Our Top 7 Favorite Cycling Destinations

Tenerife | The largest of Spain's Canary Islands.

Tenerife has been the venue for several pro cycling races, including the Volta ao Algarve, the Vuelta a España, and the Vuelta a Mallorca. It even has its own bicycle race, the Gran Premio de Tenerife. So it is no surprise it is one of the best Canary Islands for road cycling.

Tenerife lies 113km from the African coast, offers year-round sunshine and an incredible diversity of landscapes and microclimates.

The island's great climbs, such as the Alto de la Tejeda, Alto de Garachico, and Alto de Eloro, are well-known to cyclists and there are numerous other ascents that are more off the beaten track. These include the Puerto de Quejigo, the Alto de los Guineos, and the Alto de la Burica, a climb that takes in a stunning mountainous section and is more suited to local riders and experienced cyclists.

The roads in Tenerife are generally windy and twisty, but the lack of traffic in many areas - particularly out in the South of the island - means that you could have an entire road to yourself.

The Netherlands | A favorite of organized bike tours.

The roads are flat and easy going, so whether you plan to cycle in a group, or go it alone, the Netherlands is one of the best cycling holiday destinations, popular with solo cyclists as well as organized bike tours.

A short distance away from the main cities, you will discover a different kind of beauty. Cycling past wind-powered generating stations, cruising by fields lined with amber colored grain, and finding tranquility in a landscape that has effectively not changed for centuries.

Fuerteventura | Ride year-round.

With a reputation of stunning scenery, relaxed local lifestyle, and exciting cycling routes that crisscross the island’s natural beauty, Fuerteventura is a must add to your list of places to vacation on the bike.

The island has over 200 kilometers of coastline, much of which is protected from development allowing the island to still retain an authentic Spanish feel. A new influx of destination bound cyclists has taken advantage of the island’s desert-like climate, with cyclists choosing to ride year-round on almost empty roads, often with stunning sea views. And thanks to a few tourist board-funded cycling routes, which are well signposted, cyclists don’t need to worry about getting lost and can enjoy relaxing rides.

Writer and cycling enthusiast Simon Vincett has written several articles on his blog about road cycling in Fuerteventura and has put together a Google map showing the best routes on the island.

Cape Town | Explore the peninsula's most scenic routes.

Ride your bike between wine farms in Franschoek, stop off to soak up the views of the city, or head out to more wineries at the base of Table Mountain. In the Mowbray area, cycle through the forest and along lake shores where copious birds make their habitat, before hitting Camps Bay for lunch.

Because of the altitude in Cape Town, many of the city's cycling routes provide an opportunity for climbing, so you can earn all that South African wine.

Bergamo - Lombardia | The best of cycling, food, and wine.

It's not a secret that a number of Tour d’France veterans and cycling pros live in the areas adjacent to Bergamo and train on the climbs on a daily basis. We are talking about guys like Cadel Evans, Mikel Landa, Rigoberto Uran, Ivan Basso, Samuel Sanchez, Vincenzo Nibali, Giovanni Visconti, Alessandro Ballan, and many more.

The whole area boasts an incredible network of small roads, full of twists and turns, perfect for every type of bike. This part of the country is also well known for its excellent food and wine. You'll never have it so good in your life.

That all being said, the region of Lombardia is probably the most underrated area when it comes to cycling in Italy. It's more affordable and much less touristic than Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia is more authentic and less crowded, with loads to offer a cyclist looking for a holiday on two wheels, making Bergamo in the region of Lombardia one of the best European cycling destinations.

Andorra | Experience the Pyrenees Mountains.

Sandwiched between France and Spain in the magnificent Pyrenees, the country of Andorra is just 468 square kilometers, slightly bigger than England's largest island, Isle of Wight. But it packs in 21 cols and mountain passes, ranging from 6.1km to 35km long.

Coll de la Gallina (via Fontaneda) is one of the most notable. If your trip to Andorra is to test your fitness, this is where you will be led. There really aren’t many roads like it. It is the benchmark climb. 12.1km long and averaging an unabating 8.4 per cent gradient – including a smattering of 15 per cent, or steeper, slopes – it takes you upwards of 1,000 metres of vertical elevation. It’s as savage as it is gloriously wonderful and it's the reason the Vuelta a España has visited three times since it was paved in 2015.

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