The Skedaddle Blog

Two-wheeled tips & tales

Skedaddle guide to the best cycle routes in Dumfries and Galloway

Dave Shuttle, UK Route Developer and Guide, talks us through our cycle routes in Dumfries and Galloway and why our newest leisure cycling holiday should be on your wish list for next year.   Over the years, Dave has guided and scouted multiple cycling routes in Scotland, so who better to give us a breakdown …

Spotlight on Spain

Cycling in Andalucia

Sierras to the Coast: The best road cycling in Andalucia 

If you’re looking for a top European cycling destination, then road cycling in Andalucia has to be up there with the best! Plus, with beautiful weather almost year-round, it’s the ideal destination for extending your cycling season. Head of Skedaddle España, Dan, has lived in this region for more than 25 years, guiding countless cycling …

Riding along the southern spain coastline on the badlands of spain

9 must-ride Spanish cycling routes  

Spanish cycling routes offer some of Europe's most rewarding riding, from dramatic mountain passes and quiet coastal roads to rolling vineyards and remote pueblos blancos (white villages). Few people know these bike tours in Spain better than Dan Hirst, Head of Skedaddle España. Dan has spent more than two decades living near Tarifa, mainland Spain's …

Bridge spanning over Douro River in the city of Porto, Portugal

Cycling The Trans Iberia – Barcelona to Porto

The Trans Iberia – Barcelona to Porto is the newest Iconic Journey in our range and quite possibly one of the most exciting end-to-end tours we’ve launched! We caught up with Head of Skedaddle Espana, Dan, to learn a little more about this ‘grand tour’.  Tell us a bit about your new tour – Trans …

Two cyclists riding on a scenic coastal road in Northern Spain

8 things you’ll only understand if you’ve been cycling in Spain…

With over 30 cycling holidays in Spain (and counting) brought to you by our established Skedaddle España base, Spain is a destination we’re proud to call our casa! And what better way to understand more about this popular cycling destination than by hearing from our local team out there? Here’s why they can’t get enough of …

Scallop shell milestone marker on the Camino de Santiago

Cycle the Camino de Santiago: Everything you need to know

If you're planning to cycle the Camino de Santiago, you're in for one of the most inspiring linear journeys on the planet. The world-renowned Camino de Santiago has captivated pilgrims and adventurers for centuries. At Skedaddle, we believe pedalling this popular pilgrimage is a unique way to soak up this ancient corner of Spain. Few …

Happy bikers stand for a group photo with a backdrop of dramatic peaks

Mountain biking through the fairytale landscapes of the Spanish Pyrenees

Amy, from our team in Newcastle, gives us the lowdown on her recent Skedaddle mountain biking trip to the Spanish Pyrenees. Before setting out on my first Skedaddle mountain bike adventure in the Pyrenees I didn’t quite know what to expect. I’d biked in a few high mountains before – the Alps and the Scottish …

Spotlight on Italy

5 Reasons to Visit Piedmont For Your Next Cycling Holiday

Beautiful rolling green hills, medieval castles and hamlets, sublime cycling and incredible Italian food and wine… No, we're not describing Tuscany but Piedmont! This lush region of northern Italy is often overlooked but there are some stand out reasons why you'll absolutely want to visit Piedmont for your next cycling holiday. Watch our short video …

7 things you’ll love about your cycling holiday in Italy…

With over cycling holidays (and counting) brought to you by our passionate Skedaddle Italia team, Italy is a world-class destination where we are always excited for folk to explore on two wheels! Always eager to share our local knowledge, we caught up with Naomi, who heads up our team out in Italy. Here are just …

View of Colli Euganei, Euganean Hills in Veneto

The Story Behind: Gravel Trails of Veneto

We're very excited to share these new gravel riding tours in Italy. From its network of quiet gravel roads and scenic trails to its rich culture, great food and varied landscapes, the region offers a fantastic and authentic cycling experience both on and off the bike. What makes Veneto a great destination for gravel riding? …

Village of Levizzano Rangone in the province of Modena, Italy

The Story Behind: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Buongiorno! We’re getting into the Italian swing of things as we take a closer look at our new guided leisure cycling holiday in Emilia Romagna… but don’t worry if it’s a place you aren’t too familiar with. That’s why we’re here! We have lots to share about this underrated region and we’re certain once they’re …

