Winter Cycling destinations

garetjax

Hi,

looking for a good winter cycling/family holiday destinations.

We did go to Pollensa, Mallorca once in February. We got two sunny days and four cold and wet and so I don't think we will go back at that time of year. Other than that it was perfect.

I guess the Canary Islands is the obvious destination. Does any particular island stand out for cycling in terms of scenery and bike hire?

MichaelW

I tried Madeira, the weather was like a nice English summer with one rainy, stormy day. The cycling is tricky, manic drivers, narrow roads and very steep everywhere. I ended up on a walking holiday which was quite OK with me.
The Azores are a bit quieter and quite a few riders report good cycling.

Muffintop

Cuba might be good - though not sure if they have a monsoon season. Saw alot of cyclists on the motorway there (the first meter of the motorway is given over to horse and carts, and cyclists). Saw a few holidaying cyclists on their carbon bikes, and EVERYONE cycles.

PieterM

Of the Canaries, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the largest and offer good cycling. Both island have a high vulcano in the middle which is where the best albeit tough roads are. The coastal roads are mostly busy so better to avoid those. Lanzarote is a bit smaller but also good for cycling, but you must like high winds if you go there.

Barbes

Costa Blanca usually has fairly settled weather in Feb and about 18-20C. There are some great hills behind Denia.

Cuba would be great too weatherwise - outside hurricane season.

c0ugars

Is there any where any of you would recommend for cycling in December?? Me and a few friend have some left over holiday days left so we would like to plan a winter cycling get away.

bigpikle

Gran Canaria - family on the beach or at the hotel and amazing cycling in beautiful temperatures. Road surafecs are damn near perfect and once off the coast road the traffic is very light and bike friendly and some superb climbing, descending and views.

Freemotion will hire you a new Cannondale road/MTB and do good tours every day as well if you want to join a group.

I'm back there again in Dec for a week

LeDomestiqueTours

Portugal is good from early Jan onwards. Albufiera (if you ignore the chavvier places) has tonnes of decent hotels that out of sun lounger season are cheap and deserted. You'll probably get a bit of rain but you do get well surfaced roads and a decent chance of some sunshine!