Fifty places to bike before you die

By this time next week, spring will have sprung, so what better time to plan the fifty places to bike before you die? In his beautiful guide, author Chris Santella and other biking experts reveal their picks for the world’s greatest biking destinations.

From the Severn Lakes District in Argentina to a route between Hanoi and Angkor Wat the guide will appeal to armchair daydreamers and hardened tourers alike.

We have a copy of the book to give away. Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this page letting us know where you’d most like to ride your bike and we’ll pick a winner next week.

When it comes to planning your summer holiday this year - don't forget to pack your bike

Sun lotion? Check. Shorts? Check. Passport? Check. Bicycle? CHECK.

Sean Conway got into endurance cycling after completing the Land’s End to John O’Groats route solo in 2008. Just five years on, he has just completed an epic 16,000 mile tour through every continent – 25 countries in total – and did it all on his trusty Thorn Mercury touring bike. “Technically, I’ve only taken my bike abroad once, but for quite a long ride!” he says.

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For 32-year-old Sean, aside from the physical and mental challenge of such a long ride abroad, and the reward of raising money for Solaraid in doing so, it was the sense of camaraderie and community afforded by bike travel that provided the greatest enjoyment.

“By cycling you become more approachable. When I was crossing the Australian outback, I would regularly get drivers stopping and offering me food and water. I felt part of a small community cycling in the middle of nowhere.”

For passionate cyclists, a bike is a trusty companion. Why leave the cycle you know and love so well at home, only to rent a heavy, poorly maintained bike that has no guarantee of reliability? Sean - who loves his own bike, which he named ‘Maid Marian’ - also points out that for those wanting to cycle more, the commitment to taking your bike abroad is likely to see you using it more as the cost of hire can be off-putting.

For less confident or experienced cyclists, Sean recommends a trip to a European city as the high levels of cyclists in these countries means that drivers are more naturally aware on the roads. “For a first holiday with your bike I absolutely recommend France and Italy. You literally don’t need to plan anything – just get on the bike and go! I cycled from London to the Alps between last Christmas and New Year and the whole trip cost considerably less than a flight to Geneva.”

"The joy of cycling is the journey itself and being able to traverse a country, meeting lots of like-minded people"

You don’t have to be a professional cyclist to benefit from taking your bike with you on holiday, as 33 year-old web developer Mat Attlee knows well. He first took the plunge into bringing his own wheels with him last year on a trip to Holland, greatly boosting his confidence and wellbeing just five months after a serious injury separated him from his cycle.

For Mat, taking one’s own bicycle allows freedom to explore off the beaten trail in comfort, with foreign bike rental only really suitable for short city tours in his view. He was able to cycle at his own pace, making up to 35 miles a day and experience the thrill of truly free travel.

“At first I found myself a little overwhelmed by how fast and confidently everyone cycles there, combined with getting used to cycling on the right hand side of the road – yet I would highly recommend it. I had barely prepared for my trip but due to the well posted cycle routes and friendly nature of the Dutch I was never lost”

Being competitive by nature, Mat usually prefers solitary cycling – though he says having a companion can make the trip more enjoyable, especially for a holiday. “If there are just two of you then I would highly recommend getting a tandem – its quite hard to cycle alongside anyone and chat otherwise”.

"You don't need a high level of experience to cycle abroad"

Tom Bourlet is a travel blogger who takes his bicycle with him abroad every year or two, and who often does so with a small group of companions.

“I much prefer cycling with friends. You will always be exceptionally grateful for having friends with you if your bike breaks down, plus it means someone is there to take a number of shots of your adventure. Whilst you might not care about taking photos whilst cycling, you will forever glad of them when you get home.” Having cycled in the USA and North Africa (where he had particularly hairy experiences on his bicycle), Tom also recommends European trips as an ideal first foray into biking abroad. “France is a great place for beginners, with beautiful countryside, calm roads and a temperature that is normally just right”

How do I take my bicycle abroad?

Tom, Sean and Mat all agreed that ferries and trains provide the simplest way of taking your bike overseas – especially if you have a folding model (The ETA offers a reduced rate on insurance for folding cycles).

When air travel is a necessary part of your trip abroad, taking a bicycle can be easier than you might think - though its not without its challenges.

“Taking a bicycle abroad is straightforward enough if you have the tools and know how to remove your seat, wheels and store it all in a bicycle bag”, says Mat. He recommends choosing a carrier with a good sporting goods policy. “For my recent trip to Holland I was hit with an extra £40 each way for my bicycle bag. Next time I will take a ferry instead because the hassle of taking the bike on the plane”

But following his round-the-world trip, Sean says air travel with a bike is easy, as long as you get a bike box. “Some people say that you can take your bike in a clear plastic bag and the baggage handlers will look after it more because they know it’s a bike. I don’t agree. They may look after it but your bike will take a beating on the series of conveyor belts between the handler and you."

Cycle insurance from the ETA includes 90 days of worldwide cover as standard and damage in transit is included at no extra charge.

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Protection for you and your bike

ETA Cycle Insurance never devalues your bike, doesn’t charge extra for things like third party liability, personal accident or friends and family cover, and has a sympathetic policy on storage in sheds and garages.

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