Cycling saw a bigger boom during the pandemic than any other time in recent memory. Not even the superhuman Lance Armstrong circus years inspired as many people to get outside on bicycles. But like that era, many are now aspiring to take their cycling to a new level, improve their fitness, and maybe get a taste of what it’s like for the pros at spring training camps.

Spring cycling getaways have been popular in certain circles for years. They are a fabulous way to kickstart the pedaling season and maybe give winter whitened skin a chance to soak up some vitamin D. And while there is no shortage of tour organizers offering curated packages of accommodations, gourmet cuisine, and personal pampering options, planning your own cycling sojourn can offer a lot more freedom to tailor your own custom training camp.

You’ll find plenty of benefits to planning your own itinerary. For starters, pick the destinations and routes you most want to ride. Whether it’s coastal vistas in the Canary Islands, sneaking peeks of the pros on Mallorca, or going on a gravel vision quest in the desert southwest, choosing your own adventure means you're in charge. Feel like skipping that big climb, or maybe riding later in the day? Want to indulge a little while longer at your new favorite patisserie? No worries. The days are yours to enjoy as you will.

Choose Your Location

So part of going your own way is figuring out which way you want to go. Are you setting out to load up on early season road miles, or do you want to find some lonely singletrack to refresh your mountain bike skills? Your riding style, preferred terroir, and cultural elements all come into play here. Dreaming of Sedona red rock adventures is bucket list stuff for some, while others might prefer diving down Côte d'Azur backroads on their way to sipping a coffee in Saint-Tropez.