Destinations for an off-season cycling holiday are more limited than the glowing myriad of mid-summer escapes - but with highs of 24°C in November, and highs of 21°C in January and February, the 'Eternal Spring' of the Canary Islands represent an obvious choice.

Tenerife is a popular late season get-away, but images of climbing the same volcano six ways might not appeal to everyone - and daydreams of black sand shores could be an understandable deterrent of Lanzarote.

Gran Canaria, comparatively, lures riders with the promise of yellow beaches and varied terrain.

Why go cycling in Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria is geographically pretty intense. For a country with a circumference of 235km there's a lot going on and boredom is unlikely to creep in - this is why it is one of the best cycling holiday destinations in Europe. 

Around 50 per cent of the island has been a part of UNESCO’s list of World Biosphere Reserves since 2005, thanks to the mixture of flora and fauna taking its home there. Expect to see birds of prey circling the mountain tops and look out for more than the common lizard.

Desert landscapes (accompanied by camel rides) sit beside gigantic forests of pine and there's enough moisture to support a Botanical garden, admittedly with a little help from the garden fairies.

It's a popular destination for cycling brands to use for photoshoots, too. The weather is (nearly) always fine - so models don't need to pair summer kit with a fake grin plastered on their numb lips, and the cliff-corridors make for excellent images as riders thread through towering rocks on either side, too.

Five things you can expect to find when cycling in Gran Canaria

Cycling Weekly took a week long trip to the island - just to bring you back a report (and because we wanted a holiday). Here's what we found...

1. Steep ramps and nameless climbs

Elsewhere - Mallorca is a good example - most climbs have a name, kilometre markers and a 'victory' sign at the top for cyclists (bloated with pride and energy gels) to pose next to.

The volcanic landscape of Gran Canaria means that the roads naturally wind towards the peaks, and there's a lot of pretty brutal climbs with no discernible or 'official' name.

The warning sign was that the road from our holiday home had its own Strava segment, and yielded at least one wheel spin daily.

The three-minute and 30-second ordeal (that would soon become very familiar) dispatched, on our first ride we headed up the "Cl-12-6 Climb" to La Culata, leaving from Trejo.

The road peaked up to 20 per cent in the first kilometre of eight, and the stinging ramps were made a lot harder by the rutted road surface which continued most of the way to the top.

We passed only one other human along the way - clearly this wasn't a well-visited road. Of course, the view at the top was well worth the toil - but it was an early sign that we were to expect some testing terrain during our stay.

2. Some of the roads are stunningly smooth (and some of them are not)

Our second ride of the week represented a major shift - from rutted roads to smooth tarmac. The route saw us climbing steadily from Santa Lucia to Temisas, dropping down to Agümes and then working our way back via the GC-65/GC-60 duo.

The roads on this 45 km excursion (with a claimed 2,050 metres of elevation) seemed to feature not a single road defect: not a pebble out of line, atop of glass like tarmac. The climb was relatively smooth and steady, too - easy ~five per cent sections followed by swooping descending bends and power ramps that made for a crit racer's paradise playground.

The steep ramps of our first day appeared to be wholly unrepresentative, at this point.

The conclusion we eventually arose at was that the roads that are frequented by cars are smooth, well maintained, with gentle inclines.

Elsewhere - such as the ascent of day one (and the Valley of the Tears, below) - expect double figure percentages, and craters in the tarmac ready to snatch at your wheels.

3. The diversity is exhilarating

The best example of the island's incredible variety of geography would be our 'Roque Nublo' loop.

This began with the 25km climb to the highly visited monument - which harks back to the second eruption which formed the island - and back down the other side.

Soon after leaving our home for the week in Trejo, we passed through the cobbled streets of St Bartolome de Tirajana - a great place to stop if you're climbing from sea level.

Here the terrain was still characterised by rock formations and desert-esque heat. The GC-60 road that took us most of the way was well paved, and relatively steady for around 16km, followed by a steeper, switchback laden section after a right turn to the GC-600.

Passing the rock itself (which was largely flanked by coaches, unfortunately), we found ourselves weaving through fragrant pine forests. The life around us had suddenly and completely transformed from a dusty paradise to an equally evocative but totally different landscape, bristling with vibrancy.

Later in the week we'd discover this haven of green up high is largely made possible by significantly more rain than would be encountered further down the mountain.

There was a brief respite in the shape of some flat roads at the top, too, from which you could just make out Tenerife and Mount Teide.

4. You need to ride the Valley of the Tears

'The Valley of the Tears' (VOTT) is meant to be the must-do ride in Gran Canaria, so obviously we had to do it. Unfortunately, the weather played quite a role in our day.

I'd read fear inspiring blog posts describing 25 per cent ramps in the early stages of the 12km/7mile climb, and frankly I didn't believe them. That's until my legs were shaking and the uneven surface made holding the bike upright a struggle.

Around 25km in, the air around us became wet. First, just a gentle mist, then spitting. Somewhere around the 30km mark we had to admit this had become face slapping horizontal blizzard rain.

Stopping in Artenara we tried to camp out in a bar, whilst tourists in duffle coats carrying umbrellas got off their temperature regulated coaches and ambled bleakly around.

After several turns under the hand dryer, we admitted the rain wasn't going to stop any time soon, and that home was equally far in either direction. So we stuffed our jerseys with newspaper and re-mounted en route to this god-forsaken crying valley.

Despite the rain, our numb hands and the kamikaze dog which tried to take us out, the huge pillars of rock either side and the scenes down to the valley were formidable and magnificent in equal measure.

With the start of the climb about a mile away, the sun came out. Ish.

The climb gains 1007 metres/3303ft over the course of 12km/7miles long. At the bottom, we could only look up and swear a little at the sight of turn upon turn of what looked like semi-vertical road.

The first 3km were a real test of brute force. Cadence was out the window - just getting up the switchbacks was a task on its own, let alone doing anything quickly. I'll admit I felt some concern that my slow speed coupled with the holes in the surface might see me simply topple over.

However, the gradient did level out, and there was more descending along the way than I expected. Granted, each was followed by a kick in the quads as retribution for enjoying a secret freewheel, but at least there was variety.

I can safely say this was the most leg-shakingly brutal climb I've ever done.

The preceding rain somehow helped to make it less painful, though, I was almost glad for the trial since I could celebrate the feeling coming back to my hands as much as curse the road.

Strava's 'corrected elevation' (basemap) claims that this 51-mile ride accumulated 16,525 ft of climbing.

5. You should probably ride the Pico de las Nieves

Variable weather during our final three days meant we never got round to this one. No one wants to find themselves half way up a brute of a mountain, unable to gain traction on the surface.

However, at 44km and a claimed 2278 metres, it's a known monster. The surface is said to be much like that of the Valley of the Tears. It's on our to-do list for future...

Points to be aware of...

