tour of the cycle

Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard Suffer Broken Collarbones at Itzulia Basque Country

Stage 4 of Itzulia Basque Country was marked by a devastating crash, which left multiple top riders hospitalized.

Among the injured, Visma-Lease a Bike’s Vingegaard suffered a broken collarbone and several fractured ribs and will remain in the hospital. Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep) also suffered a broken right collarbone and right scapula, according to each of the riders’ teams.

UAE Team Emirates’ Jay Vine also sustained fractures to three of his vertebrae, while Roglič (Bora-hansgrohe), already grappling with injuries from a prior crash, was forced to abandon the race but fortunately sustained less severe injuries and was attended to by medical staff on-site.

The incident occurred approximately 35 km from the finish line as the peloton navigated a tight right-hand bend within dense woodland. One rider’s slide triggered a domino effect, resulting in multiple riders tumbling down, some landing in unprotected concrete ditches. Initial reports suggest at least ten riders were affected, six requiring immediate hospitalization.

The severity of the crash prompted the race organizers to neutralize the competition, with concerns mounting as ambulances rushed to the scene to attend to the fallen riders. The extent of the injuries varied, with some riders, like Jay Vine of UAE Team Emirates, requiring hospitalization for further evaluation.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, local rider Mikel Bizkarra shed light on the treacherous conditions of the road, citing the presence of underlying tree roots that rendered the asphalt uneven and prone to accidents.

As the race organization dealt with the aftermath, decisions were made to neutralize the GC battle for the day, with only the breakaway riders continuing their pursuit to the finish line. Riders like Vingegaard, conscious but under observation, were transported to hospitals for further assessment.

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Cycling Calendar 2024

Please click on the links in underneath scheme for more information.

Eurosport is probably the best app for covering cycling tours races you can also watch on demand past races worth paying for I pay years subscription you can watch on tv or on phone and this site is awesome that gives details to stages to view stats while watching

What a calender for 2024.

Does anyone know where to find a comprehensive list of where fans can watch each race? What races are on Flo bikes, or NBC, or whatever.

Bicycle Touring Guide for Beginners: Everything You Need To Know

The idea of planning and preparing for your first-ever bike tour might seem a little intimidating at first. I completely understand — I was very intimidated when I left for my first-ever tour ( from London to Istanbul ), but I quickly discovered that I needn’t have been worried!

In this bicycle touring guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know in order to plan and prepare for your first cycle tour, including how to choose a bike for touring, what gear you’ll need, how to budget, ideas on where to go, tips for life on the road and more.

I’ll also be responding to worries that novice cycle tourists often have, such as whether you need to be really fit and whether you need to know a lot about bikes in order to tour.

Let’s dive in!

What is bicycle touring?

Simply put, bicycle touring is travelling by bicycle.

It’s a type of adventure travel that combines cycling with backpacking. You’ll cycle for days, weeks, months or even years, with your luggage attached to your bike. In doing so, you are self-sufficient and your journey is self-powered.

Cycle touring vs bikepacking

The phrases “cycle touring” and “bikepacking” are often used interchangeably. Both refer to travelling by bike, but it’s the terrain and type of bike used that sets them apart.

Cycle touring is typically done on-road or along bike paths, using a touring, hybrid, or even a road bike.

Bikepacking refers to off-road adventures along dirt roads and/or in the mountains, on a bike with fatter tyres, such as a mountain or fat bike.

For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on cycle touring , but a lot of the information here will also be useful to those who are interested in bikepacking.

Why should you go on a bicycle tour?

There are few better ways to explore the world than by bicycle.

Most tourists will travel from hotspot to hotspot, but on a bike, you’ll get to uncover things that most people miss. You’ll really connect with your surroundings and notice the fine details of the region you’re travelling through.

In a car, you see so much yet experience so little. There’s no real connection to what’s just outside of your window; you’ll see but a timelapse of the world around you. On foot, you soak up each individual step, but with this comes confinement and small distances covered each day.

That’s where bicycle touring, for me, wins every time. On a bicycle, you’ll cover substantial distances, yet you’ll still be slow enough to really see and experience everything around you. If it’s raining, you’re soaked. If it’s hot, you’re sweating. There’s no AC to turn on, no roof over your head. Dirt, dust and insects will stick to your sweat-clad skin. You must grind up the hills, but then you’ll have the joy of coasting down them.

Not only this but bicycle touring is a cheap way and eco-friendly way to travel!

READ MORE: 10 Reasons Why You Should Try Bicycle Touring

How to choose a bike for touring

Touring bikes are specifically designed for long-distance, weight-bearing cycling. They have a longer wheelbase than regular bikes, providing more stability and comfort while carrying a load, and have several attachment points for racks and bags.

When choosing a touring bike , think about the demands of your ride:

Duration : For short tours — perhaps a week or two — just about any bike will do. If you’re planning a longer trip, there’s a stronger case for using a higher quality bike that won’t fail under strain.

Location : If you are touring in a remote location, where access to bike repair is infrequent, it’s a good idea to invest in a quality bike that is unlikely to break down and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Terrain : If you’ll be sticking mostly to roads, you can really use any bike, although skinnier tyres will enable you to go faster. If you’re planning on going off-road and riding over dirt paths and mountainous terrain, you’ll want a bike with wide tyres and good suspension.

That being said, you don’t need  a touring bike. A nice bike is just that: nice but not essential. People have toured great distances on bikes that didn’t look up to the job. I cycled across Europe using a second-hand bike from a charity shop, and Thomas Stevens cycled the world on a penny-farthing in the 1800s!

Your budget needn’t hold you back . You really don’t need to splurge on an expensive new bike, unless you want to. As long as your bike has fitment points so you can attach a rack and panniers, decent gears and tyres and a comfortable saddle, there’s no reason why you can’t tour on it. Just keep in mind that long rides over challenging terrain may be a strain on your cheaper, older bike.

If you’re planning on a long tour over challenging terrain and want to invest in something designed for such an expedition, take a look at the following touring bikes:

• Fuji Touring
• Cube Touring Bike
• Trek 520 Disc
• Kona Sutra Adventure Road Bike
• Ridgeback Panorama

What gear and equipment do you need for a bicycle tour?

At its heart, bike touring is all about minimalism and simplicity. The mantra of “it’s better to have it and not need it” is not the way to go. You need to be selective with what you bring as you’re the one who must grind the weight of your luggage up those hills!

Here is what I recommend you bring with you on your bicycle tour:

• Panniers — I love these ones
• Inner tubes
• Tail lights
• 2 cycling shorts
• Non-cycling pants
• Long sleeve layer
• Jumper/fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• 5 pairs of underwear
• 5 pairs of socks

Camping gear

• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat — I love this  Forclaz mat  
• Travel pillow
• Gas cylinder
• Portable stove
• Plates/cutlery
• Matches/lighter

Miscellaneous

• Wallet and money
• Refillable water bottle
• Soap & shampoo
• Toothbrush & paste
• Hairbrush & hair ties
• Travel towel
• Battery packs

(A side note: you don’t need all of this stuff. You can pick and choose what would provide comfort and value to you during your tour.)

READ MORE: A Complete Bike Touring Gear Guide and Kit List

How do I carry all my gear?

Panniers are a type of bag that sit on your bike and store all your stuff. They’ll mount over your wheels, either at the front, back, or both. You’ll need to fit racks onto your bike, and then clip the panniers onto these racks.

Pannier racks

Choosing a pannier rack for your bicycle is about as exciting as watching paint dry, but strong racks are  essential  when preparing for a long-distance bicycle tour. You’ll be clipping your panniers and bike bags onto them so they need to be hard-wearing and capable of carrying your luggage.

Every bike is different and there are many variables to consider when choosing your racks:

• Does your bike have disc brakes or rim brakes? Your rack might need extra clearance if you have disc brakes.
• Does your bike have mounts to attach the back rack to, or will you need to use clips?
• Does the rack give you plenty of heel clearance? Essential if you actually want to be able to pedal when the panniers are attached!

You’ll also want to consider the material your racks are made from:

• Aluminium: very lightweight but less durable.
• Chromoly: heavier than aluminium but durable and strong.
• Steel: heavier than chromoly but very durable and can be welded if they break.
• Titanium: lightweight but expensive.

Make sure to check your wheel size and dimensions to get the one best suited to your bike. If you don’t know much about bikes, I’d advise getting racks fitted at your local bicycle shop.

Panniers and bike bags

Panniers/bike bags are where you’re going to store all your gear, and they’ll clip onto your pannier racks.

Ortlieb  is one of the most popular panniers and bike bag brands as their bags are known for being waterproof and durable. That being said, Ortlieb isn’t the cheapest at £100+. You certainly don’t need to fork out for Ortliebs, unless you want a really great pair that’ll last you a long time, but it’s worth getting good quality, waterproof panniers that will last.

If you’ll be camping on your tour, you’ll likely need front panniers as well as back panniers, as camping and cooking gear can take up a lot of space. If you’ll be staying in hotels or similar on your tour, you may well be able to get away with back panniers only. It all depends on how much gear you’ll be carrying!

I use these  back panniers from BTWIN  and they serve me very well. They’re waterproof, durable and have plenty of space.

I had some cheap front panniers which, quite frankly, sucked, and they broke quickly. This is why I advise investing in some good quality panniers.

Some great options for panniers include:

• Ortlieb 20L Back Roller Classic
• Arkel 22.5L Panniers
• Thule Shield 25L Pannier Pair

READ MORE: The 8 Best Panniers For Touring in 2022

How to pick a destination for your first bike trip

It seems that many people think that travelling by bike needs to be adventurous. Sure, there are particularly intrepid individuals out there who are enthused about navigating the steppes of Central Asia or sweating their way across the Sahara desert, but these are far and few between.

Bicycle touring can be thought of as a “cycling holiday” — you’re doing this to enjoy yourself, after all!

When deciding where to go for a bicycle tour, you’ll want to consider the following:

Time: Most of us can only take a short while out of work at a time, or have commitments that can’t be abandoned for too long. If you don’t have much time, why not start local? Just get out of your house and start cycling — a weekend tour can still be a great adventure! If you have two weeks or longer, you have a lot more choice on where to go.

Season: The weather can have a massive impact on how much you enjoy your tour. Choosing to cycle across Asia during the monsoon season or northern Canada during winter could be miserable.

Style: Does your chosen destination fit your cycling and travel style? Think about what you want to get out of your cycle tour, what sights you want to see and how comfortable you are cycling in remote places.

Experience: When planning a bike tour, you should use your previous riding experience to figure out how much distance and how much incline you’re capable of covering. For example, if you’re not in the best shape, touring the steep inclines of the Pyrenees might not be such a fun experience for you.

