Slow Cycling: The new Rock & Roll
Peter Sagan or Mark Cavendish would probably disagree, but slow cycling is a great way to squeeze every ounce out of your ride in Italy.
Like life, if you slow down, you’ll notice details that you would normally miss out on. Instead of keeping a check on your cadence, drink in your surroundings and enjoy the harmony of cyclist and landscape.
Slow the pace right down, take your time and you’ll really appreciate the beauty of this stunning country, its plentiful vineyards and winding, meandering roads.
Slow cycling is a growing phenomenon in the world of cycling, and we’ve designed a number of tours that comprise quiet roads, fabulous scenery and enchanting cycle paths. As ever on our curated tours, our slow cycling holidays also include hand-picked accommodation, restaurants and rest-stops that give a taste of the real, authentic Italy.
Whether it be exploring the Adriatic coast at your leisure on our Treasure On Two Wheels tour (new for 2024), or our Wellness on 2 Wheels trip around Lake Iseo area, our slow-cycling range of tours provide the perfect combination of Instagrammable landscapes, world-class cuisine and a pace that really suits all.
But what is slow cycling and what are the benefits?
TAKE IT EASY
Thanks to the growing success and popularity of the sport at the Olympics and on the road at the Grand Tours, cycling has become synonymous with speed; getting from one place to the other as quickly as possible. Dressed in lycra and wearing aerodynamic helmets, these speed merchants have rightly become heroes.
But getting from A to B as quickly as you can isn’t for everyone, nor is it recommended for everyone. Slow cycling is all about properly taking your surroundings in, breathing in the fresh open air and being at one with the surrounding landscape.
Furthermore, slow cycling is inherently social and is perfect for cycling with friends - because of the pace you peddle, you’ll still have plenty of puff left to chat while you ride.
EXERCISE IS EXERCISE
Forget what your power metre says, they’re for those who want something different and really want to test themselves physically and mentally.
Slow cycling isn’t like that. The good news is that you can forget about RPM and watts, ditch the lycra and cycle on your own terms.
But make no mistake – just because you’re peddling at a much slower pace doesn’t mean that you aren’t burning off the pounds. Low-intensity exercise still elevates your heart rate and is a great way to stay in shape.
MIND HOW YOU GO
Due to its low-impact nature, cycling is a great way to not only get the heart going but also, as this study shows, help to banish stress and anxiety.
When it comes to mental health, slow cycling can also have enormous benefits.
If this link between slow cycling – and cycling as a whole – and meditation sounds faddy and a bit far-fetched, it really isn’t. Dr Patrick McCartney – an anthropologist working in Japan – is currently researching the global yoga industry.
He says: “I think when you talk about cycling as a form of meditation, cycling helps to create meditation through an assemblage of aesthetic elements. The monotony of cycling allows one to enter a truly blissful state of mindlessness where the thoughts begin to recede and appear to have disappeared, completely. This sense of thoughts being moved to the background is essentially what meditation is for me.”
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Our small-group, slow-cycling tours are perfect for experiencing Italy’s glorious landscapes with friends or family.
Whether it’s the rhythm of the wheels, the side-by-side nature of cycling or the abundant coffee and cake stops, many people feel relaxed and open talking and riding.
Chatting-pace rides are where friendships are formed and deepened, and none more so than on an Italy Bike Tours holiday, where you’ll remember the bonds as much as the landscapes.
At Italy Bike Tours, we pride ourselves on offering a world class service for cyclists of all abilities. Now you’ve read through our comprehensive run down of slow cycling, get in touch with us today with any questions you may have around your trip, and together we’ll cycle the dream.