The Tour de France is starting in Leeds on 5 July and will be passing through London on Monday 7 July 2014. Feeling inspired by the world’s largest annual sporting event? Here’s our round up of eight luxurious cycling holidays across the globe

The Tour de France is starting in Leeds on 5 July and will pass through London on Monday 7 July. Here’s our round up of 8 cycling holidays

1 CYCLING WEEKEND IN PROVENCE, FRANCE

Crillon le Brave Provence is a popular destination for cyclists, with its picturesque – and hilly – backdrop of Mont Ventoux, which forms part of the Tour de France route once every three years. If you are a ‘keen recreational cyclist who manages to get out on the road more than a few weekends each summer’ then this three-day cycling When: Thursday 16th October to Sunday 19th October.

Your room, dinner and breakfast each day are included in the package price of €970 for single occupancy & €1,370 for two people sharing a Superior room.

The Resident: Hotel Crillon le Brave Provence looks out onto Mont VentouxHotel Crillon le Brave Provence looks out onto Mont Ventoux

crillonlebrave.com

2 SEVEN DAYS AROUND THE RIVER DANUBE, AUSTRIA

This seven-day cycling route take guests along the banks of the River Danube travelling through pretty Austrian villages, past orchards and vineyards, historic castles and fortresses. Cycle at your own pace and stop at local villages along the way to see local attractions. Prices start from £749 per person, including 7 nights’ accommodation, bike hire, boat trips, return flights and transfers.

For more information and to book visit inghams.co.uk or contact 01483 791 050

3CLIP IN WITH CHRISTIAN’ AT THE LITTLE NELL, ASPEN, US

Space is limited on this VIP experience, lead by Christian Vande Velde, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Champion, as only 12 serious cyclists will be able to take part. Those who do though will have the chance to ride the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Day 1 Course with Christian, while receiving coaching, nutrition plans and riding apparel along the way. This all-inclusive four-day package includes five-star, five-diamond accommodations at The Little Nell hotel, Aspen.

15-19 August. Pricing for the Clip in with Christian experience is £2,944 for one person. And is an additional £1,177 for an additional non-riding spouse staying in the same room, or an additional £1,472 for a riding spouse or friend staying in the same room.

The Resident: Join Christian Vande Velde, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Champion, for a VIP cycling experience in AspenJoin Christian Vande Velde, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Champion, for a VIP cycling experience in Aspen

For more information or to book this package, sign up at thelittlenell.com or call 970-544-6206

4 JUNGLE BIKING AT ANSE CHASTANET RESORT, SAINT LUCIA

Not for the faint hearted, but perfect for confident cyclists looking for a hint of adventure in the Caribbean climate. Jungle Biking at Anse Chastanet, Satin Lucia, provides riding fun on over eight miles of trails carefully laid out within a lush valley with a wealth of 18th century plantation ruins enhancing nature’s already near perfect tropical landscape. Riding Anse Chastanet’s high quality Cannondale mountain bikes, you can take on a maze of trails (choose between beginner, intermediate and advanced). You’ll lead shown the ropes (and importantly the way) by a guide before being left to ride freely.

Feeling brave? Try your hand at the Tinker’s Trail (designed by and named for multi-world champion, Tinker Juarez), a challenging advanced track which climbs to over 300 meters before returning on a harrowing down-hill run that is certain to raise the adrenalin level or any rider.

ansechastanet.com/activities/biking

5 CYCLE IN SWISS BLISS AT GRAND RESORT BAD RAGAZ, SWITZERLAND

Cycling on Grand Resort Bad Ragaz’s complimentary mountain bikes through the Swiss countryside is available to guests. Trace the landscape of the beautiful vineyards such as the Bündner Herrschaf or ride off into the sunset down off-the-beaten tracks into tranquil surroundings. Treat yourself to a spa treatment or catch some rays by the pool afterwards! The tour de Suisse passes right by the hotel in the scenic town of Bad Ragaz, watch a previous year’s race here

resortragaz.ch/en/home

6 MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE DOLOMITES, ITALY

Mountain biking is one of the best ways to see the Dolomites in the summer months and experience the mountain trails, huts and take in the stunning panoramas. Val Gardena offers a wide variety of mountain bike routes ranging from easy cycling routes in the valley to high-end routes for those seeking adventure. Cycling tours in Val Gardena, Italy are available from late May to early October with a range of levels suited from those less interested in riding difficult up hills, there is the opportunity to use the mountain lifts and focus on the downhill mountain bike trails, with tailored trips to take in the local cuisine and culture. Finally, the hardcore cyclists can test their endurance with the Dolomites most famous route, made famous by the Giro d’Italia.

Inghams offers seven nights staying at the 3* Rodella Hotel in Selva from £759 per person on a half board basis. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, free afternoon tea and cakes, 1 free wine tasting, free use of mountain bikes, free guided walks and return transfers.

For more information and to book visit inghams.co.uk or contact 01483 791 050

7 ANDAZ WALL STREET, NEW YORK

Not strictly a cycling holiday – especially as it’s in the big smoke – but a holiday in which you can add cycling to your list of things to do. If you stay at Andaz Wall Street, New York, you can borrow Dutch-style bikes for cycling around the city for free. It’s a great way to see the sights and there’s a handy basket to store your shopping purchases.

Andaz’s fleet of bicycles are made by Bowery Lane Bicycles, formed in 2008 by two neighbours in New York City’s EastVillage. Grab a map or a tailored route from one of the Andaz Hosts and off on your bike you go!

newyork.wallstreet.andaz.hyatt.com

8 Alpine cycling in Verbier & Gstaad

One for when the snow has melted, the Alps make a stunning backdrop for a cycling holiday during the summer months. Stay at one of Bramble Ski’s luxurious properties in Switzerland and Austria and take advantage of their offer to arrange all the equipment and in house bike instructions to guide you.

Cycle across the beautiful mountain trails of Verbier and the Valais region (in Gstaad); there is over 950km of footpaths to explore and along the way. Also on offer is rock climbing, hiking, and mountaineering as well as some of the best paragliding in Europe.

Bramble Ski has catered and self-catered chalets in the luxury resorts of Verbier, St. Anton, Villars and Lech.

brambleski.com