How fit do I need to be for a cycling holiday in France?

One of the first questions that we frequently get asked is, “How fit do I need to be for a cycling holiday in France?” While some cyclists are drawn to the iconic, leg-breaking climbs of the Tour de France, many of you may prefer a more leisurely pace. Over the years, we have become adept at recommending the right tours based on your fitness level and physical requirements.

We carefully assess each traveler’s needs and tailor our suggestions accordingly, ensuring that your cycling adventure matches your capabilities and goals. Additionally, we take health precautions seriously, offering guidance on how to prepare for your trip, from building up your endurance to staying safe and comfortable on the road. All our tours are labeled with difficulty levels – from easy (1) to challenging (4) – to help you choose the perfect route for your journey.

Casual and recreational cyclists

For beginners and occasional cyclists, we offer the easiest tours with typically flatter terrain and no notable hills or steep gradients. These tours are perfect when cycling is just a part of your day, but not the main activity. The Loire Valley is an ideal starting point due to its relatively flat profiles and shorter distances. Our casual tours leave plenty of time to stroll around and enjoy the French “Joie de Vivre” (Joy of Living). It’s perfect for beginner groups looking to ease into cycling tours. Some of our easiest tours in the Loire Valley feature daily rides of about 20-22 miles (32-35 km) with very limited elevation gains. Even less experienced riders will spend no more than 3-4 hours in the saddle each day, leaving ample time to enjoy the stops along the way. For travelers wanting to keep their options open, our “Cycling Loops” tours are ideal. Based out of a single hotel, these tours allow you to choose your rides on a day-to-day basis, offering flexibility and convenience.

Hobby, regularly riding your bike

For weekend riders with some cycling experience, our Hobby category tours are perfect. These tours typically visit hilltop villages with short climbs but relatively short distances. The rolling hills of Provence are a typical setting for our Hobby category tours with Provence Secrets. These tours are accessible to all riders with cycling experience who are comfortable spending 3-5 hours a day on the bike. While cycling is an important part of the tour, sightseeing and long lunches in quaint village squares are equally appreciated. The Hobby/Active level tours are the most popular and are a great way to have an active vacation with plenty of time to enjoy the local culture and cuisine.

Active, Weekend warrior, used to longer distances

For cyclists with experience on longer rides, our Active tours are ideal. These tours feature hilly terrain with a reasonable amount of climbing and difficulty. While not overly difficult, they are certainly not easy. Typical examples of Active level tours include the Bordeaux Wine Tour, Best of Champagne, and the popular Gordes Cycling Loops in Provence. The best wine regions in France tend to be hilly, with great views and excellent wines. These tours are also perfect for e-bikes, making the rolling terrain feel like a breeze and allowing more time for wine tastings and long lunches. It also allows people of different cycling levels to ride together on the same tour. The ability to choose the level of assistance at any moment expands the possibilities of covering longer distances and compensating for tired legs. Our e-bikes are equipped with the latest generation technology and are often praised by our travelers.

Pro, always up for a challenge

For the avid cyclist who rides every week and loves long, challenging rides, our Pro-level tours are perfect. If switchbacks and long alpine climbs are your definition of fun and you dream of riding the climbs of the Tour de France, these tours are for you. Your ideal trip is one where cycling is the main activity and other activities are secondary. At the end of each day, you can go over the GPS data with a cold beer as a reward for completing the distance. Our Pro-level rides are designed for riders who ride regularly and know how to pace themselves for repeated climbs and longer distances. You don’t have to be a pro to ride these rides, but you should be comfortable with the distances and climbs. And if the Alps and Pyrenees are a must for you, remember that not all pro-level tours are in the mountains.

France’s regions offer something for every level, making it a top destination for cycling enthusiasts. And remember, we create cycling tours for everyone!

How fit do I need to be for a cycling holiday in France?

Casual and recreational cyclists

Hobby, regularly riding your bike

Active, Weekend warrior, used to longer distances

Pro, always up for a challenge

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