Year in Review: Andy’s Top Bike Rides of 2024

In February, while everyone else was skiing, my spring sprung early with a trip to sunny Portugal. This beautiful country has come into its own in recent years—yet plenty of corners still feel refreshingly undiscovered. And the cycling? Absolutely incredible. It was the perfect way to warm up my legs for the season ahead.

I started out in the Algarve, which is easy to reach thanks to direct flights from Newark to Faro. My rides averaged a relaxed 30-40 miles and took me through citrus and avocado groves with occasional glimpses of the Atlantic. From there, I made my way to Alentejo, cycling through cork forests before meeting our friend Isabel for dinner at her elegant 18th-century winery, Quinta Dona Maria. The blue-and-white tiled dining room was bustling with tuxedoed waiters and radiant with candlelight—the whole scene was like a dream.

In April I returned to the Luberon for our annual guide training. It’s a place I fall in love with over and over again no matter how many times I visit. I’m a huge fan of spring cycling, and I think it’s the Luberon’s most magical season: the weather is warm, the crowds are few, and the red poppies are in bloom. It was just me and these beautifully groomed, winding roads that seemed to stretch on forever.

One of the region‘s most unforgettable routes begins with a ride across Pont Julien, a Roman bridge dating to the first century BC. It was market day in Bonnieux: I picked up some local honey, then made a quick stop in LaCoste for a coffee before heading to Ménerbes for a little lunch in the town square. From there I climbed up to the clifftop village of Gordes, then freewheeled down through the olives toward Joucas. This loop, with its sweeping views of Mont Ventoux, is as good as it gets—it’s truly a Broadway show that never fails.

Burgundy has always been a cornerstone for DuVine—it’s where we got our start nearly 30 years ago—and cycling there remains a home run every time. The route above the Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune is like the heli-skiing of cycling: beautiful, pristine roads; massive views; virtually no tourists. These are the very roads that inspired me to start DuVine, because I wanted everyone to ride them.

After a full day in the saddle, I love to have the poularde de Bresse at L’Hotel de Beaune, where we stay for the final two nights of our Burgundy tours. These chickens are the gold standard of Bourgogne gastronomy, and with a Volnay Santenots Premier Cru and a side of crispy pommes frites on the hotel’s elegant terrace, it doesn’t get much better.

There’s a reason so many pros call Girona home—the Costa Brava is paradise for cyclists, with a perfect year-round climate and remarkably diverse terrain. One moment you’re riding along flat, traffic-free roads through fields of sunflowers and the next, pow!—you’re on the Mediterranean stopping for tapas and local rosé by the sea.

The most epic ride of my trip came on the final day—we call it the Tossa Challenge—a breathtaking stretch of road that winds up and down above the Catalan coastline. It’s an iconic route, car-free, with incredible views the whole way and a thrilling descent into the seaside town of Tossa de Mar. The ride back returns you right to Hostal de la Gavina, a five-star hotel with old school style and service.

In September, I stayed at Castel Monestero in the heart of Chianti and spent hours riding our new Colnago V4 through the region’s vineyards. It felt like a race car on those winding Tuscan hills—smooth and effortless—the perfect bike for Italy. One afternoon, I stopped for lunch at a family-owned winery. The harvest was in full swing and I had a homemade lasagna that was just to die for.

I also had the chance to share a meal at our guide Valentino’s family home. His mother, Serena, is a dear friend and the most extraordinary cook. Everything she prepares—lentils, pizza, or pasta with freshly shaved truffles—is incredible. Sitting down for a meal like that, surrounded by the familiar beauty of the Chianti countryside and decades-old friends, felt like coming home.

This year, I was especially thrilled to be in the Hudson Valley in October. The weather and foliage were spectacular—I couldn’t help but think that if the Northeast were always like this, it would easily rival the Côte d’Azur. And there’s no better home base than Troutbeck: our tours spend three nights at this stylish country retreat. With its little babbling brook, cozy fireplaces, and excellent food, there’s no reason to go anywhere else.

What stood out on this trip was the feeling of wanting more. As cyclists, we’re usually content to finish a ride. But here, the routes were so epic and the scenery so beautiful that my energy kept amping up, pushing me to explore further. And with the season winding down, I found myself extending my rides as long as possible, knowing it was nearly time to either put the bike to rest—or head to South America!

Morocco is always a good idea. The people are kind and welcoming, the weather is nearly always perfect, and the service is impeccable. During my trip in November I stayed inside the Medina in Marrakesh and then ventured into the Atlas Mountains to Kasbah Tamadot, which had just reopened. Seeing the way the people had come together after the 2023 earthquake was inspiring.

This isn’t a typical cycling destination. It can be rustic out on the road with donkeys passing by loaded up with cantaloupes or families zipping past on mopeds. But for the adventurer who appreciates diversity and culture? These are the kinds of miles that matter the most—fascinating, meaningful miles that truly rock the kasbah.