The Journal
Featured Article
Gran Canaria: Winter Playground for Merckx, Indurain, Pantani, and Now You.
25 Aug 2017
Welcome to Gran Canaria. Merckx trained here. As did Pantani and Indurain. Froome and Wiggins. Saxobank Tinkoff, Cannondale, IAM and many others. Vuelta a España organizers even considered putting their 2017 gran finale here. Here you find climbs longer and tougher than anything in the Alps, plus classic Iberian cuisine and accommodations. Automobile traffic is infrequent and courteous, winter temperatures are pleasantly ...
Read the story28 Mar 2024
The Best Cycling Destinations for Photo Opportunities
From the rugged trails of Scotland to the mystical allure of Morocco, from the verdant landscapes of Bali to the untamed wilderness of Iceland
29 Feb 2024
Ride Specialized with Thomson Bike Tours
We are elated to announce our new partnership with Specialized, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation, who will be providing rental bikes for our future trips. Our commitment to providing the best cycling experiences aligns seamlessly with Specialized's dedication to pushing the limits of what's possible in the world of cycling. Having Specialized bikes available for rent on all our future trips from April onwards is a game-changer. It adds a new dimension to the quality of road and gravel trips, and I am genuinely thrilled about the caliber of bikes that you will now have access to.
1 Feb 2024
The painted roads of cycling’s biggest events are as much a part of the fabric of the races as the peloton itself. Where did it come from and who started it?
25 Jan 2024
It provokes questions like what is it? Why does it exist? Who is doing it and should I be doing it too? Well, we thought it was time to answer those questions, and who better to ask than the man behind dirt, gravel, trail classic, the Belgian Waffle Ride. Prepare to be entertained, introducing Michael Marckx.
10 Jan 2024
The Philosophy of Trip Planning
With nearly a quarter of a century of planning and running cycling adventures on the Thomson Bike Tours palmares, it’s fair to say that I have developed a clear idea of what makes a trip successful. Whilst the process and the detail is a complex operation, the philosophy behind it is surprisingly simple. In this article I’d like to share the six key elements that make the perfect trip.
29 Dec 2023
The Best Cycling Destinations for Weather
Whilst rugged pros revel in a battle against conditions to better their opponents and the weather, for many of us the real joy of cycling comes under azure blue skies and warm golden sunshine.
8 Dec 2023
Covering three countries and four mountain ranges, the 2024 edition of the Tour de France Femmes promises a race of epic proportions in the August sunshine.
8 Dec 2023
Hailing from the Mornington Peninsula, just outside of Melbourne, Australia, Bizzy Butterworth is an experienced cyclist, coffee lover and winner of our TDF competition! With a place on our French Alps trip next summer to look forward to, we’d like to take the opportunity to introduce Bizzy and her cycling life from now until the big week.
4 Dec 2023
FTP: Fantastic Training Package
Our Denia Training Camp is an entirely new concept for experienced cyclists with a minimum FTP of 3.8w/kg
9 Nov 2023
The Best Cycling Destinations for Culture
From the sun-kissed plains of Andalusia to the misty peaks of Scotland, the love for the ride intertwines seamlessly with a thirst for cultural exploration.