• We found the roads seemed to go up and down, which works fine for small groups and means route planning is pretty easy, but could present a problem for club runs made up of diverse abilities. There might be a few more flat roads if you stay at the coast, though. Maybe.
• It's worth noting that wall-to-wall sun at sea level does not always translate to the same up high: as evidenced by our VOTT day, the weather in the mountains was diverse during our stay. Of seven we had three wet days - so a packable and arm warmers are well advised.
• The Gran Canarians like their guard dogs - the scariest of which was a black bulldog, staccato barking whilst carrying a rusty chain around its neck (which was reassuringly attached to nothing).

Where to stay in Gran Canaria

Most of Gran Canaria's tourists seem to go south, congregating around Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles for sun, beaches and beer or Puerto de Mogán for the first two but with more coffee and cake.

We weren't seeking mega miles, so we opted to stay further north, to avoid climbing from sea level daily - selecting Trejo (specifically 'Kasalvaro' via Airbnb).

Accommodation - like a lot of things - was cheap in October; of course that's subjective but it was less than the flight cost.

Flying to Gran Canaria from the UK

Flight time from Gatwick to Gran Canaria airport in Las Palmas was four hours, via the orange flying carpet of EasyJet. We took our own bikes (£45 each, each way). British Airways always flys the route now, allowing riders to take a bike as hold luggage for free.

If you choose to rent, Free Motion seem to have the monopoly.

The airport is in the North, but it took us just 45 minutes to drive to Trejo; Maspalomas is 32km away though allow time to navigate the twisty mountain roads.

Other stuff to do in Gran Canaria

Visit Maspalomas

Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles are as south as it gets and there you'll find everything from sand dune strewn beaches to fashion shopping, camel rides, snorkelling, jeep tours and nightclubs.

We visited for an afternoon and evening, parked up and headed to the sea to play front-of-house wack-a-mole with the 100 eager to please waiters pouncing from restaurants along the sea front, eventually opting for Aquario who tempted us in with fresh fish that turned out to be pretty good.

Point of note: we returned to a parking ticket - but the fine for not paying the €3 charge was only €1.80. It turns out you need to look harder for the pay machines.

Visit Puerto de Mogán

Puerto de Mogán is a sea-side town with expanses of blue and yellow sand and a backdrop of imposing rock.

All of the literature says this is the place to come for a romantic couples break, and it's true. It's the scones and china cups to Maspalonas' chips; it's Bourbon over beer and Bacardi.

The houses beside the port seem to be attached by bridges dripping with cascaded of flowers - none of which I could capture because the sun was always shining too brightly down the corridors of homes.

It was the perfect place for a game of afternoon coffee shop pub golf.

The Home Bakery won hands down, with walls adorned with the familiar 'dance like nobody is watching' trio of expressions (plus more) and cream topped espresso.

If you're looking for a more active visit than we were, there's a plethora of water sports going on here, with everything from jet skis to pedalo hire..

Go walking

About half of the island is part of UNESCO’s list of World Biosphere Reserves - and there's a lot of it that can be explored on foot.

A quick jaunt from our place took us ambling through red-rock lined trails, and travelling up to Roque Nublo we found trails stacked up like the layers of a cake; fireroads snake around the mountain and you could easily spend days exploring just this small portion.

Visit Morzine in the peak summer holiday season, and you'd be forgiven for believing it was a mecca reserved for an entirely different breed of rider: one wearing baggy shorts and more likely to see their heart rate hit the upper echelons going downhill rather than climbing a mountain.

>>> Best cycling holidays

>>> Cycling holidays in France 

Despite the huge array of cultivated trails, and conveniently placed uplifts which serve skiers in the snowy season, it's not only full-face helmet wearing downhill mountain bikers who can enjoy Morzine - though if you do like to enjoy a mixture of riding then you'll most certainly be spoilt for choice.

Nestled amongst climbs which enjoy decades of Tour de France history, the French ski resort offers up a wealth of opportunity for road riders seeking miles of tarmac and metres of ascent.

Why go cycling in Morzine?

Nudging the border to Switzerland, Morzine is set in the French Alps and the mountains provide a backdrop which will have you recalibrating your expectations of high definition television.

The natural beauty wordlessly makes its own case - but of course it's not the only place you can hunt out a stunning vista.

Being a ski resort, Morzine (or, Morzine-Avoriaz, since pairing up with the newer resort 14km up the mountain) is also set up for tourists - in this case, very active ones.

Whether balancing on the tightrope spanning the 300m wide Lac de Montriond or completing a midweek triathlon, Morzine's residents (many of them expats) and holidayers have a low tolerance for boredom and seemingly Duracell bunny levels of energy.

With ski lifts, a complex of swimming pools including a 50 metre outdoor playground, tennis courts, skate park, a slide which will give you a glimpse at what the mountain bikers are enjoying without risk to your collarbone - and more - Morzine can provide all you need to keep an entire family entertained.

Or, indeed, a group of friends who want to eat and drink their way through the evenings via the endless array of bars and restaurants.

When it comes to cycling, the climbs are suitably long and hard enough to entertain a roadie for at least a week. There are some shorter and shallower humps too, and if flat is your thing, there's the option of riding the stunning but elevation starved 170km around lake Geneva.

When to go, and how to get there?

Being a mountain location, you've got to accept that the weather forecast is unlikely to throw up wall-to-wall sunshine from May to October - probability suggests you'll get the odd rainy day over a week long stay.

However, average temperatures sit at around 20ºc through June, July and August - and mid afternoon you can expect them to reach the high 20s.

If you want the buzz of busy streets and plenty of people watching opportunities, August is your best bet - being peak school holiday season. If you'd rather things were quieter, look to visit earlier, or in late September.

If you're flying, the easiest option is to land at Geneva airport - a 70 km drive from the French hub. Alternatively, you can board the Eurotunnel or Ferry it over to Calais and commence the 881km road trip. The payáge fees will begin to add up, but there's plenty of nice spots en route if you want to make a mini-break of the journey itself.

Where to ride

Tourist Centres are usually a landmark to avoid like the plague, but if you're riding in Morzine, it's worth a visit - if only to pick up a copy of the 'Guide Velo', or 'Road Bike Guide'. In a world awash with glitchy GPX files, this little booklet has long been a refreshing example of route guidance done right (at time of writing).

There's useful routes that will take you out to the key climbs - of which we've handpicked just a few of the tougher ascents below.

Others not to be missed are the stunning Col de l'Encreaz, and the Col du Corbier (6km, 8.6 per cent) is a perfect opportunity for a short sharp benchmarking effort.

The shorter, shallower ascents of the Col du Perret (963m) and Col de Terramont (1096m) can be tagged together nicely for a less challenging, rolling day out, too.

Col de Joux Plane

Building up to 1691m in elevation - and providing a perfect platform from which to view the snowy peaks of Mont Blanc - the Joux Plane is arguably the hardest climb of the lot.

