Cycle travel and cycling holidays

From high-profile sportives to low-stress cycle-tours, via training camps, col-bagging or tootling along back roads, you just can’t beat travel with a bike - especially when it’s cold and damp in Blighty, and the warm days and glorious views of France, Italy or Spain beckon enticingly.
 
What are the options? If you’re racing this year, or tackling some big sportives, an early-season training camp will get you finely tuned. Most camps involve rides with an experienced coach to help improve your skills, plus lectures and discussions in the evening, followed by big dinners and a few drinks in the bar, oh yes, and loads of sunshine next day.
 
Once you’re up to speed, you may be looking at the Etape or the Marmotte, or one of the many other sportives and grand fondos that dot the European calendar. A host of tour companies await to organise your big day, with packages including flights, transport and accommodation aimed at varying budgets. Many of these companies offer trips to watch the Grand Tours too, or combinations where you can applaud the big boys at the end of a stage then go out on your bike next day and pretend to be one of them.
 
But maybe you don’t want to race around. When the snow disappears from the mountain ranges of Europe, the chalets welcome bikies (of the on- and off-road persuasions) and tour companies offer cycling holidays, heading out each day with a local guide to sample iconic climbs in the Alps or Pyrenees, or cruising down to the low-lands for something a little easier.
 
Or load up the panniers, and go touring from place to place. Once again, there a wide range of travel companies offering cycling trips - across Europe and many other parts of the world. The route is set, the hotels booked, a leader is at your service, and a van carries your heavy kit as well. All you have to do is enjoy the ride!