Bike Adventures
The 'end to end' and 'side to side' cycling holiday specialists
Bike Adventures was started in 2000 with the aim of providing the best possible cycling holidays at prices more reasonable other cycling companies were offering. As regular cyclists, and having frequently cycle toured in Europe and some of the more remote parts of the planet, they wanted to run the sort of holidays they would like to go on othemselves.
*Seventeen years on we have met some wonderful people who have been on our holidays, we have learnt a lot, even changed a few of our original plans, but our aim remains the same, to provide holidays that are well organised, great fun and that offer good value for money. We also want our clients to be able to cycle at their own pace, not one dictated by us! We pride ourselves on our superb routes, crystal clear route guides, enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour leaders and a commitment to delivering the best holiday experience possible. *
Finland – ‘Ruthless Border’ Fat Biking
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
Finland
6 days (Bike: 3 days)
130 km (~43km per day)
Avid
Guided
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Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
Challenge yourself in ruthless winter conditions! Experience stunning uninhabited wilderness at the EU´s Eastern border - The ultimate test for your body and mind!
Fat biking in winter conditions is something every cyclist should experience – the pure snows of Finnish Taiga Forest offers a great setting for this fun way of moving. In this package you will train with fat bikes in the untouched wilderness areas surrounding the fabulous Martinselkonen complex, and then challenge yourself in endurance competition on the Ruthless Raja (Border). The competition will take place in mid-winter when the weather can be ruthless and the days still short. A snowstorm will not stop the competition, it just offers you a new challenge. The competition will take place in uninhabited wilderness, where only the birds and reindeer will be your company. It’s time to challenge yourself – and don’t be fooled by the smaller distances!
Along the way you’ll see many animal tracks in the snow, experience some wonderful Finnish cooking, try other ‘snow-related’ activities if you wish, enjoy fabulous saunas, and there is a good chance you’ll see the Northern Lights too!
Prices from
Guided
£ 395
Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
Explore the four corners of this small but stunning island over a long weekend.
The Isle of Man has a rich history in all forms of cycling, boasting multiple racing champions, including Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh. It is also home to no fewer than three of our Bike Adventures Tour Leaders, which means intimate local knowledge is guaranteed on this trip. The Isle of Man has miles and miles of quiet lanes and our 3 days of cycling covers fresh ground each day. However, the small overall size of the Island means there is the added benefit that we use the same accommodation every night, so you will only have to unpack once. We will cycle past an almost endless variety of historical attractions, ranging from Viking settlements to the Island’s Victorian steam trains and electric trams. Self-sufficiency is a big part of Island life and delicious fresh local produce features strongly in Manx restaurants, sourced from the Island’s long-established agriculture and fishery sectors. There is also a thriving drinks industry, particularly in prize-winning real ales, ciders and artisan gin distilleries.
Highlights
- Miles of quiet country roads
- Beautiful coastline and stunning scenery
- Delicious local artisan food and drink
- Historical attractions, folklore
Tour of Tuscany Challenge
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
Italy
6 days (Bike: 5 days)
381 mi (~76mi per day)
Avid
Hilly, On-road
Guided
Supported
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Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
A more compact version of our classic tour through the Tuscan countryside, starting and ending in Pisa.
Tuscany is known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture. What better way to experience this than from the saddle of a bike; and of course the Italians love cycling so you will be assured a warm welcome wherever you stop.
This wonderful trip has previously run with 7 riding days but has now been repackaged to fit with a 1 week holiday inclusive of travel.
We start our ride from the iconic city of Pisa we stay within walking distance of the obvious star attraction.
Our first day is spent on the coast before turning inland to complete a very approximate circle taking in the very best that Tuscany has to offer. The route passes through central Florence, using cycle paths wherever possible, and even cross the famous Ponte Vecchio.
We eventually return to Pisa from the north east, following a traffic-free cycle path along the river.
