Lake Enol below green slopes and limestone peaks in the Picos de Europa
Inspiration

The cycling life, in eight chapters

Roads and climbs, kit and coffee, places to stay, stories and the people you ride with – and the feeling that ties it all together.

Photo: Zarateman · CC BY-SA 3.0

Our editorial pillars

What we write about

01The RoadsCoastal rides, mountain passes, scenic loops and lesser-known regions.02The ClimbsLegendary ascents, hidden climbs and the race history behind them.03The KitClothing, helmets, computers and the gear that makes travel easy.Selection in preparation04The FuelNutrition and hydration – and the coffee, bakeries and long lunches.Selection in preparation05The EscapeCyclist-friendly stays, pools, rest days and getting there.Selection in preparation06The StoriesBooks, films, photography and professional racing history.07The PeopleClubs, group rides, events, local guides and shared adventures.Later release08The FeelingWeather, light, mountain air, solitude and the joy of the ride.
The Journal

Stories & features

Editorial pieces. Facts inside are sourced and linked; opinions are ours.

The RoadsFive roads beyond the familiarThe famous hotspots are wonderful – and full. Here are five regions to ride before everyone else does.5 min readThe Climbs · The StoriesRiding with the legendsFrom the first Tour over the Galibier in 1911 to the Angliru in 1999: why the great climbs feel different.6 min readThe Climbs · The FeelingHow to ride your first long climbPractical pacing, fuelling and patience for a climb that takes an hour or more. General advice, not coaching.6 min read

More stories in preparation: [PLACEHOLDER] Kit, Fuel, Escape and People features – to be written

Featured collections

Ideas by mood and moment

Every selection follows a published rule applied to our data, so you can see why a place is in it.

The first rides of spring

While the Alpine passes are still under snow, these regions are already in their prime.

Selection rule Prime month in March or April under our climate rule.

The SS125 Orientale Sarda road winding through limestone hills near Dorgali, SardiniaWave 1 · profile in research
🇮🇹 Italy · Sardinia

Sardinia

Big island, empty interior roads and a mild spring.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Mount Etna at dusk seen across a bay with sailing boats near Taormina, SicilyWave 2 · guide
🇮🇹 Italy · Sicily

Sicily – Etna & the east

The Mediterranean's largest island, with a volcano you can ride up.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Dec
The Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse on cliffs above the Atlantic, AlgarveWave 2 · guide
🇵🇹 Portugal · Algarve

Algarve

Atlantic cape, cork-oak hills and a mild winter – with a ready-made itinerary pack.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal · Mountains
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Feb–Jun, Sep–Dec
A straight empty road crossing dry scrubland towards the hills of Cabo de Gata, AlmeríaWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Andalusia

Almería & Mojácar

Desert light, a volcanic coast and a 2,000 m Vuelta summit.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jan–May, Oct–Dec
Colourful houses lining the Onyar river in Girona old townWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Catalonia

Girona

Where the pros live: quiet lanes, Rocacorba and the Costa Brava.

  • Rolling hills · Mountains · Coastal
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

A week in the sun

Warm, dry and bright – for when you simply need the sun on your arms.

Selection rule At least one prime month with an average high of 22 °C or more and no more than 5 rain days.

The N339 road curving under granite crags in the Serra da EstrelaWave 1 · profile in research
🇵🇹 Portugal · Centro

Serra da Estrela

Granite plateau, glacial valleys and a paved road to Portugal's rooftop.

  • Mountains
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: May–Sep
The SS125 Orientale Sarda road winding through limestone hills near Dorgali, SardiniaWave 1 · profile in research
🇮🇹 Italy · Sardinia

Sardinia

Big island, empty interior roads and a mild spring.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Mount Etna at dusk seen across a bay with sailing boats near Taormina, SicilyWave 2 · guide
🇮🇹 Italy · Sicily

Sicily – Etna & the east

The Mediterranean's largest island, with a volcano you can ride up.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Dec
The Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse on cliffs above the Atlantic, AlgarveWave 2 · guide
🇵🇹 Portugal · Algarve

Algarve

Atlantic cape, cork-oak hills and a mild winter – with a ready-made itinerary pack.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal · Mountains
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Feb–Jun, Sep–Dec
A straight empty road crossing dry scrubland towards the hills of Cabo de Gata, AlmeríaWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Andalusia

Almería & Mojácar

Desert light, a volcanic coast and a 2,000 m Vuelta summit.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jan–May, Oct–Dec

Climb, coffee, repeat

Big climbs in the morning, an espresso at the top, another climb before lunch.

