On your mark, get set… go! The Tour de France starts today 

The race is on

Today sees the start of this year’s Tour de France, the world’s most high-profile cycling race. Attracting the creme de la crème of the cycling world, the three-week race will unfold across challenging terrain in Denmark and France. The Grand Depart, the first stage of the race, kicks off in bike-friendly Copenhagen where 40,000 cyclists cross the world's busiest cycling stretch, the Queen Louise Bridge, every day!

Regular cycling is a great way to keep fit and it can also have a positive impact on mood and mental health. Like swimming, walking and yoga, it’s a low-impact activity that’s kind to the joints – and it’s never too late to get back in the saddle.

Try a cycling holiday

Tempted to try a cycling holiday for the first time? Solos has an excellent selection of cycling trips taking in scenic countryside trails, national parks, and coastal cycle paths. One of our most popular holidays will take you on a week of two-wheel meanders along picturesque cycle tracks and lanes in the wonderful Eastern Algarve and Southern Spain. Graded ‘easy to medium,’ the varied itinerary takes in typical Algarvian towns and villages, a ferry across to the Spanish town of Ayamonte for a cycle through the salt pans, and a gentle circuit around a nature reserve.

It’s not all go-go-go. There’s also a day at leisure in the lovely resort of Monte Gordo. Don’t forget that evenings are sociable, hosted, relaxed affairs where you’ll have plenty of opportunity to mingle with your fellow Solos travellers and chat about the day’s activities.

Let the e-bikes take the strain

Unsure how far your legs will take you? We’ve got a fantastic trip on e-bikes through the woodlands and rolling hills of the Sierra Aracena, in Northern Andalucia that starts and ends in the ravishing Spanish city of Seville. Our four hand-picked routes also take in the famed, white-washed villages or pueblos blancos of Andalucia.

For those who prefer to dip in and out of cycling, our activity holidays to Croatia, Zakynthos in Greece and Spain’s Costa de la Luz combine shorter countryside rides with other activities such as kayaking, sailing, swimming, walking and wine tasting.

There won’t be much of that for Tour de France competitors as they battle it out over the 2,068-mile race. Look out for the eight-man British team, the  Ineos Grenadiers, which will include Geraint Thomas, Dani Martinez, Tom Pidcock and Adam Yates as the race culminates with a ride down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Bonne chance!

Do something different this summer and book your cycling holiday today! We’ve still got availability on our Solos cycling trips to The Algarve and Spain. If you have any questions, Nadia and her friendly team of Solos experts are more than happy to answer them – no matter how big or small.

Give the team a call on 020 8951 2900 or visit www.solosholidays.com