Ideas on where to go bicycle touring

Here are some great destination ideas for first-time bike tourers:

Western Europe

Many first-time bike tourers select Europe as their first adventure. It’s a great continent to cycle in: bike paths are decent, amenities are great and distances between cities and towns are much smaller than in other parts of the world. Not only this, but Europe is diverse with beautiful scenery and fascinating cultures, and is home to a great community of cycle tourists.

There’s a huge network of dedicated bicycle routes that span across Europe, known as the EuroVelo routes. These are perfect for first-time cycle tourists, as they make planning easy. Just pick a route and follow it!

I would say that Western Europe is more beginner-friendly than Eastern Europe, as (typically) bike paths are better maintained, infrastructure is more set up for cyclists and campsites are everywhere.

I personally cycled EuroVelo 6 one summer and had a fantastic time pedalling along rivers and visiting capital cities. If you’d like to cycle along the Mediterranean coast, taking in Spanish beaches, the canals of Venice, beautiful Croatia and more, have a look into EuroVelo 8.

If you’ve got a week for your cycle tour, Passau to Vienna is a great choice.

If you have 2-3 weeks, I would recommend following the Loire River in France (the Loire a Velo ), or the EuroVelo 15 , which follows the Rhine River through Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

South Korea

The South Korean government has invested massively in cycling, meaning the country now has thousands of kilometres of dedicated bicycle paths. The most famous of their bike routes is the 4 Rivers Path , a 633 km-long path connecting the major Korean cities of Seoul and Busan. It’s an ideal option for a beginner’s bicycle tour.

If you want to see more of the country, you could even make up your own route, as South Korea has an excellent road network with many secondary roads that usually see little traffic.

Camping culture in South Korea is huge and there are lots of free campsites scattered everywhere, usually in scenic areas, such as by the beach or a lake. South Korea is also one of the safest countries in Asia, making it ideal for solo cyclists who might worry about cycling alone.

Japan is a dream destination for many, but many people are put off from visiting due to the high costs. However, there is a budget way to explore Japan, and this is — you guessed it — by bicycle touring.

Wild camping is legal in Japan, meaning you can pitch your tent for free as your travel around the country. Public baths are everywhere and cheap, meaning you can wash easily on the road, too.

Roads in Japan are generally well-maintained, aside from the occasional pothole. Long cycling paths are not as common as in South Korea, but it’s possible to cycle on minor roads, which are usually very beautiful and not too heavily trafficked.

Like South Korea, Japan is also incredibly safe, making it a great option for solo cyclists.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a very popular destination for cycle tourists; it has a warm climate, there’s so much to see and do, and it’s very budget-friendly . It’s feasible for you to eat out every day and stay in guesthouses, rather than camp and cook your own meals. With this in mind, you could think of Southeast Asia as a luxury destination for touring!

The landscapes are spectacular in this part of the world. You could cycle down the coast of Vietnam, tour through peaceful Laos or pedal along the mighty Mekong River.

How to budget for a bicycle tour

One of the perks of cycle touring is that it’s typically cheaper than your average getaway. Your cooking and camping gear have you covered for food and accommodation, and your bicycle is your transport.

That being said, your daily bicycle touring costs will vary massively depending on your touring style and which part of the world you’re in.

Cycle touring is doable on any budget, but if you’re cycling on a shoestring, it may require a strong sense of adventure and the will to adapt to some discomfort.

If you choose to wild camp, cook your own meals and skip paid attractions, you could potentially tour on a mere $5-10 per day.

On the other hand, you could easily burn through over $100 a day if you choose to eat out and stay in hotels while touring expensive places like West Europe, North America and Australia.

Most tourers’ daily budget falls somewhere in the middle. For example, I prefer to tour by staying at campsites and cooking my own meals. This way, I always have a place to pitch my tent with access to toilet and shower facilities. I also allow myself some luxuries, such as the occasional meal out, fancy coffee from cafes, and some paid attractions. Touring this way, I spent roughly €30 per day while cycling across Europe.

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to camp but is worried about the costs of staying in hotels, consider touring somewhere like Southeast Asia, where accommodation and eating out are super cheap. You could expect to pay roughly $20-30 per day in Southeast Asia by eating delicious street food and staying in budget guesthouses.

As well as your daily touring costs of food, accommodation etc, you’ll want to factor in potential bike repairs and kit replacements. Leave yourself a buffer, in case a hole rips into your tent or your bike needs professional repair.

Finding bike-friendly accommodation

Unless you’re planning a short trip, it’s not practical to plan accommodation in advance. Weather, equipment, your energy levels and other factors can all influence the distance you cover each day. You might also find an unexpectedly nice town and want to spend some time there. With this in mind, it’s best to remain as flexible as possible when it comes to where you lay your head at night.

Campgrounds

Campgrounds offer a safe place to pitch your tent, along with a toilet and shower, and usually WiFi and electrical outlets, too. They’ll even sometimes have laundry facilities, cooking stations and more. Campgrounds can be a great place to stay at a really reasonable price.

In Europe, Australia and New Zealand, you’ll find that campgrounds are everywhere and usually good value for money. In Japan and South Korea, there are many free campgrounds where you can stay.

Watch out for privately-run campsites in the US, as they can charge a lot of money for a small patch of grass. They usually prioritise RVs and may even turn cyclists away!

You won’t really find campgrounds in developing countries, such as in the Middle East or South Asia.

Sometimes you just need a break from camping! Hostels are generally the cheapest way to get a bed for the night, if you don’t mind sharing a room with other people. They’re most commonly found in cities or larger tourist towns — it’s unlikely you’ll find hostels in super rural areas.

In expensive places, such as West Europe or Australia, hostels can be as low as $10, although they’re usually closer to $20. In cheaper places, like Southeast Asia, they can be as low as $4 per night (yes, really)!

If you’re touring in places like Western Europe, the USA or Australia, then nothing will blow your budget faster than staying in hotels. However, if you’re sick or have been riding in bad weather for a few days, a hotel room with an actual bed and a private bathroom can be a real morale booster.

If you do stay in hotels, make sure there is somewhere secure to lock your bike up. Cycle tourists are not usually well catered for at hotels — I had to lock my bike to the fence in a hotel garden in Austria as there was nowhere else to put it.

In continental Europe, you might spot a type of hotel called a pension . Pensions are usually much more budget-friendly than a full-scale hotel and are more like a guesthouse or bed and breakfast. Pensions near bike paths in Germany and Austria often have signs outside to let cyclists know their bikes are welcome: “Radfahrer Wilkommen.”

In less expensive places, such as India or Southeast Asia, it’s affordable to stay in budget hotels every night.

Wild camping

Wild camping is a great way to save money and enjoy nature. It also offers complete flexibility, as you can pitch your tent just about anywhere — a real lifesaver in areas where tourism isn’t common.

You’ll want to find a secluded spot if you choose to wild camp, away from roads and out of sight of people.

Bear in mind that wild camping is prohibited in many countries, although many cyclists do it anyway and don’t get caught. Most people have a relatively relaxed attitude to wild campers, and so may or may not ask you to move on if you’re caught. Just make sure to be discrete: find a secluded spot, wait until dusk to set up camp and be gone by early morning.

If you’re new to wild camping, it’s normal to have some worries at first. I used to be afraid that an unpleasant stranger would come by or the police would show up to ask me to move on. However, as long as you remain hidden and are discrete, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any problems.

WarmShowers

If you’re not familiar, Warm Showers is a free worldwide hospitality exchange for touring cyclists. It’s a fantastic community — cyclists offer to host other cyclists for a night. You’ll be given a place to sleep and a shower, but it’s likely you’ll also be given food and a beer. Warm Showers states that they have hosts in over 160 countries!

Unconventional options

Churches, police stations, gas stations, farmer’s fields and more are often viable options when looking for somewhere to spend the night. It depends on the country and the laws they have on camping, but in many places, people will be happy to help cyclists and provide somewhere for them to pitch their tent.

People across the world are hospitable and kind — particularly when they see a weary-looking cyclist with lots of gear strapped to their bike!

As an example, myself and two other cyclists pitched our tents next to a gas station in Turkey one night. The security guard gave us coffee and snacks, and a passing farmer even gifted us some watermelon and tomatoes.

Overcoming worries and doubts

If you’ve never been on a cycle tour, you may feel overwhelmed and have doubts about whether you’re capable or not.

Let me tell you: if I can do it, then so can you. With no touring experience, little knowledge of bike mechanics and a not-so-great level of fitness, I cycled from London to Istanbul over the course of 3 months.

I am not particularly brave or strong-willed. I just took it one day at a time.

What if I know NOTHING about bike mechanics?

Don’t worry! I didn’t know much about bike mechanics before committing to my first 3-month cycle tour.

That being said, it would be extremely helpful to know a few basics in case of a breakdown. At a minimum, you should know how to pump your tyres and how to repair a flat tyre.

If you really do know nothing about bike repair, it would be wise to choose a destination where you’re not going to become stuck if your bike breaks down. A popular route like the western part of EuroVelo 6 is dotted with bike repair shops, as well as other bike tourists who would probably be happy to help if you’re in a tough spot.

How do I train for a bicycle tour? Do I need to be really fit?

As the saying goes, “train for the tour or let the tour train you.”

You do not need to be really fit. Training can be done on the road, as long as you’re willing to take things slowly at first. You don’t need to cover massive distances each day if you don’t want to, and no one will judge you if you need to get off your bike and push sometimes.

Ignore the self-important types who think you’re not a proper cyclist just because you only cycled 30km and pushed your bike up that hill.

That being said, having good fitness will make your bike tour much more enjoyable.

Try to cycle 3 or 4 times a week, including one whole day of cycling over varied terrain. This will help to improve your fitness, as well as prepare your body for long days in the saddle.

I’m still not sure if bicycle touring is for me…

If you’re nervous about committing to a big tour, why not have a practice run? You could head out somewhere local one morning, camp that night and then head home the next day. This will give you a feel of what bicycle touring is like.

Alternatively, there are companies such as Spice Roads , Grasshopper Adventures and Bike Adventures that offer fully supported, guided cycle tours. All the logistics will be taken care of for you, so you can enjoy cycling without worrying about getting lost or finding places to stay. This is also a great option if you simply don’t feel comfortable touring on your own due to safety concerns.

What’s the best travel insurance for a bicycle tour?

It’s harder than you would expect to find a decent travel insurance policy that covers bicycle touring. And, unfortunately, most policies that do cover bicycle touring do not cover damage to or theft of your bike.

If you’re a UK resident, Adventures Insurance is probably the best option.

As the name would suggest, they specialise in insurance for more adventurous pursuits — including cycle touring. They cover personal liability and medical expenses while cycle touring, and even allow equipment up to £1,000 to be covered, with a single item limit of £600. However, the maximum duration of your cycle tour must be 3 months.

If you’re not a UK resident or will be touring for longer than 3 months on one continent , I would recommend World Nomads , whom I personally use for most backpacking and general long-term trips.

