A self-guided tour allows you the freedom to explore on your own time without worrying about the logistics that are required to make a tour great. Thats our job and we'll ensure that you have the most amazing experience riding your bike in some of the most amazing places.
Self-Guided A beautiful loop that begins and ends in Girona. Ride along rugged coastal paths, through vineyards and mediaeval villages. Stay in secluded villages along the way, such as Llafranc, L'Escala, Cadaques, and Figueres as you experience their brilliant hospitality and culture.
Coming soon
Self-Guided The perfect combination of the Pyrenees and coastal views, incorporating rolling valley scenery that is perfect for a family trip. This self-guided tour is a great introduction to Spain with picturesque routes, relaxed distances and the chance to explore the costa brava. It is guaranteed to be an epic cycling holiday that individuals, couples or families can enjoy.
Coming soon
Self-Guided The Costa Brava also known as the rough and rugged coast is a cycling paradise, this tour is one of the most refreshing self-guided tours that will have you explore the inland and beautiful coastline packed full of switchbacks and descents.
Coming soon
Self-Guided The Costa Brava also known as the rough and rugged coast is a cycling paradise. This explore tour is one of the most refreshing self-guided road bike tours that will have you visiting the beautiful Costa Brava on stunning roads packed with switchbacks and relaxing descents.
Coming soon
Self-Guided A luxury, sunny, refreshing self-guided tour that will allow you to discover and explore Costa Brava's southern half. You will discover the most iconic coastal landscapes and places in Girona and take home fantastic memories from your experiences.
Coming soon
Self-Guided A sunny, refreshing on and off road self-guided tour that will allow you to discover and explore Costa Brava's southern half. You will discover the most iconic coastal landscapes and places in Girona and take home fantastic memories from your experiences.
Coming soon
Self-Guided Scale the mighty mountain passes of the Spanish and French Pyrenees on this five-day group tour. Follow in the tyre tracks of the pros and challenge yourself to this epic adventure as you climb many of the legendary cols featured in The Tour de France and La Vuelta de España each year.
Self-Guided Explore Mallorca from your road bike on this adventure. Enjoy this fantastic tour that has been meticulously planned so that you can get to know Mallorca by bike, its amazing cuisine, and its stunning landscapes.
Coming soon
Self-Guided Discover Suffolk's stately homes and beautiful gardens on this short but sweet 4D/3N bike tour. Pedal mellow contours while exploring the county's charming history. Self guided with all the routes mapped out.
Coming soon
Self-Guided A leisurely tour combining the historic 'Wool Towns' with the beautiful villages and rolling countryside of 'Constable Country'. Self guided with all the routes mapped out and luggage transfers included.
Coming soon
Self-Guided Discover the history and quaint countryside in Suffolk by bike. Over 7 days you will pedal from Needham Market to Cavendish, and everywhere in between. A gentle self-guided cycling tour to take at your own pace.
Coming soon
Self-Guided The perfect combination of coastal views and rolling valley scenery. This self-guided tour is a great introduction to Northern Spain. With picturesque routes, historical stopovers, and free days to explore some more, it is guaranteed to be an epic cycling trip.
Self-Guided Explore the romantic Franconia region and pedal alongside the Main River. As you pedal from Würzburg to Frankfurt, you will have the opportunity to sample local flavours and take in the expansive views.
Coming soon
Self-Guided From Trier to Koblenz, this 7-day self-guided cycling tour takes you through one of Europe's most beautiful river valleys. The vine-covered slopes and picturesque routes make for excellent cycling excursions.
Self-Guided Discover the Lake Constance Hinterland. This tour takes you off the beaten path and through forests teeming with life. Pass through Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, enjoying the diverse region.
Coming soon
Self-Guided A blend of coastal views and rolling valley scenery as you delve into the majestic Picos de Europa. This self-guided tour is a great introduction to Northern Spain. With marvellous scenery and dizzying descents, you are sure to have a good trip.
Self-Guided Discover the south west coast of Sardinia, the Costa Verde. Forget the big tourist resorts, this area of Sardinia is simply breathtaking and will leave you wanting to explore more with your bike.
Self-Guided Embark from Puglia's main city Trulli and descend along the heel of Italy all the way to Salento. You will slowly discover the white villages of the Itria Valley and other gems of the region all by bicycle.
Self-Guided Sunny weather and challenging, yet quiet, sweeping roads. This is our most refreshing self-guided tour that takes you through the gorgeous picturesque Med coast, soaking up the iconic vibes of Girona.
Coming soon
Self-Guided Discover sweeping roads and a slow pace to life. This is the most refreshing leisure self-guided tour that takes you from Girona to the coast, with local activities along the way.
Coming soon
Self-Guided Mallorca is without a doubt the world's most treasured cycling paradise. Discover this varied landscape in a 9-day best of Mallorca cycling holiday navigating the island and rack up the miles covering the best Mallorca cycling routes.
Self-Guided Enjoy the ride through some of the most dramatic landscapes to be found in Europe. Lanzarote offers volcanic landscapes, wine country of La Geria, and gorgeous beaches like Famara.
