I tried e-biking for the first time – it’s the future of cycling holidays for mid-lifers

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

Tour operators like The Slow Cyclist have used e-bikes to make often-remote travel destinations more accessible - Mick Kirkman

Oli Broom, who once cycled 18,000 miles from London to Brisbane to watch the Ashes, is hardly someone who needs to switch on “turbo” just to climb a modest hill on two wheels. But for the founder of The Slow Cyclist, e-bikes have been the key to success.

“Quite by chance, we stumbled on a gap in the market,” said Broom, who realised that some participants couldn’t easily get to the more remote areas he wanted to show them.

“We uncovered a new clientele: older guests, 50s upwards, with a bit of juice in their legs who are discerning, culturally curious and ripe for adventure without the slog. We offer kindness, hospitality and sustainable adventure in slow, bite-sized journeys now spanning 14 countries.”

It’s little surprise that e-biking holidays are rapidly growing – by one estimate, nearly half of global cycle tour operators had adopted them as a “core” part of their business as of 2024. And for me, at 72 and only passingly fit, they have been a game changer. Amongst the teak and sal forests of Madhya Pradesh, Rudyard Kipling’s inspiration for The Jungle Book, my e-bike (and my padded cycling shorts) allowed me to dive into the tourist-free heart of rural India.

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

‘The battery on my bike allowed me to take part in one of the most unexpected and memorable travel experiences of my life’: Fiona Duncan

Our seven-night, 150-mile Slow Cyclist journey took us from Pench to Kanha, two national wildlife parks, where we stayed in comfortable eco-lodges and set out on dawn game drives to watch the jungle awake.

The route, always exhilarating, challenging when on rough terrain but never outside my comfort zone, was devised by Julian Matthews and Vishal Singh, who run TOFTigers, dedicated to sustainable, nature-based tourism and tiger conservation.

It began with a thrilling ride through Pench Tiger Reserve, spotting the occasional tiger pugmarks and scat (“look, it’s got hair and a bit of deer hoof in it”) before we reached the farmland, paddy fields and turquoise-painted villages of the local Gond tribespeople. In one, an entire school spilled out to greet us; in another, we met five generations of one family, the oldest age 111; in a third, we learned about the marginalised Baiga tribe.

Each day’s cycling brought us to a new and lovely spot, from the Sonewani Conservation Reserve to the Banjar River. Our nights between Pench and Kanha were spent in temporary camps, dining in style at a long table warmed by braziers and sleeping in tents under cosy duvets on comfy beds.

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

Accommodation on e-bike tours range from tents to hotels like the Kanha Earth Lodge

As it does with all of its tours, The Slow Cyclist provided guides, support vehicles, mechanics, comfortable accommodation and excellent regional food. But in truth, it was the battery on my bike that allowed me to take part in one of the most unexpected (me, cycling?) and memorable travel experiences of my life.

Essentials

Fiona Duncan was a guest of The Slow Cyclist, which offers a seven-night Madhya Pradesh journey from £4,740pp, including a £250 donation to TOFTigers, based on travelling as a group of 14, either as part of a scheduled trip, or in a private group. Tours include airport transfers, a support vehicle and luggage transfers, seven nights’ accommodation, all meals, snacks and drinks and all activities (including two game drives). Flights and tips excluded.

Seven e-biking holidays to book now

Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK

New for 2026, this self-guided itinerary loops around the North York Moors National Park, taking in the Dalby Forest, Great Ayton and Rievaulx Abbey. Highlights also include riding along the Cinder Track – a disused railway that runs above and beside the North Sea between Scarborough and Whitby – a town famous for inspiring Dracula and for its many fish and chip restaurants. In a notoriously up-and-down corner of the country, you’ll be thankful for the extra help.

How to do it: Saddle Skedaddle offers daily departures on this seven-day self-guided tour from April to October from £1,095pp, including B&B accommodation, maps and luggage transfer.

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

Rievaulx Abbey is among the highlights of an e-bike tour through the North York Moors National Park

From cape to vineyards, South Africa

You’ll definitely be grateful for the help of an e-bike as you ride into the headwinds of the Cape Peninsula and over Franschhoek Pass, a spectacular but gruelling climb at more than 2,400ft. The route partially follows that of The Cape Town Cycle Tour, one of the world’s largest cycling events, then weaves through the region’s best-known vineyards, including Boschendal, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa.

How to do it: Exodus has a 12-day e-biking tour from £2,699pp, including B&B accommodation, tour leaders and airport transfers.

Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal

Ride between fortified hilltop villages, oak forests and gorges on this six-day ride through one of Europe’s largest and most ambitious rewilding projects. The Côa River valley is home to wild horses, wolves, golden eagles and vultures, plus prehistoric rock art and dozens of vineyards. You’ll spend most of this laid-back journey on empty back roads and tracks, with only the occasional tractor and shepherd’s flock for company.

How to do it: The Slow Cyclist is running four group trips in 2026 – April to October – from £3,295pp, including electric bikes, guides, transfers, accommodation, drinks and meals.

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

Cyclists riding through the Côa Valley in Portugal - Dean Hearne

Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden

Take on Sweden’s Kattegat route from Helsingborg to Gothenburg, via fishing villages and beaches, including Tylosand – famous for its five miles of sands. You’ll ride via Sofiero Palace, one of the Swedish royal family’s country mansions, complete with parks filled with more than 10,000 rhododendrons. This coastline is also renowned for its fresh seafood, and crayfish season starts with a party in early August.

How to do it: KE Adventure runs this seven-night self-guided tour May to September from £1,795pp, including luggage transfers and B&B accommodation in three- and four-star hotels.

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

The south-west coast of Sweden is renowned for its fresh seafood

Traverse a country, Costa Rica

This eight-night Central American epic from the Caribbean to the Pacific includes rides beneath the towering cone of Arenal Volcano and steamy post-ride dips into the natural hot springs of La Fortuna. There’s also a chance to traverse Braulio Carrillo National Park, known for its cloud forest, jaguars and tapirs. The tour includes a mix of hotels and camping and ends at Playa Hermosa – perfect for surfing and sundowners.

Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy

Move slowly around the Salento region of southern Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, while taking in Lecce, the “Florence of the South”, and the golden sand beaches of Santa Maria di Leuca. You’ll travel on mostly flat country roads and quiet coastal tracks between four-star hotels complete with sun-kissed terrazzos, olive groves and swimming pools. Expect super-fresh seafood, such as bream, urchins and anchovies.

How to do it: Cycling for Softies offers this seven-night self-guided tour March to October from £1,275pp, including touring-style e-bikes with panniers, luggage transfers and B&B accommodation.

Essentials, Seven e-biking holidays to book now, Coast to the coast in the North York Moors, UK, From cape to vineyards, South Africa, Go slow in the Côa Valley, Portugal, Cycle the south-west coast, Sweden, Traverse a country, Costa Rica, Sunbathe in southern Puglia, Italy, Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

A basilica overlooks the beaches of Santa Maria di Leuca - Luca Lorenzelli/iStockphoto

Take it easy in the Cotswolds, UK

With the village of Kingham (one hour and 20 minutes by train from London) as your base, explore the quiet back roads of the Windrush and Evenlode valleys over the course of a long weekend. You can choose from several circular rides, which take in some of the region’s most charming towns and villages: Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh and Burford. There are also detours to breweries (Donnington and Cotswold) and farm shops such as Daylesford Organic.

How to do it: Cotswold Electric Bike Tours offers three-day e-biking holidays from £427pp, including breakfast, bikes, equipment and GPS routes.

Additional reporting by Simon Parker

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