Sunny training areas for road cyclists - The most beautiful road cycling destinations in Italy and Spain

Canary Islands

The chances of sitting in the rain on the Canary Islands are extremely low. Anyone planning a training camp there should think more about their fitness. Gran Canaria in particular has regular steep climbs. However, racing cyclists gain the most metres in altitude in one go, 2,300 metres, on Tenerife on the flanks of the 3,718 metre high Pico del Teide. Professional teams regularly meet there for mountain and altitude training. Those looking for flat routes for basic training are more likely to find what they are looking for on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Lanzarote has blossomed into a triathlon mecca, especially as the qualification for the Ironman Hawaii takes place there every year in May. Both islands are rather hilly, with moderate climbs. Beware of the often strong wind!

Arrival Accessible from all major airports. With Easyjet or Vueling you can get a bargain for less than 100 euros. Otherwise usually from 200 euros. Bike transport: usually 50 euros each way.

Climate The north-east trade winds determine the year-round mild climate. In general, the southern sides of the islands are sunnier than the north, where clouds often accumulate and it can shower. Temperatures on the coast range from 18 to 23 degrees, even in winter. On the high mountains of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, it can be significantly cooler.

Emilia Romagna

Despite the many seaside resorts, Emilia Romagna is particularly interesting for racing cyclists in spring. This is when many hotels are geared towards cycling, the climate is mild and the topography is perfect: with the Po Valley in the north-west, it is typical cycling terrain for the first few kilometres of the year. Then there is the hilly terrain in the south: the foothills of the Apennines begin gently and then rise more and more. On a 100-kilometre tour, you can easily gain 1,500 metres in altitude. The crowning glory for climbers is the route of the amateur race "Nove Colli" with 200 kilometres and 3,840 metres of altitude. Fans of Marco Pantani make a pilgrimage to the 1,362 metre high Monte Carpegna, on the summit of which sits a monument in honour of the climbing king. Between February and May, cyclists are among themselves on the little roads. If you can handle a bit of tourist hype, take a ride through the mini-republic of San Marino.

Journey Cyclists from southern Germany usually travel by car (800 kilometres from Stuttgart). There are two alternatives: Flixbus and train. If you prefer, you can also fly: The nearest regularly frequented airport is Bologna, 90 kilometres from the coast.

Climate Rain is less of a problem: February and March are among the driest months of the year. But the temperatures are rather cool until March: 10 to 15 degrees in February on the Adriatic.

Tuscany

For many, the landscape of Tuscany epitomises Italy. Bare, gently undulating hills with rows of slender cypress trees on their backs. If you're already in raptures just reading this, let me tell you that it doesn't look like this everywhere! Just one tip in advance: if you can't get enough of this sight, you should set up base camp in the region around Siena. This picture-book landscape stretches for kilometres to the south-east of the historically important city. Nevertheless, the whole of Tuscany is a dream region for road cyclists.

However, if you are planning a training trip in spring, it is better to choose the coast as your location. This is because it can still be very cold on the hills inland in March. And it's not unusual to be surprised by a shower of sleet. In the north, Viareggio with its numerous hotels is a good choice. However, the Appenine mountains in the hinterland are steep and the densely populated Arno valley is quite busy. The coast is more tranquil towards the south, between Livorno and Follonica. Or in the very south of Tuscany, in the so-called Maremma. Around the city of Grosseto, you will find very varied terrain, from flat to mountainous. If you are travelling there, don't miss a visit to the Saturnia thermal baths. Hot springs bubble up in abundance in Tuscany. A dip in the natural pools, which are often freely accessible, is the perfect way to relax after a training session involving metres in altitude. Inland, the regions around Lago di Trasimeno and Chianti between Florence and Siena offer particularly good touring opportunities.

Journey Tuscany stretches roughly in a triangle between the cities of La Spezia in the north, Florence in the east and Grosseto in the south. Florence airport is served by flights from all major German airports, and it takes around eight hours by car from southern Germany.

Climate The coastal region and the interior of the country differ significantly from one another. While you can expect mild temperatures by the sea, a cycling holiday in the mountains is not recommended before April.