You can read World Nomads’ policy on cycling-related travel  h e re , but here are the basics:

• Cycle touring is covered but the tour must be on one continent only — no cover is available for intercontinental cycle touring.
• You’ll need to tick  ‘cycling / biking – independent cycle touring’  when buying your policy. This is an optional extra, so be sure to select it.

READ MORE: 5 Best Cycle Touring Insurance Providers

Tips for life on the road

1) Take every opportunity to refill your water bottles.

2) Drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry.

3) Carrying your own toilet roll is  essential.  Trust me.

4) Double-check your camping spot before you head off for the day. Cycling back for something you’ve forgotten is the worst!

5) Especially for longer tours, build in a luxury day every so often. A nice hotel room and a warm bath are so welcome after weeks of camping.

6) Be sure to take rest days and make time for sightseeing.

7) Be conservative with the mileage at first; no amount of training can adequately train you for hours in the saddle day after day.

8) Find the little roads. They’re usually much nicer to cycle on than the more direct but busier roads.

9) Stock cubes can add flavour to almost anything and are great to mix into a perhaps otherwise flavourless camp meal.

10) Be prepared to get dirty! Sweat + sunscreen + cycling is an unpleasant combination. Tiny insects and layers of dust/dirt will stick to your skin.

11) Learn the mistakes drivers make, and assume everyone is going to make them every time.

12) Numbness in any part of your body should be treated as a warning sign that something needs to change in your bike fit or cycling posture. Numbness can lead to serious problems and should be treated seriously.

13) It’s not a race. Who cares if you only cycle 10km a day? As long as you’re enjoying yourself, that’s all that matters. As Jimmy Buffett said, “go fast enough to get there but slow enough to see.”

14) A lot of the challenges are mental. The going can get tough at times, but the pros of touring have always outweighed the cons for me.

15) The most important bike touring tip of all:  have fun!

READ MORE: 40 Random Yet Helpful Bike Touring Tips

I hope this bicycle touring guide for beginners has been useful and has provided a good foundation of knowledge to help you plan and prepare for your first cycle tour.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have in the comments section below; I’ll be more than happy to answer!

Happy cycling, Lauren

About The Author

Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. She writes about active adventure travel, aiming to encourage and inspire travellers to make the most of the great outdoors.

Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren. Hotels –  Booking.com Hostels –  Hostelworld Cheap flights –  Skyscanner Travel insurance –  World Nomads Outdoor gear –  Decathlon  /  GO Outdoors Cycling gear –  Chain Reaction Cycles Alternatively, you could buy me a coffee to say thanks!

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Really great info here, thank you!

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Paris-Roubaix 2024: How to Watch a UCI World Tour Cycling Livestream for Free

The world's best riders take on the Queen of the Classics.

The UCI World Tour heads to the rugged roads of northern France this weekend for the 2024 edition of the Paris-Roubaix. 

Widely regarded as the toughest one-day race on the road cycling calendar, Paris-Roubaix features some of the most grueling cobblestone stretches on any of the Spring Classics. The peloton's ordeal eventually concludes after almost 160 miles in the iconic velodrome in Roubaix.

Last year's event saw Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) claim victory in the men's race while Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) was the 2023 women's race winner. 

Below, we'll outline the best  live TV streaming services  to use to watch the Paris-Roubaix live wherever you are in the world.

The 256.6km one-day race is known as "The Hell of the North," and these cobblestones might give you a clue as to why.

Paris-Roubaix 2024: Where and when is it?

The 2024 Paris Roubaix Femmes takes place on Saturday, April 6, at 1:35 p.m. CET local time, making it a 7:35 a.m. ET or 4:35 a.m. PT start in the US . For viewers in the UK it's a 12:35 p.m. BST start , while in Australia the action begins at 9:35 p.m. AEST .  

The Men's race meanwhile starts on Sunday, April 7 at 11:10 a.m. CET local time, which is 5:10 a.m. ET or 2:10 a.m. PT in the US, 10:10 a.m. BST in the UK and 7:10 p.m. in Australia. 

How to watch the Paris-Roubaix 2024 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the race locally, you may need a different way to watch -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. 

With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to what you want to watch. If your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our  Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN , make it really easy to do this. 

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. 

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great  VPN deals  taking place right now.

Best VPN for streaming

ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 35% -- the equivalent of $8.32 a month -- if you get an annual subscription. 

Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Livestream the Paris-Roubaix 2024 in the US

US cycling fans can watch all the action live via NBC, as well as streaming service  Peacock . 

Watch Paris-Roubaix in the US from $6 per month

NBC's streaming service Peacock offers access to a wide selection of top tier cycling events, including the Tour de France. You'll need to have a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to stream races live, which costs $6 a month or $60 per year.

Livestream Paris-Roubaix 2024 in the UK 

Viewers in the UK will need to subscribe to Eurosport or the streaming service Discovery Plus to watch this year's action live.

Discovery Plus

Carries the 2024 paris-roubaix live in the uk.

A subscription to Discovery Plus in the UK costs £7 per month or £60 for the year.

The service is available on a wide array of devices, and also includes access to all Eurosport TV channels.

Stream Paris-Roubaix 2024 in Australia for free

It's good news for cycling fans Down Under, with the 2024 Paris-Roubaix set to be broadcast for free in Australia on SBS .

Carries the 2024 Paris-Roubaix in Australia

Viewers can livestream Paris-Roubaix coverage on the free-to-use SBS On Demand service.

The platform has dedicated apps for Android and iOS, and you can also access the service on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV stick, Apple TV and most smart TVs.

Stream Paris-Roubaix 2024 in Canada

Dedicated cycling streaming service FloBikes is the place to watch live coverage of this year's race in Canada.

Watch Paris-Roubaix 2024 in Canada

A subscription to FloBikes currently costs $150 per year (roughly CA$190), which works out at $12.50 per month (roughly CA$16). The service has dedicated apps for Android and Apple devices.

Quick tips for streaming Paris-Roubaix 2024 using a VPN 

• With four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming the 2024 Paris-Roubaix live may vary.
• If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.
• If you're having trouble after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location. 
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend  Brave .

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Best touring bikes 2024: tourers for adventures on two wheels

Although there are many bikes capable of cycle trips, the best touring bikes remain the optimal tool for longer journeys

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Our pick of the best touring bikes

What to look for in a touring bike.

The allure of the open road is one of cycling’s enduring themes. Touring by bicycle allows for this on a grand scale, travelling for several days, often in far-flung places with all your kit strapped to the bike. Of course, micro-adventures closer to home can be just as much fun and still keep the spirit of adventure alive.

Whether you’re planning an expedition abroad or fancy exploring more local roads in far greater detail, a touring bike is the ideal tool for the job. Designed for cycling long distances in comfort, the bikes should be both stable and reliable in their handling, as well as providing all the mounts you need for pannier racks and bags and mudguards . Self-sufficiency is one of the tenets of cycling touring, so the bikes are usually designed with ease of maintenance in mind, too.

The good news for touring cyclists is that the range of bikes available to cater for their needs has grown substantially in the last few years.

In this guide, we've rounded up the more traditional options. If you're thinking of going off-road, perhaps investigate gravel orientated options in our buying guide here , and if you plan to go quick and travel light, see endurance road bikes here .

There's more on what to look for in a touring bike below - but first, here are our top picks of the best touring bikes.

Genesis Tour de Fer 30 touring bike

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

This is a bike that's been created exclusively to provide a comfortable and practical ride for a touring cyclist. The Reynolds 725 Heat-Treated Chromoly frame promises a springy ride and an incredibly strong base.

The 160mm rotor mechanical disc brakes are a more modern introduction with a nod to practicality, especially in the wet. Although we’ve found mechanical TRP Spyre brake calipers aren’t quite as powerful or as easy to modulate as a hydraulic brakeset, they are easy to adjust and highly reliable – perfect for a long-distance tour.

A 10-speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain is about right for a bike at this price point, but in our experience, a 50/39/30 crankset provides gears that are just a bit too big for cycle touring – particularly over hilly terrain. 

But you can always swap this out for a smaller ringed option down the line. We find that with a cassette of 11-34t, going for a granny ring of 26t is generally a good bet.

We’ve always found Schwalbe’s Marathon tyres to be highly puncture resistant and with a good wear rate. In 35c, these are capable of traversing broken roads and tamer gravel, but if you’re planning on spending a large amount of time off road you would want something a bit plumper.

Handily, this bike come with many of the accessories we think are a must. Firstly, mudguards, but also dynamo powered front and rear lights, bottle cages and the Tubus pannier racks front and rear.

Surly Disc Trucker

A spin-off of Surly's much-revered Long Haul Trucker, the Disc Trucker keeps many of the much-loved versatility and can-do attitude, but this time with the addition of mechanical disc brakes and thru-axles – unlike the Genesis Tour de Fer 30 which has disc brakes and QR axles.

Opinion is a little split on thru-axles for touring – if you have any catastrophic issues with your hubs in more remote countries, you're unlikely to be able to find a replacement locally. That said, those kind of hub issues are quite rare and if it does happen you can always get a replacement sent out. For the improved alignment between the rotor and the caliper, we think the benefits outweigh the negatives.

A multitude of braze-on mount means the Disc Trucker is capable of running front and rear bags, full-coverage fenders, two water bottles, a spare spoke and even a pump peg. However, in not coming with these accessories, you will have to factor these into the cost, making the value for money a little less than the Genesis Tour de Fer 30 or the Kona Sutra.

With both 26" and 700c wheel build options available, the Disc Trucker can be as adventurous as you choose. The 26" (in sizes 42-58cm) is capable of taking up to 2.1" tires, while the 700c version (in sizes 56-64cm) has room for up to 42mm tires — both with fenders.

Although touring bikes generally do have a more relaxed position than a typical road bike, designed as they are for comfortably covering long distances, the Disc Trucker does have a particularly high front end. This isn't necessarily a problem, but if you are coming from a road cycling background, you may find just such an elevated position a little uncomfortable 

Made from a CroMoly Steel, the Disc Trucker comes equipped with a Shimano Alivio/Sora drivetrain, with the 48/36/26 triple Alivio crankset and 11-34 9-speed Shimano cassette provides a gearing range we find to be a great balance between top-end speed and low-end winching – particularly if you’re planning on maxing out the rider and kit weight limit of 161kg (355lb).

Kona Sutra All Road touring bike

The gloss black Sutra is made from Kona 's Cromoly steel frame and is kitted out with smooth-rolling Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700x40c tires on WTB STi23 rims, which are now tubeless-compatible.

The current model has replaced the previous Shimano Deore 3x10 drivetrain with 2x10 chainset from Shimano's GRX gravel range. It's a move that's unlikely to please the touring purists. The 46/30t chainrings are matched with a 11-36t cassette, which sees the bike's gearing range reduced. It should still see you up the steep climbs, just perhaps not in as much comfort as before.

