Bike Touring is a lot of fun, but it doesn't all have to be about cycling. Many bike tourers have taken to the roads to experience more than just the wind in their hair and go on a gastronomy tour. What better way to experience a country than to ride, eat, and drink your way through it? In this article, we'll tell you about some amazing European destinations for a cycling wine tour and what makes them so special.
Discovering the roots of the world's first demarcated wine region - Douro valley, Portugal
We believe nothing goes down better after a long day of cycling than a glass of wine. A wine region isn't just a place for wine tastings. It's also a great place for cycling trips. They are typically excellent places to cycle as traffic-free roads and beautiful scenery often surrounds them.
Food and drink always tastes better after a bike ride, and pairing some of the best wine regions with that taste appreciation is an excellent way to get the most out of local wine tastings. When you go to places, it's about embracing what a destination has to offer and when in wine country, you drink great wine.
It's important to know what you're looking for when it comes to the right destination for your bike tour in Europe. Here's what we believe sets the destination above others.
Portugal is known for not just great cycling, but it is also famous for making a pretty special wine. The Douro River National Park is an incredible place to visit. Being a UNESCO world heritage site, it's protected because of its history and its beauty. The region starts in the historic city of Porto, which is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It's surrounded by medieval villages, which you will be lucky enough to cycle through.
The region is famous for Port wine. It's a divine sweet taste and is typically served as a dessert wine. They have been refining the grapes for several century, and many people travel to the region to taste the incredible drink. The best way to enjoy the region is by watching the Rabelo boats deliver the wine to Porto, so that they can age in win barrels, while enjoying the famous local smoked meats after a long day of cycling. If you're looking for a great tour in the region, check out the link below.
Spain's wine regions are some of the most incredible in the world. The Basque Country is well sort after place for cycling and enjoying the local wines. As far as riding goes, you have quiet, smooth roads with so much history to enjoy. In the Bilbao region of Spain, you don't just get to enjoy the mountains, but you also get the privilege of being next to the coast as well. The cycling is great and works for all abilities. If you're fond of a climb or two, this is a great region to explore.
When it comes to food and wine here, you are spoilt for choice. You have over 500 wineries to choose from and multiple options as far as a wine museum tour goes. It's internationally known for its high quality wine which you have a huge variety to choose from. Famous wines such as La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza Reserva and Bodegas Corral, Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Tinta. You will not be disappointed with the taste of this region and many people regularly return. If you're looking for a great tour, check out the link below.
We're back in Portugal, but this time we're heading towards Lisbon. Alentejo is full of rich millennial history, culture, great cycling, and phenomenal wines. Cycling here is an incredible experience. The smooth rolling hills, the incredible views as you go from whitewashed villages to medieval castles. Cycling in Portugal is still an untouched gem, and they are seeing more and more cyclists every year. The roads are traffic free, and the atmosphere is great as cycling is the thing to do here.
There's only one thing in Alentejo that matches the quality of the cycling and that is the food and drink. The local cuisine is incredible and paired with the great wine tasting, it's the perfect way to enjoy Portugal. Many incredible wines come out of this region. The one you must taste is the white Quinta do Carmo. The best way to enjoy this region is by cycling through it and experiencing some of the local vineyards tours. Visiting a cellar has never been so appealing. If you're looking for a great tour, check out the link below.
The Loire Valley is a very popular region for not just wine lovers but also cyclists. It has one of the most incredible routes called the La Loire à vélo. This 900km route runs alongside the Loire Valley River, passes through medieval towns and villages, and boosts some of the most incredible Chateaus in the world, such as Château de Chambord, which was used in the Beauty and the Beast film. The cycle route is quiet, beautiful, and perfect for all abilities to use.
Then we come to the wine and food. All you will find in the Loire Valley is amazing local produce and excellent wines. The Loire Valley is known for its incredible Sauvignon Blanc, which is one of the most popular white wines in the world. The region is also known for incredible food, such as the Beurre Blanc paired with fresh fish. The best way to enjoy this region is to hop from town to town, enjoying visiting chateaus and wineries.
In the hills of Tuscany, you will find Chianti. Not far from Florence this region is a perfect way to get miles in and enjoy some great food and wine. As far as wine regions go, this is one of Italy's best. Cycling is great here, and although a fairly hilly place, the incredible views, quiet roads, and fast downhills make up for the hard work. There's a huge amount of roads to choose from, and the locals appreciate cyclists. Many riders flock here for the famous Giro de Italia stage, which is very popular for road cyclists.
