Most cyclists get Normandy wrong.

Normandy Cycling. You arrive expecting flat roads, grey skies, and a quick ride between famous D-Day beaches. But if you ride here long enough, you realise something different. Normandy isn’t about chasing climbs or smashing big distances. It’s about understanding the landscape.

The small roads through the bocage.
The constant change of wind off the Channel.
The quiet villages where every café stop has a story.
And the way history is never very far from your handlebars.

After years cycling these roads, I’ve learned that the best rides here usually happen when you slow down a little and ride with the place rather than through it.

I’ve put together a video explaining why most cyclists get Normandy wrong — and how locals tend to approach riding here instead.

Watch the video:
Most Cyclists Get Normandy Wrong

And if you want the full guide with the tips I’ve learned riding here, you can read it here:
https://morethan21bends.com/cycling-normandy-tips

If you’ve ever cycled in Normandy, I’d be curious to know:

Did it surprise you?

Some of My Favourite Cycling Routes in Normandy

After years riding these roads, a few places in Normandy always stand out. Each offers a completely different cycling experience.

Cycling in Barfleur

On the far eastern edge of the Cotentin Peninsula, Barfleur is one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy and a fantastic starting point for a coastal ride.

The roads here roll gently along the Channel with wide views of the sea, quiet fishing ports and small stone villages. Early morning rides are particularly special when the light hits the granite houses and the harbour begins to wake up.

For cyclists who enjoy scenic riding rather than big climbs, Barfleur offers some of the most peaceful coastal kilometres in northern France.

Cycling in La Hague

If you want something wilder, head west to La Hague.

This peninsula is often compared to parts of Ireland or Scotland. The roads are narrow, exposed to the Atlantic winds and constantly rising and falling along dramatic cliffs.

It’s not mountainous, but the terrain makes every ride feel earned. On a clear day you can even see the Channel Islands in the distance.

For experienced cyclists, La Hague is one of the most rewarding rides in Normandy.

Cycling to Pegasus Bridge

One of the most powerful rides in Normandy links the countryside around Caen with Pegasus Bridge.

Cycling here allows you to approach the site slowly, along quiet canal roads and small villages, before arriving at the famous bridge captured by British airborne troops on the night of June 5–6, 1944.

It’s a ride where history feels very close to the road beneath your wheels.

The D-Day Anniversary Ride

Each June, cycling the Normandy landing beaches becomes even more meaningful during the D-Day anniversary period.

Riding from Ranville, across Sword Beach, and on toward Juno Beach and the British Normandy Memorial creates a powerful route linking many of the most important sites of the landings.

For the 81st anniversary of D-Day, I rode these roads quietly and reflect on the history that unfolded here in 1944.