For those new to cycling holidays, you may be wondering what a self guided cycling holiday is. As opposed to a guided holiday, where a local expert takes you around the region, a self guided cycling tour gives you the freedom and flexibility to cycle at your own pace. One of the best ways to experience a region, there are a variety of benefits to holidaying this way. And thanks to easy-to-use navigation tools, you’ll never feel lost or out of your depth. Read on to discover what a self guided cycling holiday is and why it’s the right choice for you, as well as some of our favourite tours.

What does it involve?

A self guided cycling holiday effectively means you’re in charge of navigation. You’ll be given an itinerary for the week, and detailed instructions for each day’s ride, so you have everything you need to set off on your adventure. Between setting off and arriving at your next hotel, you’re free to explore. You’ll also only be a phone call away from your account manager and our cycle experts, ready to assist in any way they can.

The navigational app we use is Ride with GPS, downloaded onto your phone and packed full of route info and tips. The app is like your own portable local guide, alerting you when you drift off course as well as suggesting locations where you can stop for lunch or coffee. Just place your phone on its stand on your bike, open the app, and press start to enjoy your leisurely cycle ride. Visit our Ride with GPS page for more info.

What are the benefits?

A self guided cycling holiday has many benefits, especially for those who like to travel at their own pace. As you are navigating the route yourself, you can choose when to move on to your next location on the ride. A particular town may charm you and you wish to stay longer; a self guided cycling holiday allows you to do this, thanks to the freedom it provides. Leisurely by nature, this is truly no-stress pedalling.

Both beginner and advanced cyclists can benefit from self guided cycling holidays. Take as many breaks as you like or simply pedal onward; the choice is yours. On our tours, the towns and villages have so much to offer. For example, foodies may wish to stay longer at the farmers market in St-Remy-de-Provence, or history lovers won’t want to leave Assisi just yet. A self guided cycling tour allows you to do just this.

Our favourite self guided cycling tours

At Cycling for Softies, we love self guided cycling holidays. One of our favourites is our Châteaux of the Loire tour. Dive into a land of glistening castles and royal intrigue known as the Loire Valley. This self guided adventure visits iconic towns such as Chinon, Saumur, Brézé and many more. The cuisine and wine of the region are two of our favourite things to experience, especially the bottles produced near Saumur. What truly makes the region special are the châteaux that seem to appear around every corner. The most magnificent are Château d’Azay-le-Rideau and Château du Rivau. You can explore these for as long as you like thanks to the self guided nature of this tour.

View our Châteaux of the Loire tour

Provençal Discovery is another of our favourite self guided tours. Provence is one of Europe’s most beautiful regions, made famous by Van Gogh and known for its stunning hilltop towns. On this tour, explore Provence at your own pace, navigating the quiet country roads with ease thanks to your Ride with GPS app. Cycle beneath the fortress of Baux-de-Provence and explore the Friday morning market in Eygalieres. In late summer, take a rest break by a blooming lavender field, soaking in the aroma-filled air for as long as you like before heading to your next stop.

View our Provençal Discovery tour

One of our newest self guided cycling tours, our Grand Tour Tuscany cycling holiday showcases the very best of the region. Famed for its iconic movie filming locations, the gorgeous scenery and ancient towns of Tuscany would give any cyclist a reason to stop and take it all in. As this tour is self guided, thankfully you can do that any time you want. Whether you want to savour your morning cappuccino in Montefollonico or take a rest day in San Quirico d’Orcia, this self guided cycling tour gives you so much choice. Check out more of our new tours, featuring beautiful destinations like Bordeaux and Umbria.

View our Grand Tour Tuscany tour

For more information on what a self guided cycling holiday is, call our cycle experts today. Alternatively, you can view our self guided cycling holidays here. And if you’re interested in a guided experience, where a local expert is in charge of navigation, view our guided cycling holidays here.

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Champagne cycling routes
How to plan a cycling holiday
Our top cycling holidays for groups