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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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