On Your Bike On A Tropical Island
The warm tropical weather all year round in Mauritius makes it a fantastic place to cycle. Whether you are serious about cycling or simply want to do it to discover new places, you will find interesting rides, some of which are described here.
Before you set off, obviously, you need to lay your hands on a bike! While the island is perfect for cycling, bikes available for rent are not always in great condition, so check them carefully before you set off. But if you are after a challenge and want to climb the steepest peaks, then you need a good bike. If you’ve got insurance, you could always take your own bike with you on your holidays to Mauritius! Check arrangements with your airline for putting a bike in the hold and you’ll have the wheels you want on holiday.
Many years ago, the roads in Mauritius were in poor conditions, little more than sugarcane field roads. Since then, all roads have been asphalted and they are now in tiptop shape to accommodate the most delicate of racing bikes. So enjoy the smooth feeling of rolling across the tarmac on a hot sunny day.
Along The Coast
No cycle ride in Mauritius would be complete without following the coast, enjoying great views of the lagoons and stopping now and then for a refreshing swim. There are great beaches all around the coastline, from Blue Bay in the south east to Belle Mare in the east, Flic en Flac in the west and Grand-Bay in the north. Many travellers stay in Grand-Bay, a seaside resort where you can find bikes for hire easily. Take some time to ride around Grand-Bay, make your way to Mont-Choisy and Pereybere, two fantastic beaches or go inland among the sugarcane fields. You will find it difficult to get lost, mainly because there are not that many roads but also all you have to do is follow the coast; since the main road hugs the coast line, you won’t need to pay out for map!
Inland
Perhaps you might want to seek out something more challenging – Mauritius won’t let you down. The island has low-lying coastal regions and a high central plateau inland. This means as you leave the coast , the land rises gradually and continuously.
For a very demanding ride, start at Flic en Flac, on the west coast. Cycle towards the town of Quatre-Bornes, via the reservoir La Ferme. For this, simply head towards the nearby mountain Corps de Garde. After the reservoir and at the foot of the mountain lies one of the steepest roads you will ever encounter. That road literally goes over the base of the mountain. If you are able to ride it up without pushing your bike, you are ready for the next challenge. Simply continue by leaving the coast behind, going inland and keeping the mountain on your right. Ride towards a place called La Louise in Quatre-Bornes and then Candos and head towards Vacoas. You will be staying on the same road all the time. If you keep on going, that road will take you all the way to the high grounds of Plaine Champagne in the middle of the island. The challenge here is the continuous slope and long distance – around 100 km. As you leave Plaine Champagne behind, you will head towards Chamarel and then the coast. The road drops steeply at Chamarel, with many hairpin bends. Maybe next time you could cycle on that road in the opposite direction, up the steep and famous slopes of Chamarel? Cycling is amazing, particularly when the weather is great and why wouldn’t it be in Mauritius?
You can find other destinations on this great travel blog, whether for cycling or just to relax. Thanks go to Henri for this Guest Post.