Winter riding in the UK can get a little tiresome and aside from wrapping up in the very best kit one of the best ways to keep your motivation high is to break it up with a mini holiday.

There are many short cycling holiday camps out there, but recently Thomson Bike Tours got in touch to tell us all about their four day Barcelona break. There are dates in December and January and the full title of the holiday is ‘Barcelona Escape.’ We expect that’s exactly how it will feel as you jump onto a plane and wave a cheery goodbye to the rain, sleet and other miserableness.

Riders enjoy three days of riding, and four nights, in the Penedés wine region just 30 minutes from Barcelona airport. You’ll be collected from the airport on Thursday, and will be off out on Friday morning to join a ‘club ride’ with fellow holiday makers.

The organiers promise “deserted roads and leafy lanes” before lunch at the Pavé bike shop and dinner in town.

The next day is a longer, harder ride through the vineyards, with an afternoon to explore the city, and Sunday’s ride promises to be a real test of attrition so you may want to prepare and recover!

In total, you’ll ride 360 km/224 miles, climb 5,380 metres/17,651 feet. The average ride is 76 miles with 5,800 feet.

Rental bikes from Bianchi are available, and there is one staff member to every four riders, with multiple groups leaving to enable you to find a group matching your pace. There will be a following van with every group, and route maps distributed in advance.

The trip costs €795 per person, and includes accommodation, most meals but night flights. Interested? Check it out here.