CYCLING

Exploring a country by bike allows us to get up close to the natural landscapes and people, yet cover enough distance each day to really get to grips with a region. It’s the best of both worlds. On a bike we can witness the changing natural habitats or ethnic cultures as we pedal, and it’s a great way to interact with local people who rely on the bicycle as their chief mode of transport.

On our cycling challenges you can discover the history and culture of countries as diverse as the USA, India and Cambodia, or emulate your heroes by pitting yourself against famous Tour de Franceclimbs. You can tackle epic journeys, whether it’s from Land’s End to John O’ Groats in the UK, or finishing at the Lost City of the Incas in Peru. You can ride smooth tarmac between classic European cities, or rough tracks linking villages far off the tourist trail. Pedal through rainforest, along spectacular coastline, beneath volcanoes, and over sandy beaches, and keep telling yourself that for every road that goes up there’s another that comes down.

Whether you’re an enthusiast or a novice, cycling is a great way to push yourself. There are always new ways to test your progress, whether it’s getting over three mountains in a day, or to the top of the biggest hill you’ve ever conquered. Whatever your level, your triumphs are easy to measure – and your sense of achievement impossible to forget!

Our huge selection of supported cycle routes across Europe offer you the opportunity to ride to or from some iconic, picturesque cities. Graded yellow, these routes will see you cycling some moderate distances over multiple days, presenting a real challenge on two wheels.

If you’ve got a long weekend, leave behind the hustle and bustle of London streets and join us on a ride to the canals and cobbled streets of Bruges. Or wind your way through villages, farmland and forest, feeling like you’ve stepped back in time as we pedal from Vienna to Prague.

London to Paris remains the ultimate multi-day challenge for cyclists of all standards. Our classic route is 4 days long. Alternatively if you prefer the draw of pizza and pasta, join us in Italy; we ride to or from the ancient capital city on our Venice to Rome or Rome to Pompeii Cycle, or our Tour of Tuscany showcases the idyllic Italian countryside.

Fancy travelling a bit further across our globe? Our 10-12 day challenges allow you to visit some of the new Seven Wonders of the World – Cycle Rajasthan goes through the deserts of India, finishing at the Taj Mahal; join our Inca Cycle to visit Machu Picchu; or visit Angkor Wat, the oldest religious site in the world, when you ride from Ho Chi Minh.

Taking the challenge level up a notch, our orange-graded routes have some tougher, more hilly terrain over longer distances. If you’ve already cycled the classic London to Paris, continue your journey from Paris to Geneva, or Geneva to Nice, showcasing the best of France’s mountainous terrain. Or join our Portugal Cycle and take on the N2, Portugal’s answer to Route 66.

For those of you with some extra time on your hands, stay closer to home and take on the famous Land’s End to John O’Groats; 12 days of cycling through the very best landscapes that our country has to offer.

Further afield, ride along the famous Route 66 from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas or witness the sheer majesty of the Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Specifically for more experienced cyclists, our King of the Mountains Cycle Series are classic, tough and remote.

The series includes our much-loved route from Carcassonne to Barcelona, or the iconic Classic cols of the Pyrenees or the Alps. Perhaps you’d prefer taking on Stelvio and Classic Italian Climbs?

You’ll need to be relatively self-sufficient on your bike, able to cycle at least 160km a day, at an average pace of 20km per hour over an undulating route, as well be confident with basic mechanical repairs and navigation. Further information about these rides can be found here, or get in touch and we’d be happy to talk through all the finer details!

Get a flavour of a DA challenge when you check out our videos. Prepare to be inspired… CHALLENGE VIDEOS

If you simply can’t decide, get in touch – we’d love to help by talking to you about your  motivations and experience to help you narrow it down and pick the best challenge for you.   CONTACT US