If you could cycle anywhere in the world, without any restrictions or logistical headaches, where would you ride?
For most of us, planning a cycling holiday can be overwhelming. Choosing the right destination, figuring out if the route is the right level of difficulty, managing gear, worrying about weather and sorting out the logistics.
So we asked Damian Hancock, co-founder of boutique Italian cycling tour company A’qto Cycling how he approaches his rides and where he would go if none of these challenges existed.
Above: Damian with co-founder and wife, Nancy De Losa
“When it comes to planning that next adventure, what drives me,” Damian says, “is combining a route that’s physically challenging, usually with hills, mountains or gravel roads, with incredible scenery and finishing with an authentic local experience.
“Great food, fine wine and culture that truly connects you to the place.”
1. Belgium: The Spring Classics Experience
Belgium makes it onto Damian’s list for a very special reason: the chance to immerse yourself in cycling history and culture.
Picture 10 days in April filled with the thrill of two of cycling’s most legendary one-day races, Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix.
“You get to watch the pros tackle the cobbles and test yourself on the same terrain as you take on the Gran Fondos that are on the day before each race,” Damian explains. “They’re tough rides on challenging terrain but steeped in tradition.”
But this isn’t just about the riding. It’s about soaking in a nation’s passion for cycling, a sport woven into Belgium’s identity and ingrained in their culture.
And there is no better way to take the immersion even further after a day on the cobbles than by enjoying a few Belgian beers made by the Trappist monks and some ‘Moules-frites’, or mussels and fries.
2. The French Alps in Autumn: Legendary Climbs and Golden Vines
Famed for their Tour de France heritage, the French Alps are a pilgrimage for serious cyclists.
Famous climbs like Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier and Col de la Croix-de-Fer test your legs and ignite your passion for the ride.
“It’s not just the physical feat,” Damian explains. “It’s riding these iconic French climbs made famous by cycling legends.”
During Autumn, Damian would spend a long weekend based in a tiny French village at the edge of the Rhone Valley, riding cols in the crisp mountain air and returning each afternoon for rustic meals and local wine tastings.
“Autumn is when the crowds are gone, the leaves turn gold and there’s a deep quiet.”
3. Abruzzo, Italy: A Hidden Gem
Of course, Italy had to make the list. But rather than the amazing roads of Tuscany or the Dolomites which Damian rides as part of A’qto tours, his pick is the less ridden Abruzzo region.
“It’s one of Italy’s hidden cycling gems,” he says. “The central Apennines are wild and unspoilt, with quiet climbs like Blockhaus, Campo Imperatore, Passo Lanciano, Prati di Tivo and Vado di Sole, and villages where time seems to stand still.”
Riding here means encountering more goats than tourists, long climbs through beech forests and hearty mountain fare like arrosticini, wild boar ragù and handmade pasta such as maccheroni alla chitarra, all shared with locals who treat you like family.
4. Gippsland, Victoria: A Gravel Adventure Close to Home
For those who want to escape the city without heading overseas, Gippsland offers a gravel cycling playground just east of Melbourne.
Quiet country roads, rolling hills and memorable rainforests await in the Strzelecki Ranges and Tarra-Bulga National Park.
“This is a perfect weekend getaway,” Damian says. “With its proximity to Melbourne, you can take the train to start near Yarragon, avoiding the city traffic, and explore charming small towns, boutique breweries and gastro pubs preparing meals with the region’s local produce.”
With boutique wineries, farm stays and pubs dotted around, you can easily stretch your adventure into two or three days, enjoying the laid-back pace and scenery of regional Victoria.
5. Southern Gold Coast: Where Rainforest Meets Ocean
For a ride that blends the best of nature, Damian points to the Southern Gold Coast. Starting in Currumbin Valley, he recommends heading west into the undulating climbs that cross the border between Queensland and New South Wales.
“These roads get quieter and more scenic as you climb, meandering through rainforests, over small creeks and accompanied by the soundtrack of native birds.”
It’s an ideal spot for a long weekend or a pre-tour training camp to prepare for summer riding in Italy.
With a mix of gravel, steep pinches and a challenge like Mount Warning, and then finishing with a cool-down swim in the Pacific, this ride strikes the perfect balance between ocean and rainforest.
And if that wasn’t enough, Damian suggests ending your day with fresh local seafood and a cold beer or two.
Now Get On Your Bike And Ride
When it comes to packing and training, Damian stresses preparation is everything.
“I always carry spare cleats and derailleur hangers and kit for all conditions, even summer can be wet or cold in the mountains,” he says.
Training varies from gradual builds to intense blocks but the goal is the same: be ready mentally and physically.
“Pain will come, but it’s better at home during training than mid-tour when you want to enjoy every moment.”
His advice? Prepare well so you have the energy on tour to look up and soak in the landscape and culture around you.
If you’re dreaming of your next great ride, Damian’s advice is simple:
Choose challenge. Choose culture. Choose connection.
For Damian, cycling isn’t just about elevation or speed. It’s a full sensory adventure that stretches your perspective physically and emotionally.
There’s an Italian saying he lives by: “chi va piano, va lontano,” or “he who goes slowly, goes far.”
That’s as true on the bike as it is in life.
