When is the best time for a cycling holiday in Spain?

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Spain has got to be one of the most popular destinations for a cycling holiday in the whole of Europe, writes Ashley Higgins of the Andalucian Cycling Experience

While it is possible to ride all year round, the summer months (July and August) are particularly hot, hence rides are best completed between dawn and mid-day.

During the spring, autumn and wiinter the daytime temperatures range from 16-28 degrees centigrade here in Andalucia, southern Spain making for perfect conditions for cycling and, in the last few years, I have ridden in shorts and short sleeve cycling jerseys right up to Christmas. Heaven!

The main difference while riding your bike in Spain during spring, autumn  and winter is the temperature in the sun and shade. This can vary dramatically, between 5-10 degrees and when descending this can feel like much more. It is important to take arm/leg warmers and a wind-proof vest, which can be easily removed/put back on during your ride depending on how warm/cold you are feeling. This is especially important if you are climbing in the sun and descending in the shade.

For me my absolute favourite time of the year to ride is in the spring and a little beyond, early April to end June, the countryside is abundant with wild spring flowers filing the grass verges, hedgerows and fields with vibrant colours and floral scent. Almost immediately after the spring flowers come the sunflowers. This is followed closely by late January to mid-February when the almond trees are in bloom. The breathtaking scenery just comes alive with colour! Your riding becomes a visual sensory overload!

The autumn and winter months offer pretty settled weather conditions, good daily temperatures, plenty of sunshine and mainly dry conditions for riding.

In January 2018, I rode every day without getting wet, clocking up over 2000km and giving my season a massive kick start. While you would naturally assume these months to be wet, we have only ever cancelled five days of riding due to bad weather since launching the business in 2005. I’m not saying we never get wet, because we do, however it is highly unusual to lose a complete week of riding due to bad weather.