We’re in the thick of cycling season, particularly in Europe, which is arguably the greatest hub for fans of two-wheeling. Lycra-clad athletes are out in full colorful splendor on almost every paved roadway (and plenty of unpaved backroads too), pitting themselves against the relentlessness of gravity and mercilessness of the elements.
For biking professionals and their devoted fans, there’s a very full calendar of Europe-based races, the most famous of which is a trifecta of high-profile, multi-day, team cycling events: the Giro d’Italia, which winds its way through Italy in May; the Tour de France, which hits that country’s heartland throughout July; and the Vuelta a Espana, which captives Spain from August into September. Pros also have the summer Olympics this year, in August. (There are plenty of other similar and single-day races in other countries, though they are not as high-profile.)
####### Photo Credit: Tour de France
In parallel with these displays of extreme fitness are the everyday personal challenges undertaken by amateur riders. Many trace the routes of major races, testing a pedaler’s mettle against the same major climbs or long distances that the pros push through; others involve more leisurely touristic bike paths, not the least of which are the EuroVelo routes that crisscross the continent in ever-greater and increasingly popular profusion. The busiest one, EuroVelo 6, runs for 3,653 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea via 10 countries and mostly keeps to the car-free banks of six major rivers. The longest one, EuroVelo 13, stretches for more than 10,000 kilometers from Norway to Turkey and passes through 20 countries!
Whatever the cycling flavor, Europe’s got it.
Cycling, Travel and HomeExchange
Even though bikeways can be found just about everywhere you look, there are several notable focal points of cycling activity. Places like Tuscany and the Loire Valley come mind, as do the Alps and the Pyrenees. In these meccas, as well as all along Europe’s other great river valleys, mountainous regions, coastal stretches, wine roads and cultural centers – almost all of them touched by pro racing circuits or EuroVelo routes – opportunities for enriching travel experiences (or spectating ones for people out to watch) are nearly impossible to miss.
Just as fortunately, these cycling pilgrimages pass through or near important population centers where all of the required tourism support services can be found, including, of course, home exchanges. In fact, HomeExchange is very well represented in most of them! And, depending on the home, there may even be access to a bicycle on site, rather than you needing to bring one along.
Imagine being able to slip into the same ride patterns you do at home? Wake up in comfortable privacy, home-brew a jolt of coffee, slip into your gear, iron out the morning kinks in your muscles and then head out the door. Within minutes, you’re coasting through history, the evidence of which is overpowering at nearly every twist in the road. The home-like comforts of returning from your ride – winding down, cleaning up, snacking, tuning the bike – could hardly feel more familiar or easy!
And if your primary desire is to cheer the passing of race-accelerated pros, you never know what you might find with HomeExchange. You could end up right alongside a race route!
Where to Spin Your Wheels
Here are a few European cycling-minded destinations worth exploring to make the most of a home exchange inspired by two-wheeling.
- Loire Valley, France
- Alps, France/Italy/Switzerland
- Tuscany, Italy
- Pyrenees, France/Spain
- Sierra Nevada National Park, Spain (for mountain biking)
- Rhine, Germany/France
- Netherlands
