There’s nothing quite like the wind blowing through your hair, the sun beaming on your face and looking out to incredible alpine views.
You wouldn’t want that to be ruined by being unprepared – preparation is key and will make your cycling holiday all the more enjoyable!
From exercising to bike prep, this is how to prepare for your cycling holiday in the Alps:
To Take Your Bike or Not?
You have two choices, bring your own bike or rent a bike in the Alps.
The price to travel with your bike could be rather costly but on the other hand, knowing that your bike perfectly fits you offers excellent comfort when you’ll be riding for hours each day.
If you choose to hire a bike, this will also be a cost consideration, but it might work out cheaper than packing and transporting your own bike and much less hassle!
Preparing Your Bike
If you think renting a bike is the best option, make sure you have that sorted before you arrive.
If you decide to take your bike, it’s important to make sure it’s in tip-top condition. Your bike is going to see more wear on your week away than normal, so you’ll need to service it before you go.
There’s nothing worse than having a noisy pedal, your descents ruined by tyres or brakes that you don’t trust when approaching a bend.
Replacing brake pads and cables before you leave is a good idea!
Training for Your Cycling Holiday
A cycling holiday is meant to be fun, so you won’t want your fitness bringing you down and tiring yourself out. Whilst general fitness will definitely help, the best way to train for your cycling holiday is to… Go cycling!
There is no one-size-fits-all training plan for a cycling holiday, as it depends on your fitness level and the type of holiday you’ll be going on.
However, a basic rule of thumb would be to work up to riding back to back days of similar difficulty to your holiday around two weeks before you leave of a duration similar to the average rides on the holiday.
There’s so many hills in the Alps, so it’s a good idea to practice on hills. The key is to be comfortable and enjoy the ride!
Nutrition is Key!
Let’s start with the good news! When training for your holiday it’s a good idea to increase your calorie intake. But don’t go crazy, try not to abandon healthy choices or to max out on portions.
Count your calories by the distance you travelled on your bike. Multiply the distance travelled in miles by 40-50 calories, if you’ve been out for a 30-mile ride you can estimate an extra calorie need of between 1,200-1,500 calories.
Carbohydrate is the body’s primary energy source for cycling and getting an adequate amount of protein into your diet will support your health, immune function and recovery.
And of course, getting those vitamins and minerals in to your diet is a must!
Check your Insurance Policy
Here comes the boring stuff, but definitely worth it if you don’t want to be bike-less!
Most home insurance policies cover your bike when abroad, but it’s worth checking. Cycle specific insurance companies will probably cover you, but again, do check!
As you’re going on a sporting holiday, getting travel insurance is a very smart idea. It can cover your flights, accommodation and any medical fees, make sure you’re covered.
Packing Essentials
- Padded shorts
- Cycling tops
- Cycling jackets
- Bike shoes
- Bike helmet
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Cycling gloves
- Mobile phone
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- High Vis clothing
- Energy snacks
- Small first aid kit
- Chamois cream
- Bike lights (if bringing your own)
Now you’re prepared for your cycling holiday, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Make your holiday an unforgettable one and check the availability of some of the finest luxury chalets the Three Valleys has to offer.
