Over the years there’s no doubt that the number of M.A.L.E.S. on the roads of the UK seems to have increased, and with this explosion in the popularity of cycling has come a rise in the popularity of cycling holidays.

And this is no bad thing. Whether it’s mountain biking experiences in the Brecon Beacons, road cycling holidays in the hills of Umbria or a cycling break in the idyll of the Cotswolds, when you travel by bike you can get further off the beaten track than ever before and discover places you wouldn’t reach by foot, as well as travel in an environmentally sustainable way.

With a local guide who knows the best and safest routes, and the hidden gems that lie just a little way from the road most trodden, or wheeled if you will, you can discover those quirky little attractions that really stick in the mind at the end of your cycling holiday, and make it something worth remembering.

So with all that in mind, the team here at Not In The Guidebooks has got together to bring you the top cycling holiday destinations for 2021, so strap on your helmet and squeeze into your lycra, and let’s take a look at where your next cycling break will be.

Longer Cycling Holidays

For those of you searching for an all-encompassing, deep dive into a region on two wheels, look no further than these immersive adventures and longer road cycling holidays to soothe that itch for the open road.

8 Day Cycling Exploration of the Wild Atlantic Way

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is fast becoming one of the most notoriously beautiful and inspiring road routes in Europe, and no wonder with its miles of magical tarmac stretching past rugged sea cliffs, rolling green hills, stunning mountains and vast, empty beaches.

On this 8 day cycling holiday, you’ll get a true sense for its character, as you cross the county lines of Cork, Kerry, and Mayo. You’ll also travel by foot, by boat, and a little by bus, to ensure you make the very most of some of Ireland’s star attractions such as the drama of the Cliffs of Moher, the peaks of the Kerry mountains, and of course the famous Irish hospitality at every stop along the way.

A truly Irish, truly authentic cycling holiday covering some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, this is one tour of the emerald isle you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Cuba on Two Wheels

This cycling tour of Cuba is all about slow, sustainable travel that gives back to the community. Rather than hopping from attraction to attraction, a cycling holiday allows you to see the land unfold. It means you get to see the communities and experience the rural life that many tourists miss.

And trust us, you don’t want to miss this side to Cuba. Already one of the most beguiling, confusing and addictive travel destinations on earth, By getting to know the real, local Cuba in Havana, Viñales, Trinidad and Cienfuegos, by meeting the locals, visiting the tobacco farms to learn how to roll a real Cuban cigar, staying at family-run ‘casa particulars’ and so many other unique experiences based around the people of Cuba, you are guaranteed a cycling holiday that you will never forget.

And with leisurely cycling along palm-fringed country roads, past remote mountains covered with jungle and isolated villages of endless hospitality, the views aren’t bad either.

Autumn Cycling Tour of the Cotswolds

Road cycling holidays in the UK can often be a little daunting, and regular cyclists will be all too familiar with the daily battles with cars, buses and lorries on often congested roads. There’s no such danger on this cycling holiday, a chance to tour the postcard-perfect English idyll of the Cotswolds, with its honey-coloured villages and quiet country roads.

You’ll feel transported back in time as you cruise the lanes, your guide making sure you see and experience the very best of the quintessentially English Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From discovering towers with views of 16 English counties, cosy pubs with incredible food and top-quality beer, and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, it’s the best way of combining a cycling break with a tour of the Cotswolds’ hidden gems.

You’ll stay in gorgeous country hotels, and all aspects of your cycling holiday will be organised by your local guide, so that you can rest your legs each night in total comfort and without a care in the world.