Cycling: A treat for training and for the eyes

The ideal climate in Cyprus makes it possible to explore the island’s breathtaking countryside all year round and enjoy an unforgettable cycling experience.
For professional or recreational mountain bikers looking to head off the beaten track, Cyprus offers an abundance of hidden trails along the coast or up in the mountains, all offering something new to discover. Whether exploring the winding dirt tracks of the Troodos mountains, the beautiful wild nature trails, or the rocky coastline of the Akamas, Cyprus is a haven for mountain bikers.
The local terrain varies within very short distances making cycling in Cyprus both a great workout and a journey of discovery. Thanks to the excellent secondary roads winding through spectacular local countryside, Cyprus is also great for road cycling.
The Cyprus Cycling Federation, a member of the International Cycling Union, organises a number of local road races, international MTB races and a host of other competitions, attracting world class cyclists from all over the world.
International champions and top names from the world of cycling have all competed and trained in Cyprus, including Sweden’s Alexandra Engen, Denmark’s Anita Langvaard, Belgium’s Kevin Van Hoovels, Bart Bretjens and Henk Jaap Moorlag of the Netherlands, Austria’s Elizabeth Osl and Karl Markt, Italy’s Massimo de Bertolis, Germany’s Karl Platt, Olympic Gold medalists Sabine Spitz of Germany and Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic, as well as Switzerland’s Thomas Frischknecht, Thomas Litcher and Fabian Giger.
“In Cyprus we are given the opportunity to train on the most beautiful mountain and road-bike roads,” commented Lisi Osl – a member of Ghost Factory Racing Team and 2009 Mountain Bike World Cup winner. “Whether we plan an easy ride along the coast or an ambitious tour with lots of altitude-gain up the mountains, the island provides all kinds of opportunities for our team and fulfils the needs for a professional training camp.”
Some of the other teams that have chosen Cyprus as a training destination include the Belgian National Team, the British Olympic Association, the Netherlands Olympic Committee, the Irish National Olympic Cycling Team, the Milram Team, and the Ghost Factory Racing Team.
A number of local bicycle centres offer bike rental services, route information, guide assistance and support for organised groups.