Cycling Destinations
The training-camp circuit, covered properly: where to ride, when to go, which climbs matter and the loops worth packing a bike box for.
Girona
Where the pros train and the roads stay quiet
Spain · Best: March to June, September to November
Mallorca
The original spring training island
Spain · Best: February to May, September to November
Calpe
Sun, climbs, and pro-team winter camps on the Costa Blanca
Spain · Best: January to May, October to December
Tenerife
Volcanic altitude and year-round sunshine for serious climbing
Spain · Best: November to April (escape winter), May to June (mild summit)
Málaga / Costa del Sol
Winter sun, mountain roads ten minutes from the beach
Spain · Best: October to May
Gran Canaria
A volcano of switchbacks with summer all winter
Spain · Best: October to April
Lanzarote
Volcanic roads, honest wind, triathlon hardness
Spain · Best: October to April
Algarve
Portugal's quiet-road winter playground
Portugal · Best: October to May
Lucca / Tuscany
Renaissance walls, pro test climbs and Italy's finest riding
Italy · Best: March to June, September to October
Nice / Côte d'Azur
Where the pro peloton lives — cols rising straight from the sea
France · Best: March to June, September to November