Book a Memorable and Challenging Trip with Sfida Cycling

Last week, I wrote about the bicycling travel company Trek Travel. Trek Travel is unusual because it is associated with its parent company Trek Bicycles. So, as mentioned in that post, the company hopes a traveler might buy a Trek bike at the end of a trip. However, most bicycle travel companies operate as independent entities in the active vacation domain.

These companies are smaller with fewer employees, fewer destinations for cyclists to choose from, and fewer travel options for hotels, bike rentals, etc. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t function at a high level. They aim to give the cycling traveler the best experience possible. All these things can be said about Sfida Cycling.

Who is Sfida Cycling and Why Choose Them for a Trip?

Sfida Cycling was started in 2017, so they are relatively new to the bicycle travel industry. The company is headed by Tony Folque who states he has many years of experience in the cycling industry.

The goal of Sfida Cycling is pretty straightforward and simple: cycling adventures that are both memorable and challenging.

Unlike Trek Travel, which has a large support staff, Sfida has five employees. That means their trip offerings are slimmer. Currently, the company offers trips to five destinations with a focus on Europe and one Asian destination. Those destinations are France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan. It’s unknown if they plan to offer more destinations in the future.

What to Expect During a Sfida Cycling Trip

While Sfida Cycling is a small operation, they do offer full SAG and mechanical support for every trip. And although their staff is small, the company welcomes anywhere from 8 to 16 riders on their trips. Riders are then broken into 2 to 3 groups.

The minimum age to do one of the company’s trips is 18 with no maximum age listed, although their FAQ says they might consider children. They also welcome non-cyclists to travel with them. A 20% discount on their trip costs is on offer.

Sfida attempts to stay in 3 to 4-star hotels when possible that are close to the roads and routes chosen for a trip. The company also offers rental bikes, specifically a Giant Defy Advanced that has a carbon frame, carbon wheels, a Shimano flight deck with a 50-34 compact crank, and an 11-34 gear ratio cassette to tackle those big European climbs.

How to Book a Trip with Sfida Cycling

Sfida states that once you’ve decided on a trip, just fill in the booking form at the bottom of the trip details page. After that, if the traveler meets all trip requirements, an invoice will be sent back to pay a deposit. 90 days before the trip, the rider will need to pay the balance of the trip cost.

Sfida Cycling trips can run from 8 to 10 days. Hotels and meals are included. The company currently offers three trips in Italy, two in Spain, one in Switzerland, and one in France that occurs around the timeframe of the Tour de France, so the option for viewing some of the race might be possible.

The cost for a Sfida Cycling trip varies between 4,000 to 5,000 euros. A 9-day trip the company offers from Girona to Andorra Spain is €4,150.00, which is a little over $4,500.

Last Thoughts

Choosing to travel with a smaller bicycle travel company can have its perks. I know this because the trip I did was with a smaller company and I never felt like I was being ignored by staff.

For one, you may get more individual attention, be grouped with riders who match your level of ability, and find it easier to make new friends with other riders and your group leader. You will also eat meals together and travel in support vehicles together at certain points.

Have a good weekend everyone!!!