When you have cycling to do, you require extra calories, and what better way to get them in than Italian food? The region has incredible pizza, pasta, and salads which will excite your taste buds, alongside some amazing wines such as the 2017 Chianti Classico Annata, a medium bodied wine with incredible aromas of cherry and currant. Although many people think of Rome when they consider Italy, the Tuscany region has much more to offer, with over 300 estates where wine is produced and a huge amount of variety of local food on offer.
When cycling in a wine region, it's easy to get it wrong and not make the most out of your holidays to make the most out of it, here are our top tips.
It's easy to miss out on great places when exploring a region without knowing what to look for. Investing in a guide or even getting some information goes a long way to ensure you see everything that makes a place special.
We recommend drinking in moderation. Having too much Pinot Noir feels like a good idea at the time, but it's easy to regret it the next day when not feeling too well. Wine always tastes best in small doses.
Before a wine region cycling tour, many people tend to worry about their fitness and if they will be able to handle the routes. You shouldn't. We highly recommend if you are unsure to hire an electric bike. You don't have to use the assistance, but it's there in case you need it.
Pairing a wine tasting holiday with a cycling tour is an excellent way not just to enjoy a beautiful region but also to appreciate the smell and taste of a region. What makes it even better is getting some exercise and earning your treats. The combination is becoming very popular recently, and we highly recommend it to anyone.
Want to join one of our bike tours? Contact us on of the form below:
One of the best ways to explore a holiday destination is by bicycle. You get to enjoy it at your own pace, get all those hidden gems you might miss on the typical tourist circuit, and you get to experience all the culture firsthand.
When it comes to picking the right bike tour for you, it can be challenging as there's a lot to think about. In this article, we hope to list all the choices you should consider when picking a bike tour - so you can get the best experience possible.
Bike tour in Mallorca - a favourite among cycling enthusiasts
The first thing you need to think about is the destination. Not all bike touring holidays are the same. What is it you want out of your holiday? Getting the destination right will go a long way to keeping you entertained on and off the bike. Here are some ideas of what people typically look for in a bike touring destination:
Road cycling in Portugal - Serra da Estrela Natural park
A great way to embrace a culture and enjoy a country is to go and visit local cultural and heritage sites. It's great because cycling to them typically avoids traffic and also makes it exciting going from site to site, unsure of what to expect in between. A great example is our Portuguese Historical Villages and Estrela National Park Tour.
Cycling in wine country is a great way to go if you're looking for a guilt-free holiday and want to taste a region. Typically, these destinations are very low traffic, the locals love guests, the food is incredible, and after you are done cycling, you get to taste local wines which feel earnt after a day out on the bike. An example is our bike tour of Andalucia Villages and Jerez Wine Country in Spain.
What better way to get to a beach than by bike? In many countries such as Spain and Portugal, some places are very difficult to get to by walking or by car. Using a bike and picking the right beach bike tour is an amazing way to access secluded beaches that most people can't get to. Our tour of Portugal's Silver Coast is a great way to find some hidden tanning spots.
For some of us, nothing beats a good climb. Heading to the mountains for a bike tour gives you the work of the incline, incredible views at the top, and a very exciting descent. What's not to like? An amazing destination for a climbing bike tour is Mallorca which has incredible climbs such as the Sa Calobra. Check out our Mallorca Bike Tour.
When looking for the right bike tour, it's also important to consider if you want to be on or off-road. They are very different and will give a totally different experience from one another.
Road biking is very popular, and many people go away to experience the smooth glass roads of places like Spain or Portugal. The work is much easier, and you will be chewing through the miles much quicker. You will typically share the road with cars and other vehicles, but much less skill is involved than mountain biking. The Portugal North to South tour is one of the best tours we offer, which is all on the road. It's great if you love road biking, and you get to see how Portugal varies across many of its different regions.
If you like riding off-road and are fond of a gravel bikes or a mountain bike, then an off-road tour could be perfect for you. The miles do come harder, and the work is more technical compared to road biking, but you can enjoy traffic-free riding and really get into nature. The Camino de Santiago French Tour is an excellent off-road tour we offer. It offers a lot of mixed terrains, and no mile is like one another.
When picking a bike tour, it's also important to make sure that you pick a tour that suits your ability. If you pick a bike tour that isn't right for you, then you will find yourself having a really tough time, and that's not what you want out of a holiday. When looking at a bike tour, the first thing you will want to look at is the profile of the tour. You are going to want to think about distance, elevation, and terrain.
When looking at distance, it's important to look at the number of miles you need to cover on each of the days. We recommend that if you haven't ridden the distances required before, train ready for the tour or pick something shorter. We offer lots of different rides and even some long-distance bike tour options.
