Preparing For Your First Cycling Holiday

Top tips for your first cycle holiday.

In recent years, leisure cycling holidays have exploded in popularity as more and more people have discovered the delights and benefits of these hugely rewarding holidays. Leisure cycling holidays are just that: comfortable, user-friendly bikes coupled with scenic and relaxing itineraries. The daily rides are designed to provide a few hours of gentle exercise each day – they are not endurance tests and allow plenty of time for exploring places of interest along the route.

When selecting your first cycling holiday it’s important to pick a route that is suitable for your fitness level. Most cycling holiday companies grade their tours for different ability levels. Flexitreks is no exception and uses the grades Easy, Leisurely, Moderate and Challenging. The day-by-day itinerary of each tour describes the daily rides in detail, including the distance you’ll cycle each day. Our descriptions also clarify whether the route is flat or includes any climbs along the way. Choose a tour that challenges you a little but be honest about your abilities—the holiday should primarily be fun and enjoyable.

E-bikes are an available option on all our cycling holidays. They don’t offer a free ride but they do offer a lot of assistance, particularly on hills. If you are taking on a route that you think might challenge your fitness levels then consider upgrading to an e-bike for extra peace of mind

So, once you have picked and booked your first cycling holiday how should you prepare for the adventure?

4 Tips for Preparing for Your First Cycling Holiday

1. Assess Your Fitness Gap

It’s important to assess your current level of cycling fitness as early as possible. Cycling uses specific muscles, so while general fitness helps, cycling itself is the best preparation. Try and find a route in your area that emulates the sort of terrain and distance you will be covering on your holiday. After completing the route, use a simple scale of 1 to 5 (1 being minimal and 5 being substantial) to determine how much you need to improve. The higher the number, the more training you’ll need.

2. Create and Adhere to a Training Schedule

Develop a cycling training schedule for the period running up to your trip and try and stick to it. Regular rides are the key and even short ones to the shops etc. will do wonders for your cycling fitness. Indoor cycling at home or at the gym is also a great way to work on your cycling fitness when it’s cold a wet outside.

3. Essential Gear

The following items will ensure your comfort during your daily rides on holiday:

Helmet - Bring your own for the best fit.
Padded Shorts - A must, your derriere will thank you.
Gloves - Padded, fingerless gloves protect against soreness/blisters.
Eyewear - Shields your eyes from dust, insects, and debris.
Windbreaker - Lightweight, compact and waterproof.
Trainers - Comfortable trainers are fine for leisure cycling.

4. Know How to Fix a Flat Tyre

Rental bikes are well-maintained, but punctures can happen, and you are expected to fix a flat tyre yourself. Learn to replace an inner tube and use a puncture repair kit before your trip. YouTube is an excellent resource for tutorials. Practising on your own bike will give you confidence prior to your holiday.