You have put the training in and now it is time to test yourself against all those famous Cols you have been dreaming about in the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees or even Spain and Portugal. But where do you start when trying to plan your trip?
Here are 7 tips that we found useful when planning a road cycling holiday in the mountains:
1) Do you take your own bike, or do you hire one locally when you arrive?
If you own a road bike it will no doubt be one of your prized possessions. So, travelling with your bike can be a worry but with a good bike box, packed well, your bike will be absolutely fine. You then have the benefit of riding a bike you are familiar with and can tackle the mountains without any worries.
However, if you have had a bike fit back home you will have your measurements. You can forward these to a bike shop in your chosen destination and they will set up the hire bike as if it were your own. This means you have no travel worries and simply hand the bike back at the end of your holiday with no added hassle. It also gives you the opportunity to try a different bike if you are thinking of upgrading your own.
The above assumes you will stay in one location rather than undertake a point to point trip such as the Route des Grandes Alpes or the Pyrenees Coast To Coast where you start riding in one place and finish in another. This type of trip makes bringing your own bike advisable, although there are several companies who will arrange for a bike to be delivered to one location and collected from another (but watch the cost!)
2) Do I base myself in one place or do I plan a multiday tour arriving in different locations each evening?
There are many fabulous multi day tours in France and across Europe. One of the most well known is the Routes des Grandes Alpes which you will have seen on our site, but Black Rat Cycling offers multi day trips to many different locations so please contact us to find out details. A multi day tour tends to be about the cycling and you will be fully focused on riding. If you are looking for a more relaxed break with cycling being one of your interests, then basing yourself in one place will give you more flexibility.
3) Should I hire a guide or go it alone?
This very much depends on you! Are you looking to completely switch off and be shown around the local area by a knowledgeable guide or would you prefer to plot your route on Strava and head off solo? If you are on a multi day trip you need to decide if you will be bike packing (carrying all your own supplies) or using a tour company who will provide cycle guides and a support vehicle. On a multi day, point to point trip we strongly recommend you use a good quality cycling trip organiser. This will allow you to get on with the riding whilst everything else is taken care of.
4) Are you fit enough?
Cycling in the mountains is definitely different to your normal ride at home. More often than not you are cycling uphill. Some of the cols can go on for over 20 kilometres. So, you will need a good base level of fitness. However, it’s not a race and as long as you have the determination to reach the top of the climb you almost certainly will. Some of our riders have used e-bikes on our trips which has been a big benefit to them. They get to do the fabulous climbs but aren’t completely wasted at the end of the day.
5) What time of year is best?
The winter season in the mountains runs from mid December to mid April so these months should definitely be avoided, unless you are a keen skier! The best time of year for road cycling is from June to mid September in the Alps and Dolomites and until mid – late October in the Pyrenees, Spain and Portugal.
6) Cycling in the heat
It is very easy to underestimate how much the heat can affect you when riding in the mountains. Two points here: Firstly, always use sun cream even if the sun is not shining. The intensity of the sun should not be underestimated at altitude. Secondly, make sure you stay well hydrated. This will fend off cramps, a loss in performance and heat exhaustion.
If you are on an organised trip then your organiser should have a support vehicle with plenty of water to top up your bottles. If you aren’t, then make sure you stop at the village or town at the foot of the climb (there is always one) and top up your drinks before starting the climb. Try to avoid the freezing cold water you can get from village fountains. It’s fine to drink but the cold water on a hot climb can give you problems.
7) Pace yourself
It is day one in the saddle, and you are super excited about racing up your first col, as you should be! The mountain climbs are significantly longer than those most cyclists are used to. So, remember to pace yourself, keep a close eye on your heart rate and enjoy the spectacular views. It’s very easy to go into the red at the start of the climb then struggle to reach the top!