Gone too are the bar-end shifters, replaced with Shimano 10-speed Tiagra road shifters. Again it's quite the change, moving the Sutra from a traditional tourer into a far more modern interpretation. It reduces some of the bike's previous mechanical simplicity, which is appealing if your tours are long and overseas. That said the move to STI levers will appeal if you're used to riding a regular bike.

Another nod to modernity are the TRP disc brakes, which are blend of mechanical and hydraulic, and the frame's thru-axles.

With a Brooks B17 leather saddle, mudguards and a front pannier rack finishing off this tourer, this good-looking bike oozes style.

The leather Brooks saddle does require a bit more care than what you might be used to – it need to be kept covered from heavy rain and needs a semi regular application of cream to keep the leather supple. But by functioning essentially as a hammock, it is exceptionally comfortable and only gets better over time as it moulds to your shape – it wears in, rather than out..

Ridgeback Voyage

Classic styling never goes out of date - and the vintage-looking Voyage has got it by the bucket load, though a redesign means that modern tech has not been overlooked.

The Ridgeback Voyage uses Reynolds 520 tubing for the frame, with a CroMoly steel fork. A rack and full mudguards (fenders) come as standard. 

The Shimano 48/36/26t triple chainset paired with an 11-34 cassette offers a good range of gearing although with relatively large jumps between the gears due to having just nine gears at the rear. 

We don’t find this to be too much of an issue when taking it steady on a cycle tour but would prefer something a little tighter if multiple very high mileage days are planned.

Shifting and braking is taken care of by Shimano's reliable Sora levers and Tektro cantilever rim brakes. The latter certainly help make the Voyage a maintenance-friendly machine - easy to maintain and find replaces for, even in remote locations - although disc brakes may be a preferred choice for all-weather tourers.

Alex rims with a high spoke count are pretty dependable, even if not the flashiest and fitted with 32c Continental Contact tyres, they can handle a little off road, but are best suited to the tarmac.  

Trek 520 disc touring bike

Constructed from Trek's CroMoly steel, the frame has been designed around disc brakes and fitted with a rack and fenders mounts.

The Bontrager Affinity rims are tubeless-ready, which might be worth setting up if you want a bit of a faster ride when commuting. But for long-term touring it’s generally best to stick with inner tubes so as to avoid the added complication of sealant drying out. Bontrager’s 38c H1 hard-case Ultimate tyres offer good puncture resistance themselves.

The drivetrain is a mixture of Shimano parts with Sora shifters. The crankset is a triple, with 48/36/26 tooth chainrings, and the cassette is an 11-36 so you'll have ample gears when the road goes up. TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disc mechanical discs look after stopping.

However, with only nine sprockets on the cassette, the jumps between the gears are a little large, as with the Ridgeback Voyage. But if this does cause you an issue, and if you find yourself not using all of the gears, you could fit a tighter range cassette for smaller jumps.

Like the Genesis Tour de Fer 30, the wheel axles are QR, which can make getting the rotor and caliper aligned properly a little more difficult than with a thru-axle system

The overall weight comes in at 14.26 kg / 31.4 lbs in a size 57, which is lighter than some of the more traditional options.

Cube Travel Pro Trapeze touring bike

Cube offers its Travel Pro tourer in both a traditional crossbar and step-through frame design, with the latter making mounting and dismounting this robust, aluminum bike easy and convenient.

The convenience theme is carried through much of the bike. It's equipped with a Shimano Nexus internal hub gear system and a Gates CDN Belt Drive system which offers super low maintenance compared with a more traditional chain and derailleur system.

With this eight-speed hub, the jumps between the gears is a little larger and the overall range a little lower than you can get with a derailleur system, and it's not quite as efficient. But that said, if you're planning on taking it steady on your cycle tour, those points are pretty immaterial compared to the benefit of much lower maintenance.  

There's plenty of clearance for extra-wide tires and the wheels are currently wrapped in Schwalbe's Marathon Almotion 29x2.15in rubber.

Finishing off this functional tourer are full-length fenders, an adjustable CUBE stand Pro kickstand, a Knog Oi bell, lights (front and rear), and a semi-integrated carrier for pannier bags; these features will have you covered for any adventure.

Salsa Marrakesh

The Marrakesh is designed to take you touring wherever you wish — including a trip around the world if necessary. The frame is built from 4130 CroMoly tubing and has a serious array of mounts. There's room for up to five bottle cages thanks to extra fork mounts plus it comes fitted with front and rear racks. There's even a mount to carry a spare spoke.

Elsewhere there are bar-end shifters and a 3x9-speed Shimano Alivio groupset. The gearing range is designed to get you up the steep stuff even when fully loaded thanks to 48/36/36 triple chainring paired with an 11-36t cassette. The shifters also make roadside maintenance a little easier.

Its world-touring credentials are further aided by its generous tire clearance - 700 x 40mm even with mudguards (fenders), and comes stock with Maxxis Roamer 42mm tires. This means you should eat up the miles in comfort even when the road gets rough.

It's difficult to lay out specific criteria when it comes to choosing a touring bike because the beauty of touring is that it can be whatever you want it to be – there is no single best touring bike for everyone, what is best for you depends on the type of tours you want to go on. However, there are key elements to consider when selecting your two-wheeled riding buddy, which will enable you to get the best touring bike for you.

Touring bike frame

If you're planning a longer trip, and intend the bike to be used primarily for such adventures, then the resilience and comfort of steel is a sensible choice. As such, most of the best touring bikes will feature this metal. The amount you're willing to invest will dictate the weight, strength and character of the steel you end up with.

When looking at steel touring bikes, expect to see the word 'Chromoly' a lot. This is a form of low alloy steel that is used when strength is particularly important. It takes its name from two of the primary alloying (mixing of metals) elements used: “chromium” and “molybdenum”.

If you're planning on using the bike for touring and other duties: club runs, commutes, shorter rides where speed might be more in your interest, consider aluminum or carbon .

Bikes suitable for touring will have a relaxed geometry: a shorter top tube and taller stack to put the rider in a more relaxed position. The wheelbase will be longer, to create a feeling of stability. You'll also notice that the chainstays are longer - this means panniers can be mounted without a chance of clipping your heels and it allows for better distribution when panniers are full.

Touring bike wheels

Elsewhere in the cycling world, we talk about low weight and aerodynamics when it comes to bicycle wheels. And sure, if you're aiming to break a world record on your cycle tour then those are probably still very important areas to consider.

However, if you mainly want to get to somewhere rather far away, and you'd like to arrive there with a wheel that's still true and contains the same number of spokes you left with, then a strong wheel is what you desire. Look for a higher spoke count that you might opt for on a speedy road bike.

The best touring bikes will generally have at least 36 spokes per wheel, tandem touring bike can even go as high as 48. 

Touring bike tyres

It's incredible how much difference a set of tyres can make to a bike. The frame can be designed with comfort top of the agenda, but put on some narrow rubber shoes and pump them up to the wrong tyre pressure and you'll be bumping about all over the road.

Most touring cyclists will want to go for wider tyres - 28mm+, when compared with their road racing cousins. The further off the beaten track you want to go, the wider they should be. If you plan on tackling some light trails, look for 32mm+.

Touring bike brakes

Traditionally, touring bikes had rim brakes and these will certainly do the job for most road-based tours. However, disc brakes do provide far superior stopping power, especially in the wet, and they are now more common than rim brake on the best touring bikes

Since disc brakes don't rely upon the rim to bring the bike to a halt, they also reduce the risk of the rims becoming worn through debris building up on the pads.

Add in that many touring cyclists are carrying luggage, therefore adding to the overall load, powerful brakes that work in all weathers do seem like a sensible addition. However, not everyone likes the appearance of disc brakes on a traditional steel machine and the pads are a tiny bit harder to replace and set up, which is worth considering if you're maintaining your bike on the road.

Luggage and Lights on a touring bike

A purpose-built touring bike will come with pannier racks fitted, as well as fenders and perhaps even built-in lights. These all add to the overall weight, but if the intended purpose requires them, it's no bother.

If you plan to use the bike for other purposes, like group rides, then you may want to look for a bike that comes with eyelets for guards and racks, so that you can remove and fit them as and when.

There's a lot of clever luggage solutions around these days, such as frame bags and oversized saddlebags , that allow you to do away with panniers if you'd rather distribute weight differently.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

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Tour de France 2024

Latest news from the race.

'I hope and think my long term goals will not change' – Remco Evenepoel weighs crash consequences

Miguel Indurain - 'Tadej Pogačar can do the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double'

Awe-inspiring TTT footage at Paris-Nice leads to possible drone footage for Tour de France

2024 tour de france information.

The 111th edition of the Tour de France starts in Florence, Italy, on Saturday, June 29 and ends three weeks later in Nice on Sunday, July 21. It is the first time the Tour starts in Italy and the first time it finishes in Nice to avoid the preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games, which begin just a week later.

The route of the world's biggest race covers a total of 3,492km with some 52,320 metres of overall elevation, passing through four nations – Italy, San Marino, France, and Monaco. It features two individual time trials for a total of 59km, four mountain-top finishes, a series of gravel sections on stage 9, and a final hilly time trial to Nice. The official route was unveiled on October 25 in a special ceremony in Paris.

Tour de France champion  Jonas Vingegaard  (Jumbo-Visma) won his second GC title last year and will be back to defend his title against top rival Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who finished second overall. Vingegaard is likely to face a huge challenge from not just Pogačar, but also Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and former teammate turned rival Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe).

Join Cyclingnews' coverage of the 2024 Tour de France with live coverage, race reports, results, photo galleries, news and race analysis.

• Tour de France 2024 route

The 2024 Tour de France includes 52,230 metres of vertical gain across 3,492km of climbs, sprints and time trialling from Italy into France, with fewer high climbs than in the past and shorter stages. 

It is a balanced three weeks of racing that includes eight flat stages, four mountain-top finishes and two individual time trials, the final test against the clock is a hilly time trial to Nice that could create suspense. The race has 25km of racing above 2,000 metres and 27 mountains classified as second, first, or HC.

Florence, Italy, will host the team presentation, and stage 1 will roll out from Piazzale Michelangelo to open the Grand Tour for the first time. The first two stages are just over 200km each and include climbing, with the third day in Italy a flatter affair at 225km from Piacenza to Turin. 

Stage 4 heads into France and straight away to the Alps, with climbs across Sestriere, the Col de Montgenèvre and the Col du Galibier before a fast descent to Valloire. After two days with opportunities for breakaways and fast finishers, the first time trial comes on stage 7 at 25km. The first week ends with back-to-back stages ending in the champagne capital of Troyes to the southeast of Paris, including stage 9, which is a far tougher day due to the 14 sectors of gravel.

