ride guides
IT’S ALL OUT THERE
international exploration, beyond borders, journeys without limits, we’re one world
There’s no better way to explore the world than by bike. It’s an immersive and exhilarating experience, but before you get to the breathtaking views you’ll have 101 questions… Where to go? How far & how many climbs? Roads or trails? Where to take a break? What to carry...?
All the answers are in our quick to digest, stage-by-stage, digital guide books available to download here ready bundled with the GPX routes you’ll need to keep you on track and also in the Apple Bookstore. Take the leg work out of the planning, put it into your pedals and most of all enjoy the ride.
ABOUT OUR GUIDE BOOKS
Our bike tour guide books detail epic rides between iconic cities, passing through beautiful regions, made for cycling, each with their own unique characters. On route you’ll find rolling hills, winding coastal roads, forests and farmlands, mountains crossings and many towns to explore.
Our rides are designed for cyclists of all abilities and are split into easily digestible stages of up to one hundred kilometres. Each stage can be completed in a day, however aim for more or less according to your schedule, fitness and the weather conditions. There are many places to stay on route, so set your own pace and plan your rest stops to suit.
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.”
Inside the guide you’ll find all the details you need to ride along tried and tested scenic routes, avoiding traffic whenever possible and taking advantage of dedicated cycle paths where available. Information on each region, our recommendations and highlights on what to see, the best places to refuel and rest, complete climb and descent profiles and keys stats so you know what to expect are all included.
The digital guide book download comes ready-bundled with GPX route files for each stage. If you ever need to download them again they are available as a free download in our route library and can easily be shared with friends. So go ahead and explore our guides and a world of cycling adventure. Proceeds are donated to organisations that work tirelessly to protect the environments we cycle in.
GET A TASTE
Of the mountain descent on Strada Statale 125, Orientale Sarda in Sardinia. One of the most scenic roads in Europe, located on the east coast in the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu. To see the full ride check out our Sardinia East Coast cycle guide starting from the capital city Cagliari in the south to Olbia on Costa Smeralda in the north east.
LET’S GET GOING
Ready to jump in the saddle and head out into the great unknown? Awesome, then let’s get going, there’s just a few things to consider first…
Touring by bike is among the most liberating ways to discover our planet, whether it’s an occasional day cycling, roaming around a new region or crossing countries on a long distance bike trip, the world is your oyster.
There are no barriers between you and the environment, you will literally breathe in your surroundings and earn every new vista. Plus, your carbon footprint will be minimal so you can leave those views behind knowing you’ve helped preserve them for the next set of eyes to enjoy.
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
Once you’ve completed a few cycling tours and clocked up several days in the saddle, the planning will become second nature. However the first time around may be a little daunting and there’s always the danger that you won’t get started which would be a huge miss.
So to preserve those precious plans and turn them into a life affirming reality, here’s some food for thought and a few critical questions you should ask yourself before hitting the road.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
Are you looking to get a taste and dip your toe in the water or do you have grand ambitions to cover some serious ground? It’s best to think in terms of time in the saddle rather than distance to cover and be realistic about your experience and fitness level. In most cases cycling tours are supposed to be fun, not a grueling test of endurance.
If you’re not a regular cyclist take a few test rides close to home to get a sense of how far feels achievable and crucially, how much climbing you can handle. Keep in mind that, to get the most from the experience, you’ll need to allow time to absorb the scenery, experience the regional culture, enjoy the local food and drink and meet people along the way. Build in some rest days on route so you can truly appreciate the time on the road.
RIDING SOLO OR AS A GROUP?
Many great cycling tours have been undertaken solo, leaving the rider open to, and somewhat dependent on, meeting people and places as they appear over the horizon. Conversely, riding in a group has it’s advantages, particularly when it comes to safety, sharing the load and looking out for one another when things don’t go to plan or when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
That said, bigger groups need greater coordination and some cyclists may want to ride at their own pace especially over long distances. A relatively small difference in pace can translate to significant distances between riders over time so you’ll need to agree on locations to meet and regroup.
PLAN YOUR ITINERARY
Are you planning to be as one with nature, rough it in a tent and survive off the land? Or are you looking for a little luxury and a hot meal to be served at the end of a long day in the saddle? Whatever your preference, the further you travel the more open you’ll need to be to various types of accommodation. Larger towns and cities will provide something for most tastes and budgets while smaller villages in between may only offer more limited and basic facilities.
All routes can lead to an exciting adventure, and variety is the spice of life, however the higher your expectations the more closely you will be tied to an itinerary as accommodation and restaurants may need booking in advance. Decide from the outset to what degree you want to be bound by a schedule versus how free and easy you’d like to be.
BE REALISTIC
Either way, don’t overstretch yourself when setting the daily distances to cover. There may be an amazing boutique hotel or a campsite with mind blowing views waiting for you at the end of your journey, but you’ll need to arrive in good time and not be too exhausted to make the most of it.
Our travel guides are designed for cyclists of all abilities and are broken down into stages. Each stage can be completed in a day, however aim for more or less according to your schedule, fitness & the weather. there are many places to see and stay on route so set your own pace and plan your rest stops to suit.
TIME IT RIGHT
Unless you’re fortunate enough to have an open-ended schedule, you’re likely to have a hard start and finish date. In order to discover more of a country it’s often preferable to set off from one location and finish in another so consider how this might affect your plans.
Flights arriving and departing from different airports, accommodation along the route, vehicle and bike hire pick-up and drop-off locations should ideally be anticipated and planned in advance. Also check if you will cross any borders. While cyclists often pass through check-points more easily than vehicles there may still be passport and visa requirements to be aware of in order to avoid delays.
Always check the local weather for the time of year and prepare accordingly; hot weather demands constant re-hydration while wet weather requires extra clothing. High winds should be avoided and while at altitude be aware that conditions can change quickly.
BE WELL EQUIPPED
Firstly, and most important of all, consider whether your bike is up to the task. you don’t need the latest and greatest model to have an amazing tour however lighter is certainly better and make sure you get your chosen ride professionally serviced ahead of time. There’s nothing more frustrating than setting off on an epic cycling adventure only to suffer a broken chain or jammed brake cable far from the nearest bike shop.
For circular trips, or if you’re staying in the same place and exploring the local loops, renting a good quality bike from a nearby store can be cost effective. However this presents logistical challenges if you’re planning point-to-point rides and traveling from one place to another, when you finally need to return the bike.
Will you be carrying all your gear on the bike or will a support vehicle meet you at intervals with your luggage and supplies? Whatever you decide to carry get most, if not all, of the load onto the bike leaving you free to move and breath. Take a look at our packing light guide for extra tips and take a test run with your bike fully loaded to get a feel for it, the balance will be very different to what you’ve been used to on your Sunday rides.
GET CYCLING INSURANCE
Leaving the least exciting to last, but no less important; check your insurance policy includes bike rides, cycling tours and covers you as well as your equipment. like all insurance, this is the box you need to check and, all being well, forget about. on most trips you’ll never need it, but having the peace of mind that you can get help if needed is crucial. you can’t put a price on your health.
CAN WE GET GOING NOW?
Yes we can! Remember, adventure cycling is a continual learning process, every day will be a challenge in new ways we hadn’t imagined. So keep up to date with our journey as we regularly publish new discussions and insights on our blog. Most of all enjoy the ride, it’s going to be epic.
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