5 Spring Cycling Routes Worth Flying For

Spring is here, and if you’ve been stuck on the trainer all winter, your legs are ready for real roads. The trick is picking routes that match the season — dry enough to ride, warm enough to enjoy, and scenic enough to remind you why you love this sport. Here are some of the best spring cycling routes across three continents.

Mallorca, Spain — The Serra de Tramuntana

There’s a reason half the European pro peloton trains in Mallorca during March and April. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range along the island’s northwest coast offers climbs for every level, and the weather in spring sits comfortably in the 15-22°C range. The classic route runs from Sóller up through the Sa Calobra descent — 10 kilometers of switchbacks carved into limestone cliffs above the Mediterranean. Do it early in the morning before the tour buses arrive.

The roads are immaculate. Spain invests heavily in cycling infrastructure on Mallorca because bike tourism is a massive economic driver. You’ll share the road with hundreds of other cyclists, which means drivers expect you and behave accordingly.

Girona Loop, Catalonia

Girona has become the unofficial capital of professional cycling. Dozens of WorldTour riders live there year-round, and the riding options from the city are absurd. A perfect spring day ride heads northeast into the Empordà region — rolling hills through medieval villages, quiet farm roads with almost no traffic, and views of the Pyrenees on clear days.

The Rocacorba climb outside Girona is the local test piece. About 12 kilometers at a steady 5-6% gradient, it’s where the pros measure early-season form. If you can do it in under 45 minutes, you’re in decent shape. Under 35 and you might have a future in the sport.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

The southern Appalachian section of the Blue Ridge Parkway opens to cyclists in spring while many sections are still closed to motor vehicles. This creates a rare opportunity to ride a world-class scenic road with minimal car traffic. The section from Asheville south toward the Pisgah Inn includes some punchy climbs and descents through forests that are just starting to green up in April.

Bring layers. Mountain weather in North Carolina is unpredictable in spring. You can start a ride at 20°C in the valley and hit near-freezing temperatures at the higher elevations. Arm warmers and a vest that packs small are essential.

Lake Biwa, Japan

Japan’s largest lake sits in Shiga Prefecture, about an hour from Kyoto. The full loop around Lake Biwa runs approximately 200 kilometers on mostly flat, well-maintained roads. Spring brings cherry blossom season, and riding through tunnels of pink blossoms along the lakeshore is an experience that sticks with you. The northern section of the lake is quieter and more rural, with mountain views across the water.

Japanese drivers are extraordinarily courteous to cyclists. You’ll also find vending machines and convenience stores roughly every few kilometers, so carrying massive amounts of food and water isn’t necessary.

Cape Town, South Africa — Chapman’s Peak

March and April are autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, which means Cape Town’s brutal summer winds die down and the temperatures become perfect for riding. Chapman’s Peak Drive between Hout Bay and Noordhoek is one of the most dramatic coastal roads in the world — cliffs dropping straight into the Atlantic, with the Twelve Apostles mountain range behind you.

The road itself is about 9 kilometers with rolling terrain. It’s not a hard ride physically, but you’ll stop constantly because the scenery demands it. Combine it with a loop through the Cape Peninsula for a full day of riding that includes everything from coastal roads to vineyard-lined valleys.

Planning Your Spring Ride

Wherever you ride this spring, start shorter than you think you should. Winter fitness never transfers as cleanly as we expect. Give your body two or three weeks of moderate rides before you tackle anything ambitious. Your summer self will thank your spring self for the patience.