A bluffer's guide to road cycling holidays

It’s safe to say, the history of the bike goes way back - way back to the 1800s in fact.  In the early days, bikes were made of wood and the first pedal cycle was introduced to the world in 1839.  Bikes were a novelty item for a number of years and because they were so uncomfortable (and prone to accidents), they became commonly known as ‘bone shakers’.  The 1870’s witnessed the development of metal frames, rubber tyres and chains but it wasn’t until 1888 that a certain J. B. Dunlop added air to the tyres.  This led to a rise in the bike’s popularity as a means of transportation as it became more comfortable to ride and faster.

Cycling as a competitive sport emerged in 1868.  Some sources claim the first road race took place in England, others cite it was in France.  However, it is well documented that the first world championships were held in 1893 and cycling has been part of the Olympic Games since the start of the modern games in Athens in 1896. The launch of the Tour de France followed in 1903 and to this day is considered the pinnacle of competitive road racing.

Innovations in road bike design and technology have evolved at a rapid pace ever since with lightweight materials for frames, suspension forks, gears and aerodynamic designs making bikes easier, more comfortable (and faster) to ride.

Today - whether for leisure, sport, commuting, touring or racing - the road bike has become an irreplaceable means of travel.    

The beauty of road cycling as a leisure activity or competitive sport is its accessibility.  Whilst you’ll need a bike to get started, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a top-of-the-range model or even worry about it being new.  Road test a second hand bike or consider investing in an entry-level bike until you’ve enjoyed getting a few miles under your belt and you’re keen to continue your road cycling adventures.

Kit-wise, again there’s no need to rush out to buy top-to-toe Lycra. Slip on a comfy pair of shorts plus a t-shirt or sweat top.  Add your trainers and you’re good to go!    

When looking to get into cycling locally, you can or course head out by yourself or with friends but it’s also worth checking out the British Cycling website. The organisation offers great advice on initiatives, schemes and clubs within your local area that will connect you with like-minded individuals and provide you with the motivation, advice and support to take your cycling to the next level.

It’s widely documented that an active lifestyle is naturally beneficial to both physical and mental wellbeing. Cycling is a great way to stay fit and together with being more cost-effective than the gym, this low impact exercise provides a great all round workout for your heart, lungs, muscles and blood vessels.  The cardiovascular nature of cycling as an exercise will help burn calories but it’s easier on the joints than other sports, such as running.  And, if you are a runner, there are many ways in which cycling can benefit your training.  Find out a little more here.

So, no matter what your age or level of physical fitness, it’s easy to join in and enjoy the health benefits. You can take things nice and easy, build up to long distance endurance routes or test your speed in organised amateur races.

As a means of transport, after the initial investment into a bike, cycling is also undoubtedly more cost effective than running a car (think petrol/tax/MOTs etc.) and has no impact on the environment given it’s lack of emissions!  

Further to the physical and environmental benefits of cycling, there’s nothing better than getting out on the open road, enjoying and exploring the great outdoors under your own steam (pedal power!). Exercise for the soul!  

Along with the fast rise in the popularity of road biking, came the inevitable boom in the range of bikes and kit on offer. There are three main types of road bike:

Road racers – as the name suggests, these bikes are designed for racing on the road. Skinny tyres, close-ratio gears, dropped handles and light-weight frames all assist in the quest for speed.
Sportive bikes – a softer version of the road racers, designed with a little more comfort in mind with wider tyres and a more upright riding position.  
Touring bikes - designed for distance.  Pannier racks to carry your gear, wider tyres to cope with additional weight and mudguards to keep your back dry in wet weather!

Once you have your bike, you’ll need to consider the accessories:

A helmet - together with your bike, we’d always recommend a decent, well-fitted helmet and these are mandatory on all rides on a Neilson Beachclub holiday.  
Cycling gloves -to help ensure a safe grip on the handlebars at all times.  Gloves can have padded palms, providing extra comfort by cushioning your hands from the vibrations passed through the bike and handlebars.
Cycling shoes - specially designed shoes with stiff soles and ‘cleats’ that lock into bike pedals, to enable a more efficient transfer of power.
Pedals - the means, by which you’ll transfer your energy and power, to the bike. You can look to use clip-in (clipless) pedals that work in conjunction with the cleats on your cycling shoes.  The main advantage of clip in pedals is the increased control over the bike as well as the added confidence that your feet won’t slip off the pedals.
Apparel - there’s a whole world of technical clothing out there for biking but being comfortable is key.  If you’re cycling relatively short distances and for leisure rather than competition, your normal sportswear will be just fine.  Just don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen if the sun’s out!

If you’re new to road biking, it may feel as though your body is being positioned unnaturally far forward but you’ll soon get used to it. There are three key road riding positions. ‘Neutral’ (with your hands on top of the handlebars allowing easy access to the brakes and gears) is the best position for extended periods of time as there is less pressure on your hands. The ‘drops’ (positioning your hands on the lower part of the C shaped handlebars) position is best for descending along lengthy, steep inclines, whilst ‘standing’ is a position mainly used when climbing.

If you are a complete beginner or haven’t cycled in a while, the Neilson bike guides will be happy to provide info on the bikes and the different components of them as well as giving some cycling tips to help get you make the most of your time on the bike. However, if you’re keen to get to grips with two-wheeled terminology right now, here’s a little to get you started:

Brakes – front (left hand side on the handlebars) and back (right hand side on the handlebars) brakes will help you stop.  Preferably, squeeze both brakes gently and evenly to stop.
Chain – this loop of metal links will transfer the power from the pedals to the rear wheel to propel the bike forwards.
Fork – holds the front wheel to the bike frame.
Gears – a range of metal chain rings/cogs that allow you to increase, or ease your pedalling effort.
Hub – the centre of the bike wheel.
Road tyres – typically smooth and very narrow to facilitate maximum speed.
Saddle – you’ll probably know you’ll spend most of your time sitting on this but it’s worth knowing there’s a wide range out there and it’s important to find the right one for you and you backside!
Spokes – the metal rods that connect the centre of the wheel to the outer rim.
Quick release – mechanism that will allow you to manually adjust the saddle height or remove the wheels if necessary.

If the idea of exploring new destinations on two wheels appeals, a Neilson Beachclub holiday provides the perfect opportunity to either try road cycling for the first time or to clock up a few miles along Mediterranean coastlines and across the hilly landscapes of Greece, Sardinia and Croatia.  

You don’t even need your own bike!  At seven of Neilson’s beachclubs, road cycling is an inclusive activity meaning the bikes, helmets and even the water bottles are at your disposal whenever you feel like hopping into the saddle.  A full range of guided rides are available each day, with distances, routes and difficulty levels to suit everyone.  There are ‘leisure rides’ to local places of interest which are perfect for beginners; through to testing, long distance ‘expert rides’ for enthusiastic roadies.