T4tomo
Legendary Member
The OP did say:
whereas Mallorca is mainly road cycling (albeit with considerate drivers) or full on MTB-ing
Suggestion for first Cycling Holiday abroad
- Thread starter sevenfourate
- Start date
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The OP did say:
OP
OP
sevenfourate
Devotee of OCD
- Location
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
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
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
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'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
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...
Animo
Well-Known Member
Andalusia, perhaps Ronda as a base.
Gorgeous roads with virtually zero traffic.
Saddle Skedaddle to a guided trip from there so have a look at that for inspiration.
https://www.skedaddle.com/uk/classi..._-_Guided_Road_Cycling_Holiday/484/view.rails
Gorgeous roads with virtually zero traffic.
Saddle Skedaddle to a guided trip from there so have a look at that for inspiration.
https://www.skedaddle.com/uk/classi..._-_Guided_Road_Cycling_Holiday/484/view.rails
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
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.
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 ...
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
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.
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.
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
Devotee of OCD
- Location
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
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
and i've only heard good things ref the destination. Arriving. Hiring bikes and jetting home fits this dream.......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
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.
+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
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.
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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