Suggestion for first Cycling Holiday abroad

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T4tomo

Legendary Member
I'm surprised that nobody's suggested Mallorca yet: loads of flights, plenty of accommodation, bike hire everywhere, plenty routing options and the locals know how to ride around cyclists.

The OP did say:

Ideally mostly light off-road / tracks / paths (?) to see some scenery and stay away from traffic.
whereas Mallorca is mainly road cycling (albeit with considerate drivers) or full on MTB-ing
 
OP
OP
sevenfourate

sevenfourate

Devotee of OCD
The OP did say:


whereas Mallorca is mainly road cycling (albeit with considerate drivers) or full on MTB-ing

Road riding would be ok I think (?) - if roads are quiet / drivers are well used to / versed to cyclist being present.

It would just be nice to be able to enjoy the process and scenery (Without worrying over cars too much). And not be inhaling fumes for the week !
 

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Aside from the possible Weather 'issues'......At the very least thats easy to do ! Which on a first Cycling 'Holiday' and doing so many new things around that fact - is absolutely a consideration.
Yes, the British-style weather really is what stops the Netherlands and Belgium being the ideal first tour. It can be great and it's sometimes lovely in Sept, while the wettest tour I've done was there in July.

I emailed approx 15 UK companies i found on the net last night; with my requirements - and am eagerly awaiting replies. I know so little about it all - anything is increasing my knowledge base right now......
I've not done one but I think that's a rather different experience. No balancing luggage and so on, but places you have to be for food or accommodation, so less scope to wander and investigate.
 
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roubaixtuesday

self serving virtue signaller
The drivers are too bonkers in Italy! Not for a first hols!

Interesting. Not our experience at all - we found Italian driving excellent, no issue whatever. UK drivers are the worst in the world IME, if you can cope here, you can cope anywhere.

Italian road surfaces, on the other hand...

0609 Worst road in Italy-1.jpg
 

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Interesting. Not our experience at all - we found Italian driving excellent, no issue whatever. UK drivers are the worst in the world IME, if you can cope here, you can cope anywhere.
No way. Florida USA drivers are far worse and the only saving grace is wider roads there wlth wide shoulders to dive onto!

My impression from visiting Italy is you'd need to plan the route carefully if you wanted to avoid riding unprotected on lots of high-speed-limit roads.
 

roubaixtuesday

self serving virtue signaller
Some of this depends on how you want to travel.

If you're flying, you need to either pay through the nose to transport bikes (and worry about damage) or hire bikes at the far end. All of which is perfectly doable, but a bit of a PITA.

The idea of getting a ferry to NL suggested sounds good, but my preference is to get some bikes in a car and drive.

Nearest obvious point of interest is Reims/Champagne, lovely scenery and flat as well as hilly options. French back roads are invariably superbly surfaced and quiet. You might get a decent glass of wine round there too, apparently.
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
My 2p, not because I think it's better than any of the other suggestions above, but because I've done it and loved it ... Normandy, particularly (but not exclusively) the Cotentin peninsula.

Get yourself and bikes by train or car to Portsmouth. That's easy for me to say but harder from Suffolk. Ferry to Cherbourg or St Malo. Around there you are spoiled for choice for pretty small towns to use as a base for exploring. Get a Gite or something. It's quiet, rural, beautiful - if unspectacular. You don't need a certified cycling route, there are just lots of little roads. There are plenty of hills but they are short. There's a nice coastline. Weather can be beautiful, but Normandy is famous for its dairy products. Cows need grass. Grass needs rain. And when it rains ...
 
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Ridgeback Roller

Über Member
Location
Sussex
My 2p, not because I think it's better than any of the other suggestions above, but because I've done it and loved it ... Normandy, particularly (but not exclusively) the Cotentin peninsula.

Get yourself and bikes by train or car to Portsmouth. That's easy for me to say but harder from Suffolk. Ferry to Cherbourg or St Malo. Around there you are spoiled for choice for pretty small towns to use as a base for exploring. Get a Gite or something. It's quiet, rural, beautiful - if unspectacular. You don't need an certified cycling route, there are just lots of little roads. There are plenty of hills but they are short. There's a nice coastline. Weather can be beautiful, but Normandy is famous for its dairy products. Cows need grass. Grass needs rain. And when it rains ...
I'd second this, although again easy for me living near to 2 ferry ports. Portsmouth to Caen, a good choice of quiet roads and interesting villages/WW2 museums etc going south and then the quiet roads of the Cotentin Peninsular to Cherbourg for the ferry back to Portsmouth. 4 days is just about right.
 

