Guest Stories: Meg Stafford

From Getting There to Going Somewhere

I have always loved to cycle. Growing up, it was how I got to the tennis court, to work, or to friends’ houses. I loved it, but it was utilitarian. After college, I started riding for pleasure, an hour or so at a time. But it wasn’t until 2019 that I took my first self-guided, multi-day bike trip in Portugal. I was hooked. Here was a way to be outside, exploring at just the right pace, while having luggage moved (as if by magic) while we pedaled through the hills. Combining another culture with biking: sheer delight. And being able to ride every day for a whole week? It doesn’t get any better than that.

Or so I thought.

Ciclismo takes this concept and makes every aspect as amazing as it can be. Their curated places to stay, regional foods and wines to sample, and introductions to local culture, whether it’s a city tour, local dance, or olive oil station, make it feel personal. The guides are always on the lookout for ways to make the trip special, and they are also on top of the equipment and route to ensure that everything is as wonderful as possible.

It is now difficult to imagine traveling any other way, because it would just fall short. There is something so great about falling into a comfortable bed after a satisfying day of pedaling, eating, and seeing spectacular scenery.

My biggest challenge is deciding which route to try next!