Looking for ideas/recommendations for a week or so cycling holiday...

terrydel

Had an entry for this year's maratona, carried over from last year, but given the cost of going right now and the fact I've been twice before, I've decided its not worth it.
Looking for an ideas on places to go for 4-5 days cycling, either with a tour/cycling travel company (preferable) or solo. Was thinking either Alps or Pyrennes and thick some iconic climbs off the bucket list. Happy to go any time between July-end of September (weather should be ok during that period?)
Looking for ideas on tour companies/specific packages etc that are worth a go. Only gone abroad to do specific sportives/gran fondos in the last few years, but find them very expensive even if they are great experiences. Not interested in either etape or marmotte this year even if a spot was available.
Any ideas/help greatly appreciated.

selwyn froggitt

Sierra Nevada in Andalucia.

Was there in 2015,incredible cycling on super quiet roads,brilliant climbs to some of Spains highest villages and a chance to ride (Pico Veleta) the highest paved road in Europe at over 11,000 feet.
Based ourselves in Velez de Benaudalla and just over an hours transfer from Malaga.
Used Cormac Keeney to sort bikes hire/transfers/hotels,great to deal with.

http://www.sierranevada.cc/

terrydel

selwyn froggitt wrote: »

Sierra Nevada in Andalucia.

Was there in 2015,incredible cycling on super quiet roads,brilliant climbs to some of Spains highest villages and a chance to ride (Pico Veleta) the highest paved road in Europe at over 11,000 feet.
Based ourselves in Velez de Benaudalla and just over an hours transfer from Malaga.
Used Cormac Keeney to sort bikes hire/transfers/hotels,great to deal with.

http://www.sierranevada.cc/

Wow, I'd need an oxygen mask up that high!
Looks great but this year I think I want to tick off a few of the iconic Alpine or Pyrennean climbs I've not got round to yet.
Cheers.

selwyn froggitt

terrydel wrote: »

Wow, I'd need an oxygen mask up that high!
Looks great but this year I think I want to tick off a few of the iconic Alpine or Pyrennean climbs I've not got round to yet.
Cheers.

Keep it on the back-burner then,you will not regret it.

terrydel

selwyn froggitt wrote: »

Keep it on the back-burner then,you will not regret it.

Just checking out their website, it is very tempting and looks great value.
Im guessing if I went first week of september that the weather is pretty sure to be ok?
In the process of trying to buy a house right now so the cost of some of the trips to the more popular cycling destinations is a bit offputting, so may come back to this.
Much appreciated.

selwyn froggitt

September would be the most perfect time to visit,temperatures in the mid 20's and all the snow will have melted.
We went in May with snow on the mountain tops,absolutely stunning but we couldn't get past this on Pico at just over 3,000 metres,great memories though.

terrydel

selwyn froggitt wrote: »

September would be the most perfect time to visit,temperatures in the mid 20's and all the snow will have melted.
We went in May with snow on the mountain tops,absolutely stunning but we couldn't get past this on Pico at just over 3,000 metres,great memories though.

I've cycled up the Wicklow gap in similar! Will deffo keep this in mind if I cant find anything else that isnt overly expensive.

Large bottle small glass

terrydel wrote: »

Wow, I'd need an oxygen mask up that high!
Looks great but this year I think I want to tick off a few of the iconic Alpine or Pyrennean climbs I've not got round to yet.
Cheers.

In France especially, owing to the size of the race, a lot of the iconic climbs can be quite busy with traffic.

I didn't really enjoy the Tourmalet but Solour/Aubisque was a joy.

The best part of Pyrenees for me was the empty climbs the tour doesn't use.

In the Alps the Vercors region is magic, away from the busier more iconic climbs further east.

Depends what you want for trip/why you cycle.

Well known areas of Pyrenees/Alps won't be cheap.

Step outside your comfort zone and do an end to end credit car tour on a eurovelo route?

terrydel

Large bottle small glass wrote: »

In France especially, owing to the size of the race, a lot of the iconic climbs can be quite busy with traffic.

I didn't really enjoy the Tourmalet but Solour/Aubisque was a joy.

The best part of Pyrenees for me was the empty climbs the tour doesn't use.

In the Alps the Vercors region is magic, away from the busier more iconic climbs further east.

Depends what you want for trip/why you cycle.

Well known areas of Pyrenees/Alps won't be cheap.

Step outside your comfort zone and do an end to end credit car tour on a eurovelo route?