Ride straight up from Morzine and it's 11km at 6.5 per cent, or depart from Samoëns for 11.1km at 8.91 per cent, with  a max of 11.2 per cent.

Riding from Samoëns, the gradient is pretty relentless in its consistency - aside from a tough ramp at 1km and another at 6km, plus a little breather at 4.5km.

Col d'Avoriaz

Used as a "time trial" route, this 14 kilometre climb is perhaps the ultimate end of season hill climb destination.

The Col d'Avoriaz joins Morzine to Avoriaz. It averages at six per cent, with some testing 10 per cent sections, and contains 20 hairpins. The fastest recorded ascent was made by none other than Bernald Hinault - in 33 minutes, and the Tour de France is no stranger to this mountain.

Erupting straight out of Morzine, this is a handy climb to warm the legs up on arrival, test yourself before departure, or - if you're a glutton for punishment - tag onto the end of a longer ride. From the top, you can descend down the Col de Joux Verte...

Col de Joux Verte

Running parallel with the Col d'Avoriaz is the Col de Joux Verte. It's a far prettier climb, which is also nicely shaded for much of the ascent.

The climb is 15 kilometres long, and averages 5.7 per cent. En route, you'll pass the stunning Lac de Montriond, and soon after a section of leg sapping 9 per cent switchbacks, you'll emerge in Les Lindarets - affectionally called the "goat village."

Kilometres 11 to 13 are pleasantly shallow, at about 5 per cent, giving you a great opportunity to enjoy a little respite and soak in the views before the last two km at around 7 per cent.

Col de le Ramaz

Another Tour de France legend, the Ramaz featured in 1981, 2003, 2010 and most recently in 2016 - when Thomas De Gendt won the stage which concluded in Morzine itself.

Climb from Mieussy and you'll enjoy 13.8km at 7.1 per cent, or ride from Taninges for a 16km climb at 6.1 per cent.

The Mieussy side offers up two consecutive 9 per cent kilometre markers at 9 and 10km - right below a series of long tunnels which can feel like a remarkably tempting excuse to soft pedal out of the sun. It's worth taking a rear light, since the first tunnel is both long and closed.

Check out....

There's endless activities to be enjoyed off the bike, and a myriad of food and drink outlets to peruse at your leisure. But here are out top picks for accommodation and entertainment...

44 South

The product of two UK cyclists who loved Morzine so much, they had to buy a place there, 44South provide cycling holidays for roadies and triathletes looking to get the most from their stay.

Their chalet can sleep up to 18 people, and there's a range of boarding options depending on the level of catering you're looking for.

Le Lac de Montriond

Don't miss out on a day at the lake.

At 1.3km long and 300m wide, it's expansive enough to be enjoyed by swimmers, canoeists and the newer breed of SUP boarders. There's a cafe at each end, plus paths for running, walking, and pony rides...

Satellite Coffee

If you're a roadie who partakes in the coffee culture of cycling, you may find some of the coffee on offer elsewhere a little lacklustre. Antidote: Satellite Coffee.

Here, you'll find the lovingly barista made flat white you've probably been craving since arrival on French soil, as well as Instagram ready pancake stacks, plus vegan and gluten free cakes. The perfect place to kill a rainy afternoon.

Skoda Ice Rink

Morzine-Avoriaz has its own ice hockey team, and fixtures are fairly regular.

An evening spent spectating, armed with a pint and chips, is a pretty good way to recover from a long ride in the mountains.

Alicante's Mediterranean coastline, The Costa Blanca, is home to two juggernaut cycling holiday and training camp destinations: Calpe and Denia.

Calpe has been used as a training base for a huge percentage of the pro peloton, with Team Dimension Data, Trek-Segafredo, Team Sky and Sunweb to name a few setting up camp there.

Travel just a little way along the coast and you'll find Denia - a slightly quieter town that sits in the shadow of its 11th century castle.

>>> Best cycling holidays

>>>Best cycling holidays in Spain

There's plenty more places stay in between, as well, and travel is as simple as a flight in to Alicante for most.

Why visit Denia or Calpe?

Travelling cyclists are typically looking for the superlative in two key criteria: climate, and terrain. Local delicacies, cost of living (and eating), and entertainment are all usually secondary.

So, it's helpful for the Costa Blanca that in 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the area as "one of the most equitable in the world," applauding it for being neither too hot nor too cold.

The area boasts an incredible 325 sunny days a year. Cyclists tend to visit in the months between October and May, when max temperatures are around 16°C to 25°C. The months from June to September can reach 30° quite easily and can get a bit hot for bike riding.

Average rainy days vary from one a month mid summer to six in December, with the spring months hovering at around four.

On to the terrain, which boasts the beauty of variability.

There are plenty of long, flat lanes - often accompanied by the zesty scent of orange groves.

These provide an ideal playground for team time trial training - something CCC Team (previously BMC) had been doing a couple of weeks before Cycling Weekly arrived for a week of riding in Spring, leaving behind them evidence in the form of chalk lines drawn on the roads.

Then, of course, there are the climbs. Many of these are fairly steady, from five to six per cent in average gradient and anything from six to 15 kilometres long. These lend themselves perfectly to training efforts at and around functional threshold power.

These also allow for a little energy left in the legs for sprint efforts over the brow, which is perfect even for amateur teams practicing lead outs ahead of the season proper.

There's also some steep climbs which can be used as launch pads for some high torque efforts, if you've got the legs. Examples include the 4km Cumbre del Sol which - depending which way you climb it - averages around 10 per cent and includes ramps over 20 per cent.

In 2015 the climb enlivened the Vuelta a España as Tom Dumoulin went on to take the win whilst riders behind cracked on the slopes, then  in 2017 it was Chris Froome who was best over the ramps.

When should you plan your trip?

Temperatures are warm all year, though the most popular time to visit is between January and mid-April.

John Fegan, owner of 'Train in Spain' which organises and guides group training camps and holidays in Denia, told us: "The men's and women's pro teams and continental teams are concentrated here in December and January. From February to April, it is peak time for amateur teams, clubs and groups to visit.

"The only time to really avoid is July to mid-September when the coastal roads get very busy and it is too hot for most people to want to exercise much.

"From October to December temperatures are mostly warm to mild as they are from March to May. January and February can also be mild to warm but occasionally there is a cold snap, or a wet few days."

Where to stay

Denia

Denia, located 90km from Alicante airport, is a coastal town with rows of traditional streets housing restaurants and shops as well as a lively modern Marina and long stretches of sandy beaches.

The area can offer plenty of quiet, flat roads that are ideal for time trial and team time trial training as well as recovery days, plus rolling hills and of course climbs.

Fegan set up Train in Spain, and its popular cake and bike hire provider Cafe Ciclista, to host groups of amateurs as well as pros. Of course he's advocate of the area, over its popular neighbour Calpe.

"Most longer rides [from Denia] begin with 20kms or so of easy, flat riding which allows riders to warm up before going into the climbs," he says.