Tuscany can be very hilly, and there are certainly hills on the route – indeed there are a couple of quite challenging days on this tour – but the route offers a real mix of riding with several quite flat days. The longest day is 81 miles and the daily average is 76.
This is a hotel-based trip using mostly 3* hotels.
Portugal Top to Bottom Challenge
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
Portugal
9 days (Bike: 7 days)
539 mi (~77mi per day)
Avid
Some hills, On-road
Guided
Supported
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Guided
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Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
A more challenging version of our much lauded Iberian ‘End-to-End’.
Since its launch in 2014 our ‘end-to-end’ of Portugal had proved to be one of our most popular trips, attracting universally positive feedback. For those who are looking for an even bigger challenge with high daily mileages this new version with 6.5 days of riding is for you.
Best known as a resort/golfing destination, Portugal offers some outstanding cycling and the promise of sunshine. This trip starts on the Spanish border in Valenca and ends on the Algarve coast just east of Faro. As well as being an ‘end-to-end’ you can also bag a ‘side-to-side’ as the route touches Portugal’s western and eastern borders.
We love cycling in the sunshine and we love bagging ‘end-to-ends’ so this trip ticks all the boxes. As the icing on the cake it also counts as a ‘side to side’. With 9 hours of sunshine, temperatures in the 20’s and little rainfall, Portugal offers superb cycling conditions in the spring and autumn. It also offers convenient international airports (in Porto and Faro).
We start at the magnificent fort in Valence, with views over the river to Spain, a perfect back-drop for the start of trip photos! The day is starts in the spectacular hills of Northern Portugal, before striking the coast and following coastal paths, where we remain for the second day.
We then slowly work our way down and across the country, finally reaching the Spanish border in the northern Algarve. Riding conditions get progressively easier as the country flattens but the scenery is always great!
Our final ‘day’ is really a short half day as we strike the Algarve’s southern coast and then follow cycle trails as far as Olhao, just a few miles from Faro and its airport. There will be plenty of time to pack away the bike and take advantage of the 5* hotel’s facilities before a celebratory drink or two.
Portugal relies heavily on tourism and has a superb hotel infrastructure which we fully exploit. Accommodation is 3/4* throughout with many hotels offering pools and/or other leisure facilities.
We cover between 70 and 90 miles each day including some hilly days and this trip is for physically fit cyclists who train regularly.
London To Paris – The Eye to the Eiffel
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
France & United Kingdom
5 days (Bike: 4 days)
202 mi (~51mi per day)
Active
Cycle paths/trails, Quiet roads, On-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 1095
Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
Picturesque route on quiet minor roads and cycle paths taking you from the centre of London to the foot of the Eiffel Tower
This is our ‘book end’ trip with dates at the start and end of the season, taking you from the UK capital to the heart of the most romantic city in Europe. The trip is aimed at regular riders looking for an early/late season break as well as less experienced cyclists wanting a challenge that people will recognise as such.
The trip starts the London Eye, and once we are out of central London, follows a mixture of cycle routes and minor roads to take us south. We are soon in the delightful lanes of southern England and the route taking us through many picturesque villages. After crossing the South Downs we gradually descend to the small town of Newhaven on the shore of the English Channel, where we take the ferry across to France.
After arriving at the busy little town of Dieppe we continue through the pleasant countryside of Normandy, with its orchards of apples and pears and distinctive timber framed houses. The route takes us through the Eawy Forest and Lyons la Foret.
From the Lyons Forest we descend to the River Seine and continue following the valley all the way to Paris. As we approach Paris the route crosses the river several times, passing through the St Germain Forest and the Bois de Boulogne, to finally arrive at the Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris.
We have both the evening and the following day in Paris to give you time to explore the many attractions the city has to offer – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmatre and the Sacre Coeur, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and the many other museums, parks and gardens. In the evening we take the Eurostar train from Paris to return to St Pancras in London.
