A cycling trip on the gravel bike to remember
At CvA travel we have a great passion for travelling off the beaten track. A ride on the gravel bike is the very best way to discover the world in all its unspoilt beauty. This excellent type of bike is designed specifically to perform well both on paved roads and on demanding unpaved tracks. That is how you reach fine places that are entirely out of reach for ordinary bikes. You roll effortlessly from smooth tarmac roads onto rugged gravel tracks. We provide striking routes through fine destinations, on which you experience pure freedom. Because we arrange the luggage transport, the local guides and the characterful accommodation down to the last detail, you can focus entirely on the adventure. Discover the world at your own rhythm.
The particular charm of an active cycling holiday
Taking on an active cycling holiday offers an experience that compares with no other form of travel. From the saddle you take in the surroundings far more intensely; you feel the wind, breathe in the local smells and hear the sounds of nature clearly. We take you to striking places such as the wide savannahs of Uganda and the many hills of Rwanda. At a calm and human pace you travel through fine landscapes and easily make contact with the welcoming local people. An active trip like this is not about speed or performance, but about wonder and building memories that stay with you. It is the ideal balance between healthy physical effort and mental relaxation in the open air.
Who is an adventurous trip on the gravel bike suitable for?
You may be wondering whether you have to be a trained athlete for a ride on the gravel bike. The reassuring answer is no. Our trips are put together carefully for active people who enjoy life and have a sound basic level of fitness. Because we work on the principle of setting off together and coming home together, there is always room to ride at your own comfortable pace. The versatility of the bike makes for a stable ride on gravel, sand and forest tracks, which greatly increases your confidence. For travellers who would like some extra support on steep climbs or longer stages, we also offer advanced electric versions. That way considerable differences in fitness within the group disappear easily and every adventurer can take in the fine surroundings and the shared effort without worries.
Discover the finest destinations on your cycling holiday
Our world is full of hidden corners waiting to be discovered on a demanding cycling holiday. We select our destinations specifically for their variety, natural beauty and rideable unpaved roads. Think of a striking expedition through the rugged and colourful landscapes of Africa, where you can spot wildlife from your bike accompanied by experienced rangers. Or immerse yourself in the age-old cultures and lush jungles of Asian countries such as Vietnam and Laos. Wherever you go, every stage is mapped out carefully to let you see and feel the most authentic and unspoilt part of a fine country.
What makes the gravel bike the ideal means of transport?
The choice of the right equipment largely determines how much you enjoy your trip. There is a reason the gravel bike has taken over the cycling world in recent years. This ingenious cross between a road bike and a mountain bike offers the best of both worlds. The light frame and the aerodynamic position make for good speed on flat sections, while the wider tyres with tread give excellent grip and comfort on rough dirt roads and gravel tracks. That makes it the ultimate machine for our varied routes, on which the road surface sometimes changes every kilometre. With the right tyre pressure you float comfortably over obstacles. It is an extremely reliable, robust partner that allows you to explore the most remote corners safely.
Taking in culture and nature on a cycling holiday
Besides the physical effort, an organised cycling holiday is above all a deep dive into an unfamiliar world. Because you are not shut inside a bus with tinted windows, you are in direct contact with the culture and nature around you. You ride past remote villages where people cheer you on with a broad smile and stop at local markets to taste exotic fruit. Our routes are explicitly designed so that we avoid the busy tourist highways and travel straight through the beating heart of the destination. In the evening you stay in characterful, small-scale accommodation such as welcoming guesthouses or eco-lodges. These encounters and authentic places to stay form the true soul of our trips and make for impressive and fine memories.
Safety and professional guidance on the gravel bike
Although we seek out rugged adventure, safety always comes firmly first on every ride on the gravel bike. Navigating through far-flung destinations or over remote mountain passes calls for indispensable local knowledge and expertise. That is why all our rides are accompanied by a highly qualified team of locally trained guides. They know the unpaved paths inside out and know exactly how to anticipate unexpected weather conditions or situations. A support vehicle also travels with us as standard. This vehicle serves not only as safe transport for your luggage, but also as a mobile service point in the event of a mechanical problem, or as a comfortable place to rest when the legs simply will not go on. You ride without worries, while we provide a reliable, safe backup everywhere.
