Winter Cycling Vacations

The first donning of the winter coat signals the end of the summer riding season and the importantance of maintaining a cycling regimen through the winter. So you schedule lots of quiet tempo rides to reduce fitness loss and control winter weight gain. As the wicked, icy cold rolls in, you move your regimen indoors, riding on rollers, weight training and running on treadmills.

The days of boring spinning start to annoy you, then you hear the siren call to ride outside. Carefully, you pick days to ride when the temps are above freezing. Engulfing yourself in base layers, long sleeve jersey and a windproof neoprene cycling jacket, you head out the door. While riding, your eyes are scouting for instances of thin black ice or big water puddles. The bicycle is equipped with 45mm wide tires, making the shorter winter workouts harder and reducing the instances of winter flats. There is nothing like trying to fix a flat when it is freezing outside. Forget this! You want to ride in jerseys and shorts.

Bike across Miami's Rickenbacker Bridge

You think of your cycling friends in Florida, southern California and other warm states like Texas and Arizona. A quick search of the internet shows the 6 mile loop from Alice Wainwright Park, Miami, across the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne. It's a straight shot over the bridge over Biscayne Bay, through the barrier islands of historic Virginia Key Park and Cranden Park turning around at Key Biscayne. Biscayne Bay is a favorite training route for local criterium race teams, be prepared for having your doors blown off by the Cuban Cycling Clubs. Two loops across Biscayne Bay and you are ready for Cuban Cuisine at La Carreta, Key Biscayne, sitting on the patio sipping on your sugar cane juice and diving into a heaping plate of arroz con pollo. Maybe even a Cuban espresso made in an ancient metal contraption and the best Cuban yellow rice and chicken or fried plantains is on the menu.

Okay, that's good for one day, the 30 plus mile roll from Miami Beach along Rte 1A up to Fort Lauderdale Beach through Dania Beach looks interesting. You imagine yourself enjoying the art decor buildings of Miami Beach as you cruise north on Collins Avenue. After leaving the streets of the downtown area, you cruise pass the sand dunes and small bungalows up to Fort Lauderdale Harbor. A few city blocks around the harbor and you will be on the wide boulevards of Fort Lauderdale. You can make a quick stop for lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes and back to Miami Beach for the completion of a metric century.

Cyclists on a break in Southern California

    But you think what about the Southern California sunshine and you are back to Google Search. The Pacific Coast Highway beckons, over a double century of beach front views from Santa Barbara down to San Diego through Los Angeles. Narrowing it down, maybe racing from Venice Beach, Los Angeles up to Pepperdine University and then climbing the 20 mile, 1800-foot Malibu Canyon Road through tunnels to the top of Malibu Hills. You could stop, take a quick photo op and then over to the infamous Mulholland Drive, stage eight of the 2010 Tour of California. Another quick rest stop to enjoy the breath taking views of the Pacific Ocean and Malibu Beach and then 8% grade descent into Malibu Beach, home of Barbie and Ken.

    The next day will be a rest and recovery day and you head down to Marina del Rey, park the car at Dock 52 and head down to Long Beach. Stopping along the way at the Catalina Cafe, continue further and watching the bikini wearing volleyball players at Redondo Beach and marveling at Catalina Island in the distance.

   You hit the travel sites, planning your vacation and the thought hits you. How do I get my bike here? Most airlines will allow you to ship your bike as luggage. All major delivery services will ship your bike via air or ground at a sometimes a lower expense than the airline. But what about renting a bike. A Google search of Rent a Bike and number of sites pop up that offer a network of bike stores that offer fitted performance bikes for rent. But you can call up most local shops and find out if they will rent one of their bikes. But how do you decide between renting a bike, shipping or carrying your bike on the plane.

Time for that group cyclist vacation shot

RENT, SHIP OR CARRY YOUR BIKE

First ask yourself a couple of questions:

How many days do you plan to ride on your vacation?
Two days or less, rent a bike.

How aggressive are you planning to ride?
For long rides, fast group rides or training rides bring your bike.

How important is it for you to ride your own fitted bike?

If you require specific fitting characteristics, bring your bike.

Do you plan on doing laid back rides?

Rent a bike.

Are you sure that you will be cycling on your vacation?

Rent a bike.

Bicycle Rentals

Pros

Not having to disassemble or pay to ship your bike.

Reserve a fitted bike before you arrive at your destination.

Option to select a high performance bike when you need one and a less expensive bike when you don't.

Flexibility to change your mind and not ride (in case of unexpected weather.

Cons

Bike shops may not have your exact fitted configurations.

Due to limited quantities, switching bikes at the rental shop maybe difficult.

Varying quality of bikes in shops, always seek local advice if available.

Shipping by Airplane

If you have an expensive bike, check the amount of insurance coverage for your bike.

Verify the full cost of transportation.

Pros

Bike arrives and departs with you.

Cons

Purchase, borrow or rent a bike box.

Dis-assembly and assembly of your pedals and handlebars.

WINTER CYCLING VACATIONS

BLACK CULTURAL TRAVEL MADE EASY