"There is a wider variety of climbs close by and they can be mixed up or combined more than you can do from the Calpe area. Directly inland, as well as to the north west of Denia, it is easy to reach and enjoy the likes of the Vall de Gallinera - and over to Beniares reservoir and Lorcha - Tollos, Vall de Ebo, Mirador de Xap, La Vall de Laguar, Petracos, Coll de Garga.

"More or less straight inland you have, of course, the Coll de Rates and the Sierra de Bernia, which are both approximately 25km from Denia."

Calpe

Just 20km from the party town of Benidorm and 64km from Alicante airport, Calpe promises sandy beaches and plenty of seaside bars for post ride 'recovery drinks' of a hoppy nature.

Mid summer, it's a popular family holiday location so there's plenty of places to eat and drink.

Fegan says: "Calpe is a bit closer to Alicante airport. It enjoys the same weather as Denia and it has closer access to the longer climbs of Tudons and Confrides - if people want to do the longer climbs further south then it is a good place to be.  The main disadvantage is that to get out of Calpe and into the hills, you have to cycle on busy roads."

Calpe has traditionally been favoured by pro teams, and Fegan explains: "A key reason the pro teams chose Calpe as their base was due to the fact that next to the lovely and very large 4-star Diamante Hotel, there is a really big car park where they can park their buses and trucks right besides the hotel entrance.

"This is a must-have for them and very few hotels in the other close-by towns can provide it."

Ontinyent

Fancy staying away from the coast?

Ontinyent is nestled within the Vall d'Albaida region, which also contains the Serra Mariola National Park, and the area is home to newly launched cycling holiday company Escapar.cc.

The town is just over an hour from Alicante airport (91 kilometres) and being more inland is greener and more luscious. Temperatures can be a little lower mid summer, with less humidity and you can expect even fewer rainy days too.

Founder David Emery described the inland area as a "goldilocks location," surrounded by a surplus of vineyards as well as having a close proximity to some of the area's tallest mountains and lower levels of traffic and tourism.

"Looking at the regional map of all the named climbs confirms that Alcoy and Ontinyent are blessed with a sheer abundance of climbs, 1000m mountains and an unparallled variety of riding, that includes perhaps the most famous climbs such as the Carresqueta, Port de Tudons and Xorret del Cati," Emery said.

"There are multiple mountain passes straight from the centre town and the riding is brilliant from kilometer zero. On the coast you have have to ride 20 to 30km at the start and end or rides just to get the classic climbs.

"There's also an array of lesser known climbing gems, with alpine like gradients of six to nine per cent, that just don't exist near the coast, where it's often short and very steep or long and steady," he added.

Popular climbs

Coll de Rates

Coll de Rates is the blue ribboned climb of the area. At 6km, with an average gradient of 5 per cent, it's short and shallow enough that it's perfect for FTP type efforts.

Whilst most people will use Strava to time their effort now, there's an old style ticketing system, with a machine at the top and bottom.

The smooth gradient, excellent views and stunning surface makes for a great descent, too - just look out for those riding in the other direction and so 'on the limit' that the white line is all a bit of a blur.

See the climb on Strava here

Vall d'Ebo

Very much a 'testers climb', the 8km stretch from Pego winds its way to the summit at an average gradient of 6 per cent with no specific ramps to disrupt your flow.

The constant switchbacks provide plenty of opportunity to take in the valley views - or check out the progress of your ride buddies.

Beware - if you climb from Pego and continue on to Tollos after the summit, you'll be greeted with a further 15km of rolling terrain that offers some seriously stinging ramps. It's well worth leaving a little energy in the tank, go too hard on the climb and you might find yourself tempted to get off the bike and call a taxi home.

See the climb on Strava

Cumbre Del Sol

Known for its unrelentingly steep gradient, the Cumbre Del Sol featured in the Vuelta a España in both 2015 and 2017 - with Tom Dumoulin and Chris Froome taking the victory respectively.

There's five routes up, but the option selected by the Spanish race's route planners is 4.1km long, averaging out at 9.1 per cent - with hairpins over 20 per cent.

Overlooking the coast, the views from the top are exquisite - and if you're not tearing yourself apart to reach the summit in the best time possible, the location makes for attractive viewing all the way up.

See the climb on Strava here

Vall de Laguar

See the climb on Strava here (from Sagra)

See the climb on Strava here (from Castell de Castells)

At 10.8km long with a 6 per cent gradient, this ascent offers a vista which more than rewards the efforts put in as you snake your way to the tip of the climb.

You can ride from Sagra for an easier gradient over a longer distance, or start on the road between Benigembla and Castell de Castells for a shorter but steeper version. It's not signposted, but here's the climb.

It's worth leaving some gas in the tank on this one. Even taking the 'easier' side from Sagra, the first 8km average anywhere from 3 to 6 per cent - then the final stretch ramps up dramatically, averaging up to 9.4 per cent for each kilometre with ramps of 17 per cent.

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It might be one you have seen on TV - Pantani gliding up Alpe d’Huez, the Joux Plan defeating Armstrong, or Wiggins soaring to the top of Montee de Semnoz. It might be a climb you have read about, or even heard tall tales about over coffee on club rides. It might even be a climb that has defeated you before, leaving memories that make your hands stick to the bar tape.

These climbs fill our cycling dreams and inspire us to ride out, in what is often less than inspiring British weather. Using our site, you can conquer those demons, and fulfil those dreams.

Our site features over 55 climbs, from the Alps to the Sierra Nevada via the Pyrenees, the Dolomites, and even some lesser known cols in the Cantabrian mountains. We have compiled experts’ views, first-hand accounts and essential information, which will be particularly useful for first-time climbers. From our website, find your dream climb and begin to plan your ideal cycling holiday.

Our bucket list of climbs to conquer:

Stelvio

One of Italy’s greatest geographical landmarks; the famous 48 hairpin bends provide arguably the purest, most exhilarating high mountain playground accessible to European road cyclists. Magnifico!

Stelvio info

Ride the Stelvio from £485pp for 3 nights

Tourmalet

The highest major pass in the Pyrenees and the most used climb in the Tour de France: if the aura and the cycling heritage aren’t enough to lure you, the scenery is unbelievably beautiful and there plenty more cols to bag nearby.

Tourmalet info

Ride the Tourmalet from £290pp for 3 nights

Alpe d'Huez

Probably the most famous climb in cycling. The fabled 21 bends has been a part of the Tour de France culture since the climb first featured in 1952. It’s also in the heart of great road cycling terrain.

Alpe d’Huez info

Ride the Alpe from £345pp for 3 nights

Pico de Velet

Towering above the Sierra Nevada national park, at 3395m above sea level, Pico de Veleta is mainland Europe’s highest road climb: a monster. From the top, you can see another continent; at the bottom, the wonderful city of Granada.

