinhaltet den garantierten Startplatz zur Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020 und alle Mahlzeiten von Hermanus bis Port Elizabeth, ein Begleitfahrzeug und vieles, vieles mehr.

Hier ist die Reiseroute:

06.03.2020 – Ankunft in Kapstadt

07.03.2020 – Cape Town Cycle Tour EXPO und Briefing

08.03.2020 – Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020, 109 km

09.03.2020 – Optionale 100 km Ausfahrt

10.03.2020 – Tour von Kapstadt nach Hermanus, 120 km

11.03.2020 – Tour von Hermanus nach Swellendam, 110 km

12.03.2020 – Tour von…

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Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 2019 – There’s Still Time To Enter!

The summer cycling season is slowly but surely coming to an end in the northern hemisphere, and if you cannot bear the thought of packing your bike away and heading to spinning classes for the next three to four months, why not head on down to New Zealand and take part in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge!

Image rights: cyclechallenge.com

As New Zealand’s Premier Cycling Event, the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is something every cyclists should tick off their Bucket List, and as it takes place at the end of November each year, it is the perfect end of season race for Europeans who are not ready to head indoors.

The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is not only one of New Zealand’s most established events, it’s one of its largest. It attracts some 6,000 riders each year, which is not huge when you to compare it to other international sportives such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour, but it is sizable and suitable for all ages and abilities.

In November 2019, the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will celebrate its 43^rd year, and if you love the idea of cycling New Zealand and taking part in this auspicious event, you’ll be pleased to know that you still have time to enter!

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge: The Events

So much more than a one-day, one-race event, the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge offers something for everyone. There are road bike races, mountain bike races, elite races, family rides, and even team challenges. Here’s an overview of each:

Road Bike Events

• Bike Barn Around The Lake 160km: The most popular event, it includes a single lap around Lake Taupo.
• Half The Lake 75km: If 160km is out of your comfort zone, you can do half the lake instead!
• Quarter Lake 40km: An easy-peasy ride along the banks of the lake.
• Enduro 320km: 160km not enough? Then ride around Australasia’s largest lake twice!
• Maxi Enduro 640km: Or indeed four times, who’s counting?

Mountain Bike Events

• BDO Huka Challenge 82km: A hardcore event for hardcore bikers.
• BDO Huka Steamer 60km: Still tough, but doable if you have been training hard this year.
• BDO Huka Teaser 31km: Explore the picturesque trails around the Waikato River on this easy-ish ride.

Family Rides

• Lakeside 16km: Ideal for families and recreational cyclists, this off-road course is relatively flat and very scenic. MTB and cross bikes only. Not suitable for road bikes.
• Kids Heart Ride 5km: A charitable ride for kids up to 10-years-old.

Elite Events

• Holdens Men’s Classic 160km: One lap around Lake Taupo. Open to licensed riders only.
• Bayleys Women’s Classic 100km: Open to licensed elite women riders only.
• BDO Huka XL 82km: The MTB race for elites.

Team / Group Challenges

Lake Taupo Group Cycle Challenges are available teams of four riders. The following events are available:

• Bike Barn Round the Lake
• Half the Lake
• Quarter Lake
• BDO Huka Challenge
• BDO Huka Steamer
• BDO Huka Teaser

Of course, New Zealand is a long way to go for a one-day sportive, but with two great islands to explore, you can easily spend two or three weeks exploring this cycle-friendly country. So what you are waiting for? Book the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge today!

Anyone for Everesting? The Latest Cycling Challenge for Adventurous Travellers

Who’s ready for a bit of ‘Everesting?!

Equatours Travel News

If you cannot decide between Climbing Mount Everest or taking a cycling holiday such as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour next year, why not combine the two spend your next summer holiday doing a spot of ‘Everesting’!