Selection rule Editorial climbing rating ‘Big climbs’ or ‘High-mountain climbs’.

Hairpin road with stone walls climbing towards the Vršič Pass through larch forest, Julian AlpsWave 1 · profile in research
🇸🇮 Slovenia · Julian Alps

Soča Valley & Julian Alps

Emerald river, limestone walls and Slovenia's highest road pass.

  • Mountains
  • High-mountain climbs
  • No prime month · good Mar–Nov
The N339 road curving under granite crags in the Serra da EstrelaWave 1 · profile in research
🇵🇹 Portugal · Centro

Serra da Estrela

Granite plateau, glacial valleys and a paved road to Portugal's rooftop.

  • Mountains
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: May–Sep
Road curving past Lake Enol below limestone peaks at the Lakes of CovadongaWave 1 · profile in research
🇪🇸 Spain · Asturias & Cantabria

Picos de Europa

Green mountains, Vuelta legends and the sea within reach.

  • Mountains · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jun–Sep
The SS125 Orientale Sarda road winding through limestone hills near Dorgali, SardiniaWave 1 · profile in research
🇮🇹 Italy · Sardinia

Sardinia

Big island, empty interior roads and a mild spring.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Mount Etna at dusk seen across a bay with sailing boats near Taormina, SicilyWave 2 · guide
🇮🇹 Italy · Sicily

Sicily – Etna & the east

The Mediterranean's largest island, with a volcano you can ride up.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Dec
Stone tower houses of Vathia above the sea in the Mani, PeloponneseWave 2 · guide
🇬🇷 Greece · Peloponnese

Peloponnese

Empty roads, olive groves and a 1,300 m pass over the Taygetos.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: May, Oct
A straight empty road crossing dry scrubland towards the hills of Cabo de Gata, AlmeríaWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Andalusia

Almería & Mojácar

Desert light, a volcanic coast and a 2,000 m Vuelta summit.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jan–May, Oct–Dec
A road winding up green volcanic slopes to the Pas de Peyrol below the Puy Mary, CantalWave 2 · guide
🇫🇷 France · Auvergne (Massif Central)

Cantal & the Auvergne volcanoes

Green volcanoes, quiet D-roads and the highest pass in the Massif Central.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: Jun–Sep

Europe's legendary climbs

Ride the roads of the Tour, the Giro and the Vuelta – with the history to match.

Selection rule Climbs in the Climbing Atlas with sourced Grand Tour history.

Beyond the classics · Grand Tour historyLagos de Covadonga🇪🇸 from Covadonga · Picos de Europa, Asturias12.6 km1,056 m7.3 %Very hardFamous climbAlto de l'Angliru🇪🇸 from La Vega (Riosa) · Asturias12.5 km1,266 m*10.13 %ExtremeBeyond the classics · Grand Tour historyCalar Alto🇪🇸 from Gérgal · Sierra de los Filabres, Almería22.4 km1,432 m6.4 %ExtremeBeyond the classics · Grand Tour historyEtna – Rifugio Sapienza🇮🇹 from Nicolosi · Mount Etna, Sicily18.7 km1,183 m6.3 %Very hard

All Grand Tour climbs in the Atlas →

The long weekend escape

Three or four days, one base, no wasted time.

Selection rule Editorial ideal stay starts at 3 days or fewer.

The hilltop town of Motovun above green Istrian hillsWave 1 · profile in research
🇭🇷 Croatia · Istria

Istria

Hilltop towns, truffle country and rolling roads by the Adriatic.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Sep
The Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse on cliffs above the Atlantic, AlgarveWave 2 · guide
🇵🇹 Portugal · Algarve

Algarve

Atlantic cape, cork-oak hills and a mild winter – with a ready-made itinerary pack.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal · Mountains
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Feb–Jun, Sep–Dec
Colourful houses lining the Onyar river in Girona old townWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Catalonia

Girona

Where the pros live: quiet lanes, Rocacorba and the Costa Brava.