Elevation or climbing is how hilly the ride is going to be. You might have a bike tour where you have a lot of rolling hills, or maybe you might have a tour with one or two big climbs. You are going to want to take a note of this figure as some rides can be short but very hilly, actually making them much harder work.
While looking at distance and elevation, it's important also to consider terrain. Road miles are much easier than off-road miles, and this can add to the level of ability that you might need for certain bike tours. We also recommend getting a little bit of experience riding off-road before going on an off-road tour.
It is worth noting that many people will go for tours that are out of their fitness level but use an electric touring bike instead. This makes the work much easier, and it means you can ride with stronger groups without the worry of holding anyone up. All of Live Love Ride's bike tours are e-bike ready.
Touring bikes come in all shapes and sizes. You get road bikes, hybrid bikes, and even mountain bikes. Depending on which tour you choose, you will get equipped with the right bike for the job. Road Bikes for the road, hybrids for mixed terrain or city riding, and mountain bikes for off-road. They will be equipped for the route intended.
It's worth considering what kind of bike you like riding before picking a tour. If you are not a fan of a racing bike with skinny tires, you might want to go for a tour where you can ride mountain or hybrid bikes instead, as they have a more upright riding position. You also have the option of upgrading to an electric bike if you want to as well. Most touring bikes are not electric so having the option with us is excellent.
Many touring bikes are just general do it all bikes, but ours are tailored to the routes. We believe it's not just about any bike, and bicycle touring should be done on the bike you need for the ride you're undertaking. Our bikes feature high-end components and parts such as hydraulic disc brakes for mountain bikes not your typical mechanical disc brakes or rim brakes and modern high-level Shimano group sets on road bikes. We use bikes which a typically bike shop would sell.
It's important to think about the level of the tour you want and if you would like a guide with you. Having a guide means they will be with you every step of the way from helping guide you on the correct route, telling you about the region you're in, and taking you to the best places for food and water. You also get a support vehicle and all the necessary water and snacks to keep you well fuelled - with the van, the guide can also shorten or increase the daily mileage, adapting it to your preference, and drive you to their favorite spots, restaurants and experiences mid tour. On our "premium guided" tours, you'll have access to an additional guide riding along with the group too, improving the service level throughout.
Opting for a self-guided tour means you will be given a Garmin GPS and access to the Live Love Ride app to navigate by yourself. Also, you'll require some basic mechanical knowledge, so you can change flat tires, for instance. However, even in our self-guided tours, all passenger transfers and daily luggage transfer from hotel to hotel are included, so you won't have to carry your luggage throughout the tour.
It comes down to what kind of traveler you are and what you want from your bike tour. We do recommend a guide although it costs a little more - it makes the experience very special. However, you can choose to join all our multi-day tours as either self-guided or guided tours - your tour, your choice.
When considering a bike tour, it's vital to pick the correct one for you so you can get the best experience possible. We highly recommend going for a tour that suits you in destination, the riding you want to do, and also your ability. We also highly recommend using a guide as it will make the experience unforgettable and the local knowledge you learn is incredible.
Want to join one of our bike tours? Contact us on of the form below:
On our Bike Tours Spain website, you'll get to know our offer regarding our experiences by the Spanish backroads and trails. As with our cycling holidays in Portugal, you'll get to discover Spain on a bike while accompanied by experienced local riders, get to know the country's rich culture and historic background, taste the local gastronomy and wines and relax at charming hotels and SPA's.
Discover the passion of cycling in Spain on the holiday of your life!
It's time to start day dreaming of all the great destinations you can ride in next year. Our 2023 group dates are live and ready to book - secure your spot until the 30/11/2022, and benefit from a limited, 5% discount on all our group tours!* Click to check our group tour calendar.
There are plenty of adventures to choose from, from new destinations to our classic tours.
If you are looking for new tours, check our our recently designed bike tours in Catalonia, which will take you from the Baix Empordà wine country to the Mediterranean Sea or in Mallorca and explore this cycling paradise from South to North.
Or you can always join our classic tours, in the Portuguese Camino de Santiago - an epic pilgrimage across the Portuguese and Galician coast - or exploring the Alentejo and Douro wine countries, to better experience Portuguese culture and gastronomy.
Check our group tour calendar below!
*Terms and conditions of “Book a 2023 group tour and enjoy a 5% discount”
Integrated in our initiative "1 ride = 1 tree", Live Love Ride has again helped plant 200 trees alongside Portuguese ONG "Plantar 1 Árvore".