Pico de Veleta info

Ride the Veleta from £185pp for 3 nights

Col du Galibier

The legendary Col du Galibier (2638 m), in the Dauphiné Alps near Grenoble, is renowned for being one of the toughest Alpine climbs. This extraordinary high mountain road has been in use since the middle of the 18^th century, providing the backdrop to everything from salt smuggling to a Spanish invasion. It has broken a few cyclists too.

Col du Galibier info

Ride the Galibier from £345pp for 3 nights

We have compiled a few tips, to help you realise your climbing dreams:

Train hard

To enjoy your trip to the high mountains, apply yourself to training. Make sure you can do an hour to 90 minutes of hard, sustained effort in training, to imitate the climbs. If you haven’t got a serious mountain near home, ride smaller hills repeatedly.

Prepare your bike

Make sure your bike is ready. Get a bike shop to check it over if you are unsure: replace cables and brake pads, and fit the bike with climbing-friendly gearing. We recommend a compact crankset (50/34) and at least a 28t rear cassette. A 32t cassette will make it even easier. You can, of course, rent one of the very good hire bikes we have access to in most destinations.

Check the weather

Inevitably, mountains attract weather. Be aware that it can change suddenly. Get a good weather app on your phone; study the meteorological data to get a sense of what to expect; and when you get there, ask in your hotel about local conditions. If the weather gets really bad, don’t be afraid to change your route to avoid high passes.

Take all your riding gear

Pack most of your cycling wardrobe, so you can adapt it to the weather each day. Be creative: if you are heading out for a long, wet day in the mountains, perhaps pack a black bin liner and some cut-down washing up gloves. If you get really cold and wet, they will keep you warm.

Don't go riding without a jacket

The Bikecation office rule: below 1400m, take a windproof jacket as minimum; over 1400m, carry a waterproof jacket and long finger gloves.

In bad weather, don't stop at the top

If you have to wait for someone, ride down to a place where there is good shelter.

Drink lots

Carry two large water bottles with you; top them up at every opportunity when you are climbing. Be wary of cramp and heatstroke; consider taking electrolytes in your water.

Descend with caution

Descending from an Alpine col is a very different experience to whizzing down a hill in the Chilterns. Easy your way into big descents and remember, it’s not the Tour: the roads are not closed.

Spares and tools

Carry a pump, tubes, spare chain link, basic tools, food, some money (for cafes – we can tell you where the good ones are), some food and a phone (in a waterproof case).

Don't go overboard the night before

We understand you are on holiday and want to have a good time, but alcohol dehydrates the body dramatically.

Take lights

Inexpensive, blinking LED lights will do; cloud on high mountain passes, even in summer, can significantly reduce visibility, while plenty of climbs have tunnels. In some European countries, bike lights are mandatory in tunnels.

Study your routes and climbs

We have a wealth of information on the site about the major climbs and routes up them. Understand what you are attempting; know where the ascents get harder and easier. This knowledge will significantly help you pace your ride.

It all started with a bike ride in Spain.

I was with three other riders, and we weren't using the bike lane - mostly because it was littered with sand and occasional pedestrians. It was a casual easy sunshine spin, until the traffic cops stopped us.

It was suggested that if we didn't have documentation to produce, we'd have our bikes packed up into the van to be taken to the police station, which seemed somewhat dramatic when you consider the combined worth to be around £15k.

They got back into their cars and drove off, after about 30 minutes of interrogation, when it transpired that we didn't have cash on us and we weren't going to reveal the location of our hotel.

My attempts at rational conversation with the traffic police were somewhat scuppered by the fact I didn't know exactly what the law was, in Spain. Hence it seemed like a good idea to take a look at the key laws for cyclists in some of the European counties cyclists are most likely to ride their bicycles in.

Cycling within the European Union

The below is Brexit dependant for UK residents, but here's what applies for now.

The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic set out some guidelines to apply across EU countries, and Article 44 refers to requirements for bicycles.

All bicycles must have:

1. An efficient brake
2. A bell – and no other audible warning device
3. A red rear reflector
4. Red rear lamp
5. White or selective yellow front lamp

Each country also has its own laws and some will be more stringent. However, national charity Cycling UK states that "as a visitor, you have the option of pick and mix between the traffic law of that country and the above requirements for international use of a pedal cycle."

Country specific guidelines

It goes without saying that in all countries, cyclists are required to ride on the same side of the road as cars, they must indicate when turning left or right, and should stop at red lights (unless marked otherwise).

>>> Best cycling holidays

Other laws vary, and below are the official lines.

However, bear in mind that in the UK the Highway Code stipulates that all bicycles have reflectors fitted to the pedals, yet the last time most of us saw a pedal reflector we were under the age of 10. In other words, not all regulations are enforced.

UK

Helmets

Helmets are not compulsory.

Riding two abreast

The Highway Code states that it is legal for cyclists to ride side-by-side, though Rule 66 does add that cyclists should ride in single file “on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.”

>>> Why do cyclists ride side by side? 

Cyclists are advised to ride side-by-side by national governing bodies. Primarily, this is because a group of eight side-by-side riders is easier and safer to overtake than a line of eight cyclists riding single file.

Though the Highway Code says we should be single file on narrow roads, we can take the primary position (riding in the middle of the lane) where it's not safe for drivers to overtake.

Using cycle lanes

The use of cycle lanes is not compulsory. Cyclists can choose the road or cycle lane based on whichever they feel is safer.

Liability

The UK is one of only five European countries (alongside Malta, Cyprus, Romania and Ireland) which has not introduced presumed liability.

Instead, it operates a fault-based system. This means if a cyclist is hit by a vehicle, they have to prove the driver was at fault to receive compensation.

Other considerations

Cyclists do not legally have to have insurance but many are covered by home insurance or registration with a body like British Cycling or Cycling UK.

Legally, you must have two working brakes. A fixed wheel counts as a rear brake, so fixie riders can have a front only.

Rule 60 of the Highway Code suggests that all bikes must be fitted with a white front and red rear light (flashing or steady), plus a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85.

Spain

Helmets

In 2013, proposals were made that would have seen helmets made compulsory. However, these were not passed.

The current law - updated in 2014 - states that those over 16 must wear a helmet when riding outside of urban areas. Exemptions apply when riding uphill, if it's very hot, or if you are a professional cyclist.

Under 16s must wear helmets at all times.

Riding two abreast

It is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast in Spain, excluding when there is low visibility, and when traffic builds up behind - at which point riders must go single file.

Article 36.2 of the Spanish regulations - Código de Tráfico y Seguridad Vial - states:

"2. It is forbidden for the vehicles listed in the previous section [including cyclists] [to] circulate in a parallel position, except for bicycles, which may do so in a two-by-two column, edging as far as possible to the extreme right of the road and placing in a row in sections with no visibility, and when they form traffic jams (aglomeración tráfico)."

Using cycle lanes

Loosely translated, article 36 states that: "Cycles will use the road if there is no part that is specially designed."

That means you must use the bike lane if there is one that is suitable.

