Any cyclist will tell you there’s no better way to see the world than on two wheels, and there is an incredible array of choice when it comes to rides. Get off the beaten track and discover life outside the main attractions on these top bike holidays.
See Paris from the saddle
The city of love’s main attractions – the Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Avenue de l’Opera, the Marais, Pompidou Centre and Bastille – are within easy reach of each other and the best way to see them is by bike.
Stop at the various shops and markets en route, cross one of the many bridges over the River Seine, or follow any of the myriad hidden, twisting lanes that might just lead you to a cosy café. You’ll never know what you might find around the next corner. Paris’ self-service cycle hire scheme means riders can pick up and drop off bicycles at more than 1000 spots throughout the city at any time of day.
Head to the mountains
Australia’s premier rail trail, the 83km Murray to the mountains cycle trip from Wangaratta to Bright in north-eastern Victoria, crosses the foot of Mt Buffalo through the Ovens Valley. It can be cycled in a day but is better stretched across a couple of days; the trail passes several wineries and eateries worth stopping at and there are plenty of accommodation options. This is a great introduction to bike travel for families.
Go west
Western Australia’s Munda Biddi Trail stretches for 1000km from Mundaring, just outside Perth, to Albany. The terrain varies from gentle to difficult, so you can choose which section to ride depending on your ability. Every day is different on the Munda Biddi. The scenery ranges from unspoiled bush, quaint rural towns and towering forests, and the wineries and the chance to learn about Aboriginal culture along the way are highlights.
The campsites have a sleeping shelter, water tanks, toilets and bike storage. The trail takes about three weeks to complete, and there are plenty of towns and custom-built campsites along the way; most are 45-50km apart.
On the history trail
While you’re down under, pedal through history as you follow a former railway route through once-bustling goldfields on New Zealand’s Otago Central Rail Trail. This is NZ’s original scenic ride. The 150km trail connects Clyde to Middlemarch, cutting through narrow gorges and across railway bridges and tunnels.
You won’t find any steep hills on this route, and character-filled pubs and quirky bed and breakfasts line the trail. A train journey from Middlemarch back to Dunedin on the Taieri Gorge Railway is a fantastic way to cap off your experience.
Canal cruising
Boats along Sweden’s Göta Canal were once towed from the shore by oxen, and today these old towpaths have are popular with cyclists. They’re mostly flat, free of traffic and offer plenty of spots perfect for whiling away an hour or two in over an al fresco lunch. The most popular attractions are the canal museum at Sjötorp and the seven locks at Berg, where you can watch boats being lowered 18m.
Follow the river
The Danube Bicycle Path is one of Europe’s most beautiful cycle routes. Start your trip in Passau and cruise through upper and lower Austria to finish in Vienna. The 320km path follows the majestic river of the same name and is an ideal way to see this romantic region. Thanks to a paved, traffic-free route, the cycling is pretty easy, making it a great ride if you have the kids in tow. Along the way you’ll pass romantic castles, picturesque towns and villages and sprawling vineyards, and get the chance to sample traditional Austrian delicacies.
A taste of Asia
Like bikes and beaches? You’ll get both on the 1200km route connecting Vietnam’s two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The ride takes you along vast stretches of sandy coastline and through hill villages.
Other options include cycling through the pancake-flat lands of the Mekong Delta in the country’s south or head to central Vietnam, to the highlands and the hill station of Dalat. Riding in Vietnam is no picnic, as road surfaces vary considerably and there are obstacles such as the Hai Van Pass between North and South Vietnam, but the scenery and the chance to ride with the locals make it an incomparable experience.