The plantation site was located in "Mata Nacional do Bussaco", an ancient, walled arboretum in the Centro region of Portugal and home to one of the finest dendrological collections in Europe, located within the Bussaco mountain range. The forest measures 1450 meters by 950 meters and covers an area of 105 hectares, it is home to more than 250 species of trees and remarkable bushes. It is threatened by invasive species and by storms that knock down hundreds of trees, some of them centuries old, creating spaces that need reforestation in order to combat invasive species, densify the affected area and restore biodiversity.
The team dedicated itself to promoting biodiversity, natural regeneration and ecological succession through the planting of 200 plants:
Medronheiro ( Strawberry tree) - 72
Azevinho (Holly) - 25
Carvalho alvarinho (Alvarinho Oak) - 34
Sobreiro ( Cork Oak) - 33
Pinheiro Manso (Pine Tree) - 13
Abeto (Spruce) - 23
Thank you to all the volunteers that participated! And a big thank you to all the guests that joined our bike tours and helped us give back to nature, for a total of 400 trees planted in 2019 - we'll keep on cherishing our ecosystem as much as we can, so we can continue to appreciate it's beautiful landscapes.
Integrated in our initiative "1 ride = 1 tree", Live Love Ride has again helped plant 200 trees in Sintra Sierra, alongside Portuguese ONG "Plantar 1 Árvore", on the 15th and 18th of December.
Over 38 volunteers associated themselves to this cause and had to fight the elements to complete our planting, as "Elsa" storm hit Portugal hard this week! Nevertheless, we got to plant several endogenous trees in a plot in the Sierra, promoting the richness of that ecosystem. Here's the list of trees planted earlier this week:
50 carvalho-negral;
46 pilriteiro;
30 murta;
4 loureiro;
3 medronheiro;
26 Azevinho;
11 carvalho-alvarinho;
30 castanheiro;
Thank you to all the volunteers that participated! And a big thank you to all the guests that joined our bike tours and helped us give back to nature, for a total of 400 trees planted in 2019 - we'll keep on cherishing our ecosystem as much as we can, so we can continue to appreciate it's beautiful landscapes.
Photos of the event below:
Note: Unfortunately, Darren will not be joining us in this tour, as he is unable to attend at the time. However, the date remains open as a Group tour, that you can join with no minimum of guests required.
Join Darren Alf, the Bicycle Touring Pro, for a group bike tour set in Alentejo, Portugal, in May of 2020! Share the experience of riding our "Bike tour in Alentejo - Heritage and Wine Country" alongside the world's leading bike touring blogger and a group of likeminded cycling enthusiasts from the 24th to the 30th of May 2020.
This is the second time Darren will be riding with us in Portugal, after having joined a group bike tour in the Douro river in 2016! After having first explored the terraced vineyards of the Douro valley in his first trip to Northern Portugal, this time we are heading to Alentejo. We'll be exploring the millennial history, culture and traditions of one of the world’s best wine countries, from north to south of this special region. Riding by the castles and monasteries of Marvão, Crato, Estremoz, discovering the medieval heritage of Portugal, explore the marble region of the Alentejo and its renaissance palaces, the fortified villages atop of the Alqueva and enjoying a week long ride in these peaceful rolling hills while exploring local wine cellars, sleeping in convents and discovering the UNESCO world heritage sites of cities like Évora, Vila Viçosa and Monsaraz. Click here for more information about this special tour.
BOOK YOUR SPOT IN THIS GROUP TOUR from 24th to 30th of May - Book until 31/12/2019, and benefit from a 5% discount on the price per guest by applying the code "earlyrider2020" ( does not accumulate with other discounts of promotions).
Relive Darren's adventure in the Douro Valley on the video below:
After winning "Europe’s Leading Destination" award earlier this June, Portugal has won, for the third year in a row, the award for "World's Leading Destination 2019" at the World Travel Awards! In total, Portugal won 12 awards in the grand final of this ceremony.
As a Portuguese company who proudly to receive guests from all over the world to explore our country, we are honored to be distinguished in such way. We hope you can join us in exploring the best of Portugal on a bike!
Browse from all the experiences we have available in our website completely dedicated to Bike tours in Portugal, where you'll find experiences for road cyclists, mountain bikers and touring enthusiasts of different skills and experience, in diverse and beautiful regions of our country.
Book your spot on a 2020 group bike tour in Portugal until 31/12/2019, to benefit from a 5% discount on the price per guest ( does not accumulate with other discounts of promotions). Click on the link to view all our upcoming guided tours
