Thinking of joining an organised Cycling Holiday and not sure what to do to get ready?

Here are 5 tips that will help you with that.

Remember that whatever your fitness level is, most cycling holiday operator provide tour guides or support to all abilities. So you are never alone!

1- TRAIN FOR ENDURANCE RIDES AND CONSECUTIVE DAYS

Cycling holidays normally have longer rides in order for you to cover well the area that you visit and not to miss the best spots on you destination.
On top of that, most cycling holidays have a ride organised each day, so it is also important that, before you go away you try to ride for 2,3 or 4 consecutive days to get your body ready for the recovery between days.

2 – LEARN TO DRINK OFTEN AND ENOUGH

Hydration is crucial in sports. It helps your muscles function and recovery.
Being able to hydrate yourself correctly is important and even more if you join a cycling holiday in a warm country and you need to cycle day after day.
Lear to drink often and enough. You should aim for 500ml of liquids per hour during a ride. In warmer days you might want to include some electrolytes in your bottle to help you liquid retention.

3 – GET USED TO RIDE IN A GROUP

Cycling holidays can have big groups going out each day with even up to 15-20 members.
Being able to ride in group is important to ensure smooth cycling but as well safety.
Learn the essential gestures of turning, stopping or indicate an hazard.
The best way to learn group riding is to join a local club which will have already organised group ride every weekend.

4 – INCLUDE CLIMBS IN YOUR TRAINING

Most cycling holidays require you to ride up some of the best and challenging climbs in the World.
Climbing requires different skills and different muscle adaptations due to your position on the bike while going up uphill which is different from the position you have on the flat.
Is therefore important that also on the training before a cycling holiday you include some long climbs to get used to.

5 – TAKE YOUR BIKE MEASUREMENTS

If you are renting a bike while on a cycling holiday I reccomend you take your measurements correctly of your own bike before going over.
This is important in order to avoid injuries and to try to replicate as close as possible your position that you normally have on your own bike.
Additionaly if you prefer your own saddle we also recommend you to bring it as it can make your cycling more comfortable.

Hope you enjoyed these tips and we look forward to welcoming you on one of our next cycling holidays

Matteo Cigala
Founder and Head Coach
travel.cigalacycling.com