Road, MTB and gravel all 12 months: cycling in Murcia never takes a holiday

If short days and the cold are taking away your urge to ride, there's a destination playing in a different league: cycling in Murcia can be enjoyed all year round. According to Ciclismo a Fondo, the Región de Murcia brings together climate, very different landscapes and a local culture that turns every ride into something special, with room for road, mountain and gravel.

Put another way: one territory for three ways of riding, and no need to wait for spring to plan your getaway.

Why cycling in Murcia works all year round

The key point the feature highlights is the climate. While much of the peninsula checks the forecast before deciding whether to head out, Murcia stands out as a place where the bike doesn't hibernate. That opens the door to something very practical for you: using the cold months to add quality kilometres instead of shutting yourself away on the turbo trainer.

The second point is the variety of landscapes. Having terrain for different disciplines in the same region lets you put together a trip where every day has its own flavour, or travel with your group even if everyone goes for their favourite discipline.

And the third is the local culture. A cycling getaway is also the lunch stop, the mid-ride coffee and the chat with the locals. That counts as much as the elevation gain when you look back on a trip.

Road, mountain or gravel: which bike to take

Before loading the car, think about what kind of riding you fancy most. A few ideas to help you decide:

• Road: if you want to rack up kilometres, build endurance or prepare for next season's events. A good second-hand road bike could be the perfect excuse to try a new destination and a new bike at the same time.
• Mountain: if trails and technical terrain are your thing, check your suspension, brakes and tyres before leaving home. In the mountain bikes section you'll find options if you're thinking of upgrading.
• Gravel: it's the all-rounder for a trip like this. It lets you link tarmac and tracks on the same route and explore without having to choose. Take a look at the second-hand gravel bikes if you're tempted to give it a go.

How to prepare your cycling getaway

Good weather doesn't mean you can skip the planning. A quick checklist so nothing holds you back:

• Check your bike a week before: clean drivetrain, pads with life left in them and tyres free of cuts.
• Bring layers: even if the day is pleasant, the early hours and the descents may call for a gilet or arm warmers.
• Repair kit: inner tube or tubeless plugs, pump or CO2, multi-tool and quick link.
• Water and food: on long routes, plan where to refill your bottle and where to stop.
• Route on your GPS: download it beforehand and have a shorter plan B in case your legs don't respond.

If you're travelling as a group, agree on pace and distance before setting off. That way every day counts and nobody comes home disappointed.

Make the most of winter to ride more

The idea the feature leaves you with is simple and very positive: the season doesn't have to end in October. A destination like Murcia lets you keep enjoying riding outdoors, stay in shape and discover new roads and tracks while others hang their bikes up in the garage.

Missing the right bike for the trip? Browse the second-hand bikes on bicis.net and, if yours no longer suits the way you ride, post your listing for free and let someone else take it out on the road.