Freewheeling Adventures

This is one of the world’s greatest rides; one that all touring cyclists should have on their “must-ride” list! The beautiful coast – the most dramatic in Nova Scotia - meets the breathtaking highlands in ways that make you appreciate both to the fullest, and the scenic magnificence of the paved trail can be truly savoured at the speed of your bicycle.

The landscape and the people may demonstrate to you why Nova Scotia’s name means New Scotland. You will ride through the valley of the Margaree River, rich with salmon and its pursuit. You can choose to linger at the famous Highland Links if you prefer golf to cycling, and on some days you can expand your rides onto beautiful wooded trails, or to find swimming holes beneath waterfalls.

The cycling, although manageable by most cyclists (and van-supported for the rest!), includes some challenging sections – especially on day three with two 1400ft climbs. Combining such awe-inspiring scenery and out-of–the-way charm with comfortable inns and exceptional cuisine makes this loop ride an exquisite experience you simply have to add to your list!

Why this trip?

• It’s a must-do trip for touring cyclists. The loop nature engenders a wonderful satisfaction, and this is one of Freewheeling’s most popular rides. 
• The simple beauty of cycling between mountains and sea, in a remote island setting not on the way to anywhere. 
• Margaree River Valley – a pretty salmon-fishing river. 
• Acadian culture in Cheticamp. Learn about the 1755 expulsion of Acadians and their re-settlement. 
• You may see whales from the shore. Moose in the highlands, and eagles in the sky. 
• Cape Breton Highlands National Park - a natural treasure. 
• The Markland Inn – a spectacular place far from crowds. 
• Abundant fresh seafood.

The long fjords and river valleys flanked by alpine mountains make this a collection of outstanding rides for bicycle touring. The midnight sun, drier climate, and greater shelter from prevailing winds produce more fertility than expected; the vegetation includes flourishing botanical gardens in Akureyri and trees like nowhere else in Iceland.

Akureyri – the gem of the north at the end of Eyjafjordur is also known for the blonde beauty of its people. On the way from Akureyri to Lake Myvatn, you will stop in the European whale watching capital at Husavik, for a special night, with views of snow-capped mountains across the fjord. The approach to the lake takes you through marshland peppered with small lakes and ponds, which attract more birds than anywhere else in Iceland, and can make the approach to Myvatn very memorable.

Cycling around the lake itself is particularly interesting because of the many green pseudocraters and islands. On day seven, you can visit Jokulsar Canyon National Park and Dettifoss – the biggest waterfall in Europe.

The best parts of Southwest Nova Scotia are its Fundy coast, where the highest tides in the world create fantastic landscapes, and its Lighthouse Route, that so frequently follows the water’s edge. Quiet roads skirt myriad white-sand beaches, and there are many hidden coastal treasures. It is perfect for a gentle bike ride. Friendly people, fishing villages, secluded anchorages, boat builders, antique shops, artists’ hamlets, and beautiful beaches all contribute to the feeling of being in paradise.

This is our home, and we love showing you the secret swimming holes, little-known caf√©s, and fantastic rides along obscure coastal stretches You can dine on lobster, swim in warm lakes or the cool ocean, feel the warm sand between your toes, and appreciate the cooling sea breeze in your hair. You will rest in the university town of Wolfville and the UNESCO heritage township of Lunenburg, whose uniquely crafted architecture reflects skills of numerous shipbuilders and fishermen whose lifestyle built the town. You will cross the cable ferry near the beaches around LaHave, and can venture on foot to two of the most spectacular headlands in the province. This is a perfect introduction to Nova Scotia’s coastal charms, and will show you why many visitors return again and again.

Gliding along quiet, hedgerow-lined roads of Normandy and along the emerald coastline of Brittany, this memorable bicycle tour takes you into the heart of rural and beachside France, where the pulse includes fabulous French gastronomy and some very civilized notions of European holidaying.

Bicycle paths and coastal roads link the ancient fortified town of Dinan to the fairytale world heritage site of Mont St. Michel – one of the veritable marvels of the western world. You will be able to sample the shellfish and seafare in Cancale, and the farm and orchard fare in Calvados and Normandy. You will appreciate the historical significance of the area first as you visit the beaches, military sites, and cemeteries of WWII, and even more when you see the Bayeux Tapestry - a unique record of the invasion of England by William the Conqueror, including the Battle of Hastings, and events of 1066.

One of the biggest thrills is understanding how customs originating here in medieval times have survived to influence the modern western world. This is both a simply lovely and a thoroughly thought-provoking cycling holiday.

This adventure follows a newly established bikeway through Northern European plains and islands, between two of its most bike friendly metropolises. The cycling begins in Neustrelitz, just outside Berlin, on a flat, paved path through the protected woodlands and lakes of two of Germany’s most beautiful parks - Muritz National Park, and Nossentiner-Schwinzer Nature Park in the Mecklenburg Lake District.

You will pass through ancient villages once ruled by dukes and duchies, where you can visit museums and stop at delightful cafes. Further north, you will cross the Baltic Sea by ferry, and enjoy a change of scenery as you embark on the island-hopping Danish part of your adventure. Following the bikeway between coastal towns, you will pass many thatched houses and myriad farmlands.