- Cross the English Channel on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry
- Free day at the end of the trip to allow time to see the sights of Paris, returning to London by Eurostar
Mizen Head to Malin Head Tour
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
Ireland
14 days (Bike: 13 days)
549 mi (~42mi per day)
Active
Hilly, Quiet roads, On-road
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
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Self-Guided
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Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
The Irish ‘End to End’ taking you from Mizen Head in the south to Malin Head in the north
The route takes you from the Mizen Peninsula, around Bantry Bay into County Kerry. After passing through the mountains of the Kilarney National Park you cross over the River Shannon and continue past the Cliffs of Moher and across The Burren. After the lakes of the Upper Shannon Valley the final part of the route takes you across Lough Swilly onto the Inishowen Peninsula to Malin Head. NB – route being updated in 2023 to take in more of the stunning West Coast of Ireland!
Roads & Terrain: The route follows minor paved roads for most of the way, although there are a few sections on main roads. Major conurbations are avoided but the route does pass through some medium sized towns. Traffic is generally light but some sections along the southwest coast can be busy, and the final part of the route onto the Inishowen Peninsula does have some unavoidable traffic. The first part of the route is hilly, as you pass through County Kerry, but the remainder is mostly gently undulating, although there are a few steeper climbs along the way.
Bordeaux to Barcelona
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
France & Spain
15 days (Bike: 11 days)
503 mi (~46mi per day)
Avid
Big climbs, On-road
Guided
Supported
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Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
This is a classic ride that takes you from southern France across the Pyrenees to Spain.
There is a superb variety of scenery along the way – vineyards, mountains, gorges and the fabulous rock formations around the hilltop monastery at Montserrat. There is a rest day in the Pyrenees and a free day at the end of the trip to explore the city of Barcelona.
This is a fantastic cycling holiday with an excellent variety of terrain and scenery so that there is something for everyone. Although the route takes you through the mountains of the Pyrenees, the trip has been designed to appeal to all cyclists – the first few days offer some easy riding giving you the chance to prepare yourself before tackling the high mountains. The trip ends at Barcelona, one of the most exciting cities in Europe.
After spending the first night in Bordeaux, the following day you begin cycling, following a cyclepath out of the city, the route taking you through some of the vineyards that Bordeaux is famous for. You then continue south through the vast pine forests that cover this area of France.
Leaving the forest behind the route gradually becomes more undulating, taking you through rich farming countryside and fields of maize and sunflowers and some attractive sleepy little villages, the distant mountains gradually getting closer. After crossing the Garonne Valley you pass through the beautiful little village of St Bertrand de Comminges, which is dominated by a huge cathedral and continue into the Pyrenees, the route taking you over the first major climb in the mountains, the Port de Bales.
The next day is a Rest Day in the busy little spa town of Bagneres-de-Luchon, nestled in the hills beneath the popular ski resort of Superbagneres. We say rest day, but depending upon numbers there may well be the opportunity to climb some of the nearby peaks: there a number of possibilities, including the Tourmalet!
From Luchon the route takes you over the wooded Col de Portillon and into Spain, then over the mighty Port de la Bonaigua. At 2072 metres above sea level this is the highest point on the trip, and from here there is a 25 mile descent down to Sort. The route then continues through a fascinating rocky landscape, crossing a couple of minor cols as you gradually descend out of the mountains.
The final big climb of the trip takes you into the Sierra de Montserrat, a distinct rocky outcrop on the edge of the Pyrenees that rises dramatically from the surrounding plain. At the top of the mountain is an ancient monastery, and we spend the night in the hotel here.
From Montserrat the final ride takes you out of the hills and into the bustling city of Barcelona. You have a full day free to explore this fascinating city before returning to the UK.
We will be staying at small family-run hotels (larger establishments in the major cities of Bordeaux and Barcelona, and at the monastery at Montserrat).
