Thinking about taking your first bike tour? A multi-day cycling holiday may sound like a big step if you have never travelled by bike before, but you do not need to be an experienced cyclist to enjoy one.
The key is choosing the right route, preparing your body for several consecutive days of riding and knowing what to expect along the way.
Here is what you should know before setting off on your first cycling adventure.
What is a bike tour?
A bike tour is a journey in which cycling is your main way of travelling from one place to another.
Unlike a regular bike ride, you usually cycle for several days, moving between different towns, landscapes and accommodation along the route.
That does not necessarily mean carrying everything on your bicycle. On organised cycling holidays, luggage transfers can take your main suitcase from one accommodation to the next, leaving you to cycle only with what you need during the day.
This makes a first bike tour much more accessible than traditional fully loaded bicycle touring.
Do you need to be an experienced cyclist?
No. You should feel comfortable riding a bicycle, but your first cycling holiday does not have to involve steep mountains or very long distances.
The most important thing is to choose a route that matches your current fitness level, rather than choosing one based only on the destination.
Look at:
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Daily cycling distances;
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Elevation and number of climbs;
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Type of terrain;
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Number of consecutive cycling days;
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Availability of shorter route options;
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Whether an e-bike is available.
For a first bike tour, a relatively flat route with manageable daily distances gives you more time to stop, explore and enjoy the experience.
How fit should you be for your first bike tour?
You do not need to train like an athlete, but riding for several days in a row feels different from going for one long weekend ride.
Before your trip, try to cycle regularly for a few weeks. Gradually increase the length of your rides and, if possible, complete two rides on consecutive days.
You are not only preparing your legs. You are also getting used to spending longer periods in the saddle.
A good sign that you are ready is being able to comfortably complete a ride similar to one of the average daily stages on your chosen tour.
How far should you cycle each day?
There is no perfect distance for everyone.
For a first bike tour, it is usually better to underestimate than overestimate how far you want to ride. Remember that you are on holiday - you will probably want to stop for lunch, take photographs, explore villages and enjoy viewpoints along the way.
A 40 km (25 miles) cycling day can feel very different depending on whether the route is flat or hilly, paved or unpaved, and whether there is a strong headwind.
Always consider distance together with elevation and terrain.
Choose comfort over speed
Your first bike tour is not a race. Wear comfortable cycling clothes, especially padded shorts, and make sure your bicycle is properly adjusted before you start.
Useful essentials include:
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Padded cycling shorts;
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Breathable tops;
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Cycling gloves;
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Sunglasses;
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Sunscreen;
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Lightweight waterproof or windproof jacket;
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Water bottle;
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Comfortable shoes;
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Small day bag or pannier.
You can find more ideas in our bicycle touring kit list.
There is no need to buy professional cycling clothing from head to toe. Comfort and practicality matter much more than looking like a professional rider.
Should you choose an e-bike for your first cycling tour?
An e-bike can be an excellent option for a first bike tour.
The motor does not cycle for you, but it provides assistance while you pedal. This can make hills, longer stages and windy conditions more manageable.
An e-bike may be particularly useful if:
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You are worried about your fitness;
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You have not cycled regularly recently;
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You are travelling with stronger cyclists;
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Your chosen route includes significant climbing;
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You simply want to save more energy for exploring along the way.
Choosing an e-bike is not “cheating”. The goal is to enjoy the journey.
Self-guided or guided: which is better for your first bike tour?
Both can work well for first time cycle travellers.
A guided tour gives you the reassurance of travelling with a guide and usually a group.
A self-guided bike tour offers more independence. You follow a prepared route but decide when to start, where to stop and how long to spend exploring each place.
For many first time travellers, an organised self-guided tour provides a good middle ground: the adventure remains yours, while the route planning and logistics are already taken care of.
With Authentic Trails, cyclists receive route information and navigation through a smartphone app, together with a pre-tour briefing and support during the trip.
What should you carry during the day?
If your luggage is being transferred between accommodations, there is no reason to carry a large suitcase on your bicycle. Keep your daytime equipment simple:
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Water;
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Snacks;
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Phone;
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Power bank;
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Sunscreen;
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Lightweight jacket;
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Personal medication;
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Identification and money;
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Any navigation equipment provided for the tour.
Check the weather each morning and adjust what you carry accordingly.
Don't forget to eat and drink
One of the easiest mistakes on a first bike tour is waiting until you feel exhausted before eating or drinking. Drink water regularly throughout the ride and carry a small snack, even when you expect to stop for lunch.
Cycling holidays in Portugal also have one major advantage: food is part of the experience. A coffee in a village café, fresh seafood beside the Atlantic or a long lunch overlooking vineyards can be just as memorable as the kilometres you cycle.
Allow time for them.
Learn the route before you start
Even when navigation is provided, spend a few minutes looking at the next day's stage before setting off. Check:
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Total distance;
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Major climbs;
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Surface or terrain;
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Places where you can stop;
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Weather conditions;
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Alternative or shorter routes, if available.
Knowing what is ahead makes it much easier to manage your energy throughout the day.
What are the best bike tours for beginners in Portugal?
Portugal offers plenty of possibilities for a first cycling holiday, particularly along the coast, where several routes combine relatively gentle terrain with beaches, historic towns and fishing villages.
A few Authentic Trails options worth considering include:
Atlantic Coast self-guided Essential bike tour
The Atlantic Coast self-guided Essential bike tour follows the Atlantic from Galicia into northern Portugal and is classified as Easy to Moderate.
There are shorter and longer route options on some stages, making it easier to adapt the journey to how you feel each day.
Porto to Coimbra self-guided Essential bike tour
The Porto to Coimbra self-guided Essential bike tour is another Easy to Moderate option.
The route connects Porto and Coimbra while passing Atlantic beaches, pine forests, Aveiro and Figueira da Foz, combining cycling with plenty of cultural stops along the way.
Camino de Santiago self-guided Essential bike tour
For travellers who want their first bike tour to have a clear sense of journey and destination, the Camino de Santiago self-guided Essential bike tour follows the historic pilgrimage route from Porto towards Santiago de Compostela.
It combines relatively accessible cycling with one of Europe's most famous long-distance journeys.
Your first bike tour is about more than cycling
You will probably remember the landscapes, small villages, meals and unexpected stops long after you have forgotten exactly how many kilometres you cycled.
So do not worry about riding faster or further than everyone else.
Choose a route that suits you, prepare enough to feel comfortable and give yourself permission to stop frequently.
Your first bike tour should leave you wondering where you want to cycle next - not whether you ever want to get back on a bicycle again.