Week two of the 2024 Tour starts with a four-day ride south to the Pyrenees via the Massif Central and the rural France Profonde, with stages to Saint-Amand-Montrond, Le Lioran, Villeneuve-sur-Lot and then Pau. The Tour celebrates the Bastille Day holiday weekend in the Pyrenees with consecutive mountain finishes - stage 14 finishes in Pla d'Adet after climbing the Col du Tourmalet and the Hourquette d’Ancizan while stage 15 climbs the Portet d'Aspet and the Col d’Agnes for the finish up to Plateau de Beille.

Following the second rest day in Gruissan on the Mediterranean coast near the border with Spain on Monday, July 15, the final week leads into the Alps. The contenders should face a final shakeout once the race reaches stage 20, as the 2,802-metre high Cime de la Bonette and final ascent to Isola 2000 will be decisive. The final stage of the 2024 Tour is a 34km hilly time trial from Monaco to Nice.

Check out all the details of the 2024 Tour de France route .

• There's no way to Jumbo-proof the Tour de France - 2024 route analysis
• ‘I think it’s a good parcours for me’ - Jonas Vingegaard keen on 2024 Tour de France route
• Mark Cavendish: 'It might be the hardest route I've ever seen at the Tour de France'
• Jasper Philipsen sees 'a very difficult end' for sprinters in 2024 Tour de France
• Tour de France 2024 gravel stage 'increases chance of bad luck' says Plugge
• Remco Evenepoel tempted by 2024 Giro d'Italia-Tour de France combo
• Regal reveals for Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes 2024 routes - Gallery
• As it happened: All the information about the 2024 Tour de France route unveiled
• Tour de France 2024 routes – All the rumours ahead of the official presentation

Tour de France 2024 Contenders

Defending Tour de France champion  Jonas Vingegaard will again have a strong Jumbo-Visma team to support his quest for a third title, but this time, former team leader Primož Roglič has turned to rival as he looks to give Bora-Hansgrohe top billing. Vingegaard will also face huge challenges from Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep). 

In the flat stages, look for last year's green jersey victor Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) to contest for another title against Fabio Jakobsen , now with Team dsm-firmenich, and Caleb Ewan , now with Jayco-AlUIa. And fastman Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) is back for an 18th pro season to mix it up in the sprints, on the hunt for a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage victory.

And there will be opportunities across the three weeks for breakaway riders to shine, including the likes of Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep), Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

Tour de France 2024 stages

• Tour de France past winners
• Stage 1 | Florence - Rimini 2024-06-29 205km
• Stage 2 | Cesenatico - Bologna 2024-06-30 200km
• Stage 3 | Piacenza - Turin 2024-07-01 225km
• Stage 4 | Pinerolo - Valloire 2024-07-02 138km
• Stage 5 | Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Saint-Vulbas Plaine de l'Ain 2024-07-03 177km
• Stage 6 | Mâcon - Dijon 2024-07-04 163km
• Stage 7 | Nuits-Saint-Georges - Gevrey-Chambertin (ITT) 2024-07-05 25km
• Stage 8 | Semur-en-Auxois - Colombey-les-Deux-Églises 2024-07-06 176km
• Stage 9 | Troyes - Troyes 2024-07-07 199km
• Rest Day 1 | Orléans 2024-07-08
• Stage 10 | Orléans - Saint-Amand-Montrond 2024-07-09 187km
• Stage 11 | Évaux-les-Bains - Le Lioran 2024-07-10 211km
• Stage 12 | Aurillac - Villeneuve-sur-Lot 2024-07-11 204km
• Stage 13 | Agen - Pau 2024-07-12 171km
• Stage 14 | Pau - Saint-Lary-Soulan (Pla d'Adet) 2024-07-13 152km
• Stage 15 | Loudenvielle - Plateau de Beille 2024-07-14 198km
• Rest Day 2 | Gruissan 2024-07-15
• Stage 16 | Gruissan - Nîmes 2024-07-16 187km
• Stage 17 | Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Superdévoluy 2024-07-17 178km
• Stage 18 | Gap - Barcelonnette 2024-07-18 179km
• Stage 19 | Embru - Isola 2000 2024-07-19 145km
• Stage 20 | Nice - Col de la Couillole 2024-07-20 133km
• Stage 21 | Monaco - Nice (ITT) 2024-07-21 34km

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News Four-time winner lines out at Tirreno-Adriatico for his first WorldTour appearance since April of last year

Roglic predicts 'beautiful' Tour de France matchup with Vingegaard, Pogacar and Evenepoel

By James Moultrie published 20 February 24

News 'It's the best for us to have the highest level, and the best one will win' says Slovenian ahead of season debut in Paris-Nice

‘I’m not delusional but I’m not under-ambitious’ - Sepp Kuss clarifies his Tour de France ambitions

By Alasdair Fotheringham published 14 February 24

News American plays down idea of co-leadership with Jonas Vingegaard in 2024 Grand Boucle

'This is not our project' – Tour de France director claims One Cycling reforms doomed to failure

By Stephen Farrand published 13 February 24

News 'Every time cycling has tried to transform itself solely with money, it has failed' says Christian Prudhomme

Remco Evenepoel: Tour de France podium would be a dream come true

By James Moultrie published 9 February 24

News Belgian starts long road to the Tour at Figueira Champions Classic with the top three in Nice labelled as key goal for 2024

The event of the summer – Remco Evenepoel's Tour de France debut

By Daniel Ostanek published 8 February 24

2024 preview The countdown begins to the Belgian's battle with Vingegaard, Pogacar, and Roglic this July

Top News on the Race

'To fight for the same thing is exciting' – Geraint Thomas relishes Giro-Tour battle with Pogacar

Mark Cavendish lays the foundations for 2024 success at Colombian altitude camp

Geraint Thomas to ride Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2024

2024 Tour de France wildcards awarded to Uno-X Mobility and TotalEnergies

Related features.

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'It's a year to rebuild and find my feet again' – Caleb Ewan starts over at Jayco-AlUla

Tim Wellens: If anybody can do the Giro-Tour double, it’s Tadej Pogačar

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• Stages Stage 1 02-19 Burjeel Holdings Stage 141 km Stage 2 02-20 Presight Stage 12.1 km Stage 3 02-21 Ras Al Khaimah Stage 176 km Stage 4 02-22 Dubai Stage 168 km Stage 5 02-23 Fujairah Stage 182 km Stage 6 02-24 Aldar Stage 138 km Stage 7 02-25 International Holding Company Stage 161 km
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Lennert Van Eetvelt has turned the tables

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LENNERT VAN EETVELT HAS TURNED THE TABLES

Lennert van eetvelt wins the uae tour 2024, good morning from stage 7 of the uae tour, tim merlier breaks records in breakwater.

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Strive for glory

السعي للمجد, general time, lennert van eetvelt, lotto dstny, 22h 31' 18'', general points, tim merlier, soudal quick-step, intermediate sprint, mark stewart, discover the route, اكتشف المسار, burjeel holdings stage.

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Presight Stage

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Dubai Stage

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Fujairah Stage

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To Umm Al Quwain

Aldar Stage

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To Abu Dhabi Breakwater

International Holding Company Stage

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To Jebel Hafeet

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Tour of America’s Dairyland’s 11 day criterium race series offers high-level, inclusive bike racing through vibrant Wisconsin communities. With fast and fun courses, energetic crowds , professional race production , and welcoming host communities , ToAD offers a uniquely immersive experience for racers and spectators alike.

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Ride the Tour de France route: Q&A with Le Loop

Have you ever found yourself riding along or pouring over a copy of the TdF magazine, lazily daydreaming about riding the Tour de France route?

Well, if you’re ready to turn your daydream into a reality, Le Loop will help you do just that.

Their annual event follows the entire Tour de France route, one week ahead of the pros. You can choose to do anywhere between two and all twenty-one stages of the tour, fully supported by mechanics, medics and massage therapists. At the same time, you’ll be raising funds for the William Wates Memorial Trust, supporting some of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK.

We spoke to Kate, one of the organisers of the event, about what it involves and just how much training you need to do to cycle the Tour de France route!

Please note that the information in this article is based on the 2019 event. As the Tour de France route and prices changes each year, some of the information in this article will not be accurate in future years. 

If you’re looking for a Tour de France cycling holiday without a charity element (or one that’s spectator only), read this article about what to look for in a  Tour de France cycling tour .

Part 1: The event

1. tell us about your event – what, where and why.

Le Loop follows the exact route of the entire Tour de France, one week ahead of the pros.

This usually means the very end of June through July. In 2019, we ride from Saturday 29th June to Sunday 22nd July. Riders sign up for one of our ‘Loops’: anything from two to all twenty-one stages of the Tour de France route. Either join us for the Pyrenees, or the Alps, the Grand Depart or anything in between. Just find the stages and the dates that work best for you.

Tour de France route 2019 (credit: letour.fr)

2. Why do people enter your event?

People ride Le Loop because they’re looking for a cycling challenge. Maybe they’ve been life-long fans of Le Tour and would love to cycle in the footsteps of their cycling heroes … maybe they’ve cycled a 100 miler and want to find out if they could get up and do the same again … and again!

Or maybe they’ve never done anything on this scale before and this is the challenge of a lifetime.

There’s a loop to suit everyone.

Some ride because they want their bucket list tick to mean more than just their own personal achievement. Le Loop was created by the William Wates Memorial Trust as their main fundraising event. Each year we raise, on average, £390,000 that is given by the Trust in grants to charities that work with some of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK, helping them to keep away from a life of crime and violence.

Our riders get the chance to meet some of the young people we’re helping and that inspires them to climb that next col and even make it all the way to Paris.

We also have a huge number of riders returning year after year. Why do they come back? Well the route is different every year of course – whatever A.S.O (the official TDF organisers) have designed for the pros, we ride – so they come to experience riding different parts of France. They also return for the legendary camaraderie on tour and the pleasure of a cycling trip where everything (apart from the pedalling) is done for you; from four fantastic and varied feedstops each day, to medical and massage support, and our cheery team of mechanics to fix any bike troubles.

3. What do people love about taking part in your event?

Time and again the same word comes up: camaraderie.

Yes, the route is incredible and watching the pros ride it one week later allows huge bragging rights and yes, the support on tour from our team is fantastic, but it’s the teamwork and friendships built out on the road that turn this into something so much more than just a sportive.

Every rider will have their good days and their bad days on tour. On a bad day there is always someone to offer you their wheel to hang onto and on a good day, there’s the opportunity to pay them back. We get through stages of the Tour de France route just as the pros do – by supporting each other through thick and thin. The fact that this correlates perfectly with what the young people are going through who we are supporting through the William Wates Memorial Trust is the icing on the cake.

4. What are the highlights of the route?

Every year of course is different, but for 2019 we’re looking forward to the extra extension to the Planche des Belles Filles (whether it will still be gravel, or have some tarmac on it in time for the Tour).

