We've compiled the Top 10 Cycling Destinations just for you. So, buckle up and prepare for your next rides on these magnificent places.
Pre-Ride Preparations
Cycling in a foreign country could be different from cycling within your city. There are a handful of preparations you must go through before catching the plane to your destination.
1. Check all possible courier modes for your bike.
While going out of the country is easy, traveling with your bike could be tricky. Before booking your flight, know your bike's possible courier and traveling modes.
Most importantly, go through the clearance requirements of your destination to ensure a smooth trip.
2. Familiarize yourself with cycling laws and regulations.
In some countries, cycling laws and regulations vary from city to city, so make sure you know the rules of the specific place you visit. Cycling rules can cover riding etiquette, required cycling accessories, and even variation on the use of particular road infrastructure.
This may be easy if you're riding within an event, but it could be pretty tricky if you're traveling alone. So, make sure you know your place before pedaling!
3. Check your rental place
Most cycling destinations have secure areas for your bike, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Indeed, you wouldn't want to leave your bicycle just leaning on some walls or chained in the middle of the road.
When booking your accommodation, notify your host that you're on a cycling trip.
4. Secure safety accessories for your bike
Fortunately, many cycling safety accessories are already available on the internet. You could try a GPS tracker or a bike light with anti-theft technology. This way, you can ensure your bike is safe not just when you're in your hotel but also when you're cooling down during your ride.
3. Study the trails and stretches
Lastly, ensure you're familiar with the trails and stretches you'll go through. Pack enough water, food, and equipment based on your ride. The last thing you'd want to do is to be dumbfounded in the middle of your ride in a foreign country.
Top 10 Cycling Destinations
1. Cape Town, South Africa
First on our list is South Africa's Cape Town. With its excellent coastal roads lying around Table Mountain, cyclists worldwide fly across the globe to enjoy the sea breeze across their faces as they pedal through. You could also explore their Mist Cliffs if you're looking for rugged terrains to challenge.
The best part is that Cape Town has already embraced its cycling tourism, creating fantastic biking facilities and convenient routes to the city.
2. Lanzarote, Canary Island
Just 125 km from the African coast is Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Because of its proximity to the ocean, it offers a warm, comfortable breeze for cyclists.
If you're looking for adventure, Lanzarote also provides average wind of around 12-19 mp/h throughout the year. There are also the trails around Monte Corona with a fun view of volcanic landscapes if you're looking for a place to test your new mountain bike.
Lanzarote is the perfect place to get attuned to various riding techniques while having fun.
3. Morzine, French Alps
Lying just on the border of Switzerland is Morzine of the French Alps. Its popularity among cyclists is brought by its road variation from flat stretches to steep climbs–all of which come free. It's also the best place to go if you want to try a new sport after cycling, as it's also home to ski sites.
It's easy to plan your trip around Morzine as it's filled with rental areas for cyclists.
4. Stavanger, Norway
Waterfalls, forests, and caverns–there's no better place to enjoy nature's natural landscape than Stavanger in Norway.
While the city is not as big as the other options on the list, it comes with a sleek beach harbor and classic buildings which you can enjoy. And if you're looking for some challenge, there is also a plateau around 10 km from the seaside.
5. Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is known for its beaches, perfect for scuba diving and other underwater adventures, but its seaside is also to die for. This combination has made it famous for various triathlon events.
This Mexican paradise has approximately 30 miles of coastline that cyclists like you can enjoy–who wouldn't love a nice ride while looking at the Caribbean sea?
6. Dolomites, Italy
Another mountain range within the Alps. This cycling haven in Northern Italy has superb flat stretches with steep inclines that could go as far as 17% within a 13 km stretch. After your ride with your friends, you can enjoy classic Italian cuisine at the small restaurants scattered throughout the road.
The place is also open for major cycling events, where the entire stretch becomes closed to cars and can only be accessible to cyclists.
7. Intramuros, Philippines
If you're looking for a place for a light ride while enjoying the culture, then Intramuros in the Philippines is for you. Previously the cradle of the Spanish Civilization in the country, the place is a mixture of century-old buildings and architecture.
Furthermore, it's lying in the heart of the country's capital, just a few kilometers away from the city's bay area.
8. Pyrenees, France
As the heart of the Tour de France, the Pyrenees has an over 420 km stretch between the borders of France and Spain. Yes! You get to ride in two countries within one stretch.
With majestic trails and amazing mountainside views, the place is perfect for leisure and professional cyclists alike, especially during summertime.
9. Patagonia, Chile
Imagine riding through a smooth road in the middle of luscious green fields–that's what you'll get with Patagonia in Chile. You could also go through the Seven Lakes to see snow-capped mountains and green forests.
But if you're looking for a more challenging ride, you can opt to go through the Carretera Austral route, which has steeper inclines.
10. Yorkshire, England
London and other English cities have become pretty crowded for cyclists, but not the countryside of England. Yorkshire remains a staple among European cyclists because of its accessible, smooth and quiet country lanes.
Cooling down won't be a problem, too, as the place is filled with small food stalls where you can rest.
Which cycling destination would you be heading to on your next ride? Remember, this list is just a morsel of incredible cycling places around the globe. As long as you're amply prepared for your trip, the sky's the limit when looking for your next favorite cycling route.
