First Timer Info Archives

How Far Should You Be Able to Ride Before a Cycling Vacation?

By Santana AdventuresFirst Timer Info, Preparation & Getting Ready

How Far Should You Be Able to Ride Before a Cycling Vacation? One of the most common questions we hear from cyclists preparing for their first Santana Adventure is: “How far should I be able to ride before the trip?” The good news is that you probably don’t need to train for the distances you’ll see on your vacation quite...

October 28, 2026

Love0

Overcoming Motion Sickness

By Santana AdventuresCycling Cruises, First Timer Info, Travel & International Cycling

Overcoming Motion Sickness One of the advantages of carefully planning our cycling cruises around the best times of year for each destination is that motion sickness is rarely an issue for Santana participants. We select our sailing seasons with weather and sea conditions in mind, and the vast majority of our participants never experience any discomfort at all. That said,...

October 9, 2026

Love0

How to Change a Flat Tire on Your Bike

By Santana AdventuresFirst Timer Info, Riding Skills & Knowledge

How to Change a Flat Tire on Your Bike Don’t yet know how to replace a tube? Don’t worry—it’s one of the most useful cycling skills you can learn, and the basics are surprisingly simple. As with conditioning, a small investment in tools and know-how is part of cycling proficiency. Knowing how to handle a flat tire gives you greater...

September 25, 2026

Love0

GPS Navigation – Smartphone or Garmin?

By Santana AdventuresCycling Cruises, First Timer Info, Preparation & Getting Ready

GPS Navigation: Smartphone or Garmin? We use GPS Routing to make your cycling experience the very best. It allows better routing on smaller lanes and unsigned paths. No more fumbling with route sheets, trying to find and interpret roadsigns, getting lost or riding extra miles. With a quick glance at your GPS unit or Smartphone and you’ll know exactly where...

September 7, 2026

Love0

Cycling Cruise Fitness

By Santana AdventuresCycling Cruises, First Timer Info, Preparation & Getting Ready, Riding Skills & Knowledge

Cycling Cruise Fitness — Are You Ready?! Pre-Cruise Fitness is key to getting the most out of your vacation. The better shape you’re in, the longer you can ride, and the more you can experience. The winning attitude Every ride between now and your cycling cruise is an opportunity for you to become healthier and stronger. The most important thing...

July 15, 2026

Love0

Cruises vs Tours

By Santana AdventuresCycling Cruises, Featured Content, First Timer Info, Santana Adventures, The Santana Style of Travel, Travel & International Cycling

Cycling Tour vs. Cycling Cruise: Why a Cycling Cruise Is the Superior Vacation Choice For cyclists who love to travel, there are more options than ever. You can sign up for a traditional cycling tour, ride from hotel to hotel, unpack each night, repack each morning, and experience a region mile by mile. Or you can choose a cycling cruise,...

July 3, 2026

Love0

What is a Cycling Cruise?!

By Santana AdventuresCycling Cruises, Featured Content, First Timer Info, The Santana Style of Travel, Travel & International Cycling

Cycling Cruise... What the Heck?! What the Heck Is a Cycling Cruise? In 2005, Santana did something no cycling tour company had done before: we chartered a luxurious cruise ship and turned it into a floating home base for cyclists. The couples who joined us on that first cycling cruise quickly discovered something important. A cycling cruise wasn’t just...

June 15, 2026

Love0

About Santana Adventures

By Santana AdventuresFirst Timer Info, Santana Adventures

The two most common questions we receive are: #1 - Who are you guys? #2 - And why are there so many pictures of Tandems? To answer both questions, let's dive into a little background on Santana Adventures! Santana Cycles, Inc. Passionate about sharing their favorite cycling routes with friends, Jan and Bill McCready got their start creating and leading...

June 9, 2026

Love0