The Mur d’Aurec sur Loire on Stage 9 brought on slightly hysterical laughter from our lead cyclist Emily Chappell when she recced it last week. ‘It’s a beast’ according to Emily.

Stage 14 takes us up the Tourmalet which is a big tick for many riders. It’s a beauty of a climb. Stage 18 takes us over the highest paved road in Europe on the Col de l’Iseran, dropping down into Val d’Isere and back up to Tignes – it’s always quite good fun to ride roads where in the winter you may have skied. But this will be a beautiful, Alpine stage with stunning scenery in every direction we look.

But it’s not all about the climbs. Stage 5 in the Vosges may not be flat, but it’s nothing like the Pyrenees or Alps either. This region has a real Germanic feel with lovely architecture, leafy sweeping roads glorious smooth descents.

And of course the Grand Depart in Brussels will have beer, frites and waffles – what’s not to love?

5. What’s the hardest thing about taking part in your event?

For the riders who take on the whole route from the Grand Depart to Paris, I honestly think the hardest part can be coming home! We live in a bubble for 3 weeks and the transition back to ‘normal’ life can be bewildering.

But of course before all that, to take on multiple stages of the Tour de France there needs to be a serious commitment to training through the winter which can be tough when the weather is grim. With busy lives, finding the time to put the hours in is also a challenge and it needs friends and family to be on board and supportive.

On the ride itself … getting enough rest is the challenge. Some years ASO give us a route that requires more early morning transfers to the next stage start than others. These all eat into critical sleep time, but our riders soon master the art of sleeping on coaches at the drop of a hat!

6. How fit do you have to be to take part in your event?

By the time you arrive on tour you need to not be phased by taking on 100 miles in a day. I don’t mean that should feel like a breeze … 100 miles is never a breeze … but it shouldn’t freak you out. You’re then going to have to get up and do that again the next day after all.

The speed of the group varies enormously and on a big mountain day we could be spread out 3 or 4 hours apart.

To help this along we ‘neutralise’ the first 40km to the first feed stop. This gives everyone the chance to take it easy at the start of the day, ride with folk you’ll maybe not see for the rest of the day and just warm the legs up.

Once everyone’s arrived at that first feed stop all riders are free to ride at their own pace. Quickly people find others going a similar speed and work together often in small pelotons. If a rider gets dropped, they just relax and wait for the next little group to come past and hop on the back with them. We have a back van but we won’t actually pull anyone off the course unless they are becoming a danger to themselves. Our team stays out there with the riders on a big mountain day until the last rider is in – which will probably be in the dark. They’re guaranteed a hero’s welcome when they come in to dinner!

It’s well worth getting some practice in during the winter at riding in a peloton so that you can take advantage of this on some of the flatter, faster sections of the tour. We run a couple of training weekends (free) in the Spring that are a great opportunity to gain those skills. Our lead cyclist Emily writes a monthly training blog for all our riders to help them build up mileage and endurance (physical and mental) through the winter and spring so that they’re in great nick for the start of the tour.

7. What are your top tips for anyone thinking of taking part?

Embrace the winter training – buy the kit you need to make that as comfortable as possible and for every mile in the cold and wet you can visualise the sunny roads of France in the knowledge that the miles you’re putting in now will pay off in spades on tour.

Come on the training weekends in the Spring – they will fill you with confidence and you’ll go home even more excited than you already were.

Embrace the fundraising aspect of taking part in Le Loop just as much as the training – don’t put it off – just throw yourself into it with enthusiasm and you’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll hit your minimum sponsorship requirement AND how rewarding the experience will be.

Part 2: Your charity

8. why do you organise this event.

Le Loop was created by the William Wates Memorial Trust as their principal fundraiser and as a way to remember William (who was killed during his gap year in Honduras in 1996 in a bungled street robbery).

Le Loop was first run in 2006 and 2010 for William’s friends and family, it was opened up to the general public in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. It’s operated every year since and is going from strength to strength.

Each year our riders raise on average £390,000.

They pay the full cost of their ‘holiday’ to Le Loop, then have a minimum fundraising requirement that goes directly to the William Wates Memorial Trust.

On average, 28% of funds raised cover the Trust’s overheads for running Le Loop. Our goal is to get our fundraising to cost ratio down to below 10% and we’re working hard to achieve that through corporate sponsorship.

Funds raised are given in grants to charities that work with some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people, helping to keep them away from a life of crime and violence. They use sport, music, mentoring, the arts and education to engage with young people.

For a full list of the charities we are currently supporting visit www.wwmt.org  and download their  Annual Report .

We give all our riders opportunities to visit the charities we’re supporting so they can see the work for themselves. This never fails to inspire them and redouble their fundraising efforts.

We also invite two young people from the projects to join us on tour – either to ride a stage (or as much of it as they can) or work with our support team. They and their support worker tell their story to the riders in the evening, giving our riders a chance to really understand what life is like for these young people. It is humbling and massively inspiring in equal measure: we all appreciate just how lucky we are to be doing something we love and that we have opportunities that we should never take for granted. Many of our riders tell us that meeting these young people is a highlight of their tour.

9. How much does it cost to enter?

The cost and fundraising depend on how many stages you will be riding. It ranges from £495 to ride two stages, with £800 fundraising, to £4,060 to ride all 21 stages of the tour with £3,000 fundraising. The majority of our riders are somewhere in between with a minimum fundraising requirement of £1,200.

What’s included?

• Accommodation – mostly twin share. Single supplements are available to buy in January. Unlike the pros, we usually sleep at the place the stage ends, and that sometimes means our accommodation options are limited. One night we’ll be in a major town and might be treated to a 5* hotel, but other times we might be in the only hotel on a mountain col and it’ll be much more basic. The norm is somewhere in the middle. Occasionally we’re in exactly the same hotels that the pros use (for example, four pro teams are staying the same hotel as us in Brussels this year – just one week later!). The extreme variety becomes one of the more fun parts of the tour!
• All food – 3 meals and the best feedstops you’ve ever seen
• Fully signed route – the stuff of legend!
•  Mechanical, medical and moral support
• Luggage Transfers
• Coach transfers to the next stage start when the stages aren’t contiguous

What’s not included?

• Travel to and from France (but we’ll give you advice on the best travel routes)
• Bike Transport (£30 each way if you want us to drive your bike there and back)
• Evening massage (£10 or €10 per massage if you’d like one – highly recommended)
• Beer/wine/dinner drinks

10. Where can people find out more?

Website: www.rideleloop.org Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RideLeLoop/ Instagram:  @rideleloop Twitter:  @RideLeLoop Linkedin:  ride le loop

A big thank you to Kate for sharing these insights on the event. We think it sounds fantastic fun – and a brilliant charity to be raising money for. 

Have you done Le Loop before? Or planning to do it this year? Drop us a comment below to let us know!

Want more event ideas?

If you’re seeking inspiration for your next cycling challenge, but Le Loop isn’t quite what you’re after, check out our events hub page , which has guides to tons of cycling events including

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Kate Norris is one of the organisers of Le Loop, the charity event that allows cyclists to cycle the Tour de France one week before the pros.

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Cycling Tours & Bike Trips in Vietnam

There's no better way to explore this diverse country, from lush rice fields to striking temples, a cycling tour of Vietnam promises surprises around every corner. Get an insight into local life in Sapa , ride through riverside villages at the Mekong Delta , play in the Northern hills on a mountain bike adventure or cycle along the sapphire-blue coastline for a tropical getaway, whatever style you choose a Vietnam cycling tour has something for everyone.

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Cycling Vietnam: Hoi An package 5 days

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Cycling Vietnam

The trip was described as a trip to Vietnam primarily by biking but was instead a bicycle trip with Vietnam as a backdrop. The trip was so demanding in terms of biking and most of the rest of the time was spent on buses traveling from place to place that we didn’t get to actually experience most of the sights that were described in the itinerary and had almost no connection to any locals other than our guide. Our guide saw himself as a biking guide and gave us little information about the country, its people, history, etc. His English was difficult to understand particularly his comprehension of questions or comments. He also wanted to please all the participants and was not adept in dealing with interpersonal issues.

Best Selling Vietnam Motorbike Tour to Sapa via Mu Cang Chai from Hanoi

We're a group of 6 Australians guys taking this motorbike trip with this company. It's really an awesome trip in our life. We were arranged all new Honda CRF 250cc & staying at the local families in the Northern Vietnam with the hill tribes. Our guide took us to so many unspoiled destinations where we can discover beautiful landscapes. Foods were so amazing with all local tastes. In general, all services provided on the tour are so fabulous and flawless and highly recommend this tour to everyone. We'll use them again for other trips

Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Hoi An, Da Nang on Ho Chi Minh Trail & Along the Coast

We had a small group of 3 plus a guide from Hanoi to Saigon. Mr Dong and the DNQ Travel company are very professional so have no fear of the trip not being well organised or fraud. Their communication with customers is also very prompt. Our guide was excellent, breakdowns like flat tyres or clutch cable breaks - he managed. The bikes were Honda CRF 250cc and were fantastic over any terrain. We biked through 2 typhoons and other wet weather - well one was mostly on a re8st day!

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Go now before Vietnam changes. It was an epic tour into small towns and villages where people stopped to stare at us, ask to have photos taken with us,and where children ran to the road to wave and shout hello. The scenery is beyond description. The towns are changing rapidly as the Ho Chi Minh Highway brings the desired economic development to this region of Vietnam. In a few years it will be impossible to repeat this experience.

Vietnam by Bike

The guide was excellent. Tm was really great , very knowledgeable and fun. The trip was very well organized and well staffed. The accommodations were fine as well. Dining places sometimes were too "touristy". The trip was fast paced and had a pretty good itinerary but I wish it skipped Nha Trang and added Dalat instead and also Mekong River rather than Cu Chi Tunnels. The biking could be more spread out but the biking routes were interesting and often challenging which was great.

Cycling Vietnam Saigon - Hanoi

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Cycling Saigon to Hoi An

Great fun, Tung the driver being very experienced and knowledgeable and Duong oue enthusiastic guide. Enjoyed great rides, the descent from the pass near Dalat for 30km to the Nha Trang hinterland being outstanding. Got to see small village Vietnam and enjoy meals at local restaurants. Great experience.

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Bicycle tour with intrepid was wonderful

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We Ride Japan

Guided cycling tours in japan, multi-day guided cycling tours in japan’s countryside.

Experience the culture, the food and the amazing cycling on one of our top-class cycling itineraries. Based in Japan we are a local company that offers our guests authentic and professional guided cycling tours in some of Japans most beautiful regions. Welcome to We Ride Japan! 