The latest trend in endurance cycling for extreme hardcore cyclists, Everesting involves “climbing the height of Mount Everest (8,848 metres) on a single climb in a single ride”, which you can do anywhere in the world – providing you follow the strict rules in place:

• Rides can be of any length, and on any hill or mountain, but no loops allowed
• It does not matter how long the ride takes, but it must be ridden in one attempt, breaks for sleeping are not allowed, although you can break for meals etc.
• The 8,848m Everesting challenge is your total elevation gain, therefore, descents will not count unless there is some climbing involved, in which…

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Taiwan KOM Cycle Challenge 2019: There’s Still Time to Enter!

Listed as one of the World’s Top 10 Hardest Road Cycling Races, the Taiwan KOM Challenge is a one-day, 105km cycling event that will take you to the Taroko National Park on the east coast of Taiwan. Organised by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the Taiwan Cycling Federation, this spectacular sportive starts at sea level and winds its way through the Taroko Gorge to Taiwan’s highest passable mountain road – the Wuling Pass, and on to the summit at 3,275 metres above sea level.

Image rights: Taiwan Cycling Federation

The Taiwan KOM Challenge has an average gradient of 7%, which over 105km doesn’t sound too bad… Until you read that the average gradient on the last 8km is 17% to 27%! It goes up, and up, and then up again, and so it’s certainly not for the fainthearted, but if you are looking for an end-of-season cycling challenge, this could be the tour for you!

The Taiwan KOM Challenge 2019 is due to take place on Friday, 25^th October, and so there is still plenty of time to organise your trip to Taiwan for the event. Flights are very reasonable from the UK and mainland Europe, with return tickets from London to Taipei costing as little as £365 per person, and from Frankfurt to Taipei for just £390 roundtrip.

Packages for the Taiwan KOM Cycling Challenge, including 7 night’s accommodation with half-board, all transfers, a sightseeing tour of Taipei, two pre-race training rides, an optional post-race ride, and guaranteed entry into the Taiwan KOM Challenge with welcome party, lunch, souvenir t-shirt, backpack, water bottle, farewell dinner, and much more, costs just £1250.00, and so it really is a bargain trip for anyone who wants to go cycling in Asia.

If you love the idea of participating in the Taiwan KOM Cycle Challenge, but your travel partner is not so keen, they can take advantage of the KOM Spectator Tour Package. On race day, they will be transported to the top of the pass, where they will be able to watch the entire race, and to make them feel part of the gang, they will also get a KOM Shirt, a Race Handbook, Lunch, and access to the Farewell Dinner.

This really is one of the toughest sportives in the world, but don’t take my word for it. Here’s some quotes from previous participants:

“The Taiwan KOM Challenge is one of the most unforgiving and brutal hill climb events in the world, situated in the most impossibly beautiful and stunning picture-postcard location imaginable. Sharpen up those hill climbing legs — this needs to be on your bucket list.” – Andy Van Bergen, Cycling Tips

“The Taiwan KOM is a bucket-list item. It was for me, now checked off, and it should be for you. A riding trip here is more rewarding than an outing to Alpe d’Huez, and certainly more difficult. It’s more adventurous than anything in the Dolomites, more rugged than the Pyrenees. I implore you: Make a week of it.” Caley Fretz, VeloNews

2016 Winner Emma Pooley described the Taiwan KOM Challenge as, “ the hardest day she has ever had on a bicycle”.

If that doesn’t want to make you do it in October 2019, we don’t know what will!

Bali Cycling Holidays: Great Value Multi-Day Tours for Road Biker

One of the best ways to explore a new country is to do so on two wheels, and if you are a road cycling fan looking for a new destination, the Indonesian island of Bali could be the perfect choice for your next road cycling holiday.

A tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, Bali is well-known for its ancient temples, iconic rice paddies, beautiful beaches, and delicious food, but it remains relatively unknown on the international cycling scene. But that’s all set to change.

Bali is positively booming at the moment when it comes to road cycling holidays, and with well-priced hotels, super-cheap dining options, and a vast selection of traffic-free cycling routes, it is the perfect cycling holiday destination for bikers on a budget.

