Dylan Reynolds – founder of cycling tour company Ride & Seek – shares his passion for long-distance bike tours that span multiple countries over the course of several weeks.

Epic cycle tours by companies like Ride & Seek aren’t a one-day cycling excursion – they are a full two-wheeled adventure. For Ride & Seek, the inspiration for some of their signature tours was the great military expeditions of yesteryear.

Whether you’re recreating Hannibal’s legendary journey across the Alps, or Napoleon’s bid to seize Moscow, these bike tours combine gorgeous scenery, invigorating rides, and cultural enrichment along the way.

Going with a tour operator means that everything is arranged for you – as Dylan says, you just have to ‘turn the pedals’. Hotels, support vans, even the bike itself are all sorted by Ride & Seek so you can just turn up and enjoy the full experience.

The Napoleon Tour: 37 days across Europe

Recognised as one of the best cycling tours in Europe, this itinerary winds through eight countries in just over a month. It’s available in three shorter legs, or do the whole thing!

Starting in Paris, you’ll head through the Champagne region of France (and yes, there’ll be time to enjoy some bubbles). Then after a cutting across Luxembourg’s southern border, you’ll venture across Germany’s famous castle-clad hills, before entering Poland and heading north for incredible scenery in the Polish lake district. The tour concludes with a northbound journey up through the three Baltic states: Lithuania, Latvia and finally Estonia.