Quell Those Autumn Blues With a Trip
As the days turn colder and darker as we approach autumn, there is still much to cheer about.
The gold and crimson hues from the leaves lighting up the ground beneath our feet. Warm drinks in hand, preparing for another season of celebration. Fresh mornings serenaded by yawning breezes and glowing sunrises.
As we wind down from a disappointing summer, we’ve decided to look at cycling destinations we think could brighten your horizons and give you something to look forward to in the coming months.
Cambridge
While you won’t be escaping the inevitable stirring chills of autumnal England, Cambridge does possess a certain charm all year round.
The historic market city is famed for its quintessentially English cobbled streets, quaint tea rooms and centuries-old public houses. While most commonly associated with its world-renowned university, the city is also home to a plethora of galleries showcasing an impressive range of art, from the contemporary to the classic.
Most importantly, it exists as one of the few English cities where getting around on two wheels is the preferred choice of transport; around a third of trips in the town made by bike. The flat and compact nature of the city centre allows for a pleasant ride around the sites.
Take a look at Cambridgeshire Bike Tours to see the best ways of getting around.
Mallorca
Moving on to a place where the sun is likely to shine during the autumn, Mallorca.
The jewel of the Balearics boasts a stunning coastline with gleaming white beaches, sheltered coves that provide the foreground for fruitful farmland and the dramatic Tramontana mountain range.
As well as this, the capital Palma is enshrined with a rich history stretching back to the Roman and Moorish conquests, and the gothic medieval architecture is truly something to behold.
Average temperatures of 18-22 degrees celsius make this a very appealing destination during the autumn, and one which provides cyclists with breathtaking coastal trails, dipping hills and challenging mountain climbs.
Cycling Holiday Tours Mallorca provide everything you may need for the trip, including accommodation, bike hires, cycle routes with varying degrees of difficulty and even triathlon training.
Paphos, Cyprus
Another destination that experiences copious amounts of sunshine is Cyprus. In particular, we will be focusing on Paphos which is located on the southwest coast of the island.
It is home to your typical crystal clear Mediterranean waters and pristine beaches, but what makes it so special is its incredibly rich heritage. History enthusiasts will enjoy Paphos Archaeological Park, one of the most important sites in Cyprus. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to incredibly well-preserved mosaics and Roman villas.
Elsewhere you will find sites relating to the cult of goddess Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was at Old Paphos, while the local cuisines boasts all the fresh delicacies the Mediterranean has to offer such as Moussaka and Souvlaki.
Aspire Cycling provide guidance on accommodation, bike hire and both self-guided and private-guided tours during your time in Paphos.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s capital city is home to nearly 100km of bike lanes, and 20km of them follow a picturesque flat terrain all along the city’s waterfront, making for a wonderful afternoon excursion.
If a combination of culture and cycling is what you are looking for this autumn then look now further. Lisbon is bursting with colour and character, retaining customs of old as a famous port city. Intricately tiled walls, narrow cobbled streets and charming al fresco dining all congregate to form a wonderful, welcoming destination for tourists. It is a delicate intersection of traditional and modern cultures, meaning you get the best of both worlds.
Again the Mediterranean climate boasts a warm, mild average temperature through the early months in autumn, providing a much needed respite from harsher weather elsewhere.
Live Love Ride host premium bike tours across Portugal, and in particular in the capital where experienced local riders will be able to show you the best accommodation, gastronomical delights and hidden local gems.
Lombardy, Italy
The Lombardy region of Italy is home to a unique collection of landscapes, none more so dramatic than the Alps.
Europe’s tallest and most extensive mountain range is nothing short of breathtaking. The soaring peaks, capped with a heavy dusting of snow in the autumn make for spectacular viewing. While it doesn’t quite hold the sun-drenched appeal of the Mediterranean destinations listed above, the northern border of Italy, shared with Switzerland, is home to some of the best cycle routes in Europe.
Soak up sumptuous local delicacies in a region famous for its incredible cheese and wine, all while testing your abilities on a bike in some of the toughest terrains in Europe. Bike Hotel Paradiso is a dedicated bike hotel in Livigno that offers services for cyclists and holds special agreements with the Mottolino Bike Park. For the more experienced riders, this is a great choice for those looking to train for sustained periods of time.
North Yorkshire
Venturing to the north of England, and in particular Yorkshire, opens a whole host of opportunities for cyclists.
Three national parks make up a mountain bikers’ paradise, with lush, tumbling hills, lakeside tracks and seemingly boundless vistas all part of the fun.
The Yorkshire Dales are quintessentially Yorkshire, and with their spectacular waterfalls and ancient broadleaved woodlands, they make up some of the most isolated parts of countryside in the UK. The area also possesses a rich tapestry of cultural and industrial heritage to be explored where visitors can find the scattered remains of former mine workings, as well as Skipton and Ripley Castle which are 900 and 700-years-old.
While the autumn will surely throw some inclement weather your way, Yorkshire is a pleasant, quiet place to take your bike. There is something for everyone, with smooth empty roads all the way to some of the most infamous climbs in the country, including Buttertubs Pass and Grinton Moor.
If you’re looking for a quirky, cosy place to stay during your adventure to Yorkshire, Catgill Farm has an amazing selection of ‘glamping’ options, secure bike storage and is situated at the foothills of the Dales.