From Nykobing Falster, you will enjoy one of Denmark’s most beautiful bike rides - the Sund Route; a 44km ride passing through beach forests, lakeside villages, and gorgeous countryside. Continuing North through Zealand, the sensational white chalk cliffs of Mons Klint are the highlight of Mons Island. A satisfying ride into the great cycling city of Copenhagen makes a wonderfully fitting climax for this adventure in Europe's historic and wonderfully cultured northern plains and islands.

Steeped in culture, this tour is as much an exploration of history as a journey through lush landscapes. Starting at the heart of Bohemia, Prague boasts rich gothic and baroque architectural works which have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will encounter a plethora of vineyards on the way to Melnik, overlooking the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe rivers. Impressive palaces and gardens along the Elbe lead to the massive strongholds at Terezin, a transit camp for Nazi prisoners which is now home to a moving war memorial. Following the consolation of picturesque Litomerice, you can spy the ruins of Strekov Castle, which has inspired numerous famous artists, writers, and composers throughout time. Wander through Northern Bohemia’s bizarre and fantastic sandstone formations and Bastei cliffs, millions of years in the making, before cycling through lush forests and tranquil meadows to reach Dresden. An easy to moderate level bicycle tour, covering varying terrain of hills and valleys, there is ample opportunity for hiking and climbing world-renowned rock formations.

The land and sea of the Snaeffellsnes peninsula are filled with tales of a bygone era. Explore sites such as Berserkjahraun, a 4000 year old lava field, whose name originated from Icelandic folklore; in the Eyrbyggja Saga, a long-standing feud between Snorri Go√∞i and Arnkel Go√∞i was responsible for the creation of the path through the spectacular field.

The fascinating culture is surpassed only by the landscape. Winding coastlines, moss-covered lava fields, massive basalt-column cliffs, migratory bird communities, glacial mountain ranges, gushing waterfalls, and geothermal heated pools create an other-worldly experience.

You will breath the fresh ocean air, feel the bright northern sun on your skin; you and your bicycle will be one strong, beautiful, and capable machine rolling down these country roads. Fully immerse yourself in the local hospitality, traditions, history, and of course, the freshest and finest local cuisine: Skyr (Icelandic yogurt), Hangikjot (smoked lamb), Klenat (pastry), cheeses, incredible unique ice cream, reindeer meat, and abundant seafood. Bring your sense of adventure, appetite, and camera for this experience of a lifetime.

Choosing France for a cycling holiday is a popular choice for a reason: the culture, cuisine, and demeanor towards cycling from locals combine to give riders a real sense of the place as they pass through on two wheels. This partially traffic-free route follows an established, signposted, long-distance cycle path.

You will begin at the ostentatiously opulent palace of Versailles, and after enjoying its historical significance, will stay in a mix of tiny villages and historic cities as you ride through northern France, enjoying its other treasures. The ride takes you through regional parks of the Chevreuse valley, the Perche Region, and Normandie-Maine before finishing at the impossibly romantic sight of Mont Saint Michel. Join us for this quintessential bike ride with French comfort and abundance.

This quiet and peaceful region remains seemingly untouched by mass tourism, and is an insight into ways of life that have been maintained in Southern Italy for centuries. The terrain is bicycle-friendly, and the climate is perfect for spring and autumn visits. The inns are welcoming, and the dining divine! The adventure takes you first to Matera where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Sassi – century old caves, carved from rock cliffs and lived in up until the 1950’s. From there you will ride into the lush Val d’Itria to stay among olive groves at a converted farm, then to Otranto, whose castle inspired the first Gothic novel. The last ride is along a gorgeous coast road overlooking the Adriatic Sea. As you ride your bike through this calm and mysterious region, and sample its exquisite cuisine, you will often feel as if you are traveling back in time, experiencing an Italy that is very different from the well developed and busier tourist routes found in the northern parts of the country.

There is a new “gold rush” in the Okanagan Valley. World-class wines now complement its fame for fruit production, and it has become a wonderful place for an active holiday. Extraordinary mountain scenery is the backdrop for rides on the most spectacular stretches of the Kettle Valley Railway biking trail, the most compelling of these being perhaps the section through the incredible Myra Canyon. A forest fire burned most of its 18 wooden trestles several years ago, but a groundswell of support energized their reconstruction, and we now want you to join us to cycle the fabulous trail through tunnels and over canyons, as part of a full week indulgence in a valley full of evocatively named towns like Peachland and Summerland.

This is really a collection of wonderful experiences: World-class wines; extraordinary mountain scenery; cycle the fabulous Kettle Valley Railway through tunnels and over canyons, and the incredible Myra Canyon. Riding the real Kettle Valley steam train; having picnics in vineyard courtyards, and cycling on trails gently downhill through tunnels, and across trestles. Your support vehicle hovers nearby in case your sampling takes precedence over bicycle touring. The landscape changes dramatically even during a short bike ride. Orchards and vineyards often give way to dry, sagebrush-covered hills; dense forest can lead to the edge of deep, sun-bleached canyons, and wildlife sightings are common. Best of all, the culinary focus on this trip makes it a particularly luxurious and enchanting escape. Bring your sense of exploration, and discover what’s been happening in the Wild West!