How to do a warm weather cycling trip

Seven tips to make sure your cycling getaway is a success

Philippe Tremblay February 4, 2017

The weather in Canada during the winter and early spring months is simply not favourable for building base ahead of the early season races. Committing to the trainer for hours on end is important but if you are looking for an additional boost of fitness a DIY training camp could be just the solution. Even recreational cyclists can benefit from a winter getaway to spend quality time with their bike and riding buddies. While not everyone can get away for an organized training camp, those who have some flexibility may be able to squeeze in a warm weather cycling trip. Here are seven steps to make your warm weather cycling escape a reality and a success.

1. Pick your destination

The flexibility of your schedule and your travel budget will likely play a major role in determining your destination. If you live on the East Coast consider North Carolina around the area of Transylvania County where cyclists flock to put in training miles during the winter. At the edge of the Appalachians, there is plenty of climbing to be done in the area. It’s even accessible by car, mind you, it is a long haul for some. It is a popular destination amoung teams as well. The Cyclery-Opus Racing team out of Ottawa has traveled to the area for training camp as has Ontario’s provincial squad. Pro teams like Holowesko-Citadel are also often training in the area.

California, especially the Southern part of the state, is another extremely popular destination that boasts favourable weather for year round riding. Tuscon, Arizona has also become very popular with the ironic Mount Lemmon climb. Those with a bit more flexibility can look to European travel destinations like the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Spain, Portugal or Italy. If you are already traveling south for a vacation in Florida or the Caribean consider booking your stay in a region that has nice roads for riding to sneak in some kilometres on the bike around your other activities.

2. Find your accommodations

Choosing a good spot to locate out of is essential to making your cycling getaway a success. With specialty cycling hotels, Airbnb and plenty of other resources to find a place to stay it all depends on what you are looking for. Since you are traveling for the riding making sure you are staying in a location that gives you the riding options you desire.

If you plan on traveling with a group, figure out if there are houses that can be rented out for the week. The winter months are an off-season for summer cottages so those are sometimes available at a more competitive prize point. If you are traveling in a smaller group Airbnb, bed and breakfasts or hotels could all be good options depending on the area and your budget.

3. Determine how you are going to get there

If you are packing up the car to get to your destination things are a little more straight-forward. Just remember if you are traveling through areas where roads may be salty to protect your bike accordingly if it’s on a bike rack. If you are flying with a bike it can be a little bit of a hassle if you are not used to it. For that reason some opt to rent a bike on arrival to their destination or find accommodations which offer bike rentals.

If you are bringing your own bike, many shops offer bike box rentals which are reasonably affordable if you don’t own one. Do your research on airline fees ahead of booking your flight so you don’t accumulate unexpected expenses at the airport.

4. Plan out your routes

Strava, Map My Ride and even Google Maps all offer resources that can be extremely helpful in figuring out where the best roads to ride are. Ask other cyclists you know who have traveled to the area where they have ridden. Using Strava, you can also see what other cyclists in the area have ridden in order to draw inspiration for your rides. Finding good routes in unfamiliar areas takes some work so do it ahead of time so that on arrival you are ready to go. If there is a local bike shop in the area or a club it doesn’t hurt to reach out for some suggestions.

On Strava and Map My Ride you can download TCX or GPX files to compatible cycling computer like a Garmin Edge to help navigate your route.

5. Get your bike tuned up

There is nothing more discouraging than suffering a mechanical on a ride. This is doubly true when you are on vacation and your specific purpose is to be out riding. If your bike has been neglected since the fall, do a thorough inspection of the bike and change any worn out parts like tires or the chain. Inspect your shifting and brake cables for fraying. If you are doubtful you can do the checkup yourself, have a good mechanic tune-up your ride so you don’t spend half your vacation traveling to bike shops. Remember to travel with a few spare parts if you have any and plenty of inner tubes.

6. Plan your menu and riding food

If you plan to spend a week riding your bike you are going to have to be well fueled for it. That means ensuring you pack plenty of riding nutrition but also have a good idea what you will be eating before and after rides. If you are going to be cooking for yourself figure out what kind of meals you want and find out where there is a grocery store. If you are staying at a hotel, have a look over the menu beforehand to make sure they have the types of meals available that will keep you well fueled for your rides. Check around for local restaurants as well which might present a more budget friendly and interesting experience. While out on the road it’s always fun to drop into local spots for a pastry and coffee. Maybe you will even get a useful tip or two on where the locals ride.

7. Have a rough training plan

Going from riding six to eight hours spinning indoors to riding over 100-km a day outdoors can be a real shock to the body. You’ll want to ease back into the sort of volume your body was used to during the summer. For that you need a training plan or at least a general idea of how you’re are going to adjust to the increased mileage so rapidly. Being prepared ahead of time will ensure your body is ready for a fun and successful warm weather cycling vacation.