A woman cycles along the edge of a spectacular coastal cliff

Sardinia – A Mediterranean Cycling Paradise

Prepare to be seduced by Sardinia! This beautiful island is loved for its white sandy beaches and deep turquoise seas that are found dotted among the rugged cliffs of some 1800Km of coastline – the perfect setting to relax and enjoy an authentic taste of Mediterranean life and delicious cuisine. Sardinia might not be the …

Naomi Lindfield, Head of Skedaddle Italia mountain biking in Italy

Meet the guides: Naomi Lindfield

Say Ciao to Naomi! Head Honcho of Skedaddle Italia, Naomi is responsible for all of the tours we run in Italy, and as a guide you may have been lucky enough to meet her on a trip in the past! Originally from Sardinia, she's been with us since 2000, working hard to build Skedaddle into …

Stories from Skedaddlers

Customer Story – An Iconic Journey Across Spain and Portugal

The Trans Iberia is our newest end-to-end road cycling tour, from Barcelona to Porto through the heart of Spain and Portugal. We caught up with our biggest iconic journeys fan, Russ, who recently completed this brand new tour for 2026. Having already taken on some of our most epic rides, Russ shares his highlights from …

Meet the Guides: Nick Shadlock

We caught up with guide, Nick, to chat about his passion for cycling, his journey into guiding and the moments that make his Skedaddle adventures so memorable. Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from… I was born in Cambridgeshire, which is predominantly flat — probably why I developed such a love …

Customer Story – China – I’ll Never Forget…

Take a closer look at what you can expect from our incredible cycling adventure in China, told through the words of our 2025 Customer Competition winner, Barbara Kinner, who joined us to experience the magic of Guilin and Guangxi.  "I was not to be disappointed. I had the time of my life. We all did. …

The Story Behind: Sardinia Cape to Cape

  The beautiful Mediterranean island of Sardinia is home to Skedaddle Italia and we’ve been uncovering the very best cycling here for 20 plus years. Although it’s part of our exciting new Gravel Riding range, ‘Cape to Cape’ in Sardinia is the result of many years of experience exploring the island’s off-road routes. We caught …

View of the Col d'Allos mountain pass in the French Alps

Customer Story: Cycling Mont Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez

After a long hiatus, Paul rejoined us on a Skedaddle tour in the French Alps to conquer classic climbs, including cycling Mont Ventoux. Discover his highlights of this epic road cycling trip below. If there was a prize for the longest gap between Saddle Skedaddle holidays, I might just walk away with it. In the …

5 best end to end cycle routes 

There is something undeniably special about cycling the full length of a country. More than just a cycling holiday, these epic journeys allow you to experience a destination in a way few travellers ever do, watching landscapes and cultures change day by day from the saddle. For Skedaddle Travel Consultant Kerry Ashberry, our Iconic Journeys …

Tips and advice

Iconic Fitness – How to Prepare To Ride 1000 Miles

What exactly is an 'Iconic Journey'? We didn’t name this collection of trips lightly, they really are iconic. Epic in both their scale and challenge, each Iconic Journey typically spans 1,000 miles, crossing entire countries and presenting a substantial physical challenge rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and fresh experiences at every turn. With Iconic Journeys in …

Two cyclists riding electric bikes along the coast of Italy

E-bikes and Skedaddle holidays – everything you need to know

There’s no doubt that e-bikes are growing in popularity and here at Skedaddle we’ve seen a huge uptake of e-bikes on our cycle holidays over the past year. We caught up with Skedaddle guide and e-bike fanatic, Steve, to find out more and answer some of your burning questions around e-bikes and how to have …

Road cyclist descending

5 cycling tips for descending

What goes up must come down! If you’ve conquered that big hill it is time to enjoy the reward of flying down the other side. Descending is one of the biggest thrills in cycling, it’s free speed, having expended a lot of energy to gain the top of a hill you can then ease off …

Gravel riding

Your Guide To Gravel Riding Skills

Do you need to do anything different when riding on a gravel trail to riding on a cycle path or a pothole-strewn country road? What adaptations could you consider making to your bike before heading out on a Skedaddle gravel bike holiday? We put all these questions and more to our gravelly-gurus and this is …