Whats an end to end credit card route? Not heard that term used before.

mr spuckler

could always stick with Italy and head up around Bormio area - at the foot of the Stelvio, close to the Gavia & Mortirolo too. all fairly challenging climbs! then you've other options like Foscagno which takes you over to Livigno, can loop into Switzerland etc.
biggest issue with it imo is the long journey up from Milan...

siochain

Raid Pyrenees is a great trip, quite roads, secluded villages and a good few classic climbs.

2 Wheels Good

Stayed in Argeles-Gazost near Lourdes in 2014 for the Etape, great central location for loads of scenic climbs.

Velo Peloton organises trips too
Climbs, to quote Velo Peloton "Within 15 km there are over 30 categorised climbs, including Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Soller, Hautacam, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden and many more. "

I've done 7 of the climbs and it really is stunning down there.

terrydel

siochain wrote: »

Raid Pyrenees is a great trip, quite roads, secluded villages and a good few classic climbs.

I saw one in the pyrennes on facebook recently, but cant recall the name!
It looked ideal.
I'll check yours out, cheers.

terrydel

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

Stayed in Argeles-Gazost near Lourdes in 2014 for the Etape, great central location for loads of scenic climbs.

Velo Peloton organises trips too
Climbs, to quote Velo Peloton "Within 15 km there are over 30 categorised climbs, including Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Soller, Hautacam, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden and many more. "

I've done 7 of the climbs and it really is stunning down there.

Nice one, thats interesting.

magicbastarder

selwyn froggitt wrote: »

Sierra Nevada in Andalucia.

i've stayed in las alpujarras a few times (my dad's cousin has lived there since the 70s). it's a beautiful part of the world.

a few years back, we dropped down to orgiva to do some shopping, and on the road up from orchiva to pampaneira, passed a chap on a bicycle, with only one leg. that's a tough enough spin with two legs...

Tigerandahalf

magicbastarder wrote: »

i've stayed in las alpujarras a few times (my dad's cousin has lived there since the 70s). it's a beautiful part of the world.

a few years back, we dropped down to orgiva to do some shopping, and on the road up from orchiva to pampaneira, passed a chap on a bicycle, with only one leg. that's a tough enough spin with two legs...

Have you read Chris Stewart's books on the area. He lives there. He was in the band Genesis before he got replaced by ... well.. Phil Collins!

It seems to be a cheaper quiter option.

Maybe a hybrid or mountain bike on the various trails around Europe would be a good option.

cdaly_

terrydel wrote: »

Whats an end to end credit card route? Not heard that term used before.

Example: Boat to cherbourg, train to somewhere, cycle back to cherbourg, boat home.

magicbastarder

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Have you read Chris Stewart's books on the area. He lives there. He was in the band Genesis before he got replaced by ... well.. Phil Collins!

I have it at home somewhere - we walked past his house one day, walked from fondales to orgiva and got the bus back.

Daroxtar

If you want something slightly different to the Alps or Pyrenees and are willing to do it yourself and not through any companies then try flying to Santander with Ryanair, rent a car and head west taking in the Picos and Cantabrian mountains. You can hit pretty much all the major climbs from the Vuelta Espana on the way: Lagos de Covadonga, Angliru, Jitu Escrandi, Corbetoria, San Lorenzo, Farrapona..... the list goes on and on. Accommodation is cheap, food is good, roads are virtually empty.
Good Blog link to show some of the climbs in the area https://humancyclist.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/cycling-asturias/-

If you wanted to do a sportive then there's the Clasica Puertos De Somiedo in August https://www.somiedo.bike/clasicabike.html

There are a few companies doing tours in the area if that's the route you'd prefer. Here's a link to some of the itineraries

https://www.cyclefiesta.com/cycling-holidays/mountains-northern-spain.htm
https://roadcycleasturias.com/angliru-cycling-holidays/

Might as well add that I'm heading over with a couple of clubmates in September to do a fair bit of climbing and catch a stage or two of the Vuelta while we're at it so let me know if you want anymore info.

The Noble Nudge

Theres an Alps version of the raid...
Will look it up later and post a link.
All the climbs with a choice of 3 routes on the day...depending on how you feel

positron

selwyn froggitt wrote: »

Sierra Nevada in Andalucia.

