November is when the riding season ends for most road cyclist in northern Europe. The rain sets in, the days get short, and the road bike moves to the indoor trainer for the winter.
When you head south the story is completely different. Mornings start crisp, the afternoons are warm, and the roads are quieter than at any other time of year.
Here are our top picks for where to ride your bike in November.
Warm Winter Road Cycling in Southern Spain and Portugal
The far south of the Iberian Peninsula is where November still feels like a proper cycling holiday. You get sunny days, empty mountain roads, and lunch outside on the terrace.
Algarve
The Algarve stays mild and sunny right through November. The beach crowds have disappeared and the coastal towns slow down to a local pace.
The inland hills are where the riding gets good. The Algarve Grandfondo route packs over 1,100 m of climbing into 84 km, while Over the Barrocal and back is a full day out at 148 km. The Barrocal is the band of limestone hills between the coast and the mountains, full of almond and orange groves.
Faro Airport sits right in the middle of the region, so you can head in either direction for coastal rides or climbing. In the west, the roads rise into the Serra de Monchique. Around Faro, you ride straight into the Barrocal. In the east, the uplands behind Tavira offer quiet roads and rolling hills. Wherever you base yourself, the coast is never far away.
Málaga - Andalusia
Malaga - Andalusia is one of the best places to ride in Europe this month. The summer heat is gone, and the mountains above the coast are perfect for long days in the saddle.
Base yourself in Antequera and ride straight into El Torcal, a 15 km climb through a landscape of strange limestone rock formations. Staying on the coast? The loop over Puerto del León, Colmenar and Puerto de Santopitar starts in Málaga and climbs over 2,100 m through the Montes de Málaga and the Axarquía.
Off the bike, you get everything that makes Andalusia special: white villages, Moorish architecture, slow lunches in the plaza, and tapas in the evening.
Calpe - Costa Blanca
From November, the pros start returning to the Costa Blanca for their winter training. Don't be surprised to get passed by a team in matching kit on Coll de Rates.
Ridden there already? Try the Coll de Rates from Bolulla, the quieter backside of the famous climb and only a short ride inland from Calpe. For something longer, the Sa Creueta and Bernia loop links two scenic climbs in under 100 km, rolling straight out of Calpe.
Looking for company on you ride? Many bike shops in and around Calpe run weekly group rides, a great way to meet local riders and learn the roads.
Big Climbs in the Canary Islands
Want guaranteed sunshine and serious climbing? Fly a little further and head out into the Atlantic.
Tenerife
Tenerife is built for climbers. The island rises straight out of the ocean, and nearly every ride goes uphill for a long time. In November, the coast stays warm while the summer crowds have gone home.
The big one is El Teide, a climb of 48 km and over 2,400 m to the volcanic plateau below the highest peak in Spain. Pro teams use it for altitude training camps. Warm up first with the ride to Vilaflor, a 53 km loop that climbs through pine forest to one of the highest villages in Spain.
The top of Teide can be cold in November, even when it's warm on the beach. Pack a proper jacket for the descent and check the weather on the plateau before you go.
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote
Tenerife isn't the only island in great shape this month. The two neighbours offer completely different riding, so pick the one that suits your legs.
Gran Canaria is all about climbing into the island's rocky centre. The island's signature climb, Pico de las Nieves from Maspalomas, runs 45 km from the beach to Gran Canaria's highest point, with over 2,100 m of climbing. Short descents split it into four sections, and the steepest ramps past Ayacata stay above 10%.
Lanzarote is flatter and wilder, with black lava fields, white villages and wind that can make an easy road feel hard. The Timanfaya loop from Costa Teguise takes you through the crater roads of the national park and the La Geria vineyards, where vines grow in small pits dug into the volcanic ash.
Both islands warm right through the winter, so you'll find them in our December picks too.
Tips for November Cycling Trips
November weather in the south is mild, but it changes quickly, especially at altitude. Keep this in mind when you plan your trip:
- Pack layers: arm warmers, a gilet and full-finger gloves for cold starts and long descents
- Plan around the daylight: days are short, so start late enough to stay warm and finish before dark
- Bring lights: a front and rear light makes the late afternoon safer
- Check opening hours: some cafés and bike shops in smaller villages switch to winter hours
Want to make sure you don’t forget anything? Check out our complete road cycling holiday packing list.
Plan Your November Cycling Trip
Whether you want quiet inland roads in Portugal, sunny climbs above Málaga, or the long road to the top of Teide, your season doesn't have to end yet.
Explore all destinations on The Ride Atlas and start planning your next trip.
