Tim’s 13 Top Cycling Holiday Tips

Heading overseas on a cycling holiday is a big deal for all but the most seasoned travellers: here are my Top Cycling Holiday Tips to make your planning easier.

There's a litany of things to remember and cross off your list.

It's often the case that you work out pitfalls and things to watch out for, after a bad experience has befallen you, usually on your trip.

No one wants bad experiences ruining a kick arse holiday.

So, here are the VeloNomad Top Tips for getting the best out of your cycling trip.

Top Cycling Holiday Tips

Tip 1: NEVER EVER use international roaming on your phone

Regular readers of this site will know I am rabidly against roaming, even data roaming caps.

• Avoid using a roaming sim like Vroam for data—they're dear as poison. (Calls are ok though…nothing against you guys VROAM).
• Try and avoid plans like Vodafone's new roaming: they're better than nothing but still expensive ($5 a day).
• NEVER, EVER turn roaming on for your standard service:

Always use a local prepaid SIM. There are lots of options, find them all here on the VeloNomad overseas prepaid mobile data information page.

Tip 2: Campervans aren't all they cracked up to be

Whilst lots of us has this romantic notion of campervans, cols, croissants and coffee or Coronas, it's not that easy, unfortunately.

Campervans are expensive and can be hard to drive around small towns in (Kate swore NEVER AGAIN after seeing how frustrated I got in ridiculously inadequately dimensioned Spanish streets).

They require careful consideration and you can get all my insights in the Campervanning France article (or get download it all in the Campervanning France Guide).

Tip 3: Stay in one place for longer

There's a saying about travel: there's a big difference between seeing and doing. (Ok, that's something I just made up but it makes sense.)

Having done multiple cycling holidays, I can unequivocally say that staying in one place (or two places) for longer periods like a 7-10 days is much more enjoyable than driving madly all over the place.

You'll spend less, actually relax, and get lots of riding in.

And if you've got a hire car, you can still do longer day trips.

Remember 100-200km in France takes you a long way (compared to Australia where 100km might get you to the airport.)

Tip 4: Lots of Tour de France Stages is folly

Seeing lots of Tour stages is silly.

It might seem ace to chase the Tour around but:

• It's bloody stressful
• You don't see much of the Tour (but boy will you collect lots of free stuff
• You spend a lot of time waiting instead of riding

Tip 5: Taking your bike

There are pros and cons to taking your bike, which you can read more about here: Taking Your Bike Overseas tips.

Getting a good bike bag is super important, as Damian from NZ found out (see below).

Check out the VeloNomad bike bag reviews, spend $100 or spend $700 and protect your bike.

Tip 6: Pack Light

You'll inevitably buy stuff, get souvenir water bottles and stuff from the Tour de France (if you head to France for the Tour).

But remember:

• Consumables are cheap (brake pads for example)
• You almost NEVER need as much as you think you will

I always overpack and always regret it. See this checklist below? Madness.

Tip 7: Do a Gran Fondo, and Train

If you're on a cycling trip and there's a Gran Fondo, DO IT!

Whether it's Etape du Tour, La Marmotte, La Maratona or something else, these events are amazing fun.

And training for these events is a total no brainer. Usually you'll face mountains on a complete other level than you're used to.

(You can get some free Gran Fondo Training here: VeloNomad Gran Fondo training.)

Top Cycling Holiday Tips Tip 8: Ride your legs off

In Europe, you can ride all freaking day, from 6AM, often until 10PM.

I remember coming off Mont Ventoux after doing it 3 times in the same day, late in the afternoon: the air was warm and there was a few hours left.

I remember coming back from rides at 9PM with light left.

It's delightful.

And honestly, how often do you get to leave your daily concerns behind, and ride, with no need to be somewhere for something.

Tip 9: learn the local language

Ok, this isn't mandatory, but learning some French, Italian, Spanish or whatever isn't hard and the locals will open up to you.

And there's something really ace about being able to order your entire meal in the local language, tell them you don't want garlic in anything as you're allergic, ask for the bill and say thanks.

You'll love it, and the locals love it more.

Tip 10: Insurance

Insurance, especially for your bike, is a minefield.

Pay EXTRA attention here. Here are my top cycling holiday insurance tips.

1. Roll your bike into your contents insurance (article here) and make sure it's covered overseas including in events like Etape du Tour. Cover EVERY possible event.
2. If you use your credit card insurance to cover your bike, make sure you tell the insurer you are taking a bike, its value, and ensure it's covered.
3. If you're relying on regular travel insurance then make sure you have enough to cover your bike.
4. Make sure your insurance covers carbon bikes!

Tip 11: Flight hacking

Use Flightfox to save yourself a HEAP of money.

Here's what reader Will said:

…it is worth looking at FlightFox if you are trying to get the best flights. You put up a request for $24 for the best price for a certain destination in a date or range and class and the best travel agents in the cloud get to work trying to out do one another getting you the best deal. The more you offer the more attention you get from the best. You also learn the crazy points hacks that can get you a first class ticket for the price of an economy. Yes you heard it here. My son just snared two 1st class return tickets to HK for the price of a cheap economy fare by leveraging a United points loop that he heard about from FlightFox.

Tip 12: no Traveller's Cheques Needed

All you need is a credit card, or prepaid VISA/Mastercard debit card.

No traveller's cheques are needed—ATMs are widespread and I've never had an issue cash advancing off a credit card.

Just be sure to take a few different cards, as sometimes some outlets like toll booths will take an Amex, and the next one won't, but will take a VISA or Mastercard.

For the Aussies who are Qantas Frequent Flyers, check out the new prepaid travel card called Qantas Cash, or the 28 Degrees Mastercard which has low fees for overseas use (like no FX fees).

Tip 13: Eat eat eat

Have you seen Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts?

You reckon she particularly worried about what she ate in Italy?

Nope. And that was the point.

France? Eat croissants, cheese and pastries every day.

Then go for a ride and be guilt free.