Best Winter Cycling Destinations: Where to Ride in the Sun

When home roads turn icy and dark, the pros head south to train in the sun. You can too. These are the best winter cycling destinations, from a quick trip within the US to the islands where Grand Tour teams spend January.

Mallorca, Spain

Best for: classic climbs and smooth roads, from February

Mallorca is the original winter training island. The Serra de Tramuntana mountains have climbs for every level, and the flat center of the island is great for long endurance rides. The highlight is Sa Calobra: a road that drops in tight switchbacks to a tiny cove, so you climb about 9.5 km at around 7% to get back out. The road even loops under itself near the top. Riding it is a rite of passage. The island fills with cyclists from February, with plenty of bike rental shops and bike-friendly hotels.

Girona, Spain

Best for: café culture and quiet roads

So many pros live in Girona that you'll likely ride past one. The quiet roads, the mix of coast and mountains, and the great coffee stops make it a perfect base. Don't miss Rocacorba, a narrow, steep climb that riders use as a fitness test, or the coastal road from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Tossa de Mar. Winters are mild rather than warm, so pack arm warmers and a vest.

Costa Blanca: Calpe and Denia, Spain

Best for: riding like a pro team

Most WorldTour teams hold their December and January training camps around Calpe. The coast is mild and dry in winter, and the mountains just inland have endless quiet climbs. The Coll de Rates is the local favorite: a steady climb with a café at the top and views to the sea.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Best for: one enormous climb and guaranteed warmth

Tenerife is warm all winter, and the roads up to Mount Teide climb from the beach to well over 2,000 m. That makes it one of the longest climbs in Europe. Grand Tour contenders stay at altitude near the summit to train before big races. Up there, the landscape of lava fields and craters feels like another planet.

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Best for: climbing every day

Gran Canaria rises steeply from the coast, so almost every ride is a mountain ride. Roads from the southern resorts climb through pine forest and gorges to Pico de las Nieves, near the center of the island. The south is sunny almost every day in winter, and the climbs are long and steady.

Algarve, Portugal

Best for: a quieter, cheaper option

Southern Portugal has mild winters, good-value hotels and quiet roads. Ride along the coast, then head inland to the hills of Monchique and the climb to Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve. It hosts the Volta ao Algarve stage race in February, so you'll be riding where the pros race.

Tucson, Arizona

Best for: US riders who want sun without a long flight

Tucson is the US winter training capital. Winter days are dry and mild, the city has hundreds of miles of bike lanes plus "The Loop," a car-free path circling the city, and you can climb Mount Lemmon: up to 29 miles from the desert floor to pine forest. Start early, and pack warm layers for the descent, because it's much colder at the top.

What to pack for a winter cycling trip

Layers, not one heavy jacket. Mornings and mountain tops can be cold even when afternoons are warm. Arm warmers, a wind vest and a neck gaiter let you adjust as the day warms up, and they pack into a jersey pocket.
Two sets of kit. One to wear and one drying in the hotel. Pack at least two pairs of good bib shorts; after back-to-back big days, fresh chamois matters.
Your contact points. If you rent a bike, bring your own pedals, saddle and shoes, and note your saddle height.
Tire pressure. Rental bikes often come with tires set far too hard. Our tire pressure calculator gives you a starting point for your weight and tire width.
Know your climbs. Use the climb time estimator to plan big days, and the what to wear tool to check the forecast at your destination each morning.