5 of the best places to go cycling in May

1. Northumberland, UK

Best for riders ticking off a classic UK end-to-end challenge, with big landscapes, real climbing and the quiet satisfaction of reaching the North Sea under your own steam.

The C2C cycle route traverses some of Northern England’s most remote landscapes (photo credit: Rhys Beddoe via UK Bike Tours)

Why cycle in May

May is a brilliant month to ride the Coast to Coast’s eastern run-in, when the hard work of the Pennines starts to soften into long, satisfying miles towards the North Sea. The scenery feels properly alive: fresh hedgerows, blossom in the valleys and big skies over open moorland.

After the remoteness of the central section, the route’s final stages through County Durham and into Northumberland have a celebratory feel, especially as you roll onto traffic-free railway paths like the Waskerley Way and the Derwent Walk, then pick up the Tyne’s riverside paths all the way into Newcastle and out to Tynemouth.

May also hits a sweet spot for practicality. Accommodation and cafés are fully back in swing, but you are not yet dealing with the heavier holiday traffic and peak-season congestion that can make the last approach to the coast feel stop-start. That matters on a route like the C2C, where momentum is part of the reward.

You still need to pack for changeable conditions – the North Sea can bring a sharp breeze, and showers are always possible – but in May, you are far more likely to get those classic, crisp riding days where the miles simply click by, and the finish at Tynemouth feels like a proper moment.

Other times to consider

April can be quieter and beautifully atmospheric, but it is cooler, and the weather is less predictable, especially on exposed sections. June is also excellent, with warmer temperatures and very long daylight, though it starts to feel busier.

July and August can be warm, but often bring busier roads and holiday traffic, which can take the edge off the route’s final stages. September is another standout, with calmer roads and a more settled feel, but daylight starts to shorten and evenings cool quickly.

More information

• Guide to the UK’s Coast to Coast cycling route, with helpful tips on planning your own C2C adventure.
• 7 best bikepacking routes in the UK, including the Pennine Bridleway, which incorporates parts of Northumberland.

2. Loire Valley, France

Best for classic château-to-château touring with vineyard detours and a gravel-focused festival atmosphere in Angers.

Cycling on the Velo Francette (Photo credit: Alexandre_Lamoureux, Destination Angers)

Why cycle in May

Cycling the Loire Valley in May is about finding the region at its freshest and most inviting. Vineyards are turning green, château gardens are in bloom, and the wide banks of the River Loire feel open and unhurried before peak summer arrives. Temperatures are usually mild and comfortable for long, steady days in the saddle, whether you are cruising traffic-free river paths or linking quiet backroads between historic towns.

Basing yourself in Angers works especially well at this time of year. The city sits at the crossroads of the Loire à Vélo, Vélo Francette and Loir Valley by Bike routes, making it easy to mix and match day rides or build a multi-day tour. It is also a growing gravel hub, with over 1,000 kilometres of marked off-road circuits through vineyards, forests and the Basses vallées angevines.

At the end of the month, the Nature is Bike festival transforms Angers into a relaxed, eco-conscious cycling gathering around Lac de Maine. Expect gravel rides for all levels, a lively village atmosphere and a celebration of the Angevin art de vivre. For riders who enjoy culture as much as kilometres, May in the Loire balances scenery, history and rideability beautifully.

Other times to consider

June and September are also excellent, often a touch warmer but still comfortable for longer distances. July and August bring reliable sunshine and classic Loire holiday energy, though temperatures can soar and popular stretches of the Loire à Vélo get busier. April and October can be peaceful alternatives, with fewer visitors and softer light, but more variable weather.

More information

• Nature is Bike website, for specific details on the festival.
• Tips for cycling the Loire Valley, and why Angers should be included on your itinerary.
• Cycling France: 7 best regions, including the Loire Valley and alternative options.
• 10 best bike hotels in France, with our picks of the best options to use when planning your cycling break
• 14 of the best bike and wine tours in the world, including the Loire Valley plus more options in Europe and further afield.

3. Costa Daurada, Spain

Best for spring training trips and confidence-building climbing, with quiet inland roads, reliable sunshine and a relaxed coastal base to return to after big rides.

Rolling hills in Costa Daurada

Why cycle in May

May is prime time for cycling on the Costa Daurada. This stretch of southern Catalonia sits firmly in its pre-season sweet spot, which is why April and May have long been the region’s high season for cycling-focused trips and team training camps. Temperatures are warm but not oppressive, daylight is generous, and the roads inland are quiet and open, making it ideal for stacking long, steady climbs without the stress of summer heat or coastal traffic.

Turn away from the busy seafront and the riding quickly reveals its strengths. Rolling plains lead naturally into the hills, where the Prades mountains, Priorat vineyards and Montsant landscapes deliver sustained climbs with friendly gradients and big views.

