How Many Kilometers Per Day For A Cycling Holiday?
If you are planning a cycling holiday, you will probably ask yourself the question of how many kilometers to ride per day. It’s a question that may seem trivial and require a simple answer. However, it is not always the case. Before we give you an average number of kilometres or a general rule of thumb, we’ll give you a list of things to consider:
- The difference in altitude
- The type of road: asphalt, dirt, …
- The type of bike (electrically assisted or not) and its load
- The weather and the length of the day
- The training of the group members
In addition, the number of kilometres to be cycled depends very much on the day’s programme. If you planned visits or other long breaks, plan less kilometers. A visit along the way can quickly take time, and it is better to take this into account to avoid finding yourself riding in the dark at the end of the day. Also, take into account your desired departure and arrival times, etc.
An illustrative table of daily distances:
You will therefore understand that giving a golden rule to calculate the adequate number of km for a stage, or even to estimate the average speed of a bike ride, is very complicated. Nevertheless, we can give a few intervals that allow us to see things more clearly. Keep in mind that those intervals are valid under “average” conditions (sufficient training, suitable bike, asphalt or hard earth road, …):
30 – 40 km (18 – 25 mi): Ideal distance to be really comfortable. You will also have the opportunity to stop often for a visit, a nap, a snack, … on the way. You can even get lost almost without worrying about your watch.
40 – 55 km (25 – 34 mi): This is also a rather relaxed distance, but it should not be underestimated. This amounts to about 3 to 4 full hours of cycling, thankfully spreadable over the day. This distance offers a good balance between the route and the scenery, and time for cultural, gastronomic or restful breaks.
55 – 90 km (34 – 56 mi): Typical distance for experienced bicycle travelers. With a little training, not only physical, but also in terms of efficiency in preparing the bike and finding the way, you will reach this kind of distance without noticing.
90+ km (56+ mi): Recommended distance for travellers looking for an effort or even a sporting challenge.
For very steep terrain, you can subtract about 10 km from the above distances.
Cyclodyssées bicycle tours
The graph below summarises the average daily distance of the different tours we offer. The stages are always adapted when a “must-see” visit is on the agenda for the day, so that it can be fully enjoyed. We also sometimes offer both a leisurely and a sporty route on the same day. This allows travellers to choose what suits them best, depending on their level of motivation to cycle that day. The table therefore shows the average minimum and maximum daily distances. In other words ,those obtained by taking the relaxed route each day on one side, and by taking the sporty route each day on the other side.
This second table shows the average positive gradient, another important element in assessing the difficulty of a tour. The routes in Andalusia and Northern Portugal are more hilly and, although the distances covered are shorter, they are the most physically demanding and are best done by electric bike. Together with the kilometers per day, the positive gradient is one of the key elements we take into account to determine the difficulty category of our bicycle holidays.
Test beforehand
Maybe you’re not sure where you stand in terms of physical preparation for a bike trip, or you’re a bit scared of the idea of pedalling for several hours a day. In that case we recommend that you do a day’s ride around your home. Calculate the mileage and elevation gain in advance, so you will get an idea of what to expect. There are some great apps for this, such as Bikemaps or Komoot (or even google maps), which we use ourselves to design our tours. These applications, designed for cyclists, allow you to create a route in advance on your computer, and export the directions or GPS file.
Another prudent option is to start with a tour that is known to be easier, such as the Salzkammergut tour or the tour between the Black Forest and Lake Constance. In any case, we are always happy to discuss it with you!