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5 of the best European winter riding destinations
In need of some winter sun? These five warm-weather riding locations are only a short flight away.
As much as we love those crisp morning rides and muddy trails, the prospect of some winter sun always sounds inviting. Add in your bike and some friends and you’re on to a real winner. Read on for five easily accessible winter riding destinations that we’d recommend for anyone in need of a warm-weather break.
Finale, Italy
Trails in the heart of the Italian Riviera
© Alessandro Dealberto/Red Bull Content Pool
Located in the heart of the Italian Riviera, Finale is fast gaining a reputation for some of the best mountain biking Europe has to offer, with a huge network of trails taking you right down to the coast. As it’s hosted a round of the Enduro World Series, the trails err towards the more gravity focussed rider, but there are XC loops if you crave the ups as much as the downs. The bike park has lots to offer, but if you want to find the best trails, then local knowledge is the way to go and there’s plenty of guiding companies to show you the ropes.
Madeira
Enjoy Madeira's mild weather and a laid back vibe
© Cut Media/Red Bull Content Pool
Madeira is a little-known volcanic island located off the north west coast of Africa that has mild weather and a laid back vibe. Add in some truly amazing mountain bike trails and you have a great winter ride destination. The trails are relatively under the radar (for now) so we’d recommend going with a guide company to take advantage of the local knowledge.
The island is pretty mountainous with trails that run from some of the highest points down to sea level. So, if you’re after leg and arm burning descents with a sense of adventure, Madeira comes highly recommended.
Malaga, Spain
Stunning scenes and scary sheer drops
© Fernando Marmolejo
Malaga is somewhat of a cycling mecca, with famous riders from many cycling disciplines spending quality time there. Located on the southern coast of Spain, the area features dry, dusty trails with plenty of steep stuff for downhill riders. Trail conditions range from sand to loose rocks and hardpack switchbacks, so you’ll never get bored of the same terrain. It’s also pretty quiet during the winter, so you’ll have all that amazing riding virtually to yourselves.
Gran Canaria
Sea and mountains in one ride
© Ismael Ibañez
Located off the West coast of Africa and boasting 325 days of sunshine per year, Gran Canaria is an ideal winter riding location. If you like your riding to be long and epic there’s plenty on offer and lots of unexplored terrain for the adventurous. Some of the terrain demands a high level of fitness, which is great if you love climbing, but for those who are all about the descents we’d recommend going with a guiding company. The next best option would be to hire a van between friends to do shuttle runs. The south of the island gets the best of the sun, so if you’re after dry and dusty, that’s the place to be.
Nice, Cote d’Azur, France
Roc d'Azur
© P.Perreve
The mountains behind Nice are well-known amongst the lycra-clad roadies as the place where the pros like to live and train. But it’s also an amazing location for mountain bikers. Like everywhere else on our list, the weather is reasonably mild in the colder months and there’s plenty of infrastructure to help you find the best trails. It’s got everything from XC to downhill, with a mix of limestone rock and wooded areas to cater for riders of every ability. If you’re still not convinced, just remember that perhaps the greatest downhill rider of all time, Nico Vouilloz, grew up and still lives in this area. So if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for you.
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