June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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You’ve probably heard that cycling tours are a great way to take in the sights while traveling. On a bike, you’re outdoors, truly immersed in your environment and less likely to miss details that would quickly fly by a car window. Cycling gets your heart and legs pumping and promotes socializing during a shared activity.
However, the idea of a cycling tour can be intimidating if you’re new to the sport. You might worry about falling behind the group, burning legs during hard climbs or unfavorable weather. But that doesn’t have to be your experience. Many cycling tours are tailored to beginners who want to leisurely pedal and stop frequently to take in the views.
Here are our recommendations for some of the top easy, beginner cycling trips in North America and Europe. Many of these leisurely routes can be self-guided but consider booking a fully-supported tour group to avoid worrying about bike maintenance, planning stops, airport transfers and other details. Opt for an E-bike to make the going even easier!
Majestic live oaks, Spanish moss, Victorian architecture and coastal scenery await you on this slow ride in the flat, low country. USA Bike Tours offers a seven-day trip spanning 267 miles between Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.
Stops highlighting the area’s history include the Wormsloe Plantation ruins, Georgia’s oldest plantation, and Saint Helena Island. Along the way, you’ll enjoy southern cuisine including an authentic Gullah Geechee dinner. We recommend extending your trip to explore Savannah and Charleston, two of America’s most iconic southern cities.
Named for the 28th governor of South Dakota, The Mickelson Trail traverses more 100 miles of South Dakota’s iconic Black Hills National Forest along a former rail line constructed in 1890.
Book with Viator for an 18-mile bike tour sampling the most scenic parts of the trail. Along the way, you’ll pass mountain peaks, towering aspens, and rushing streams before stopping at a local brewery. The easy ride is all slightly downhill and accessible for all fitness levels. If you are up for tackling the entire route, Discovery Bicycle Tours offers a 5-day trip, rated “easier to moderate,” that includes a shuttle stop to Mt. Rushmore.
Bike through 160 miles of Quebec’s beautiful countryside on this 160-mile circuit route around Saint-Jean Lake, north of Quebec City. Bicycle Adventures hosts a seven-day bike tour “for energetic beginners or intermediate riders, as well as advanced riders who may want more miles,” writes Bicycle Adventures.
The tour group adds that if you opt for an e-bike, the tour will be truly perfect for a beginner and is great for riders who want to stop to enjoy the region’s culture. Expect to sample homemade cheese and visit Canada’s oldest Inu reserve. Extend your stay in historically rich Quebec City at the end of the tour.
Pedal through gorgeous, mountainous wine country in British Columbia. Freewheeling Adventures hosts a six-day bike tour spanning more than 150 miles between Vernon and Oliver. The guided ride is rated easy/moderate, so it’s one of the harder routes on the list.
However, there are plenty of stops to sample wine, eat a leisurely lunch and take in the scenery. Cycle through historic railway tunnels and over trestles. Enjoy diverse landscapes such as sage-brush hills, forests and canyons. Sample the region’s exceptional wine and cuisine and stop for swims in cooling, glacial lakes.
A UNESCO protected site, the Canal du Midi is a marvel of engineering for its time. The canal was built between 1667 and 1694 and links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Cycling along canal paths guarantees a gentle, mostly flat ride. Along the way, you’ll see the iconic aqueducts, locks and tunnels that make the Canal du Midi remarkable.
The waterway passes through historic towns and vineyards, offering opportunities for incredible sightseeing along the way. Bikingfrance offers a five-day tour, from Carcassonne to Sète, with only three days of riding. You’ll have plenty of time for sightseeing.
One of the world’s most renowned waterways, the Danube River spans 1,800 miles between Germany and the Black Sea. The bike route along the Danube is flat to gently rolling and is most well maintained in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.
Rooster offers a six-day gentle tour of the Danube Cycle Path from Passau to Vienna, averaging a daily riding distance of 26 miles. Explore the stunning architecture of Passau, Germany’s City of Three Rivers. At the end of your tour, extend your stay in Vienna, Austria’s cosmopolitan capital. Stop and stroll through the Weingut Lagler winery and the 1,000-year-old city of Krems.
The Scottish Highlands is a mountainous region known for its ruggedly beautiful terrain. However, Rooster offers a gentle tour that gives you a feel for the region and sticks to flatter topography along canals and waterways. The seven-day tour averages 20 miles daily from Oban to South Laggan.
Stroll through the coastal town of Oban, known for its seafood and ocean views. Stop to take in the presence of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. Stand on the shores of Loch Ness, the UK’s largest lake by volume and home to the legendary “Nessie.”
Enjoy sandy beaches, jagged coastal cliffs and iconic cities along sunny Portugal’s coast. Rooster hosts a five-day gentle bike tour from Porto to Aviero, averaging 19 miles daily. Start the fun in Porto, Portugal’s second city, known as the mother of Port wine. Lounge by the waves in the seaside city of Espinho as you daydream and watch fishermen cast their nets. Stroll through the streets of Aviero, known as the “Venice of Portugal,” where city canals and art nouveau architecture enchants.
Purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your trip is a must. You should know that most domestic health insurance policies may not fully protect you abroad. Emergency health coverage is essential during biking trips and other physical activities. Certain Allianz Travel Insurance plans offer emergency medical protection that may help fill insurance gaps.
We also offer trip cancellation protection that reimburses certain non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a reason included in your policy. Our baggage benefits reimburse certain non-refundable expenses if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged.
Additionally, if you are a beginner cyclist, we highly recommend booking a fully supported tour to get the most out of your trip and to stay safe. There are a few things to consider when shopping for the perfect adventure for you. If you are concerned about your current fitness level, choose tours that are in a range of 20 - 30 miles of easy, relatively flat cycling daily.
Also, it’s advisable to get into the habit of leisurely cycling at home to prepare for your trip. You may also want to book tours with plenty of stops and walking breaks along the way. Additionally, if you want to tackle a tour with more elevation changes consider tours that offer the option to rent an e-bike. Happy cycling!
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