A perfect winter destination for 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 andMorocco 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.

Joris Nieuwenhuis (left) competing at the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Marceddi, Sardinia, november 2025. On the day of the race the weather was excellent, but the parcours was still soaked by earlier rainfall.

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.