Liguria

Have you always wanted to ride the Milan-Sanremo final as a training session? Then a holiday on the Riviera of Flowers is the perfect opportunity. Spring begins when the pros, coming from the Po Valley, race over the 588 metre high Passo del Turchino down to the sea. First hotspot: The town of Finale Ligure has already made a name for itself among mountain bikers. In the hinterland of the Riviera, which is called the Palm Riviera in this section, the little roads wind through the mountains like snakes gone wild. You shouldn't travel to the Italian Riviera without some basic mountain form. At most, you will find a few kilometres of flat land near the coastal village of Albenga. Cyclists are literally drawn to the mountains to escape the heavy traffic on this narrow coastal strip. The second training hotspot is the region around Sanremo, known as the Riviera of Flowers. It stretches from Imperia to the French border near Ventimiglia. But the fact remains: the best routes here also run through the mountains. And serious mountains at that! In contrast, the last coastal waves of the professional race - Capo Berta, Cipressa and Poggio - look like molehills.

Journey The Riviera di Ponente (as the entire western part is called) stretches along the Mediterranean between Genoa and Ventimiglia. Travelling by car from southern Germany takes around seven to eight hours. The journey to Genoa airport costs an average of 200 euros.

Climate The western Riviera has a typical Mediterranean climate. This means plenty of sunshine, mild winters and hot summers. This means that you can cover kilometres along the coastline as early as February. But that's only half the battle here. In the mountains, however, it only gets more pleasant in April.

Sardinia

Anyone who has ever travelled to Sardinia on a road bike will wonder why the second largest island in the Mediterranean is such a wallflower. As busy as the bays are in summer, you feel lost on the roads in the hinterland. From February to May, there is hardly anything going on even on the otherwise busy coastal roads. It is difficult to decide which region to visit: Costa Smeralda in the north, Costa Rei in the south-east or the wild west coast. However, the east coast at its geographical centre offers the perfect mix of consistent fine weather and varied terrain. The Supramonte mountains rise up in the triangle formed by the towns of Orosei, Nuoro and Arbatax. If you take the fishing village of La Caletta as your base camp, you can even cover a few flat kilometres. But as soon as you turn your back on the coast in Sardinia, the road starts to climb: the highlight is the mountain road on the back of the monumental karst mountain Monte Albo. The mountain villages are traditional and tourism has yet to leave its mark here.

Journey Sardinia is located south of Corsica, about 200 kilometres from the Italian mainland. Olbia airport serves the east coast, where most tour operators are based. Cheap flights from 300 euros, more likely. Cycle transport: usually 50 euros each way.

Climate Spring is the best time to visit Sardinia. It is milder on the east coast than on the west coast. In February it is often already 15 degrees, in May it is summery warm. It is better to avoid midsummer.

Lake Garda

While the lake is encircled like a fjord between high mountains to the north, racing cyclists will find ideal topographical conditions at the southern end. Between Garda and Peschiera there is a succession of picturesque villages that can be chosen as base camps. Where the Alps ebb away into the Po Valley, all types of cycling can be practised. If you still need to collect the first kilometres of the year, head south into the flat countryside. Numerous single-lane roads wind their way through the Po Valley. The most varied landscape can be found in the vineyards of Valpolicella, between Garda, the Adige Valley and the area north of Verona. The climbs are not very steep, but they are numerous. Again and again you pass pretty villages perched picturesquely on the hills. But those who really want to gain metres in altitude will also get their money's worth: the tours over the Monte Baldo massif have a high alpine character. The panoramic road climbs up to an altitude of 1,617 metres, including breathtaking views of Lake Garda. Insider tip: the Passo Cavallino between Lake Garda and Lake Idro.

Location Lake Garda lies on the southern edge of the Alps and is the easternmost of the northern Italian lakes. Its south-eastern shore protrudes clearly into the Po Valley. The region belongs to Veneto. It is four and a half hours by car from Munich and six hours from Stuttgart. The closest airport, Verona, is served by flights from Germany from around 150 euros.

Climate The lake is just 65 metres above sea level. But the northern edge of the Po Valley is not recommended for cycling too early in the year. March is one of the driest months, with a maximum average temperature of around 13 degrees. From May to October, the temperatures are ideal for cyclists.

