One of the popular sports in Rhodes is cycling. For a long period of time, the island has the only cycling track in Greece. This velodrome was made before the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. It existed in Rhodes since 1920. Now, there are four Cycling Clubs in the island, all of which are recognized by the National Cycling Federation. The club members and athletes are also members of the Local Cycling Association.

Rhodes is the usual choice for holding cycling events, national and international alike. One of the world-famous event held in the island is called the “Tour of Rhodes”. This event has been set up for 9 years and was recorded in the UCI world calendar as Category 2/3. Around 156 athletes and 26 professional cycling teams joined the Tour of Rhodes. The distance covered is approximately 580 kilometers to 630 kilometers.

The Cycling Organizing Team held the recently concluded NatWest Island Games XII in Rhodes. The four events included are: Time Trial, Road Race, Town Criterium, and Mountain Bike. The mountain bike route is situated in the Agios Silas area. Previously organized mountain bike events in this area were considered a success. The Cycling Organizing Team is headed by George Vogiatzis.

Aside from being a sport, cycling is one of the top ways of sightseeing Rhodes. This way, you could take in all the beauty and history Rhodes has to offer. As the largest island in Dodecanese, it is impossible to see all of Rhodes in a day. Cycling tours are offered in either 12-day or 8-day tours. The highlights of these tours are: the Old Town of Rhodes and the 4th century BC Acropolis in Lindos.

The cycling tour is called Crusader Paths. As the name suggests, it trails down places where there had been a major crusader activity. The Old Town of Rhodes is considered the largest medieval city in the Europe continent. It is now a World Heritage Site. It is a walled city and is the heart of Crusader activity in Greece. The town is well-preserved making people feel like walking back through time. In Lindos stands Acropolis, another World Heritage Site. It is one of the most holy place in ancient Greece.

Other places in the tour are the Palace of the Grand Master and the Inns of different European Orders. The popular Valley of Butterflies is also a part of the cycling tour. Of course, the Mandraki Harbor is also included since it is where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. Although it is not restored to its true grandeur, the once-part of the seven wonders of the world is still a place to see.

The Crusader Paths is a 12-day tour with a total mileage of 257 kilometers or 160 miles. Daily cycling is around 36 kilometers or 22 miles. The tour is relatively easy but there are times when it is considered difficult. The island has hills which are very steep. The cycling tour is pricey, for $5,880 (USD), but Rhodes is definitely worth it.