Almond groves and vineyards are green, villages are active but unrushed, and cafés and accommodation are fully open without the peak-summer crowds. It is a month that suits both structured training and relaxed exploration, with reliable conditions that let you focus on riding rather than logistics. A light layer for early starts is usually enough, with far fewer weather surprises than earlier in the spring.

Other times to consider

April offers a similar riding quality with slightly cooler mornings and even quieter roads. Late September and early October are another strong window, with warm light and a calmer post-summer feel, though October can bring heavier rain. June is warmer and still rideable, but July and August are hot inland and much busier along the coast, making them less appealing for longer road rides.

More information

• Cycling Costa Daurada: your ultimate guide, including details of routes, accommodation, bike hire options and more.
• 19 things you must know before cycling the Costa Daurada, with tips based on our own experience and those from the Cambrils Tourist Board.

4. Italian Lakes, Italy

Best for cyclists who want variety in a single trip, mixing iconic climbs, gentle lakeside riding and exceptional food and wine without long transfers.

Riva del Garda

Why cycle in May

Cycling the Italian Lakes in May is a brilliant way to get the classic Como, Garda and Iseo experience without the peak summer intensity. Temperatures are usually comfortably warm for long days in the saddle, the lakeside towns feel lively rather than overloaded, and the bigger logistical headaches of midsummer, such as heavy traffic, busy ferries and fully booked hotels, are still mostly avoidable.

May also gives you the best of the region’s variety. You can ride smooth shoreline roads and string together café stops in elegant towns, then turn inland and be climbing within minutes, with proper Alpine scenery crowding the skyline.

The mix of riding is what makes the Italian Lakes special: steady ascents above the water, terrace vineyards and olive groves on the lower slopes, and long descents back to promenades made for gelato and an evening aperitivo. Bring a light layer for early starts and cooler descents, and keep an eye on the forecast, as spring storms can still roll through the mountains, but overall, May is one of the best months to be here.

Other times to consider

April can be quieter with a fresher feel, but mornings are cooler, and the weather is a little less settled. June is still excellent, though crowds and heat start building, especially around Lake Como and the busiest stretches of Garda.

September and early October are another sweet spot, with warm water for swims, calmer roads and a more relaxed atmosphere, though late-season rain becomes more likely as autumn progresses. July and August are the least appealing for road cycling, with higher temperatures, heavier traffic and much busier lakeside routes.

More information

• Cycling The Italian Lakes, with insider tips from local experts, including the best bases for a cycling holiday.
• 9 of the best places to cycle in Italy, with more options for an Italian cycling break.

5. Borneo, Malaysia

Best for adventurous riders seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, combining tropical riding, rich cultural encounters and landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth.

Cycling towards the hills in Borneo

Why cycle in May

May is a strong month to cycle in Sarawak if you want jungle-green landscapes, warm temperatures and a quieter feel before the busier months. It sits within the broader March to September window when conditions tend to be drier and a touch cooler by local standards, which makes long days on the bike more manageable, even in the humidity. Expect daytime temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s, with the real challenge often being the heat build-up around midday rather than the distance itself.

On the road, May suits early starts and steady pacing. Quiet rural lanes around Kuching and the coastal plains can deliver long, uninterrupted riding past kampung villages, rice fields and mangroves, while the hillier routes inland around Padawan, Serian and the Santubong area add more bite without turning the day into a sufferfest.

It is also a great time to lean into what makes Sarawak different: combining riding with cultural stops at longhouses, national-park visits, and evenings that revolve around local food rather than bike-town routines. Plan for short, sharp afternoon showers, carry more fluids than you think you need, and choose routes that avoid the main Pan Borneo Highway in favour of smaller trunk roads.

Other times to consider

March and April can feel slightly fresher and are a great option if you want the driest, most straightforward logistics. June to August are still excellent for cycling, but the heat can feel more relentless, so earlier starts and longer mid-day breaks become more important. September can work well, though the weather can start to shift. November to February is generally the least suitable period for cycling, with monsoon conditions bringing heavier rain, muddier trails and a higher risk of flooding.

More information

• Cycling Sarawak, our full guide to this Borneo region, with more detail on the best time to visit, plus accommodation options and more.
• Cycling in Borneo, including tips from our own trip to the country as a family.

What’s next?

• Cycling in June, for those chasing long days, open roads and early summer climbs.
• Cycling in February, exploring worldwide options from southern Europe to far-flung winter-sun escapes, with reliable weather and great early-season riding.
• Cycling in January, featuring warm-weather classics and unexpected favourites that offer smooth roads, quiet routes and a motivating start to the year.
• Cycling in September, focusing on late-summer standouts across Europe and beyond, when temperatures ease and the best routes feel refreshingly calm.
• Spring cycling holidays, bringing together top picks across Europe and further afield for fresh scenery, improving weather and ideal training conditions.
• Summer cycling holidays, covering classic alpine climbs, northern latitude escapes and iconic road trips made for long days in the saddle.

Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.

Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.