Sustainable and responsible travel on your cycling holiday
At CvA travel, sustainability and responsible tourism are close to our hearts. When you choose a cycling holiday, you automatically choose one of the most environmentally responsible ways to explore the world. We like to go a good deal further than simply reducing our CO2 emissions, however. We consider it crucial that local communities benefit directly from our visits. That is why we work exclusively with local businesses, book small-scale accommodation and have lunch at small family-run establishments. As a result, your travel money flows straight into the regional economy. We also give ongoing support to a number of local foundations and projects, including education for vulnerable children. That way you not only create fine memories, but also leave something of value behind.
How do you prepare for a trip with the gravel bike?
Excellent preparation is half the work for a successful adventure on the gravel bike. Make sure you ride longer rides regularly at home in the months before your trip. Train by preference on a range of unpaved surfaces, so that your body gets used to the vibration and the particular riding position. Besides good fitness, the right equipment is essential. Well before departure you receive a very detailed, destination-specific packing list from us. It sets out essential items such as good-quality cycling shorts with an excellent chamois, breathable cycling clothing in practical layers and an approved helmet. During a full briefing we go through all the details of the trip once more. With this thorough preparation you will set off with confidence and with something to look forward to.
Gravel biking in South Africa
Alongside Vietnam and Laos, South Africa is a fine destination for a gravel bike as well. In the Klein Karoo in particular you ride on long, continuous gravel roads on which you easily find a comfortable rhythm. The landscape is open and wide and the route takes you over plains and mountain passes, with constant views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
A gravel bike suits you if you enjoy riding at a sporty pace, want to cover longer distances and are used to a forward-leaning position. The route contains no technical trails, but the road surface is not smooth everywhere. Loose stones, corrugations and potholes sometimes call for extra attention, particularly on descents. If you prefer more comfort and stability, a mountain bike is probably a better choice.
The distances and the climbing differ per cycling day. If you would like some extra support on the longer stages and climbs, an e-gravel bike can be a comfortable choice.
You can bring your own gravel bike or hire a gravel bike or e-gravel bike through us. Bike hire is not included in the trip price. Have a look at the cycling trip through South Africa for the daily programme, the departure dates and the bike hire options.
Discover all cycling trips Frequently asked questions about the gravel bike cycling holiday
When you are considering booking an adventurous gravel bike cycling holiday with CvA travel, it is only natural that you have a few practical questions. Preparing for a ride on unpaved roads in far-flung places rightly prompts curiosity straight away. What about the local hire bikes? Which tyres are ideal for gravel? And what if I cannot keep up with the pace of the group? To help you as clearly and openly as possible, we have gathered the most important questions from our travellers together. Below you will find a full set of informative answers that will make sure you set off well informed. If your particular concern or question is not among them, do get in touch with us.
What is the difference between a mountain bike and a gravel bike?
A gravel bike looks like a road bike because of the drop handlebars, but it is designed for unpaved tracks. It has a more comfortable geometry and room for wider tyres with tread. Where a mountain bike (with substantial suspension) excels on rough and technical terrain, a gravel bike is much more efficient, lighter and faster on long stretches of sand, gravel and hard-packed dirt roads.
Is off-road experience required for this cycling holiday?
No, extensive off-road experience is not a firm requirement. It is important, though, that you have a good basic level of fitness and that you enjoy leaving the paved roads behind. During the first days our guides give you useful tips on braking technique and riding position on loose surfaces, so that you quickly build confidence on unpaved terrain.
Can I bring my own gravel bike on the trip?
That is possible in theory, but in practice we advise against it for long-haul destinations. Transporting a bike by air is expensive, requires a hard-case bike box and carries a risk of damage. At our destinations we offer well-maintained, high-quality hire bikes that are perfectly matched to the specific local terrain.
How large is the group on a typical cycling holiday?
To keep quality, flexibility and safety high, we deliberately travel in small groups. An average group consists of four to a maximum of eight or ten participants. That means you get plenty of personal attention from the guide, you get to know your fellow travellers well and we can stay without difficulty in distinctive, authentic and small-scale boutique hotels or characterful lodges.
Can I also hire an electric gravel bike (e-gravel)?
Yes, at virtually all our destinations an e-gravel bike or e-mountain bike is among the options. This is an excellent choice if you want to experience the challenge of the unpaved tracks but need a helping hand on long climbs. It allows partners or friends of different fitness levels to enjoy the same trip together.
Is my luggage transported during the cycling holiday?
Absolutely. You do not have to struggle over the gravel tracks with heavy panniers. A support vehicle or local support team travels with you every day and takes your main luggage from one place to the next. You ride comfortably light yourself; we recommend only a small handlebar bag or rucksack for small items.