However, in an article by a local insurance firm, it is noted that enforcement is variable, because "the different municipalities can regulate the bike lane almost autonomously."

Liability

In Spain, drivers are presumed liable in the case of a collision with a non-driver, including cyclists.

Article 1 of Royal Decree 8/2004 states: "The motor vehicle driver is responsible, for the risk created by driving such vehicles, damage to persons or property caused through his driving.”

The driver is liable unless it is proven that the incident occurred solely due to the conduct or negligence of the other party.

For this reason, it's often recommended that cyclists do not wave drivers through when they deem it safe, instead leaving the driver to make their own judgement.

Other considerations

Cyclists must have lights on between sunset and sunrise - those who don't can be issued with a fine up to €200.

A bell is also compulsory, and you can be fined for having faulty brakes or failing to give way.

You must not cycle on the road if you have a blood alcohol level greater than 0.5 grams per litre.

Article 114 of the Spanish Highway Code says "it is forbidden to open your door without first checking if it is a hazard to others, particularly cyclists". That's nice to know.

Germany

Helmets

Helmets are recommended, but not compulsory.

Riding two abreast

German regulations state: "Pedal cyclists must ride in single file; they may only ride two or more abreast if this does not obstruct traffic."

Using cycle lanes

A cycle path is separated from the road by a kerb and from the pavement by markings, paving or a low kerb.

When the cycle lane is indicated by an unbroken white line and a blue cycle path sign, it is mandatory and cyclists must use it. Cycle lanes have to meet a minimum standard to be compulsory.

A broken white line and picture of a bicycle on the road marks out an 'optional protection lane'. Cyclists do not have to use these.

Liability

Like Spain, Germany exercises presumed liability.

Other considerations

You can be fined for 'drink cycling' in Germany, anything from 0.4 mg/l breathing air is considered over the limit.

On some marked one-way streets, cyclists are allowed to ride contraflow, and there are 'bicycle streets' where you may take the middle of the lane - two abreast - and drivers must stay behind.

Fines can be issued for jumping red lights, looking at your phone or wearing headphones.

You must have a white front light and a red rear light, but flashing LED lights are prohibited. You should have two working brakes and a bell.

Children must cycle on the pavement until they are eight years old and are able to ride on the pavement until they turn 10.

Belgium

Helmets

Helmets are not compulsory.

Riding two abreast

Cycling side by side is allowed provided that other road-going traffic is not inconvenienced.

Using cycle lanes

If a dedicated bike lane is available, you have to use it if you're in a small group.

Where it's a shared use path, the Belgian Highway Code reads: "Users of these paths can not put each other in danger or embarrass themselves. They must be extra careful with children and can not obstruct unnecessary traffic." The speed limit on these paths is 30kph.

However, there are different rules if you're in a large group. If there's 15 or more of you, the code states:  "Cyclists travelling in groups of no less than 15 participants to a maximum of 50 are not required to use the cycle lanes and can ride two at a time on the roadway, provided that they remain grouped together."

This said, you must have at least two 'masters of the route' with you, to ensure smooth running, and be preceded and followed by a motor vehicle by at least 30 metres.

Liability

As per Spain and Germany, presumed liability is exercised.

Other considerations

Drivers must leave a lateral distance of at least one meter between their vehicle and a cyclist.

Some Belgian cities have roads that are one-way for cars and two-way for cyclists. Signs will denote these, so look out for them.

In cycle streets, riders can use the full width of the road if its one way, or ride in the centre of the lane when it's two way.

Fines can be applied for riding with your hands off the handlebars, riding with your feet off the pedals, being towed by another rider or motorist or cycling whilst on your mobile phone.

The lighting laws are similar to elsewhere, and reflectors and pedal reflectors make an appearance again.

Regulations state: "Between dusk and sunrise and in any circumstance where it is no longer possible to see distinctly up to a distance of about 200 meters, cyclists must use a [white or yellow] front and [red] rear steady or flashing light without glare. The red tail light shall be visible at night in a clear atmosphere at a minimum distance of 100 meters.

"Bicycles must be permanently equipped with a white retro reflector at the front and a red retro reflector at the rear... The pedals of bicycles must be permanently equipped with yellow or orange retro-reflectors."

Traffic with "right of way" always has right of way, and the law does not distinguish based on speed - so cyclists have the same right as other vehicles.

France

Helmets

Children under 12 years old must wear a helmet, a guardian can be fined €90 for non-compliance.

Those over 12 do not have to wear a helmet.

Riding two abreast

When riding in a group, you should be two abreast or single file.

At night, if a vehicle wishes to overtake, or when "circumstances make it necessary," riders should move to become single file.

If there's more than 10 of you, you should split into two groups.

Using cycle lanes

In built up areas, you must use cycle lanes where they exist.

Liability

As per countries mentioned above, France exercises presumed liability.

Other considerations

It is illegal to cycle whilst wearing headphones. The alcohol limit applied to drivers also applies to cyclists.

Rules set out by Direction de la sécurité et de la circulation routières (DSCR) state that your bike must have two brakes, front and rear, a yellow or white front light, red rear light, a horn or bell and reflectors. It also states that: "all cyclists (and passengers) on the road at night or in poor visibility, outside of built-up areas must wear a reflective vest."

New laws now allow cyclists, in some cases, to turn right or go straight ahead when the light is red. You can only do this at signposted intersections - more info here. 

Only children of less than eight years old are allowed to cycle their bikes on the pavement.

Italy

Helmets

Helmets are not mandatory.

Riding two abreast

The Codice Stradale (Highway Code) says: "1. Cyclists must ride in single file whenever traffic conditions require them to do so, and never more than two abreast. When riding outside centres of population, they must always ride in single file except when one of the riders is less than 10 years old and is riding on the right of the other."

Using cycle lanes

Yep, you've got to use them when they're available.

The Codice Stradale says: "9. Cyclists must ride on the cycle lanes or cycleways [piste] reserved for them where these exist, except where prohibited from doing so by regulations."

Liability

As per all of the above, except the UK!

Other considerations

Other notable rules include that cyclists must always have their "arms and hands free to control the handlebar with at least one hand, and must be able at all times to see in front and to either side of them and able to undertake the necessary manoeuvres."

As well as lights, reflective items are meant to be worn when riding in non-urban areas between sunset and dawn, though we've not seen this enforced.

Promotional feature with Bikecation

Time, time, time. Time is precious. Time away on the bike is doubly precious. At Bikecation, we understand that. People just don’t get two weeks off to go and ride. That is why we’re massive fans of short break cycling holidays; and why we work so hard to get our clients the maximum saddle time on those precious days, riding switchbacks under blue skies down to the sea.

Making the most of a short break cycling holiday starts with you being able to choose when you go, where you go, how long you go for, who you go with and at what budget: with our new search engine you can make these choices, and book, in the time it takes to drink a coffee with your mates post-ride on Sunday morning. You can book in the knowledge that everything on our site – flights, airport transfers, accommodation – are all bike-friendly.