Was there in 2015,incredible cycling on super quiet roads,brilliant climbs to some of Spains highest villages and a chance to ride (Pico Veleta) the highest paved road in Europe at over 11,000 feet.
Based ourselves in Velez de Benaudalla and just over an hours transfer from Malaga.
Used Cormac Keeney to sort bikes hire/transfers/hotels,great to deal with.

http://www.sierranevada.cc/

Absolutely stunning place - amazing roads, amazing views, great coffee & food stops, brilliant value on everything. Granada is a fine place to stay as well, a lot of history, culture, squares, food etc etc. When wife and I were there in 2018, the temperature in Granada was nearly 40 degrees C and couple of hours later we were standing next to 10 feet tall compacted-snow thing half way up Sierra Nevada.. We were on a motorbike. I fancy going up there on a pedal bike - but good god, it must be so hard - I won't be fit for it any time soon. It's so high up in the sky I was starting to get nervous riding the motorbike up those endless hairpin turns. There were tonnes of cyclists riding to the Pico veletta that day as well. There were also at least four camouflaged test cars up there, BMWs and Nissans.

Great part of the world. I would recommend it to anyone.

2 Wheels Good

I'll just leave this here had it all to myself (and the farmer at his hay)

terrydel

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

I'll just leave this here had it all to myself (and the farmer at his hay)

Where is that?

Thanks for all the advice lads, gonna spend a bit of time over the long weekend and try nail something down, once we've sorted what dates we are taking off and the missus lets me go!

2 Wheels Good

It's Luz Ardiden, not the toughest but the view back is stunning

Exiled1

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

Stayed in Argeles-Gazost near Lourdes in 2014 for the Etape, great central location for loads of scenic climbs.

Velo Peloton organises trips too
Climbs, to quote Velo Peloton "Within 15 km there are over 30 categorised climbs, including Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Soller, Hautacam, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden and many more. "

I've done 7 of the climbs and it really is stunning down there.

Agree. Great base for cycling - best by far in France. Some nice little hotels at reasonable cost who are into cycling tourism. The choices of climbs are awesome, best I 'enjoyed' was Col du Tentes. Fly into Lourdes. Velo Peleton has closed since last year afaik.
Luc-San Saveur at the bottom of the Tourmalet is another good centre, though no time to warm up before climbing the monster.
Best time to go? After 21 August.

kilns

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

I'll just leave this here had it all to myself (and the farmer at his hay)

Luz Ardiden?

kilns

Exiled1 wrote: »

Agree. Great base for cycling - best by far in France. Some nice little hotels at reasonable cost who are into cycling tourism. The choices of climbs are awesome, best I 'enjoyed' was Col du Tentes. Fly into Lourdes. Velo Peleton has closed since last year afaik.
Luc-San Saveur at the bottom of the Tourmalet is another good centre, though no time to warm up before climbing the monster.
Best time to go? After 21 August.

Paddy who ran Velo Peloton sold the lodge, he actually set up a bike hire shop in Argeles Gazost, hiring quality bikes (pro level LaPierre bikes) but I dont know if he still has it open as I wasnt over last summer (my family own a house in Argeles Gazost). However I believe the lodge has only changed name and is called Haute Pyrenees cycling lodge now

2 Wheels Good

kilns wrote: »

Luz Ardiden?

That's it, ~70km round trip from Argeles.

kilns

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

That's it, ~70km round trip from Argeles.

Yep, I have done it many times, more hairpins than Alp DHuez and much quieter than Tourmalet

Gavarnie while not that hard is one my favourites for the views along the way, ending at a world heritage site

2 Wheels Good

kilns wrote: »

Yep, I have done it many times, more hairpins than Alp DHuez and much quieter than Tourmalet

Gavarnie while not that hard is one my favourites for the views along the way, ending at a world heritage site

Will second that, Gavarnie is incredible, great coffee stop before heading upwards for Col de Tentes.

Col d'Aubisque via Col du Soulor not far behind for views.

Galego

Daroxtar wrote: »

If you want something slightly different to the Alps or Pyrenees and are willing to do it yourself and not through any companies then try flying to Santander with Ryanair, rent a car and head west taking in the Picos and Cantabrian mountains. You can hit pretty much all the major climbs from the Vuelta Espana on the way: Lagos de Covadonga, Angliru, Jitu Escrandi, Corbetoria, San Lorenzo, Farrapona..... the list goes on and on. Accommodation is cheap, food is good, roads are virtually empty.
Good Blog link to show some of the climbs in the area https://humancyclist.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/cycling-asturias/-

If you wanted to do a sportive then there's the Clasica Puertos De Somiedo in August https://www.somiedo.bike/clasicabike.html

There are a few companies doing tours in the area if that's the route you'd prefer. Here's a link to some of the itineraries

https://www.cyclefiesta.com/cycling-holidays/mountains-northern-spain.htm
https://roadcycleasturias.com/angliru-cycling-holidays/

Might as well add that I'm heading over with a couple of clubmates in September to do a fair bit of climbing and catch a stage or two of the Vuelta while we're at it so let me know if you want anymore info.