Which tyre width is ideal for a ride on the gravel bike?
For our adventurous routes we recommend tyres between 40 mm and 45 mm wide, with a light to medium knobbly tread. This width offers the ideal balance: you keep enough rolling resistance to maintain speed, but have more than enough volume to absorb shocks from stones and to keep grip in soft sand or mud.
What happens in extreme weather conditions on a cycling holiday?
Weather conditions in far-flung or mountainous areas can change quickly. Our guides keep a close eye on the forecasts. In light rain we ride on, but in extreme heat, heavy storms or where paths are made unsafe by mudslides, the guide will adapt the route on the spot. In the last resort we make safe use of the accompanying support vehicle.
Which specific clothing do you recommend for the gravel bike?
The secret of comfortable riding is dressing in layers. A close-fitting pair of gravel or mountain bike shorts with a top-quality chamois is essential to prevent saddle soreness. We also advise a quick-drying cycling jersey, well-ventilated cycling gloves with light padding against vibration from the handlebars, cycling glasses against flying gravel and a compact, windproof jacket for cool descents.
Can I take part in the cycling holiday as a solo traveller?
Certainly. The majority of our travellers join individually. An active trip is the ideal way to meet like-minded people. You share the passion for cycling and nature, which soon breaks the ice. When booking you can choose a single room (for a supplement) or indicate that you would like to share a room with a participant of the same sex.
Which pedals are best to use on my gravel bike?
This depends very much on your own preference, but most gravel riders prefer SPD pedals (mountain bike clipless pedals). These hold you firmly in place for efficient power transfer, but with the matching shoes you can still walk normally when you get off. You can of course also choose sturdy flat pedals if you would rather not clip in.
Are dietary requirements taken into account on a cycling holiday?
Yes, we are happy to take your particular dietary requirements into account, whether you eat vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free. Because we travel to areas where the shops are less well stocked, it is essential that you tell us this as soon as you book. We then discuss it fully in advance with the local cooks and accommodation.
How do you deal with a mechanical problem on the gravel bike along the way?
A problem such as a puncture (although many of our bikes run tubeless) or a derailleur that will not shift properly is part of off-road riding. You do not have to repair it yourself; our experienced local guides and the driver of the support vehicle act as mobile mechanics. They carry small spare parts with them and make sure you are riding smoothly again in no time.
Is the accommodation comfortable during the cycling holiday?
Although we ride in remote areas, we attach great value to a good night’s sleep and excellent comfort. We do not sleep in tents by the roadside, but in carefully chosen, comfortable guesthouses, characterful boutique hotels or fine eco-lodges. After an intensive, dusty day on the bike you can always count on a hot shower, a good bed and hospitality.
Is insurance compulsory when hiring a gravel bike?
Our hire bikes are of high quality and have a considerable value. We always recommend taking out the bike insurance offered locally when you book, or checking whether your own travel insurance covers damage to hired sports equipment. That way any damage from a fall does not leave you with unwelcome, unexpected costs.
Which destination is best for a gravel trip?
Which destination suits you best depends on the kind of gravel trip you are looking for. Within our range, South Africa, Vietnam and Laos are the most obvious destinations for a gravel bike or e-gravel bike. There are options in Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania as well, but there the choice of bike depends more strongly on the route and on your experience.
South Africa is a good choice if you enjoy riding longer distances on continuous gravel roads. In the Klein Karoo you will find open plains, mountain passes and generally rideable gravel. The twelve-day group trip combines these cycling days with riding in and around Cape Town and with safari. You can bring your own gravel bike or hire a gravel bike or e-gravel bike through us.
Choose northern Vietnam if you enjoy climbing and want to combine cycling with culture and encounters. You ride past rice terraces, through mountain villages and over longer mountain passes. The road surface changes from tarmac to gravel and sections with potholes or loose stones. The support vehicle stays close by during the cycling days, so that you can skip a climb or shorten a stage if you wish.
Laos suits you if you mainly want to experience the quiet and the daily life along the way. We choose small roads and quiet stretches as far as possible, through a landscape of mountains, rivers and villages. The road surface varies from tarmac to gravel and unpaved sections. In Laos, too, the support vehicle stays close by during the cycling days, so that you can adjust along the way when that is needed.
Cannot choose between Vietnam and Laos? Then you can combine both countries in a single gravel trip. Vietnam is lively and busy, while life in Laos follows a quieter pace. Along the way you notice how the landscape, the culture and the atmosphere change.
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