Coming soon
Self-Guided Discover the fairytale village of Orbaneja del Castillo. Sample world famous vineyards and wine in the La Rioja region. Ride dramatic canyons of the Ebro River at your own pace and discover the beauty of Spain.
Self-Guided Ride West, from Bilbao to Ribadella. Discover the beauty of the rugged Basque coastline. Follow the beautiful coastline of Northern Spain, encountering unspoiled beaches, pretty villages, and more.
Self-Guided Immerse yourself in the purest beauty. This memorable bike holiday takes you to the heart of Tuscany, among superfine red wines, olive groves, and hills designed by cypresses. Simply breathtaking.
Self-Guided Cycle from the heart of Sicily to the charming Ortigia. Ride among baroque architectures of rare beauty, gaudy ceramics, ancient autochthon vines and taste delicious foods. This tour will touch your heart.
What is a self-guided bike tour?
Self-guided cycling tours provide you with more flexibility and independence than a guided cycling tour may provide. Due to this, self-guided individual bike tours are becoming increasingly popular. They are less expensive than guided bicycle tours but they can provide the same level of support and convenience just with the freedom to explore on your own time without worrying about the logistics.
It may be a good idea to consider your level of comfort with navigating a different culture and foreign language, reading maps and signs, ordering food, and dealing with flat tyres or other minor emergencies on your own. Some travellers dislike doing these things for themselves, while others find them to be the best part of an adventure.
What level of support is provided?
The term “self-guided” does not imply that you are completely on your own all the time. While you’ll have more freedom to ride at your own pace and take breaks whenever you want, the tour operator will still handle the logistics.
Hotel reservations and luggage transfers between hotels are included and because you frequently follow the same routes as guided tours, the accommodations are usually the same.
The majority of tour operators offer a comprehensive information package that includes a marked route, a detailed route description, and tips on sights, cultural highlights, scenic stops, and recommended restaurants. While the materials are adequate and improved frequently, we recommend that you supplement them with your own destination research and guidebooks in advance. This will just give you the extra edge.
In the event of an emergency or a mechanical problem, a hotline is provided for you to contact and be supported by the operator. All operators are very clued up with the areas their tours operate in so they will always be able to support you with just about every issue you may come across.
What is riding on a self guided cycle tour like?
Because some self-guided tours require a minimum of two travellers — or even one — you should not expect to ride with a group. Group camaraderie is part of what makes travelling enjoyable for some people. If you are one of these people, a guided bike tour may be a better option for you or round up some friends to join you on the adventure.
What’s included on self-guided bike tour?
What to expect on a self-guided cycling tour?
There is no accompanying support van on self-guided bike tours, unlike on our guided bike tours (unless otherwise noted).
This means that it is your responsibility to get to the next hotel each day, even if the weather is bad or you don’t feel like riding. However, if you get into trouble our team is here to support you. Whether by sending a van or advising you on public transportation options such as trains, boats, or buses we will not leave you stranded anywhere at anytime.
In the unlikely event that your bicycle has a mechanical issue, you will also be expected to repair your own bike and replace necessary parts. If you are in a sticky situation, give us a call and we will support you however we can. You may be directed to take public transportation or a taxi to the next town, where there may be a bicycle repair shop that can fix the problem and get you rolling again.
Accommodation during your self-guided bike tour
Lodging is typically in 2 and 3-star hotels unless stated otherwise. Each accommodation is carefully chosen for their location, intimate atmospheres and reflections of the region’s history and culture (rather than larger chain hotels). All the chosen accommodations are equipped and prepared for cyclists so you, your bike and your equipment will be accommodated. With the exception of certain ships and barges, all rooms have private facilities.
Breakfast is included on almost all tours (except where otherwise noted), and dinner plans are frequently available at a surcharge at the hotel or you may dine out at one of the many nearby restaurants in the town. Each tour will clearly state what the meal situation is so you won’t be left hungry and in the unknown.
Bike and equipment rentals
It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, we have bikes available for rent on all our tours. Rental bikes are generally of a high quality and are geared to suit all riders and the terrain you may face. If you’re wanting to record your ride and watch your numbers, you may want to bring your bike computer with you. However, some tour companies now provide handlebar-mounted GPS units. Please see the tour information on our cycle tour pages for available bikes and equipment. Due to hygiene and safety/ fit concerns, most operators do not rent helmets. Please remember to bring your own with you.
Travel arrangements
The majority of tours begin in the afternoon or evening on arrival at your first hotel. The actual cycling starts the following morning but you are more than welcome to go on a short ride when you arrive. Start cities are usually easily accessible by air or rail.
You may want to arrive in the departure city a day earlier depending on when your international flight arrives. You’ll feel more at ease and you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city on your own. An extra nights accommodation is available by arrangement if this is something you would like.
At the end of the tour, a final night’s lodging is usually included before being transported to the station or airport the following day. You arrive at the final nights stay, by bike, the day before, have a relaxing evening and then depart after breakfast the next morning.
You can always extend your trip by staying an extra night in the end city to explore the area for a little longer than the tour dates allow.
Is a guided cycling tour right for you?
Realising what you DON’T want can sometimes help you figure out what you DO want. Check out these blog posts to see which type of touring is best for you. If you have any questions our team of expert cyclists are here to help.