#WorldBicycleDay: Slow & immersive: Plan a pedal-powered adventure
Whether you're cruising past vineyard-draped valleys in Europe or navigating spice-scented streets in India, cycling opens up a deeper connection with a place. Driven by sustainable tourism and the desire for unique travel experiences, cycling tourism is growing in demand.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Here's how you can curate one for yourself.
'SLOW, IMMERSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE'
Cycling holidays offer a unique and immersive way to experience a destination. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, of a travel company says, 'We've seen a growing interest in cycling-based travel from both individuals and small groups seeking more active and eco-conscious itineraries.' Adds SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, of a travel company, 'Our data indicates that the average age of our customers has dropped by approx.
10 years, and the growth of this younger segment is not restricted to metros but emerges from tier 2-3 cities.'
Top international destinations:
AMSTERDAM:
With over 500 km of dedicated cycle lanes, seamless bike rental systems, and canalside paths, Amsterdam offers a dreamlike urban cycling experience.
KYOTO:
Kyoto's flat terrain, respectful traffic, and compact layout make it a joy to explore by bicycle. Ride past bamboo groves in Arashiyama, ancient shrines in Gion, and riverside paths during the cherry blossom season.
LOIRE VALLEY:
The 'Loire à Vélo' route spans 900 km of gentle terrain along the Loire River, passing through fairy-tale castles, vineyards, and sleepy French villages.
OTHER POPULAR TRAILS:
Denmark's scenic landscapes, Belgium's historic towns, Switzerland's mountain circuits, and Austria's alpine trails. 'Spain's Camino de Santiago, South Korea's scenic riverside paths, and Singapore's urban cycling trails are gaining momentum among Indian cyclists looking for adventure abroad,' adds Rajeev Kale.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Top Indian destinations
:
Coorg's coffee plantations
Munnar's rolling tea gardens
Leh-Ladakh's dramatic mountain passes
Goa's coastal routes
Puducherry's beach and nature trails
Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh
Kaas Plateau in Maharashtra
Mechuka Valley in Arunachal Pradesh
Velhe-Panshet near Pune
Majuli Island in Assam
Valparai's hilly trails in Tamil Nadu
Wayanad in Kerala
Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh
Tips to plan it right:
Choose the right bike:
For rugged terrains like Ladakh, opt for a sturdy mountain bike. For urban smoother trails or city rides, hybrids or touring bikes offer comfort and efficiency
.
Plan your route with some buffer time:
Don't underestimate the distance or overestimate your stamina. Leave room for detours, downtime, and weather surprises.
Pack smart, light:
Focus on essentials — weather-appropriate clothing, a basic repair kit, hydration gear, and a reliable power bank
.
Adhere to local laws and etiquette:
Knowing and following local cycling rules is non-negotiable. Understand hand signals, helmet requirements, and lane usage specific to each region.
Look for accommodations that welcome cyclists:
Look for bike-friendly stays with secure parking, washing areas, and flexible meal timings to match your riding schedule
– Inputs by Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of an online travel company
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
25 minutes ago
- Hans India
International Yoga Day 2025: Celebrating Harmony of Health and Earth Through Yoga
Every year on June 21, the world unites to celebrate International Yoga Day, honouring the ancient Indian discipline that fosters harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. The date was chosen as it marks the summer solstice, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing light, knowledge, and wellness. Theme for International Yoga Day 2025 The theme for this year's celebration is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' It emphasizes yoga's integral role in nurturing personal well-being while promoting a healthy relationship with nature. The message calls for a holistic approach to health that balances the individual with the planet, highlighting yoga as a sustainable path to wellness. A Brief History of International Yoga Day International Yoga Day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, following a proposal from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 69th UNGA session. He described yoga as 'an invaluable gift from India's ancient tradition.' The resolution was adopted with overwhelming support from 175 nations, making it a truly global movement. The Deeper Significance This annual event is more than just a celebration—it's a reminder of yoga's transformative power. By promoting physical fitness, emotional balance, and mental clarity, yoga serves as a bridge between the individual and the collective, health and nature, and inner peace and global harmony. The day also inspires people to make yoga a part of their daily lives, reinforcing its benefits across cultures and age groups. Inspirational Quotes on Yoga • 'The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.' — B.K.S. Iyengar • 'The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.' — Jason Crandell • 'Yoga is not about self-improvement, it's about self-acceptance.' — Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa • 'Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.' — The Bhagavad Gita • 'Yoga is the symbol of universal aspiration for health and well-being. It is a health assurance on zero budget.' — PM Narendra Modi • 'Yoga is the journey that takes you through yourself, to your true self, to your soul. I wish everyone a very Happy Yoga Day.' • 'May the practice of yoga bring peace, harmony, and well-being to your life.' As the 11th International Yoga Day unfolds, let us reflect on yoga's timeless wisdom and its potential to unite humanity with health, peace, and ecological consciousness. Through every pose and breath, yoga continues to serve as a beacon for a balanced and purposeful life.
