Road Bike Holiday for Beginners

Why a Road Bike Holiday for Beginners is Not Scary

Many people immediately think of suffering, high speeds, and tight lycra suits when they think of a road bike holiday. That image often scares off beginners, and that is a shame. A road bike holiday for beginners is not about performance or competition at all. It is about the experience of cycling in a beautiful environment. At CvA travel, we actually see that beginners often enjoy it the most, because every kilometre is a victory and every view is new. You do not need to be a seasoned athlete to experience the freedom of the road bike.

The beauty of our beginner trips is that the pressure is off. We cycle at a ‘social’ pace, which means you can still easily have a conversation with your neighbour. No one is left behind; the motto is ‘start together, finish together’. If you want to stop for a photo or to catch your breath, we do that. The guides are not there to ride fast, but to help you with tips on shifting gears, braking, and posture. It is basically a course and a holiday in one. You will notice that after a few days you are already much more confident on the bike and doing things you never thought possible beforehand.

How Do You Prepare for Your First Cycling Trip?

Good preparation ensures more fun, but you really do not have to train like a pro. The most important thing for a road bike holiday for beginners is getting used to the posture. On a road bike, you are bent over, and that demands something of your back, neck, and shoulders. Your bottom also needs to get used to the saddle. We recommend going for regular rides in the two months before departure. Start with an hour and slowly build this up to rides of two to three hours. Speed does not matter at all here; it is about the hours in the saddle (building saddle stamina).

Another important point is getting used to the pedals. Many beginners find ‘clipless pedals’ (where your shoe is attached to the pedal) terrifying. That is very understandable. Yet we recommend practising this at home, for example on a patch of grass or against a wall. Clipless pedals ensure you pedal much more efficiently and have more control over your bike. Do you really find it too scary? No problem! You can perfectly well join the trip with normal pedals and sturdy sports shoes. Furthermore, ensure your basic fitness is up to scratch by also doing other sports, such as walking or swimming. If you are fit, you recover faster and enjoy the surroundings more.

The Best Destinations to Start

Not every landscape is suitable for your first kilometres abroad. The Alps, with their kilometres-long climbs of 10%, are often a bridge too far for a beginner and can be demotivating. Fortunately, there are beautiful regions that are perfect for learning the trade. We choose destinations where the tarmac is good, the traffic is quiet, and the elevation gain is manageable. We highlight two options that are ideal for a road bike holiday for beginners.

Flat and Rolling: The Netherlands and Flanders

You do not have to travel far for a top holiday. The Netherlands and Belgium are cycling countries par excellence. Think of regions like Drenthe or the Veluwe in the Netherlands, where you zip through the forests for kilometres on perfect cycle paths. You are not bothered by cars here and there are no steep hills. If you cross the border into Flanders, you can taste real road cycling without it becoming extremely tough. The Flemish Ardennes do have hills, but you can choose routes that go around the steep ‘cobbled walls’. The advantage of staying close to home is the familiar language, the good infrastructure, and the cosy coffee shops on every corner. This provides a safe and familiar feeling for your first cycling adventure.

The Advantages of an Organised Trip

As a beginner, a lot comes your way: navigating, fixing punctures, finding the right roads. With an organised trip from CvA travel, we take all these worries off your hands. You do not have to look at a map, because the guide knows the route. Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel. And if you get a flat tyre? Then the guide or the mechanic helps you change the tyre. There is often a support vehicle where you can store extra clothing or water, or where you can hop in if you really cannot go any further.

This safety net ensures that you can focus 100% on cycling and enjoying yourself. You are on the road with like-minded people who are often at the same level. You learn from each other and share experiences. We choose hotels that are catered to cyclists, with safe storage and a good breakfast. An organised road bike holiday for beginners is the safest and most fun way to discover if this sport suits you. Bet you will be hooked after a week?