During your Bali cycling trip, you’ll have the opportunity to explore both forested volcanic mountains and beautiful coastlines as you uncover areas such as Ubud, Tanah Lot, Besakih, Amed, Kintamani, Amed, Pupuan, Sidemen, and the UNESCO heritage site of Jatiluwih on an unforgettable journey on two wheels.

There’s plenty of elevation in this part of the world, and so if climbing is your thing, numerous road cycling challenges are waiting for you in Bali. You can cycle anything from 35km to 250km per day, but even on the shorter rides, you are still looking at around 300m – 500m climbing, so it’s the perfect warm-up destination for those who are training for a cycling tour in the Alps such as the Öztaler Cycle Marathon in Austria.

Besides great cycling routes, Bali homes amazing beach resorts where you can relax and unwind after a hard week in the saddle. Add warm sunshine and even warmer Balinese hospitality to the mix, and we think you’ve found the world’s most beautiful cycling destination!

 

Cycling Garden Route South Africa: Strava Stats

If you love the idea of Cycling the Garden Route in South Africa but are worried about the distance, the terrain, and the speed you’ll be expected to ride, then keep reading…! Here you’ll find original STRAVA STATS from a ‘real’ garden route cycling holiday that took place earlier this year in the run-up to the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

Cycling South Africa’s Garden Route is a lifelong dream for many international cyclists, and rightly so. It is a spectacular 750km stretch from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, and it highlights some of the most beautiful areas of the Western Cape – which are often overlooked by travellers driving the garden route or taking a small group escorted tour.

While the full Garden Route Cycling Tour is a demanding trip, it is suitable for all ages, and with the average age group for this South African Cycling Holiday being 40 – 70 years old, there are no limits. If you feel comfortable cycling on open roads and covering around 100km per day in the saddle, you will easily manage the trip, and there’s always a support vehicle behind for you to jump on if you need a rest.

The support vehicle stays with the group the whole time, so you can take a break if you are feeling too hot or too tired and re-join the group whenever you feel ready. It’s not a stressful tour – so don’t let the distance put you off!

Here’s what you can expect during your Garden Route Cycling Holiday. Please note these are guide stats, and so they are slightly faster than the group average:

Day 1: Port Elizabeth to Jeffrey’s Bay

Distance: 111.47km

Moving Time: 4:51:48

Elevation: 1,260m

Average Speed: 22.9km/h

 

Day 2: Jeffrey’s Bay to Nature’s Valley

Distance: 113.56km

Moving Time: 4:31:46

Elevation: 1,204m

Average Speed: 25.1km/h

 

Day 3: Nature’s Valley to Brenton-on-Sea

Distance: 77.99km

Moving Time: 3:20:28

Elevation: 973m

Average Speed: 23.3km/h

 

Day 4: Brenton-on-Sea to Oudtshoorn (1-hour bus transfer)

Distance: 82.63km

Moving Time: 3:24:46

Elevation: 1,613m

Average Speed: 24.2km/h

 

Day 5: Oudtshoorn to Swellendam

Distance: 124.90km

Moving Time: 4:51:46

Elevation: 1,722m

Average Speed: 25.7km/h

 

Day 6: Swellendam to Hermanus (1-hour bus transfer)

Distance: 98.25km

Moving Time: 4:20:15

Elevation: 1,393m

Average Speed: 22.7km/h

 

Day 7: Hermanus – Gordons Bay (transfer to Cape Town)

Distance: 83.36km

Moving Time: 3:07:03

Elevation: 752m

Average Speed: 24.1km/h

 

Some bus transfers are included to avoid narrow roads and roadworks, and to limit the number of kilometres travelled each day, but apart from that, it will just be you, two wheels, beautiful scenery, and a bunch of likeminded individuals. Cycling the Garden Route is every bit as spectacular as you imagine it to be – so why not head on down to South Africa this winter and find out what all the fuss is about!

