Cycling is an excellent way of unwinding, as you pedal through the countryside your mind is freed from the worries of work. The repetitive pedalling action becomes second nature, you no longer need to think of what you're doing, your body goes into autopilot and your imagination can roam, or you can enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Taking your bicycle with on holiday can bring you to a greater state of relaxation as you take much deserved time off work. There are many packaged tours available where you can ride from town to town, hotel room to hotel room. Alternatively you could plot your own exciting tour of the holiday region of your choice.
When planning a cycling holiday, remember to make a checklist of the cycling apparel you will need. Cycling shoes, good sunglasses, cycling helmet, a couple of pairs of cycling shorts and cycling jerseys should see you through, and remember to pack a couple of spare tubes, a puncture repair kit and a pump. If you are staying over at a bed & breakfast or hotel you can wash your shorts and jerseys.
Clothing and equipment for your cycling holiday can be stored in panniers which fit on the sides of the bicycle. Panniers are satchel like bags which can straddle special frames over the rear and front wheels of your cycle; you also get bags which attach to your handlebars. Visit a good cycling shop to find the best panniers for your needs, and to have them fitted.
Of course you will want to take care in choosing your holiday destination, make sure that you know the level of fitness required for a particular tour or region. Cycling holidays in France, especially in the south can be great for those
seeking to enjoy some of the same roads covered by the professionals cycling the Tour de France. The fitter cyclist can ascend legendary climbs such as the Alp d'Huez, Col du Galibier, Col de la Croix de Fer and more.
Another popular destination for cycling holiday makers is in Spain. Hotel to hotel tours of Catalonia expose cyclists to the beautiful scenery and bird life of the region under sunny skies. Many of the packaged tours are planned out over one week and include full itineraries.
Tuscany is a hot spot for cyclists and holiday makers from around Europe, so if you are interested in a cycling holiday in Italy, then the Tuscany region may be your best bet. The Mediterranean climate will make cycling through the beautiful Italian countryside a treat. Of course much of Italy's beauty comes from the charm of the Italian culture and small villages, which can be thoroughly explored on two wheels.
Indeed the best part about a cycling holiday is that you get the opportunity to intimately explore the region you visit, breath in the atmosphere and fresh country air as you cover miles within a morning's ride, before taking a refreshing shower and dining on the local cuisine and enjoying the local restaurants, coffee shops, wineries and other great venues. Of course the people and their culture are what shape a region's distinct flavor, and by cycling through a region you are much closer to the people than a tour bus would ever allow.
Enjoy a Cycling Holidays around the World, fun for all ages, weather you are a professional cyclist or a beginner.
Written By: Marius Bezuidenhout
