Take on England’s Norfolk Broads or Wales’ Radnor Ring over two days of hilly cycling, or for a more relaxed pace explore Tuscany’s rolling landscape on two wheels or tour Denmark’s coast and castles by bike for a day or two. Really want to work up a sweat in the saddle? We show you how to conquer France’s leg-burning Cols and hill ascents in just two days.
Italy: The Tuscan good life
For the perfect bank holiday long weekend, fit the best bits of the bella vita into just five days with this laid-back self-guided E-bike trip in the hills of Tuscany. The inspiringly-named Cycling for Softies aren’t about leg-screaming hill climbs – this is about riding for pure pleasure, staying in gorgeous eco farms and exploring vineyards, castles and olive groves.
Price: From £905 per person including accommodation, some meals and bike hire. Not including flights.
England: Wild Norfolk Broads
Wilderness Weekends does what it says on the tin – fitting adventures in Britain into short trips that don’t require annual leave. On their cycling adventure across the Norfolk Broads you’ll ride 120 miles over three days with a guide, and each night there are campfires to sit around before bed in a cosy yurt. This is cycling meets camping in style.
Price: £250 per person including accommodation and meals. Not including bike hire and flights.
Mallorca: Brush up on your bike skills
Get your road cycling mojo back with a weekend at Stuart Hall’s autumn cycling camps, based out of Mallorca’s Pollensa Bay. You’ll come back fitter and more confident after daily rides that tackle Mallorca’s most challenging climbs, but this isn’t all tough training - there’s time built in for coffee stops in the sun.
Price: From £450 per person for a three-night camp between 14 Sept and 27 Oct, including accommodation and some meals. Not including flights or bike hire.
Wales: Take the Radnor Ring Challenge
Rewarding hill riding can be closer than you think. Case in point: Radnor Ring, a new route through rolling Radnorshire in Wales, is easily accessible from Cardiff, Bristol and London. It’s just a 119 mile self-guided ride over three days, but there are plenty of climbs along the way. A great weekend challenge, with stays in cosy inns each night.
Price: £340 per person including accommodation, some meals and bike hire. Not including flights.
France: Alpine col conqueror
Want to work up a sweat? Take on the French Alps over a weekend. A multi-stage guided cycle from Lake Annecy to the iconic 21 bends of Alpe D’Huez, Col Conqueror’s tour includes Cormet de Roseland, Col de l’iseran and the Col du Galibier. You’ll ride a total of 240 miles and climb a tidy 10,000 metres on this trip, making it ideal for pushing your road cycling to the next level.
Price: £970 including accommodation and some meals. Not including flights and bike hire.
Denmark: Castles and coastline
Make like a Viking and cruise between castles and coastline on the Danish Riviera. This self-guided trip in one of the most cycle-friendly countries in the world is four nights long, perfect for a long weekend, and based on Zealand, Denmark’s largest island. Ride country lanes through farmland and seaside villages and then explore cool Copenhagen.
Price: From £790 per person, including accommodation, some meals, train travel in country and bike hire. Not including flights.