To give you a little food for thought, we’ve come up with a hot list of destinations with the shortest airport transfer times. They all have a ‘plane seat to saddle time’ of under an hour.

Costa Dorada

Fly to Reus and you’ll be riding the quiet roads of the Costa Dorada out of Cambrils in just 20 minutes. The riding is high calibre. Bahrain Merida and Team UAE head to this little-known part of Spain for their training camps. 3 nights in the Costa Dorada starts from £100pp

Girona

With its own airport, you practically fall off the plane into the beautiful old town of Girona. Leave the UK on the first flight in the morning and you can be climbing the Rocacorba and rubbing shoulders with the local pros for lunch. 3 nights in Girona starts from £120pp

Nice

The plane to Nice virtually lands on the beach, on the edge of the city centre. A quick hop down the Promenade des Anglais in a taxi, and you can be climbing the Col d'Eze straight out of town. 3 nights in Nice start from £295pp

Annecy

Just 45 minutes transfer from Geneva, Annecy is a gateway to the Alps, with great access to some of the fabled cols of the Tour de France, like the mighty Semnoz. 3 nights in Annecy starts from £335pp

Adriatic Coast

Fly to Rimini and 30 minutes later, you’re exploring Marco Pantani country. Home to the Novi Coli, theAdriatic Coast area of Italy is still a hidden gem. The climbs, such as the Monte Pugliano, are short but steep, while the food and wine of the area are first class. 3 nights on the Adriatic Coast starts from £185pp

Mallorca

If you stay near Palma, you can step off the plane and be pedalling in the hills of Mallorca quicker than you can change a puncture. From here, ride the beautiful, including classics like Sa Calobra and Puig Major. 3 nights in Mallorca starts from £175pp

Our cycling guides and experts are happy to discuss and advise on everything to do with your short break cycling holiday - from the ideal destination through all the elements of the trip you would like to include.

Contact us when you’re ready but don’t leave it too long. Time is precious.

Madeira is steep. Even in the capital, Funchal, there’s little flat and roads climb at alarming angles away from the seafront, without any concessions to the cyclist. Get out of town and you’ll be rewarded with sparse traffic and exhilarating views down to the coast.

A volcanic outcrop only 57km by 22km, Madeira’s highest point is over 1800m above sea level. The upper reaches of the island are forested with eucalyptus and the native laurissilva trees. And running through the forests is a network of levadas.

These irrigation channels are cut into the sides of the hills to carry water to cultivated areas. The paths that run alongside them provide a more gentle route to and from the back country than the road network.

>>> Get better at climbing hills: top tips to speed up your ascents

We followed the levadas down from the eastern end of the island towards Funchal on the recent launch of the Kona Libre gravel bike on Madeira. The one we used had quite a wide path next to it and not too much of a drop off the side; some are much more precipitous and require a good head for heights.

One side-effect of Madeira’s geography is that weather in the hills can be very different from that on the coast. Setting off by minibus in warm sunshine to travel to the start of the ride, we were met at our destination by intermittent heavy rain and temperatures around 10C, although this soon cleared up. In the winter, the mountains can get snow; it’s a good idea to travel prepared.

>>> Kona now has an e-cargo bike

In places, trees had fallen across the levada. These were usually propped up by the slope on either side and so we could ride under them easily. With the irrigation channel next to it, the surface of the path was often damp, but not too muddy or slippery. We met a few groups of mountain bikers and walkers and crossed a few back roads, but otherwise had the route to ourselves.

A steeper ride on the west side of the island

At the western end of the island, we took on a steeper descent through the forest, followed by a spectacular tarmac drop from Faja Da Ovelha to the sea at Paul do Mar.

A short climb on an uneven back road brought us to the top of a wide track descending through the forest. Some parts were steeper and wet, while most were wide and gravelly. Here there were ruined buildings and we encountered horned cattle sat in the middle of the track, but no people.

>>> Gravel bike buyer's guide

Finally reaching a village, where corn cobs were drying in the sun, we took some well-maintained levadas with concreted paths next to them, which brought us to the top of the road down to the coast. This offered amazing views and an equally amazing decent, complete with hairpins, tunnels and a final race along the coast road.

Porto Santo island

A three hour ferry ride, or 15 minutes by air, from Funchal is the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. With links to Christopher Columbus, it’s much lower than Madeira.

This means that it is drier and more gravelly as it doesn’t generate its own weather so much. But don’t think it’s flat: in 40km riding round the island we climbed 1000m, with some long, steep ascents on tarmac towards the eastern end.

>>> Best cycling holidays 2019: where to go, how to plan your trip and what to pack

The dry gravel tracks along the largely deserted north coast provide some spectacular riding above the rocky cliffs. There’s a fast, flat road along the sandy beaches on the south of the island through its principal town and back to the ferry port. There’s also a long tarmac ascent to the lookout at Pico do Castelo if you fancy yet more climbing.

Again, we encountered intermittent light drizzle on Porto Santo, but this was more a relief from the sun than an inconvenience.

Getting to Madeira

An overseas territory of Portugal, Madeira lies some 1000km off the coast of Europe and 500km off Morocco. It’s 400km north of the Canary Islands.

Madeira has direct flights of around three to four hours from several UK airports. You can also fly via Lisbon, with TAP being the airline with the most frequent services to Funchal’s airport.

It was even difficult to find enough space for the airport on Madeira; the runway is partially built on stilts over a ravine and has a slope to it.

DISTANCE 62.4 miles (99.8 km)

MAIN CLIMB‘The Wall’

TOTAL CLIMB108 metres

ACHTUNG!Commando sheep on The Curragh

Ask any Irish cycling enthusiast which county they think is the flattest and they will almost certainly tell you Kildare. Prior to our reconnaissance of the course, I was of the same opinion.

The broad farmlands and rustic scenery have long been a popular location for cycle races and bring back memories of hiding behind a gorse hedge, enjoying the summer sunshine, waiting for the main group to complete another lap so that I could sneak in at the back and try again.

The roads may dip and roll, but surely there are no actual hills? How wrong I was.

We asked the event’s namesake and unsung hero of Irish cycling, Martin Earley, to preview the course for us during a visit to his homeland to ride another cyclo-sportive, the Wicklow ‘200’. He was accompanied on his ride by a cohort of experienced cyclo-sportive riders from the local Naas Wheelworx Cycling Club.

“These are the kind of rides that I like to do now,” Earley explains. “I usually pick a few every year, one every month or every six weeks, and use them as targets throughout the season. That keeps me ticking over. I do a bit of mountain biking as well, marathon events, they can be quite a challenging day out considering that it is all off-road. I try to enjoy whatever I do and don’t try to kill myself. Those days are long gone.”

