Bicycle touring, by definition, is the taking of a self contained bike trip for pleasure and adventure. It can be for 1 day, 1 week or 1 year!! Many people plan their own bike tours and just as many people use cycling holiday businesses to book their next bike tour adventure in Spain. There are advantages to both. Planning your own route means you are doing a truly unique trip, however, the planning can take many hours and you can inadvertently miss the best roads, views and places of interest along your route. On the downside (for some people, not every one, we are all different), you would also need to carry, on the bike, absolutely everything you’ll need for your bike tour. If you are not the sort of person who has the time or enjoys the planning, then using a local cycling holiday company takes all this stress away and hopefully they would know all the best roads to take, place to see and restaurants stops. Chances are you wouldn’t need to carry anything on your bike, apart from a day bag, as your luggage would be moved onto your next hotel for you.
Below are some important things to consider before you start/book your bike tour in Spain
What type of bike tour interests you?
Are you a pack the bike up and go type bike tourer where you make the route up as you ride with no specific plan or, what is described as, a credit card bike tourer where all you have to do is pedal and everything else is taken care by your credit card!
What is your bike tour budget?
At the top end you have your fully guided and supported bike tours staying in luxury hotels, with a support van following, all you have to do is pedal and as soon as you get tired of pedalling you can ride in the support van. Next are the organised self guided bike tours where you ride independently, flowing route information and your luggage is move to your next hotel for you. Finally, go completely DIY, booking your accommodation/campsites along the route.
Top tip. DIY bike tourers please note wild camping is illegal in Spain. Setting a camp fire is also illegal in Spain.
How much gear will you be carrying?
This is a biggie. It also links into the point above too. The luxury bike tours probably means the most you’ll be carrying is your credit card, phone and camera. The organised self guided bike tour you’ll probably just be carrying a day bag with the essentials in – phone, camera, wallet, ride snacks, any additional clothing. The full DIY bike tour you’ll be carrying everything you need for your bike tour.
Top tip. DIY bike tourers. Practise packing your pannier bags and riding with them on your bike before you go.
How long/far do you want to ride?
Choose a bike tour that is within your biking ability in terms of daily distance and elevation. Before you plan or book a bike tour know how far you can comfortably ride and typically how much elevation there is in your usual rides.
Top tip. Check out the elevation on your selected bike tour. Generally more elevation would be OK if the days are shorter in distance. If you usually ride 80km over flat terrain then this would equate to 60km in hilly terrain.
What is your ultimate priority?
On your bike tour is the bike the priority? Do you want to ride all day, get to your destination eat and crash out?
Or
Would you prefer shorter days with the opportunity for sightseeing for some or most of the day?
Top tip. When travelling with others make sure that this is agreed before the trip. If your fellow travelling companions are not so bike orientated, you may need to compromise or leave them at home!!
If you want a safe and enjoyable bike trip organised for you, please contact us.