Cantabria already has some amazing climbs and scenery. San Glorio is my favorite one and can be done in a loop crossing over the Picos de Europa and back.

Galicia and Leon also have some insane and beautiful climbs.

What climbs are you planning to do this summer in Asturias?

Daroxtar

Galego wrote: »

What climbs are you planning to do this summer in Asturias?

All of them haha

Well it's going to be a somewhat painful holiday if all goes well!! This is a preliminary list, subject to change. The other guys haven't been before so don't really know what's in store hahaha.
We're going to hit 2 stages of the Vuelta along the way. Excuse any spelling mistakes.

Angliru, Cordal, Corbetoria, Gamonitero.
Covadonga, Jitu escarandi.
Cassielles, mirador el Fito ( Vuelta +rest day :D)
Puerto Ponton, Pandetreve/Pandueredas, Cain Valdeon.
La Cubilla (Vuelta day)
Puerto Somiedo, Farrapona.
No bother.....

I've previously done the Angliru, Covadonga, Farrapona, Cubilla, Fuente Dé and Piedrasluengas. Also done San Glorio twice before, fantastic climb. I might switch a Picos loop for the Ponton - Cain day, all depends on the legs and weather and I'd love to try and fit Salto la Cabra but we only have a week....

Galego

Daroxtar wrote: »

All of them haha

I am from there myself and going for some cycling there this summer (as most of.my holidays). Trying to convince Terry to come with me. Tell him how beautiful this part of the world is! Way better value than anywhere in France IMO (ok i am biased).

I love loops so would always climb-descend a combination of Somiedo/Ventana/Trobaniellu/La Cubilla/Farrapona and depending on the legs you can throw in the middle San Lorenzo/Cobertoria/ Ermita de Alba to name some.

Another nice loop is Tarna (from Langreo) and descend back from San Isidro. If you do the climb San Isidro then you climb Señales from León and descend Tarna.

Pandetrave is a beast of a climb from Cain if you are planning to stay a night in Cain. No many people do the full climb as Cain is a dead end.

Anyway enjoy Asturias/Leon/Cantabria and if you ever wish to go and do different climbs/places in the Northwest of Spain then check out climbs like Ancares, Llano de las Ovejas, Foncebadon, Campo las Danzas (Vallenon), El Peñon, Fonte da Cova, Virgen del Valle, Redondal, O Cebreiro, Cabeza de Manzaneda. These are beasts and very different to the Asturias climbs. Most unused in La Vuelta.

Daroxtar

Galego wrote: »

Pandetrave is a beast of a climb from Cain if you are planning to stay a night in Cain. No many people do the full climb as Cain is a dead end.

That one is probably the biggest day, depending on if we do that or the Picos loop. We're staying in Cangas, so cycle up Ponton then descend to Cain. Have a good relax and meal, then climb back out and swing around to Riano for dinner before descending back Ponton to Cangas. Roughly 160/3500m.
I'm being optimistic about the whole thing but we'll have a minibus so might shorten some of the days by driving some sections between up and back climbs. If it all goes well we'll have around 14-15000m climbing in the week. Even if we skip a bit we'll still go well over 10000

Terry, listen to Galego
Here's a link to one of the Spanish websites. Turn on Google translate or just look at all the lovely pictures. It's a guy who had 3 weeks in the area and a target to climb as many of the mountains as possible. He does some job!!!
https://apmforo.mforos.mobi/570933/10964452-3-semanas-de-zurroneo-ye-lo-que-hay/

Galego

Daroxtar wrote: »

I'm being optimistic about the whole thing but we'll have a minibus so might shorten some of the days by driving some sections

Terry, listen to Galego

This is a loop i want to do this summer. Scenery is amazing and not too hard on the legs. You cand add and climb La Camperona while passing Sotillos de Sabero if you want to add some more climbing.

https://www.strava.com/routes/18235403