UK based

Now living in Stoke-on-Trent where he has a sports therapy practice, Martin rode as a professional from 1985 to 1996 with teams such as Fagor, KAS, PDM and Festina. He took several major wins over his 11-year career, including victory on stage 15 of the 1986 Giro d’Italia and stage eight of the 1989 Tour de France. He was a member of the KAS team that assisted Sean Kelly to victory in the 1988 Vuelta a Espana and finished 19th overall.

He was also a member of the Irish teams that facilitated Stephen Roche’s win in the 1987 World Championships and Sean Kelly’s third place in 1989 edition of the race, where Earley finished seventh. Following his retirement from road racing, Earley competed for several seasons on the British mountain bike circuit, riding for a time with the Raleigh team, and finished 25th in the mountain bike event at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Golden era

During the course of his professional career Earley achieved results that for an Irish rider are beaten only by the achievements of Shay Elliot, Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. His stage victories in the 1986 Giro d’Italia and the 1989 Tour de France were high points.

His victory on the Giro was an exhilarating experience. Roberto Visentini, Greg LeMond, Giuseppe Saronni and Francesco Moser all finished within 90 seconds of him. “I was away in a break, that stage had a mountain-top finish. I kept hearing that the gap was closing. It was a relief to get over the line, especially when I was being chased by the best riders in the world at the time.

“You have to put a lot of value on a stage win in the Tour de France. Any rider, at any level, will put a stage win in the Tour high up on their list of ambitions. If you want to go higher than that you are looking at winning a major Classic or a big stage race. That has to rate, personally, as one of my best achievements.

“I can remember just before the last kilometre, I looked back and I could see the bunch. I knew that if we started messing about for the sprint we would be caught. I attacked and luckily I got just a little bit of a gap. At the finish they were very, very close and I just about held them off. It’s a good memory to have.”

His big wins came at a time that was the golden age for cycling in Ireland. Kelly and Roche were at the height of their powers and every child in the country wanted to race a bicycle.

I asked Earley about his memories of that time and in particular about coming home toward the end of the season to ride the Nissan Classic and the Kellogg’s City Centre Series. “I appreciated how big a thing it was on the Continent. For any country to have riders of the calibre of Sean and Stephen would have been very lucky.

“I have really good memories of the Nissan Classic. It was unbelievable to ride it at that time. The crowds that were coming out! I remember riding up St Patrick’s Hill in Cork and there were just thousands of people. Or the finish on O’Connell Street in Dublin…there were people in the trees! So many people, there was a buzz all the way around. To come from a cycling background in Dublin and to be riding down O’Connell Street seeing crowds like those. Every window had three heads sticking out of it. I would never have dreamed anything like that was possible when I was 12 or 14 years old. It was an amazing time.”

A ride for everyone

After taking in a considerable section of the course and checking out two of the more difficult climbs, we sat down with Martin to discuss the route. “It’s not too hard or too easy, there are enough climbs to make it challenging. If you are quite fit you can go harder, or if you just ride a reasonable amount you can get through it as long as you take it fairly steady. There is plenty of variety and it will keep everybody happy.”

Naas, where the event starts and finishes, is the largest town in County Kildare and is easily accessible from Dublin City via the M7 motorway. It’s situated in the heartland of Irish horse racing, with two major racecourses in close proximity to the town.

From here, the route heads north through Sallins in the direction of Clane before turning north-east and travelling on towards Celbridge. The prevailing tailwind and relatively flat roads should mean that everyone will be well warmed up by the time the route turns north-west after 15 miles (24km).

The next major port of call is the historic university town of Maynooth, where Earley crosses over the waters of the Royal Canal for the first time. From here, the route runs parallel to the canal before crossing it again and heading south-west from the picturesque town of Kilcock, a destination popular with canoeists and, as with many other locations in County Kildare, golfers.

The road climbs sharply out of Kilcock and Earley tackles the incline out of the saddle in a relaxed, almost effortless manner. It is a proper summer morning for a change, and a warm wind offers no relief from the heat. After a short descent the route continues towards the halfway point, just before the town of Prosperous.

It is likely that there will be a noticeable change in pace from here on, as the route enters the rugged lands of the Bog of Allen. The earthy smell of turf hangs in the humid air. The road rises steadily and riders who have the ambition will have an opportunity to test their anaerobic fitness.

Hit the wall

After approximately 35 miles (56km), Earley takes in the steady but demanding section of road through Robertstown. After a brisk descent he tackles the short, sharp ascent of Boston Hill before turning off a main road, dropping down and then ramping up a relatively short but certainly steep climb known among the local cycling community as ‘Kildare’s Mur de Huy’ or simply ‘the Wall’.

Anyone misjudging their strength here could well find themselves frantically scrambling for gears. Although it goes straight up it is a technical climb. The road surface is gritty, and rear wheel traction could be a problem when climbing out of the saddle.

That said, the view from the top makes the effort worthwhile. Overlooking the patchwork arrangement of fields that make up South Kildare, and overlooked by the forested slopes of the Hill of Allen, the view from the top of the Wall is one of the highlights of the ride. The crops growing in the land below should be ripening in the sun on the day of the event, and the colours will make an excellent backdrop.

Testing time

A fast, sweeping descent brings Earley into Kildare town, which takes its name from the church founded in 490AD by Kildare’s patron saint, Brigid. From here, the route passes through the open plain of the Curragh, a picturesque area synonymous with the breeding and racing of horses, and the main training barracks for the Irish Armed Forces.

Depending on the direction and strength of the wind, this section will either be a pleasure or a particularly hard slog. There is the added risk of encountering one of the many lawless flocks of sheep, who eye Earley suspiciously as he rolls leisurely through, enjoying the sunshine and the canary yellow spectacle of the gorse-covered embankments.

The final five miles consist of a series of strength-sapping drags, including the road through the village of Two Mile House which, with two miles to go, is a bitter sting in the tail of the course. Depending, again, on the direction of the wind, the smell of the barbecue at the finish line will lure riders home with the promise of a burger and a cool drink.

n The Martin Earley Tour of Kildare takes place on August 10. All proceeds will go to the Marie Keating Foundation, a prominent Irish charity which provides support services and promotes public awareness related to breast cancer. There will be three route options, 100km, 50km and 20km, to cater for the various levels of ability and fitness. For full details of the event log on to www.tourofkildare.com.

YOUR GUIDE: MARTIN EARLEY

* Age 46, born in Dublin, Ireland. Lives and works as a sports therapist in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England

* Turned professional in 1985 with Fagor and finished his road racing career with Festina in 1996

* Major victories: 1994 Irish National Road Race Championship; stage 8, 1989 Tour de France; stage 3, 1987 Tour of the Basque Country; stage 15, 1986 Giro d’Italia

RIDE NOTES

The Martin Earley sportive starts just to the south-west of Dublin and the 100km route heads north on the R407 and R405 to Kilcock, the furthest point north. The western leg heads south-west via Prosperous and then south to Kildare before looping east across the M7 and back up to the start/finish in Naas.