Malta - British Expat Forum

Sometimes I read on some websites that Gozo is the bicycle island and that Bicycle vactions are being held.
Is this true and in which months are these vacations being brought to life.

Hi and welcome to the forum

as far as locals are concerned, bikes and Gozo don't go together - roads too poor, and its too hilly. You very rarely see children on bikes, but you do see the occasional intrepid tourist struggling up a hill - could be any time of year really.

Personally I would not advise anyone to cycle here for reasons GM mentioned and also due to the standards of driving and lack of general expereince in dealing with cyclists swerving around potholes etc.

We had a regular poster on here who lived in one of the highest villages in the island and regularly cycled to Victoria and several coastal villages. He has since moved away, but does lurk and post from time to time so Peter, if you're reading this, how about some of your experiences?

Maybe with mountainbikes and then it doesn't harm the bikes with all the potholes. the big pot holes don't harm the bikes, just swallow them whole...

I don' t know what happened with my last post I've written but it's not the same now as i wrote it yesterday.
So i repeat my question.
I meant actually for maybe mountainbike vacations and then it doesn't harm the bicycle with all the potholes.
I see on the internet that some English and American organizations organise 2 or 3 day bicycle holidays.

Bennylas,

I can't explain what happened with yoru posting unless GM inadvertently edited it instead of replying

Peter had a mountain bike when he was here, which was why I asked him to reply if he is reading.

I cannot say I have seen any obvious signs of cyclist touring groups but if you are fit and using an all terrain bike then it could be a good way to visit and see the more remote corners of the island.

I would still be wary of drivers here who really are not used to avoiding cyclists, and you need to be conscious of the small size of the island and the climate depending on when you come. You need to think about very strong winds and quite hot sun dependent on season. I guess it depends what you are used to.

I've been cycling in Gozo since July, clocking up around 600km according to my GPS (which is pretty good considering the island is barely 15km x 7km). While you should take note of the warnings from Mark and Mr Kriss, it's a superb place to cycle, much more so than Malta and among the best in Europe. It deserves a post of its own but basically the locals don't know how to deal with cycles and are often under the impression that cyclists should always give way to motor vehicles. But if you go off-road that's not an issue and on the roads simply steer well clear of anything with four or more wheels.

You can potentially cycle all year round, though I've found it a bit cold in December as I didn't bring any long sleeved/legged gear. In June-September you'll have to plan to be off the bike and in the shade between 12:00 and 16:00 each day. September/October and May/June are probably best if cycling is your main objective.

Gozo has something for every type of cyclist. My son introduced me to off-road biking here but if you prefer a leisurely pedal between churches and scenic views or to take on steep climb challenges there's plenty to keep you busy. You can see (far too many) of my Gozo cycling photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/softrax/collections/72157607934219981/.

I'm only aware of one person who does any sort of organised cycling and I don't have any contact details. If you were to say how long you wanted to stay and what you're interested in (serious off-road, scenery, beaches, history, culture, churches) I could suggest an itiniery for you.

The tourist maps are rubbish incidentally. If you plan to go offroad then the Kompass

Bicycles are available for hire for aound €5/day or €25/week. I can't name the place I've used in this topic but there are garages that hire bikes in Victoria and I think both Xlendi and Marsalforn and probably elsewhere. Look for a light bike with full suspension or front suspension and good gel saddle - your backside will thank you for it.

SAFETY WARNING: During the siesta time in summer there's a serious risk of of severe sunburn, heatstroke and dangerous dehydration. That should be obvious but I've seen people who ignored it and it wasn't pretty. Always carry at least 500ml of water for every hour you plan to be out in summer, half that the rest of the year (and isotonic or energy replacement drinks for more than three or four hours). It's fair to say that your safety is in your own hands. Gozo is a lump of rock averaging around 100m high with few beaches so if you go far enough in any direction there's an 80% chance you'll drop off a cliff. They don't do barriers or warnings or any of that safety stuff here so if you can see the sea anywhere and you can't see the ground a few metres ahead, that's probably because there isn't any. Don't let that put you off because as long as you're aware and you use common sense you'll be fine.

Thanks JJ, in mentioning Peter I forgot about your trips down the back roads/paths and other bits to Dwejra etc. Thanks again for filling in my obvious gaps

I did look at the website of one advertiser of cycling tours who seems to use the major hotels of the island and move your kit for you each night. They seemed to suggest a day cycling was from Ta Cenc to Xaghra. The next day a meander up to St Lawrenz. I think maybe Bennylas had more your kind of adventuring in mind, so thanks again.

sorry Bennylas - all my fault - Chris was quite right in his supposition - I edited rather than replied to your comment

tch tch

I suppose you will say you were rushing while Onvol DNS was up?

that, combined with using an old laptop while my PC was being repared, are the only mitigation I have.....

thats the second time I've done it as well - is it 3 strikes and I lose my mod powers ??

it's probably back to apprentice warlock.

This thread is jinxed. I can't even blame OnVol as I'm on Go and anyway I'm back in the UK. I think I spent so long typing my message it timed out and rolled back my last edit. The fifth paragraph should have read something like:

The tourist maps are rubbish incidentally. If you plan to go off-road then the best map is an Ordnance Survey style map of Malta, Gozo and Comino published by Kompass in Germany but, I suspect, based on cartographic data from MEPA. I haven't found them for sale in Gozo but bought mine from Stanfords in London [eek! hope I didn't just commit a heinous crime saying that]. That's right, the best map of Gozo is published in Germany and sold in London. Duh! But watch out because most of the routes indicated as "steep hiking trails" are fine on the bike but sometimes you end clambering up a narrow path carrying bike. If you use GPS then I'm told the Kompass map is available on CD but the OpenStreetMap project has excellent coverage of Gozo (and will improve when I get round to uploading my tracks) and you can't argue with the price 'cos it doesn't cost a penny. Contact me direct if you want a copy of the readymade Gozo and Malta map for Garmin.

I will all thank you very much for your responses. I'm planning to go in the spring. I was there several times but never for cycling.
With the holidays now, I'll let my plans sleep a little bit but after new year I'll move on planning.
Very nice pictures by the way.
In the mean time I wish every Gozo addicted persons a very healthy and happy 2009.

question for JJ:

the garmin map you mention - is it for off-road / detailed country side use - or is it good for driving also? like has areas, street names and roads all accurately plotted etc?

if so how much does it cost?