Cycling on holiday is one of the best ways to see a place, but it can feel strange when traffic drives on the opposite side of the road from the one you know. Your eyes and habits have been trained for years, and they do not switch off just because you have crossed a border. The good news is that a few simple habits make the change easy, and most people feel at home again within a short time.
Slow down and retrain your eyes
Start somewhere quiet, such as an empty car park or a calm lane, before you join busier roads. Ride slowly and practise looking in the direction that is now the important one at every junction. Your instinct will want to look the old way first, so make a point of stopping, thinking and looking again. It may feel silly, but it works, and it soon becomes automatic.
Give yourself a reminder. Some people tie a piece of ribbon to the handlebar, others stick a small note on the frame or simply say aloud, look this way first, at each junction. Ask a travelling companion to ride beside you for the first outing and to gently remind you if you slip back into old habits. A shared joke about it takes the pressure off and helps everyone stay relaxed.
Watch how local cyclists behave and copy their calm approach. Notice where they wait, how they glance around, and how they give signals. It is also worth asking your hosts or the people at your accommodation about local habits, since some things feel different from home. Above all, follow the rules that apply where you are cycling, and remember that being a visitor is a good reason to take things slowly.
Take extra time at junctions and when turning, because these are the moments when old habits are strongest. If a busy crossing feels too much, dismount and walk your bike across, then get back on when you feel ready. Avoid long rides when you are tired, since concentration fades, and keep your first days short. A little patience now means a whole holiday of relaxed, enjoyable cycling.
