Cycling holiday for someone who hasn't really cycled before - how realistic is this?

[NannyR]

I've lost 2&1/2 stone over the summer and I'm on track to get to my goal weight by January. I've totally changed my eating habits and am doing two aquarobics sessions, one gym session and a parkrun each week. So I'm much healthier and fitter than I was six months ago.

To celebrate I'd like to treat myself to a more active holiday next year. I've always wanted to visit Sri lanka and I've found a two week cycling holiday that sounds great - but (and it's quite a big but!), it's years since I've sat on a bike.

The holiday notes say that you need a reasonable level of fitness, there's an average of 49km cycling a day, the longest being 70km (6hrs). It's mostly flat and I presume there will be plenty of breaks for sightseeing.
The average temp will be 27degrees.

Do you think this is doable for a complete novice cyclist with reasonable level of fitness?
this is the holiday

Congratulations on all the progress you've made! The holiday looks great to me, and very doable for a novice - flat, not too hot, distances very manageable, and 12km/h is not a scarily fast pace. Would you be able to do some cycling before you go? Perhaps a weekend cycling break in the UK in the spring? Or maybe replace one of your exercise sessions with a go on a bike in the gym every now and again?

I did it when I hadn't been on a bike for nearly 20 years, and the longest I'd cycled before was 5 miles. It was between Rivesaltes, Le Boulou and Banyuls in the South of France.

However, until about 6 months before I'd done weightlifting 3 times a week for 4 years, so my thigh muscles were able to cope.

I would do some training.

DH and I hired bikes on holiday this year and cycled about 22 miles. It was fairly hilly in places. I thought I had permanently damaged my fanjo...

I would say go for it,

Can you get to a couple or three spin classes each week through the winter months and then when it gets to March get yourself a bike and start going outside for rides?

Get yourself some padded shorts - a couple of pairs as you will need them for comfort - you don't wear pants under, so the seams in the pants don't make sore your rather private area.

i went on this trip three years ago, if you would like any hints tips of what I would take with me if I travelled agian or what I didn't need give me a shot

Most of the groups did some cycling but there was one man that did hardly any, one lady trained by cycling to and fro work but was keen just lacked time to train.

Whilst you've done great on the weight loss and fitness levels, i think you need to do some cycle training or know that you will have access to vehicle backup.

I've been on plenty cycling holidays like this and they're often not as easy as they make out. Especially when you take into account the heat/humidity & road surface. For 'trails & quiet roads' you should read poor road surfaces!

You need to get a bike now and start building up to longer rides. DH and I cycled Bhutan pre children and were used to riding 7+ hours at weekends but it was still hard work. At least on the Explore trip you won't have altitude to deal with.

If you can't get out on the road you could consider a turbo trainer, spin class or even an exercise bike. Anything that gets you used to sitting on a bike for long periods or you'll end up like whereiseveryone

It sounds like a great holiday though and Sri Lanka is on my list of countries to visit. Just need my children to grow up since most cycling holidays aren't aimed at families.