Newer to Cycling? What to Know Before Booking a Cycling Retreat
- virginiaslevin
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
One of the questions I’m asked more than almost any other is: “I’m newer to cycling… am I good enough for a cycling retreat?” It’s usually asked with excitement, often with a bit of self-doubt mixed in. The short answer is yes, provided you come with the right preparation and realistic expectations. You don’t need decades of riding experience to join a Soulfit Adventures retreat. Often guests are newer cyclists, returning riders, or people rediscovering cycling later in life. Many guests arrive solo too, and often discover that a cycling retreat offers a uniquely supportive way to build confidence both on and off the bike. What matters far more than how long you’ve been riding is whether you’re ready for the demands of a multi-day cycling experience.
What you don’t need
Let’s clear a few things out of the way first. You don't need:
every piece of tech or the latest gear
years of riding experience
to be the fastest rider in the group
High-end road bikes are included as part of our retreats, which removes a lot of the usual stress around travel, transport, and setup. You arrive, get comfortable on the bike, and focus on the riding and the week ahead.
Fitness does matter (and here’s what that really means)
This is the part it’s important to be honest about. Even if you’re newer to cycling, you’ll need:
a reasonable base level of cycling fitness
to be comfortable riding several days in a row
time in the saddle building endurance, not just occasional rides
some experience riding both up and down hills
Our retreats involve consecutive riding days, varied terrain, and time in the saddle. Many routes include sustained climbs and long descents, particularly in places like Italy, France, and Spain. You don’t need to be a fast climber, but you do need to be comfortable riding sustained climbs at your own pace, and descending confidently and safely.
If you’re currently riding infrequently, mostly on flat terrain, or have limited experience climbing and descending, it’s worth giving yourself time to build confidence before booking. This isn’t about exclusion. It’s about ensuring you enjoy the riding rather than feeling anxious or overwhelmed during the week. Preparing properly also extends beyond riding fitness, from what you bring to how you approach each day.
What does matter if you’re newer to cycling
In my experience, newer cyclists often thrive on retreat when they bring the following:
Consistency over speed
Steady riding beats big efforts early in the week.
Honesty about your riding
Being upfront about fitness and experience helps me plan routes, regroup points, and support the group properly.
Comfort riding around others
You don’t need years of bunch riding, but being relaxed around other riders makes the days smoother.
Openness to support
Asking questions and speaking up is encouraged.
The right mindset
Curiosity beats comparison every time.
What a Soulfit Adventures retreat is (and how to think about it)
Soulfit Adventures retreats are well-organised cycling holidays built around great riding, good food, recovery, and connection.
They include:
carefully planned routes and daily ride briefings
regroups and support
options where possible
a supportive group environment
post ride recovery
They’re not training camps or formal coaching programs. That said, many guests leave feeling stronger, more confident on the bike, and re-energised both physically and mentally. That’s not because they’re being coached or pushed to perform, but because they’re riding consistently, well supported, in inspiring places, alongside like-minded people. The riding is only one part of the experience, with space for recovery, great food, and time to properly unwind built into every retreat.
My role isn’t to coach or prescribe outcomes. But by the nature of spending a week riding together, questions come up, conversations happen, and I’m always happy to pass on practical tips or share what I’ve learned over the years. The focus is on supporting the experience, not turning it into a coaching environment.
A note if you’re thinking ahead
If you’re thinking about a cycling retreat but aren’t sure where you’d fit, this is exactly the kind of conversation I encourage before anyone books. Not all guests arrive as “perfect cyclists”, but they arrive curious, prepared, and open to the experience. You can explore upcoming retreats and locations here.
Why being upfront benefits everyone
When guests are honest about their riding and fitness, it allows me to:
set realistic expectations
plan routes that work for the group
create a better experience for everyone
It also means those who join are genuinely set up to enjoy the week, which matters more than ticking any box.
So, is a cycling retreat right for you?
If you:
enjoy riding your bike
have built a reasonable base of cycling fitness
are happy riding multiple days in a row
value good organisation, good food, and good company
like experiencing places properly from the bike
Then you’ll likely feel very at home on a Soulfit Adventures retreat, whether you’re newer to cycling or have been riding for decades. And if you’re unsure? That’s always a conversation worth having before you book.
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