US Pacific Coast Highway
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
USA
29 days (Bike: 25 days)
1500 km (~60km per day)
Avid
On-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 4935
Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
An epic ride down the Western US seaboard from the Canadian to the Mexican Border
One of the greatest ‘End-to-End’ trips out there, with stunning scenery, exotic wildlife and the full ‘American Experience’. Starting in Seattle and averaging around 65 miles per day we will travel the length of the United States in 4 weeks along some of the world’s most scenic coastline to the palm-lined beaches at the Mexican border.
Our route is based on that published by the Adventure Cycling Association and ridden by many hundreds each year. Each day you will be provided with maps and turn-by-turn instructions, though these will be in a different format to the famous Bike Adventures ‘yellow sheets’. For those with SatNav a .GPX file will be made available before departure.
We will be following Routes 105/101/1, mostly hugging the coast and regarded as amongst the most scenic coastal roads in the world. As well as stunning scenery there is a good chance we will see seals, sea-lions, eagles and perhaps even glimpse a bear. The coast road rises and falls and there are plenty of ‘lumps’ to maintain interest but most hills are only around 500 feet with a very few just over 1000 feet.
The area known as Big Sur offers probably the most challenging climbs but the scenery makes it well worth it! The trip has been timetabled to avoid the busy summer period and US roads are generally very cycle-friendly with wide shoulders, but the route follows major highways and riders should expect some traffic. In particular, we must skirt Los Angeles and, while much of this is done on paved tracks along the beach, there are some busy sections during this part of the trip.
Note: If you cannot make the whole trip it may be possible to join or leave in San Francisco. Please contact us to discuss.
Pisa to Sicily Challenge
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
Italy
11 days (Bike: 9 days)
830 mi (~92mi per day)
Avid
Some hills, On-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 1705
Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
Our popular Italian classic repackaged for those looking for more challenging riding.
A sensational ride down the Mediterranean coast of Italy from the iconic leaning tower, finishing with a day in Sicily.
For some riders a day just isn’t worth doing unless the mileage nudges 3 figures (miles!) and this trip is designed for them. Our tried and tested classic Italian route but repackaged for 9 days riding.
Guest must make their own way to Pisa Airport, from where we will provide transport to our accommodation. Our route immediately takes us on the coastal road before heading inland to enjoy the beautiful Tuscan fields and villas. As we approach Rome we pass Lake Bracciano before squeezing past the city for a night just south of Fiumicino.
Once south of Rome we follow the coast road before once again before heading inland to skirt the bustling sprawl of Naples, stopping the night in Pompeii. We must then climb over the hills to Amalfi and follow the stunning Amalfi coast. The descent into Amalfi must rate as one the greatest switchbacks anywhere in the world and an incredible ride!
Eventually the terrain becomes flatter with many tunnels and viaducts to ease the way as we head down to the foot of Italy, before boarding a ferry for the short crossing to Messina and a final day of riding along the southern Sicilian coast to Catania from where, after a good night’s rest, we fly home.
Heel of Italy
Tour Operator: Bike Adventures
Italy
9 days (Bike: 7 days)
371 mi (~53mi per day)
Leisure
On-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 1645
Overview
Tour Operator Bike Adventures
Superb climate, outstanding cuisine and relatively flat terrain
Imagine an area of mainland Europe with superb climate, outstanding cuisine, relatively flat terrain, quiet tourist-free roads and 500 miles of coastline with sandy beaches and warm azure seas. Or why not go there and cycle! Puglia, the southern region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot,” is known for its whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old olive groves and hundreds of kilometres of Mediterranean coastline. It remains, however, relatively undiscovered and offers one of the few remaining opportunities for superb cycling free from the tourist throngs. It is also home to some stunning cities including Lecce (the Florence of the South) and Gallipoli (reminiscent of Dubrovnik, but with only a fraction of the tourist numbers).
With 7 days riding from Sunday to Saturday, this tour can be accommodated within a single week of annual leave and is suitable for cyclists of all abilities and experience. Our average daily distance is around 55 miles, with just 2000 feet of climb and our route takes in as many as possible of the ‘must see’ locations.