Cycling Holidays - your way ahead in 2026

What might cycling holidays look like in 2026 and beyond...............

When conducting a rudimentary google search for cycling holidays, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the number of companies offering them, the number of possible destinations and the lack of clarity over what is included in each price, if indeed a price is listed at all.

The cycling holiday landscape is evolving, moving beyond the 'sign-up-and-ride' model to a richer, more sustainable, and community-focused experience. At Sporta Bike Plus, we're not just booking trips; we're curating the next generation of cycle travel. Here's a look at some of the trends defining the road ahead, and how we're leading the charge.

Multi-modality travel

We pride ourselves on offering a complete travel package which often includes flights. We have found this option to be very popular as it removes all stress from the booking process and reduces the financial distortion caused by booking algorithms. Our integrated packages not only eliminate booking stress but often deliver cost savings of up to 20% compared to a fragmented, DIY approach."

One trend we have noticed is the increasing number of guests looking to travel by train or in shared vehicles to their destinations. Our LeShuttle packages continue to be popular for travel throughout Belgium, Holland and France, whilst train travel to destinations across Europe seems to be on the rise.

We feel that this provides us with an interesting opportunity and challenge, but is a very positive move - cycling holidays can have a contradictory nature by simultaneously promoting a sustainable travel experience with a large carbon footprint caused by travel to the destination.

Emerging destinations 

There are and will continue to be ‘cycling tourism’ hot spots such as Mallorca. Though the apparent stranglehold they have on the Uk cycling tourist appears to be waning. The rise of the Costa Blanca as a Winter/Spring destination for the pro peloton ensures it is set to be increasingly popular. Whilst we are also seeing enquiries for the coastline just north of Malaga and the Algarve as great options for April and May.

Outside of the ‘Spring season’- beyond the perennial favorites, the thirst for authentic, less-traveled routes is growing. Tuscany offers the romance of white-gravel strade bianche and vineyard routes, while Slovenia blends Alpine climbs with pristine lake-side paths. This thirst for new destinations is yet to be quenched with Albania, Croatia and Southern Germany all being quoted for next year.

Our hope and aim is to provide travelling guests with fun and fulfilling cycling opportunities, whilst also experiencing the culture of the place they are in. This does not mean that cycling be fast nor slow, just that we should provide guests with information on the region they are in and curate routes that provide interest on and off the bike.

Group travel and shared experiences

There are many cycling holidays which offer guests the opportunity to sign up and ride their bike - at the speed and for the distance dictated by the tour host - sometimes even managed by a lead cyclist with a whistle. This author understands the appeal of such trips, but it does not reflect the shared experiences we feel are life enriching. Cycling at your pace, sharing and creating stories with others, is the very essence of a cycling holiday.

These shared experiences are the preserve of both training camps with team mates AND cycling holidays with club mates. The speed of cycling may differ, but our interaction with our host destination and the people in it need not. 

Community as Wellness: We see a powerful convergence between the desire for authentic travel and the growing focus on mental well-being. Cycling, at its best, is a deeply inclusive community. Our trips foster this by prioritising shared adventure and self-paced freedom—creating an environment where the bonds made over a hard day in the saddle are the true souvenirs.

Gravel is to Cycling what Padel is to Tennis

This article has not been written to be exhaustive, but to reflect our experiences. However, we cannot write such an article without mentioning Gravel Cycling and its rise in popularity. 

The explosion of Gravel Cycling is not a threat to the road; it's an exciting expansion of the map. Just as Padel has popularised racquet sports, Gravel has opened up old places in brand-new ways—connecting hidden trails, forest tracks, and farm roads. This offers us incredible opportunities for multi-day, point-to-point adventures that immerse riders in the landscape like never before. Expect to see our most innovative new itineraries built on the flexibility and adventure of the gravel bike.

Written by S.Woodward, Oct 2025

For all trip enquiries please email info@sportabikeplus.com