Southern Japan Cycle - Hiroshima to Nagasaki

Gear up for an incredible road cycling tour that traverses both Shikoku and Kyushu islands in southwestern Japan. This trip offers so much diversity, from the stunning islands and fishing villages of the inland sea to the deep river valleys and ancient temples of Shikoku, culminating in the volcanic landscapes of the Kyushu highlands. 

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights

Difficulty level: 3/5 (moderate to challenging)

Price: JPY 580,000

Book early and receive a 5% discount!

2024 Dates:

April 22nd – May 1st Closed

       September 18th – 27th G

October 20th – 30th F

Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku Cycle

Embark on an immersive cycling tour of the picturesque Shikoku region in southern Japan. Traverse the islands of the inland sea on the stunning Shimanami Kaido and cycle the quintessential rural roads of Shikoku, through beautiful river valleys and along rugged coastlines. This guided cycling adventure offers a unique opportunity to witness the authentic essence of Japan, delving deeper into its rich history and culture.

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Difficulty level: 2/5 (moderate)

Price: JPY 520,000

    May 13th – 21st G 　

   October 1st – 8th F

   November 4th – 12th F

Looking for a shorter trip?

Stay and ride.

Short stay local experience cycling tours in Shikoku

Why travel with us?

Local connections

Working closely with local businesses, tourism boards and councils through our work in regional tourism development, we offer our guests authentic and sustainable experiences utilizing our extensive network. 

All of guided cycling tours in Japan include unique local experiences allowing our guests opportunites to form deeper connections with region they travel in and locals they meet. 

We are passionate about cycling and ethical travel and feel strongly that a cycling holiday can be a very sustainable travel product. 

• Professionaly designed and operated itineraries
• Local and professional guides
• Amazing experiences on and off the bike

Experience and passion

We bring a ton of experience to our tours through years of work in the cycle and tourism industries. To add to this experience our passion for cycling and the regions we tour in comes accross in our unique itineraries. 

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Home > Japan

Stunning shikoku bike tour of japan.

8 Days | 7 Nights

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82 People are considering this Tour

An Immersive Cycle Tour of the Shikoku Region of Southwest Japan

Bike tour through a land of ancient castles, Shinto Shrines and Buddhist monasteries, where traditional culture and etiquette blends effortlessly with contemporary modern design. An island of unimaginable natural beauty, epic coastal rides, verdant river valleys and remote villages. Our newly revised flagship tour of Japan, the ultimate guided bike tour through the Land of the Rising Sun - Stunning Shikoku.

EARLY RIDER PRIZE : Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get  5% OFF  the tour price* *Not applicable with private, family, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers

Quality Bikes Cannondale Quick 1 Disc | E-bike & Carbon Bike Upgrades Available

Your Guide Bilingual expert leader

Group Size 6 to 14

Accommodation 3 to 4-star hotels and traditional Ryokans

Activities Ride/Walk

Minimum Age 14+

Shikoku, an island of quiet, winding roads, forested landscapes and dramatic seascapes - where Japanese culture and customs - past and present - coexist in a unique harmony. World-renowned for its 88 temple pilgrimage the island is fast emerging as one of Asia’s most unique and inspiring cycling destinations.

Starting from the Shimanami Kaido, a series of bridges with incredible views over the islands of the Seto Sea, we cycle inland to the bustling town of Matsuyama to enjoy a Sake tasting session and learn about its place in Japanese history. Though a large island, Shikoku’s efficient and comfortable train system allows us to skip busy sections of road and cycle the very best bits. In the mountain village of Yusuhara, the works of internationally acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma, will inspire you as well as a morning session in the studio of Japan’s preeminent authority on the ancient craft of Washi paper.

Cycling on towards the Pacific coast along some of the most stunning routes imaginable. We’ll traverse thickly forested valleys and over the mountains of the interior, spending two nights in an onsen retreat set on a headland, with dramatic views of the coast while kayaking on sheltered coves and bays.  And finally, Kohci, our week-long immersion on Shikoku concludes in Shikoku’s second largest city, exploring its vibrant food scene in open air-markets at the foot of the city’s dramatic hilltop Castle.

This is a ride for those who do not feel the need to tick off boxes on their travels. While we’ll visit several of the historic Pilgrimage sites, the design of the tour offers the opportunity to enjoy some of the very best riding in all of Asia and to see places that have not been altered in any way to cater for tourists. Our Stunning Shikoku cycle tour will leave you with an indelible perspective of Japan, one we are certain you’ll never forget.

* If you are thinking of joining us in Japan make sure to check out our optional tour extensions in Hiroshima (pre-trip) and Kyoto (post-trip) so you can enjoy even more time with the Grasshopper team.

Pedal-assist E-bikes are an available option on this tour for $200.

Upgrade your bike to a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra SE for just $270

385 km / 240 mi riding : On this bike tour we will enjoy cycling on excellent roads for the duration of the trip. For the most part, traffic is only light and drivers are courteous towards cyclists. In terms of gradient, we have a bit of everything, but the steepest parts of the climb are not long and the longest parts of the climb are not steep.

Pedal the world-famous Shimanami Kaido route across the Seto Sea

Explore sacred temples along Shikoku’s historic 88 temple pilgrimage

Create traditional washi paper in Yusuhara with world-renowned artist

Experience Japanese hospitality in small, traditional inns and natural spring retreats

Enjoy the efficiency of Japan’s train system including the Shinkansen bullet train!

Savor a Sake tasting session and learn about its history over dinner

• 7 nights in comfortable accommodation selected for high standards & local flavor
• 7x Breakfasts, 8x Lunches, 7x Dinners
• Healthy snacks & water during cycling
• Knowledgable local guide
• Quality well-serviced bikes and helmet for riding
• Grasshopper souvenir jersey and water bottle that are yours to keep
• Comfortable van for support and transfers
• All tickets and entry costs included in the itinerary

Hiroshima explorer

Optional 3-day/2-night guided trip extension, kyoto explorer, what our guests say.

• What’s Included
• Accommodations

Trip Extensions

• BOOK THIS TOUR

Day 1: Onomichi, Ferry & Cycle the Shimanami Kaido

We meet today in the small town of Onomichi - which is easily reached by train from Osaka or Kyoto using the famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Shortly after meeting we'll hop aboard a ferry to our start point on the iconic Shimanami Kaido route.

We start off pedaling through secluded bamboo forests to a beautiful coastal route with enough topography to enhance the scenic experience, but not so much as to exhaust us.  Our destination for the first night, a small town initially founded on salt production.

A night in a cozy Ryokan with dinner had nearby in a local eatery. That eatery is near enough, that it is acceptable for us to dress in our Yukatas - a comfortable, traditional gown that will be supplied in your room.

Day 2: Ride the Shimanami Kaido to Matsuyama

Our day starts with a coffee at a nearby bike cafe, then it’s time to hit the road. The route begins with a climb up to the hilltop in the middle of Ikuchi Island where we ride past citrus farms that the island is well known for. We continue over a number of bridges with stunning views out over the blue Seto Sea, islands dotted as far as you can see.   

As we roll into the town of Imabari, you have officially traversed the Shimanami and arrived on Shikoku. There are four prefectures here and we will be riding through Ehima and Kochi. We’ll board a train that takes us an hour to Matsuyama, the largest city in the prefecture and a place with a unique feel. Here colorful orange trams trundle along the main streets and temples and castles sit atop the surrounding hills.   

After checking into our modern hotel, you have the possibility to visit Matsuyama Castle before we make our way on foot to tonight's dinner for some traditional Japanese fare. While the food is important, the highlight will be tastings of Japan's most famous drink - sake. You'll be trying a number of sakes, from dry to sweet and in between. Your guide will tell you about sake's unique place in Japanese history and after tonight you'll know what you want to order with all your meals!  

Day 3: Welcome to Shikoku, Cycle to Yusuhara

An early start to get out of the traffic, with another comfortable and punctual one-hour, train journey will lead us to the lovely start of our first inland ride. Following the Hijikawa River, we’ll ride quiet roads that follow the contours of the valley. As we reach its headwaters we climb out of the valley leading to the charming village of Yusuhara.    

Internationally renowned architect, Kengo Kuma took a liking to this town and designed and sponsored several buildings and public structures. What you will find here is a tidy, beautiful village with exceedingly hospitable people and a public library of the quality you might expect in a major city. Dinner this evening will be in a small, neighborhood eatery.  

Day 4: Washi Paper Making, Yusuhara Loop Ride

This morning we cycle up to the homestead known as Kamikoya where a man named Rogier has made it his life’s work to understand and perfect the art of Washi Paper making. His family run workshops here and today we will partake. With a mountain backdrop behind Kamikoya and the panoramic views of the valley below this is a hands-on experience to treasure. 

When finished, the family will dry out your hand made paper and send it on for collection at the end of the tour. Throughout the morning, we will also learn about the history of Washi Paper and its role in the imperial business of Japan in ancient times. 

The return ride to Yusuhara is a descent, so we will cruise into town by lunchtime. You have the afternoon to yourself to wander, relax, or even enjoy the library until we convene for dinner in a small eatery nearby the hotel.

Day 5: Cycle to the Pacific Coast, Kure Bay

It’s time to leave our mountain village and travel through the Shimanto region to reach the Pacific Coast. The ride offers another wonderful day of lush green valleys, nearly deserted roads in excellent condition, and bubbling creeks and rivers. There is a sustained climb late-morning that is particularly beautiful in the Fall, with autumn colors at the top which are visually stunning. 

Lunch today is at a wellness retreat set by a raging river, and suitably fed we push on along a plateau. We’ll enjoy a final descent to complete our ride, and you can capture your first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. 

Settling into our clifftop property take a dip in the excellent natural onsen to soak your muscles. The view here peers out over rocky outcrops towards the dark blue ocean landscape. A traditional meal is served tonight and you can retire to a comfortable Japanese futon-style room for a sound night’s sleep.

Day 6: Kayaking & Tosa Kure Loop Ride

Today some off-the-bike activity is planned, weather permitting, as we transfer from our hotel to meet some local kayaking enthusiasts. They’ve researched the nearby sheltered coves and bays and will paddle with us around to some of the best spots to view the topography from the water. Rocky outcrops, mountains in the distance, and if we are lucky, maybe some ocean life could reveal itself to us. 

After a morning of paddling and a bite to eat, we take to the bikes again and ride southwards to visit Iwamoto Temple, number 37 on the Henro Pilgrimage route. The temple, set on a wooded hillside outside the town of Kubokawa, features ornate paintings on the ceiling of its main prayer hall. We’ll continue our ride on to the Shimanto River, a significant fishery and the largest river in the area then return to our lodging via a different route.

Day 7: Epic Ride to Kochi, Farewell Dinner

The ride today will remain etched in your memory long after the tour has concluded. We start out on a deserted road that hugs the cliffs, with the ocean crashing onto the black rocks below us. The composition of the sand here accentuates the blue of the water and you’re guaranteed to want to pause and take photos of the view. 