Cycle the Garden Route December 2019 – Fixed Departure

Garden Route Training Camp February 2020 – Including Guaranteed Entry Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020

Cycle Sweden’s Vätternrundan 2020: Registration Open Today!

If you think you have to wait until October to register for the Vätternrundan 2020, think again! Entries for Sweden’s most iconic cycle tour open today, and if you want to secure your spot on this 300km extravaganza around Lake Vättern, now is the perfect time to head on over to the official vatternrundan.se website, set up an account, and register your interest for next year.

Image courtesy: http://www.vatternrundan.se

Listed as “The World’s Largest Recreational Bike Ride” the Vatternrundan is a one-day, 300km event that attracts thousands of cyclists from all over the world. Starting and finishing the city of Motala, whose population triples in size over race week, it is a long but rewarding ride along the shores of one of Sweden’s most beautiful lakes. You’ll have the opportunity to see both sunset and sunrise as you ride through the night on this spectacular cycling sportive, but you shouldn’t hang around for too long, there are cut-off points to meet, and you need to be on time if you are to cover the whole 300km!

The Vätternrundan Cycle Tour has come a long way since the inaugural ride in 1966, when just over 300 participants turned up. Today, more than 23,000 cyclists from 50 different nations line up for the event, and as such, the demand for entries is high. In 2016, entries sold out in just over a minute, and while things seemed to have calmed down slightly, the event sells out fast year after year.

If you love the idea of cycling in Sweden next year but feel a 300km ride is out of your comfort zone, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several other options available. There’s the Halvvätten 150km ride for men and women, the Tjejvätten 100km ride for women only, the Vätternrundan 100km that allows participants to use e-bikes, the MTB Vättern for hardcore Mountain Bikers, and finally, the Mini Vättern for all the mini riders out there – just for kids.

Overall, Sweden’s Vatternrundan Cycle Tour attracts 37,000 participants, and you have the opportunity to be one of them in 2020! As a WACE (World Association of Cycling Events) sportive, the Vätternrundan lines up as one of the five most prestigious mass-participation cycling events in the world alongside the Prudential RideLondon, the Gran Fondo Campagnolo, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour New York, and the iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour in South Africa, which remains the world’s largest timed cycle event.

What WACE event will you be participating in in 2020? Drop us a line and let us know!

Morten On Tour: Cycle Across America Part V

Well, he did it! Morten finally completed the Fast America Ride on 30^th May 2019, which saw him cycle some 5,554km from California to Massachusetts in just 33 days (30 days riding).

Here’s his Strava Stats since we last caught up:

Day 31: Cycling Liverpool NY – Amsterdam NY

Distance: 191.50km

Elevation: 1,093m

Moving Time: 8:26:47

Day 32: Cycling Amsterdam NY – Keene NH – 3 State Day

Distance: 202.91km

Elevation: 2,507m

Moving Time: 8:24:51

Day 33: Cycling Keene NH – Salisbury Beach Massachusetts – Mission Completed!

Distance: 173.58km

Elevation: 1,753m

Moving Time: 7:00:00

Here’s a few words from the man himself:

29^th May 2019: Yesterday was really a tough day, it was cold and raining cats and dogs all day and the headwind was brutal. I did not think it was possible to get so wet. Today coming into Keene, New Hampshire better, it was cloudy with less wind even though distance was quite long (202km). Tomorrow is the last day – my legs will be grateful for that 🙂

30th May 2019: Yep. Did it!!

Everyone at Bicycle Beyond would like to congratulate Morten on his amazing accomplishment, and we look forward to hearing all about it next time we meet up!

What’s next for us? We’ll, we’re Cycling Pico de Veleta in Granada, Spain at the end of July, the Ötztal Radmarathon in Austria in September, and Cycling the Garden Route in South Africa in December. Next year, we’ve got the iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020 and a brand-new cycling holiday in Patagonia – so why not join us!