A perfect winter destination to go riding (or rowing)
Sun-drenched winter days, wonderfully mild temperatures and a full two hours of extra daylight compared to for instance the UK or the Netherlands: as a winter cycling destination, Sardinia rivals more traditional hotspots like southern Spain or Mallorca. Although Joris Nieuwenhuis might see things differently…
Last winter, the Dutch professional cyclist planned a little training camp in Sardinia, to coincide with the Cyclocross World Cup race he was competing in on the Italian island. Combining the race with some pleasant endurance rides in balmy conditions made perfect sense. But the plan literally washed out. ‘I would have been better off taking a boat than a bike’, Nieuwenhuis commented on Strava after a rain-soaked training ride.
Obviously, this story isn't meant to discourage winter cycling trips to Sardinia. Think of it instead as a small, honest reality check — one that basically applies to the entire Mediterranean these days. Recall the extreme weather that hit Spain, Portugal and
Morocco earlier this year and the conclusion is clear:
no matter which Southern European cycling destination you pick, guaranteed sunshine is a thing of the past.
The fact remains that, for the vast majority of the winter months, the cycling weather in Sardinia is fantastic. You can almost always head out in shorts, thanks to mild temperatures that frequently hit 20 degrees Celsius along the coast. During the dark days leading up to Christmas, there are a full two hours more daylight in Cagliari than in Amsterdam or London. (In other words: two extra hours to play outside!) And on average, the sun still shines abundantly, about five hours a day.
Are you looking for a cycling destination for the upcoming winter period, either solo or as part of a group? Choose Sardinia and get in touch now with Rotte Sarde. I’d be happy to help you get started, for instance by creating a travel itinerary, finding accommodation or arranging various other options. And last but not least, I offer personalised routes tailored exactly to your wishes, using my knowledge of the local roads and conditions.
O, and if you really want me to, I’ll even help you rent a boat.
Joris Nieuwenhuis (left) during the Cyclocross World Cup race in Sardinia.
Clockwise or the other way round: that's the question
The red cycling route on the right is what Italians call ‘il Periplo della Sardegna’: a tour along the complete contours of Sardinia. A great idea for this autumn or the winter period, right?! Depending on which coastal roads you take and whether you dare to tackle some unpaved sections, the total distance usually adds up to just over 1100 kilometers. Quite an undertaking, even more so because there's also over 11.000 meters of elevation gain. I know some diehards who have wrapped it up in five days, with assistance from a support vehicle. The more sensible way would be to split those 1100 kilometers up into at least seven or eight stages. The question is: where do you start? And what are good stops along the way? Which areas and roads are best avoided? And equally important: in which direction should you ideally ride, clockwise or counter-clockwise? I am happy to help you answer these kinds of questions, with advice and/or in the form of personalised routes that meet your exact wishes and physical capabilities. Would you also like an itinerary to and from Sardinia? Suggestions for comfortable places to stay and rental bikes? That (and much more) can all be arranged. Contact me to further shape your cycling plans in Sardinia.
PS: True adventurers may add a few smaller islands off the Sardinian coast to their special XL-version of the Periplo. Extra kilometers, extra adventure! La Maddalena, San Pietro and Asinara are all accessible by ferry, but especially during the low season, fitting those crossings into your schedule requires some planning. You know where to find me!
The Periplo della Sardegna in pictures. From left to right: Bosa (photo: Pexels), Sant'Antioco, the scenic coastal road between Alghero and Bosa and the memorial for the Giro d'Italia 2017 start in Alghero. Upper photos: Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Cala Gonone, S'Archittu and S'Ena Arrubia.