  • Rolling hills · Mountains · Coastal
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

Ride and unwind

Rides that finish by the sea – a swim, a terrace and a long dinner.

Selection rule Coastal terrain in the destination profile.

The hilltop town of Motovun above green Istrian hillsWave 1 · profile in research
🇭🇷 Croatia · Istria

Istria

Hilltop towns, truffle country and rolling roads by the Adriatic.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Sep
Road curving past Lake Enol below limestone peaks at the Lakes of CovadongaWave 1 · profile in research
🇪🇸 Spain · Asturias & Cantabria

Picos de Europa

Green mountains, Vuelta legends and the sea within reach.

  • Mountains · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jun–Sep
The SS125 Orientale Sarda road winding through limestone hills near Dorgali, SardiniaWave 1 · profile in research
🇮🇹 Italy · Sardinia

Sardinia

Big island, empty interior roads and a mild spring.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Mount Etna at dusk seen across a bay with sailing boats near Taormina, SicilyWave 2 · guide
🇮🇹 Italy · Sicily

Sicily – Etna & the east

The Mediterranean's largest island, with a volcano you can ride up.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Dec
Stone tower houses of Vathia above the sea in the Mani, PeloponneseWave 2 · guide
🇬🇷 Greece · Peloponnese

Peloponnese

Empty roads, olive groves and a 1,300 m pass over the Taygetos.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: May, Oct
The Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse on cliffs above the Atlantic, AlgarveWave 2 · guide
🇵🇹 Portugal · Algarve

Algarve

Atlantic cape, cork-oak hills and a mild winter – with a ready-made itinerary pack.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal · Mountains
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Feb–Jun, Sep–Dec
A straight empty road crossing dry scrubland towards the hills of Cabo de Gata, AlmeríaWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Andalusia

Almería & Mojácar

Desert light, a volcanic coast and a 2,000 m Vuelta summit.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jan–May, Oct–Dec
Colourful houses lining the Onyar river in Girona old townWave 2 · guide
🇪🇸 Spain · Catalonia

Girona

Where the pros live: quiet lanes, Rocacorba and the Costa Brava.

  • Rolling hills · Mountains · Coastal
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

Beyond the familiar

Five regions most riders have not been to yet. That is the point.

Selection rule Our five flagship markets for 2027.

Hairpin road with stone walls climbing towards the Vršič Pass through larch forest, Julian AlpsWave 1 · profile in research
🇸🇮 Slovenia · Julian Alps

Soča Valley & Julian Alps

Emerald river, limestone walls and Slovenia's highest road pass.

  • Mountains
  • High-mountain climbs
  • No prime month · good Mar–Nov
The hilltop town of Motovun above green Istrian hillsWave 1 · profile in research
🇭🇷 Croatia · Istria

Istria

Hilltop towns, truffle country and rolling roads by the Adriatic.

  • Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Moderate climbing
  • Prime: Sep
The N339 road curving under granite crags in the Serra da EstrelaWave 1 · profile in research
🇵🇹 Portugal · Centro

Serra da Estrela

Granite plateau, glacial valleys and a paved road to Portugal's rooftop.

  • Mountains
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: May–Sep
Road curving past Lake Enol below limestone peaks at the Lakes of CovadongaWave 1 · profile in research
🇪🇸 Spain · Asturias & Cantabria

Picos de Europa

Green mountains, Vuelta legends and the sea within reach.

  • Mountains · Coastal
  • High-mountain climbs
  • Prime: Jun–Sep
The SS125 Orientale Sarda road winding through limestone hills near Dorgali, SardiniaWave 1 · profile in research
🇮🇹 Italy · Sardinia

Sardinia

Big island, empty interior roads and a mild spring.

  • Mountains · Rolling hills · Coastal
  • Big climbs
  • Prime: Mar–May, Oct–Nov