Whether you’re taking a solo venture, a couples holiday or even a family trip, a cycling holiday in Austria could be the perfect choice! Austrian cycling routes have something to offer for everyone. Cycling through beautiful alpine scenery and taking in the Austrian landscape are among some of the greatest parts of cycling holidays in Austria!
With a range of different climbs, Austria accommodates veteran cyclists as well as first-timers. From mountain ranges to leisurely cycling routes, Austria is accommodating and a beautiful place to pedal your way through.
Our blog dives into everything you need to know before taking a trip to Austria and how to properly prepare for a cycling holiday. To find out more, keep on reading!
Bike Holidays In Austria: An Overview
Austria’s cycling scene isn’t the most renowned or well known in comparison to other European cycling destinations like Italy or Amsterdam. But, don’t let that stop you from taking the trip!
One of the advantages of Austria not being as cycle oriented is that you can experience Austria’s range of beautiful scenery and extensive wildlife at your own pace on a bicycle. Being a relatively small country, cycling tourists are able to travel through a variety of areas because the distances between places are not too vast! You will be able to make lots of stops on your cycle journey and experience what Austria has to offer.
Geography Of Austria
Generally speaking, the basic rule is that areas East of Salzburg tend to be flat, or rolling terrain. So, most of the areas West of Salzburg are more or less mountains. This is generally speaking, and when you start planning your specific routes you will gain a better understanding of what kind of terrain each area is.
The general rule of thumb for beginners is to stick to the East side, if you’re looking for a less challenging route. More experienced routes or mountain routes are best found in the West, such as Bregenz Forest.
Terrain
One of the great things about cycling in Austria is the range of terrain you will find. From flat, easy riding areas in the East, the surrounding area of Vienna is great for cycling. The beautiful mountains in the West of Austria offer a more challenging cycling climb. With a range of challenging terrain and a healthy mixture of easier routes, Austria has a lot to offer to cyclists who are looking for a worthy cycling holiday!
Cycling Events
Following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where Austrian cyclist Anna Kiesenhofer had a shock victory, cycling in Austria benefited in a range of ways. This pro-racing exposure influenced more people to take part in cycling events held in Austria and even in neighbouring countries. The annual Tour of Austria and Tour of The Alps cycling events invite amateur cyclists to participate, and the Ötztaler Radmarathon which draws in 4,500 participants every year! Austria’s cycling events go hand in hand with its pro-cycle culture, making it a great spot for a cycling holiday.
Cycle Culture
Amateur cycling events reflect the popularity of cycling sports in Austria, and much like in Italy, cycling is very much a part of the culture in Austria. Although the tourist cycling scene isn’t as prominent as other places, there is still a great cycling community here. You will most likely spot lots of bike shops in Austria and even some Austrian cycling hotels!
Preparing For Cycling In Salzburg & Austria
Whether you’re going on a veteran’s cycling tour, or taking your first leap into the world of cycling holidays, there is some forethought and preparation that needs to be considered. From reading the road laws to doing physical training, these are some of the key factors to consider before you embark on your trip!
What Grade Is My Trip?
Most cycling holidays will be graded by a specific grading system, which can include the incline of your route and reflects the level of difficulty. Before you start training, packing or shopping for your trip, understanding your grading will help you to prepare more effectively.
It can help you to train in the right way before the trip so that you aren’t caught off guard by the physical element of the trip. But, don’t let this scare you! Leading up to your trip you might be feeling a little nervous about the grading or difficulty, but there’s nothing to worry about! Cycling holidays are free from stress, so you can take your time with your routes and absorb your surroundings at your own pace.
Leg Miles
Accumulating ‘leg miles’ is a great way to get used to the amount of cycling you will be doing on your trip. As simple as it sounds, spending time on your bike is the best way to adapt to cycling!
You may want to change up your workouts and not spend all your time cycling. While this is totally fine, it is recommended that you include some cycling based exercises to activate the right muscle groups and build up your stamina.
Get Familiar With Your Bike
Going out and cycling more isn’t just good for your body, it helps you get to grips with your bike much faster. From gears and brakes to your seat position and handlebars, getting accustomed to your bike is absolutely vital for a successful trip.
The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable throughout your trip and spending time on your bike will help you get a feel for your bike and get used to the cycling motions. You may want to order cycling gloves or other cycling gear and riding your bike can help you determine which cycling accessories you need!
Consistent Training
Consistent training in the lead up to your trip is extremely beneficial. It can go a long way in preventing your physical exhaustion by conditioning your body to keep up with higher levels of exercise.
Although many of us probably don’t fancy a wet bike ride, training in different weather conditions can be a huge help. It will help you to push yourself while preparing you for weather extremities!
Don’t Avoid Hills
Another challenge that many of us would try to avoid is riding our bikes up hills. While it’s probably easier to not bother tackling the steeper inclines, it’s excellent training even if you aren’t taking on a challenging cycle route. Taking on uphill inclines will improve your stamina, strength and help to engage the right muscles in your legs.
Educate Yourself
It’s no secret that other countries will have different road laws and regulations. It’s important to get clued up on these rules before you get to your destination. Things to consider in your research might be:
- Right of way
- Zebra crossings
- Cyclist crossings
- One way streets
- Mandatory cycling equipment
Hooked On Cycling & Walking
If you’re looking for beautiful bike tours in Austria, look no further! Here at Hooked On Cycling, we offer a range of picturesque cycling tours, accommodating a range of difficulties and a range of locations. Some of our Austrian cycling tours include:
- River Danube Linz to Vienna – This is a 4 night, self guided tour with a Level 1-2 difficulty rating.
- Prague to Vienna – A self guided, 7 night tour with a difficulty Level 3.
- Munich to Salzburg – This is a 7 night, self guided tour with a Level 2 difficulty.
- Salzburg Bike Tour (Road Bike) – This trip offers a 7 night, self guided cycling route of a Level 3 difficulty.
These are some of our stand out tours that we have on offer. You can browse our selection of trips all over the world on our website. For more information about our trips or how to book, feel free to get in touch with us today to speak to our team! We will be more than happy to help you with any further enquiries you have!