Sicily

On the largest Mediterranean island, the cycling season lasts twelve months - unless you want to climb Mount Etna. The 3,323 metre high volcano is usually covered in snow in the winter months. The road to the Rifugio Sapienza ends at around 2,000 metres, so the ride can still be a frosty affair in early summer. The region for your training camp should be chosen according to your form, as the island's topography is unforgiving in this respect. Those who still need to hone their climbing skills should favour the south. In the region around the city of Siracusa, the terrain is moderate. Along the coast, cyclists will find a harmonious mix of scooter routes and gentle hills in the hinterland that rise up to around 600 metres. The small karst mountains of Monti Iblei with their deep gorges provide an ideal backdrop for the first few metres in altitude. The Etna massif acts as a cloud barrier in the north, so that the south is also spoilt by the sun.

If you already have enough pressure in your legs for longer climbs, you will find your nirvana on the north coast of Sicily. It is much more secluded and less busy there than in the south. The charming village of Cefalù nestles against the mountains that rise up directly behind the bays. You should dare to leave the narrow coastal strip: The peaks of the nearby Madonie and Nebrodie nature parks may reach almost 2,000 metres, but the mountain passes are 1,000 metres lower and the roads to them are moderately steep over the slopes. If you can manage that, you can then also venture up Mount Etna: fit your rescue sprocket and grit your teeth!

Journey Catania airport near the southern training area is served by flights from major German cities: from 100 euros. Bicycle transport usually 50 euros/route. If you want to go to the north coast, you need to factor in a hire car.

Climate Mount Etna wears a white cap until well into spring. In the south, however, the thermometer quickly rises to 20 degrees and more from March onwards. The north coast is cooler and sometimes gets rain.

Andalusia

In Andalusia, spring arrives in February - at least on the coasts, where a wall of mountains, from the Sierra de Grazalema to the Sierra Nevada, shields the cold north winds. As the foothills of the mountains reach as far as the Mediterranean, the coast and hinterland are not really scooter terrain. You also have to expect some traffic around the cities of Málaga and Marbella. If you are looking for gentler topography, you can travel further west. Beyond Gibraltar, between Tarifa and Cadíz, the Costa de la Luz offers much flatter, green hills.

Journey Málaga (Costa del Sol), Seville and Jerez (Costa de la Luz) are served from German airports, Málaga also directly (from 200 euros), the others usually with a stopover (also from 200 euros, but often more expensive). Cycle transport: usually 50 euros each way.

Climate From the end of February, temperatures on the coasts are ideal for cycling. In the lee of the Sierra Nevada, there is hardly any rain on the Costa del Sol. It tends to be a little cooler on the Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic.

Costa Blanca

Many a professional cycling team sets up camp between Valencia and Alicante in spring, as many hotels in the region cater for cyclists. On the hairpin bends of the small Coll de Rates (TOUR Stoppomat time trial route), mountain bikers test their form. When you look down from the 628 metre high pass towards the sea, it becomes clear why the Costa Blanca is ideal for an early training camp: You look out over a balanced mix of mountains and flatlands, and the coastal strip is dotted with lemon and orange groves and rice paddies, criss-crossed by narrow farm tracks.

Journey Valencia (north) and Alicante (south) are around 100 kilometres apart. Flights there from 200 euros. Cycle transport: usually 50 euros each way. Tip: Instead of hiring a car, take the narrow-gauge railway (tram) from Alicante to Dénia.

Climate Spring starts at the end of February, with March, April and May being ideal. Because the coastal mountains keep out northerly winds, it is somewhat milder than on Mallorca.

Cyprus

The island in the far east of the Mediterranean belongs to Europe, but geologically to Asia. And it is divided into a Turkish northern part and the Republic of Cyprus in the south. Those who are prepared to face the "adventure of left-hand traffic" will discover a wonderful training area. The overall package of beautiful cycle routes and oriental lifestyle is impressive. The predominantly mountainous terrain could be a downer for early training camps. On the other hand, the Troodos Mountains are home to the loneliest roads and most unspoilt villages.

Journey Flights to Paphos and Larnaca start at 200 to 300 euros, plus bike transport, which usually costs 50 euros each way.

Climate ccording to statistics, the sun shines on Cyprus 320 days a year. At the end of February, even the sea is 16 degrees. However, February is also one of the rainiest months with eight days of rain. From March onwards, the probability of rain drops rapidly.