Passing through the town of Susaki, we enter another stunning section of the route, climbing up to a nature reserve along the ridge. A perfect riding gradient and an abundance of birdlife makes this stretch one of the best parts of an already fantastic ride. 

Our lunch stop is near another of the 88 temples, known as the Blue Dragon. It’s here we often encounter pilgrims making their way along the walking route. Our day concludes riding into Kochi, with an enjoyable descent and a cruise along the river. We pass through the central area of the city and conclude in the heart of the food & dining district. 

Tonight will be our last together, so a progressive dinner with some grazing is in order, and maybe a visit to another Sake bar (or two) as the evening moves along.

Day 8: Train to Kyoto, Tour Concludes

Today, enjoy a last morning walk exploring the old town by visiting one of the twelve Japanese castles which have survived the fires, wars, and other catastrophes of the post-Japanese feudal age. Originally built during the first decade of the 17th century, the castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding region. The castle buildings have since been designated "important cultural properties", and now house local treasures and historical objects but also as a product of an age of peace.

Back to the hotel to refresh and get your belongings in order before the taxi ride to the train station. Here it’s time to say farewell to your fellow adventurers and guide. Goodbyes over, your guide will assist you to board the train to Kyoto for a pleasant 4-hour train journey on your own.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Great Sleeps

Trip Leader

Van Support

Bike Upgrade

E-Bike Option

More Support

Wahoo ELEMNT

Japanese cuisine is world famous. We aim to deliver a wide-ranging food experience on this tour from some simple meals up to the more ornate and gourmet experiences in the larger towns. Most meals are included on the tour, except for rest days.

The Cannondale Quick 1 Disc is a flat bar hybrid, with mid-width fast rolling tires and hydraulic discs for braking confidence whenever it's needed. The Quick provides a smooth and comfortable ride, that is still quite nimble and fun when you want to lift the pace a notch. The lightweight frame and a reliable performance-geared Shimano 105 drivetrain will have you touring efficiently and happily across Japan. 

Hybrid bikes are ideal for the riding conditions encountered in Japan, where you can expect to ride well-maintained roads for the most part, with the occasional rougher surface.

A reliable and performance geared Shimano 105 drivetrain and class-leading weight make this a great bike for lightweight cycle touring and perfectly suited to the Japanese conditions.

Hotels in Japan are compact, but generally comfortable and convenient. We have a mixture of accommodation on this tour from conventional 3-4 star hotels, to small traditional Ryokan Inns, some with attached onsen (thermal hot spring) baths. These are atmospheric, family-run guesthouses with, tatami matted floors, paper walls, futon beds, Yukata gowns and a traditional Japanese feast that awaits you at each one. We have selected these properties for their character, location and comfort. Note, double beds are not available in the Ryokan's as they are single futon mattresses on the floor.

Our guides are often cited as being the highlight of the tour and this we believe will be true of your experience in Japan. We have searched far and wide to find someone who can really tell you the story of Japan and we believe we have found him. Rest assured knowing your guide will be looking out for your comfort and safety at all times.

Granola bars, fruit, and electrolyte drinks, as well as delicious local snacks will be provided to keep your energy up for riding.

An air-conditioned support van is provided and will be within 15 minutes reach maximum when needed. Bulky luggage is transferred by courier to the endpoint of the ride, so it is a good idea to pack in two parts, one part that you need daily and one part that you don't need until we reach the next hotel. This makes your daily routine a lot easier.

Go Carbon! - Upgrade your ride to our fleet of premium Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra SE's . These durable carbon-frame bikes provide a responsive and highly satisfying ride but with a level of comfort that makes all road surfaces feel like tarmac. Exceptional handling paired with hydraulic disk brakes and 30c tires makes this bike a fantastic all-rounder that is perfect for lightweight touring in the conditions we encounter in Japan. Tackle uphill climbs with ease and enjoy an ear-to-ear grin on the downhills and flats, on a ride that blends all-day comfort with race-inspired performance - Your ultimate touring companion in Japan! Upgrade for Just $270

A pleasure to ride, the Yamaha e-bike is a unique offer for tours in Japan. The pedal-assist feature of this lightweight aluminium build expands touring possibilities for all riders and to explore more of the world by bike is a great thing in our books! Find out more about our E-Bikes here.

Yamaha e-bike is an upgrade that can be purchased for this trip, availability is limited and on a first-in basis.

We provide a support vehicle driven by a skilled bike mechanic. You can be well assured that our great team is right behind you with support and they can keep your bike humming along like a Swiss watch.

A beautiful, limited edition, memento Grasshopper cycling jersey is yours to wear and take home as well as our trademark water bottle.

This tour is guaranteed for a minimum of 6 travelers. And we limit the group size to only 14 so that you get all the attention you want in an intimate group.

There is no surcharge for single travelers - we will match you with another same-sex single traveler. If you want a single room there is an optional upgrade that you can book.

On this tour we provide Wahoo ELEMNT bike computers for additional navigational support. These are the latest in user-friendly navigation tech from Wahoo Fitness. With Wahoo devices you will be able to track your progress and monitor your route. Beyond their basic setup, the geek-cyclists will find Wahoo ELEMNTs to be excellent data mining devices allowing to measure almost any aspect of the ride.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Koroshio honjin.

Set on a headland overlooking the Pacific Coast, this is a retreat style property, centered around an Onsen with both out and indoor baths. The outdoor bath overlooks the ocean as does the dining room where fresh delicacies provided by local fishermen are prepared for your consumption.

Hotel Marche

Designed by acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma, this is a boutique hotel set in the middle of an affluent little village in the hills of Shikoku. It is one of a number of structures around town to bear the architect's signature marks and is loaded with character and charm.

Yubune Inn & Bathhouse

Located at the midpoint of Shiminami Kaido on the beautiful island of Setoda, the Yubune Inn & Bathhouse offers traditionally styled rooms made of cedar wood and tatami, just meters from the Seto Inland Sea. The highlight of this inn is the on-site Onsen (hot spring bathhouse), which boasts multiple baths of varying temperatures and large multi-story windows that fill the room with natural light and steam.

Candeo Hotel Matsuyama

A modern, business style hotel in the centre of a vibrant city. The Candeo is the thinking travelers' hotel with lots of style and comfort to it and a great central location to boot.

Hiroshima & Onomichi Explorer

Enjoy three extra days & two nights exploring the bayside town of Onomichi and the reborn city of Hiroshima, on this specially designed tour extension in western Japan. Includes : Accommodation, Guide, activities, entry fees, return transfer to Hiroshima, 4 meals (Bx2, Lx1, Dx1)

Kyoto Explorer

Enjoy the sights & hidden highlights of Japan's cultural birthplace, Kyoto, with your knowledgeable local guide, on this specially crafted 3-day/2-night tour extension. Includes: Accommodation, guide bike tour, entry fees on tour, snacks & water while riding, 4 meals (Bx2, Lx1, Dx1)

PRIVACY POLICY

Guest reviews, frequently asked questions, 1. what is travel in japan like.

Follow this link for general information on travel in Japan. Read our blog about travel in Japan .

2. Follow the link below for general questions about our multi-day bike tours

Multi-day Cycling Tours Frequently Asked Questions

3. What is the Shimanami Kaido?

The famous Shimanami Kaido has been labeled a "must-do" for any country-hopping cyclist looking for the best routes in the world. See this article from CNN Travel on the Shimanami Kaido route

Dates & Price

EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price

Payment Plans Available ⓘ * Deposit payment: $500 USD * Single room option: $920 USD

Adult 4830USD

Adult 4625USD

Adult 4930USD

Adult 5540USD

Adult 4890USD

Adult 5070USD

Adult 5890USD

WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT

Grasshopper style.

With our experience and knowledge of Asia, we have crafted this itinerary that gives you an immersive look at Japan as you cycle to sacred sites and beautiful islands. You’ll have the chance to appreciate Japan’s seamless blending of ancient and modern on this bicycle tour through the Shimanami Kaido, the island of Shikoku and beautiful Kochi, with visits to small towns tourists rarely go. There will be plenty of interesting accommodations along the way, including fresh, delicious meals and cultural activities. You are guaranteed to leave Japan with a greater understanding of this enigmatic and unique country.

Why Us? The Grasshopper Adventures Experience

Similar tours, japan e-bike tour, cycle kyoto to the coast - self-guided, bike taiwan.

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This is a press release from AMA SX…

Ellenton, FL/ Clifton, NJ (April 10, 2024) —As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship returns to racing this week after the final bye week of the season, an added music attraction will be on display for fans in FanFest at the upcoming rounds in Foxborough and Philadelphia. The Metal Hall of Fame will present the Metal Across America Tour as part of FanFest this Saturday, April 13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA and then again on Saturday, April 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

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Inductee Cavazo, and his brother Tony of the rock band Hurricane joined Green Day’s Tre Cool, Jason Bonham of the Jason Bonham Experience, and solo artist Jagger Henry (Bonham), and others at the Monster Energy Supercross event being held a few days later at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California.

Supercross FanFest is part of the Monster Energy Supercross experience and takes place during the day while athletes are qualifying inside the stadium. This week’s FanFest will take place at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, April 13 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Philadelphia’s FanFest will take place two weeks later on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.

A Supercross FanFest ticket must be accompanied by an event ticket. Fans can also recycle an empty can of Monster Energy at one of the FanFest entry points to gain complimentary access.

Click here for all the latest Supercross news on Cycle News .

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TOUR OF NILGIRIS

TFN2024 Registrations Starts 1st May 2024

Pre Tour Briefing : 7th December 2024

Flag off : 8th December 2024

Last Day of Tour : 15th December 2024

Website is being updated. Please check by April 15th, 2024 for all Details. 

Any Queries, you can send us an email on [email protected]

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The Tour of Nilgiris (TFN) logo is a masterpiece that blends modernity with the adventurous spirit. It draws inspiration from the sleek contours of mountain ranges and the streamlined silhouette of bicycles, epitomising the essence of contemporary adventure.

Font - the futura bk bt typeface exudes modernity and sophistication and perfectly complements the dynamic nature of our cycling events. our carefully curated palette of deep blue, pine green, pearl white, and other hues reflects the natural beauty of nilgiris. it adds a touch of contemporary flair to our logo, resonating with the modern sensibilities of our audience., mountain and cycle elements:- crafted amidst nilgiris' vibrant cycling scene, the tfn logo is a minimalist masterpiece blending modernity with adventure. inspired by mountain ranges and bicycles, it captures the essence of excitement and thrill, inviting riders to explore nilgiris' landscapes., color palette: our carefully curated palette of deep blue, pine green, pearl white, and other hues not only reflects the natural beauty of nilgiris but also adds a touch of contemporary flair to our logo, resonating with the modern sensibilities of our audience..