NDTV
31 minutes ago
- NDTV
The Heart-Healthy Benefits Of Yoga: Expert Shares Insights
Rooted in ancient Indian tradition, yoga unites physical postures, breath control, and meditation to nurture both body and mind, creating a pathway toward inner peace and strength. Its benefits beyond physical fitness have gained considerable attention for good. While a cardio workout that revs up your heart rate help prevent or manage heart disease, calming yoga poses are good for the heart, too. By promoting relaxation, improving circulation, and reducing stress, regular practice of yoga can help support heart health. On International Yoga Day 2025, we explain how regular yoga practice can be an effective way to promote heart health. "Yoga integrates physical postures, breath, and awareness to promote heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. It reduces blood pressure by relaxing the nervous system and diminishing stress hormones. Routine practice relaxes stress and anxiety, enhances heart rate variability (HRV), and promotes physical activity that aids circulation and muscle tone," said Dr. Neerav Bansal, Director - Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) at Max Hospital. Additionally, yoga helps eliminate risk factors for heart disease, particularly those associated with unhealthy lifestyles and dietary patterns. "Yoga also helps with weight control, reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and facilitates improved sleep -all essential for a healthy heart. With consistent practice, yoga offers a natural, holistic approach to heart care. Always consult your doctor prior to practicing yoga, particularly with a pre-existing heart condition," Dr. Bansal added. Stress is a major contributor to heart diseases, and yoga's emphasis on mindfulness and controlled breathing helps lower stress levels. It also assists in reducing blood pressure. Certain yoga poses can be particularly beneficial for heart health: 1. Downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) This pose stretches the entire body while calming the mind. It also helps improve circulation and may reduce anxiety. 2. Bridge pose (Setu Bandhasana) This asana opens up the chest and encourages deep breathing, which can improve blood flow and strengthen the heart muscles. 3. Cobra pose (Bhujangasana) From your back to your heart, cobra pose is highly beneficial for overall fitness and well-being. It opens the chest and lungs, promoting deeper breathing while stretching the upper body muscles. 4. Chair pose (Utkatasana) This strengthens the legs and core, while also improving endurance and circulation. "Yoga can help maintain heart health by lowering stress and inducing relaxation. It can supplement, but not replace, medical treatment," said Dr. Bansal. For a healthy heart, it is essential to combine these yoga poses with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and other healthy lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen. (Dr Neerav Bansal, Director - Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali) Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
NDTV
31 minutes ago
- NDTV
International Yoga Day 2025: Expert Debunks Myths About Yoga
In today's hyper-connected fast-paced world, yoga is often seen as a luxury. Social media doesn't help with the narrative where it's easy to get intimidated by impossibly bendy yoga poses. The biggest barrier to starting yoga isn't physical limitation; it's the myths and misconceptions suggesting that yoga is reserved for a select few. But yoga is much more than that, it is a timeless, inclusive practice, deeply rooted in Indian tradition. It helps harmonize the mind, body, and breath. Let's shatter some illusions and discover the inclusive practice that yoga truly is. Debunking the yoga myths 1. Yoga is too slow or boring People often point out that yoga is slow and boring and hence they don't want to start something like this. They also complain that it's not fast paced to affect the required body parts. The truth is that yoga offers a wide spectrum -from calming practices to dynamic power flows. For some people, yoga is an energizing workout and for others, it's a meditative pause in chaos. 2. You need to be flexible for Yoga Yoga is not done by people who are flexible, rather yoga is done by people who want to achieve flexibility. Yoga is the journey to gradually move from your starting point to pushing the limits. The key here is patience, consistency, and compassion. 3. Yoga isn't a real workout Such myths generally stem from observing only one facet of this diverse discipline. Yoga can be physically demanding as any other gym workout session. Dynamic styles like Ashtanga and Power Yoga build serious strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Holding poses challenges muscles in ways that traditional weightlifting often misses, creating functional strength that translates to everyday activities. Moreover, yoga helps your most important muscle - the heart- while also focusing on your mental health. (Arpan Kushwaha is a Yoga expert at Cult) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