Binky

Active Member
Mallorca.

Affordable, easy to get to and totally geared up(excuse the pun) for cycling. You dont have to hit the mountains every day if you don't want, lots of good flat routes if that's what you want. I've been a load of times last few years and it's superb.
The main cycling hub as such is in the north around Puerto Pollensa but I've also stayed in the south around Peguera and can still get to some great climbs from there.
If you stick to back roads hardly any traffic and what there is are always very considerate.

I'll be going again this year at least twice.
 
OP
OP
sevenfourate

sevenfourate

Devotee of OCD
Mallorca.

Affordable, easy to get to and totally geared up(excuse the pun) for cycling. You dont have to hit the mountains every day if you don't want, lots of good flat routes if that's what you want. I've been a load of times last few years and it's superb.
The main cycling hub as such is in the north around Puerto Pollensa but I've also stayed in the south around Peguera and can still get to some great climbs from there.
If you stick to back roads hardly any traffic and what there is are always very considerate.

I'll be going again this year at least twice.

At this early Stage - i have to say i'm erring this way. Although theres at least two of going......

I love 'Travel' - Airports and all that involves. It would get me some warmth, a different fridge magnet :laugh: and i've only heard good things ref the destination. Arriving. Hiring bikes and jetting home fits this dream.......
 

Binky

Active Member
At this early Stage - i have to say i'm erring this way. Although theres at least two of going......

I love 'Travel' - Airports and all that involves. It would get me some warmth, a different fridge magnet :laugh: and i've only heard good things ref the destination. Arriving. Hiring bikes and jetting home fits this dream.......

Bike rental there not cheap. Depends upon spec but count on around 30euro per day for a decent carbon road bike and 40euro plus for a better one.
Supply and demand plays a part, if you go peak cycling time which is April/May and Sept/Oct the rental prices get hiked.

However, if going for less than a week it's better to rent than take own.

If you do go Sa Colobra is THE climb but it's a tough one, well I thought so! The most iconic is Cap de Formentor lighthouse, absolutely awesome scenery and an absolute must ride. Be ware though at peak times it gets very busy but so worth it.
 

Gwylan

Veteran
Location
All at sea⛵
German rivers. Good infra structure. Supported cycling trips.

+1 Rheims etc, helps to like champagne.

Netherlands, Friesland. Can be a bugger if the wind is against you. Yes, I know.

Weather a bit risky for all of these, though.
 

T4tomo

Legendary Member
Bike rental there not cheap. Depends upon spec but count on around 30euro per day for a decent carbon road bike and 40euro plus for a better one.
Supply and demand plays a part, if you go peak cycling time which is April/May and Sept/Oct the rental prices get hiked.

However, if going for less than a week it's better to rent than take own.

If you do go Sa Colobra is THE climb but it's a tough one, well I thought so! The most iconic is Cap de Formentor lighthouse, absolutely awesome scenery and an absolute must ride. Be ware though at peak times it gets very busy but so worth it.

Although €30 per day is actually quite cheap for bike rental, it is more expensive hiring in France and Italy

Sa Colabra is defo iconic for its sweeping hairpins and views, although its an odd one as its a dead end so you actually ride down it before you climb back up. In peak times you share the roads with loads of tourist buses though so go early morning

The ride from Port Pollenca to Formentor Lighthouse is definitely IMHO the prettiest ride / best views etc. absolutely stunning.

The toughest climb is from Soller up and over the highest point of the Island Puig Major, particularly as you've almost certainly had to climb over the Col de Soller just to get there!

The good thing about any climb in Mallorca is there is nothing must above ~7% gradient and the surfaces are all pretty smooth.

Port Pollenca / Alcudia is a good base if you want the option of flat or hills. My mate has a place near Peguera, so I often ride from there, but that always means its a hills ride to a greater or lesser degree.

If you search on here you'll find a ride / holiday report from someone who stayed in one location but used the local train network to get some variety into his rides and see more of the island.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-water-in-majorca.295618/page-3
 
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Moodyman

Legendary Member
I accept abroad has a certain allure, but there are some wonderful touring options in the UK. Especially, if it’s your first tour. Gives more bailout options in case of a major failure of bike/rider.

These pics were of a cheeky 3-dayer I did in the Yorkshire Wolds last week. I was very lucky with the weather.

Long stretches with no cars.

Edit: the excellent Cycle.Travel website has some great touring route ideas in the UK and abroad with detailed write ups.
 

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