Cycling Holidays

[AndyCr15]

I guess the other cost is buying the bike box.

If you’re going to go often it’s less of a deal but a big expense for a single trip. Unless you can buy smartly and resell.

Exactly this. I managed to find a second-hand BikeBoxAlan for £200. I've already used it six times (would be about £300 in rental) and I'm reasonably sure I could sell it for a profit when I'm done.

For six trips -

Buying : £200 + £600 flight costs = £800, but £2-£300 of box to sell = £550
Renting Box : £300 + £600 flight costs = £900
Renting Bike : £900 - £1,500 (depending how good a bike you rent)

I'm guessing 3 or 4 trips (maybe even 2?) is probably the tipping point to buying your own box, if you get a good price.

Obviously, one of the benefits of renting a bike is the ease of not having to take apart and rebuild your bike.

 

[Martynt74]

@AndyCr15 Not strictly road based, but this is an event i just saw pop up based from the centre of Alicante towards Busot, the background video gives an idea of scenery. Albeit aimed towards gravel riding

Home - Iron Gravel

irongravel.com

Actually quite tempted to sign up.


On a separate note, whats a general average speed for group riding? My average pace is usually 15-17mph on mainly flatter sections (maybe 1000ft ascent over 10 miles), which a massive drop when bigger hills are involved to around 12-13mph. I've just seen a facebook group ride where they averaged 26-30kph on a 90km ride with 1300m ascent. Given that to me is a pretty big ride and they're lowest pace is my flat pace, i'm wondering how much effort i need to put in to get faster!

 

[Martynt74]

@AndyCr15 Actually maybe you can hold off the Jumilla/Pinoso area, not sure if you saw my post but we're close to buying 40,000m2 of land near here to build. My plan is to stick some container homes on the other end of the plot as rentals (assuming i can get a tourist licence). You can use that as a base

 

[AndyCr15]

On a separate note, whats a general average speed for group riding?

As an organiser of events for people that have never ridden together before (work, not locals) this is the most commonly asked question. Tbf, what you say is flat sounds more like rolling hills. We just went to Costa Daurada with a guy from the Norfolk area, now that's flat! He'd said he generally rode at about 17mph, which sounded good, but then he was the one off the back or even the slower group.

@AndyCr15 Actually maybe you can hold off the Jumilla/Pinoso area, not sure if you saw my post but we're close to buying 40,000m2 of land near here to build. My plan is to stick some container homes on the other end of the plot as rentals (assuming i can get a tourist licence). You can use that as a base

I doubt you'll be ready for next summer though, right?! I might come visiting in years to come though (Maybe we can put together an OCUK trip!)

 

[Martynt74]

As an organiser of events for people that have never ridden together before (work, not locals) this is the most commonly asked question. Tbf, what you say is flat sounds more like rolling hills. We just went to Costa Daurada with a guy from the Norfolk area, now that's flat! He'd said he generally rode at about 17mph, which sounded good, but then he was the one off the back or even the slower group.

I'd say i can cope with rolling hills much better than bigger hills. Same with running for me, if i get a steep hill it kills me, but the gradual ascents i'm generally fine with (or was back when i could run!) I'd say these were fairly typical, obviously pace dropping a bit on the one with double the ascent

Lunch Ride - Martyn T's 30.1 km bike ride

Martyn T rode 30.1 km on Oct 20, 2023.

www.strava.com

Lunch Ride - Martyn T's 27.4 km bike ride

Martyn T rode 27.4 km on Nov 12, 2023.

www.strava.com

Worth noting that this is my riding history since the start of August, so certainly low volume, but with decent weather here i'm hoping to get out 3-4 times a week

I doubt you'll be ready for next summer though, right?! I might come visiting in years to come though (Maybe we can put together an OCUK trip!)

Good point, by all accounts we'll be lucky if we even have planning permission by then

 

[#Chri5#]

We're trying to decide where to go next summer with my local cycle çlub'. We need somewhere reasonably easy to get to and without spending too much money (so driveable or near an airport). We've done Mallorca, Girona, and The Alps (Bourg d'oissane) and are looking for somewhere similar but different.

Off the table are - Switzerland (too expensive), The Dolomites (expensive and a little harder to get to), Pyrenees & Andorra (appears to be harder to get to)

Current ideas are Morzine (near Geneva - we would hire a splitter can and drive there, as we did with The Alps) and Costa Blanca (near Alicante).

Are there any other good recommendations that fit our criteria?

I've previously posted about it but we had a week in Crolles this year. Crolles is in the valley between Grenoble & Chambrey. Two of us drove down with our bikes, the non-cyclists flew into Geneva and got a hire car.

You're right below the Chartreuse regional park which is stunning but very quiet (I described it as the Lake District on steroids but empty). Go south-east of Grenoble and you hit the Vercors regional park, or the Bauges parc the other side of Chambrey

You can still smash the legs away from "big name" climbs, though you are only 50 minutes from Bourg if you want to do any again. I didn't know much about the Chartreuse climbs before I went but they feature in the Dauphine, so plenty of hour plus climbs (for us mere mortals).

I did a solo day as the BIL was broken and in 105km I climbed almost 2600 metres:

Follow Chris on Strava to see this activity. Join for free.

Join Chris and get inspired for your next workout

www.strava.com

 

[AndyCr15]

I've previously posted about it but we had a week in Crolles this year.

Thanks, looks like a variation on Morzine? (as in, another part of French Alps)

Worth noting that this is my riding history since the start of August, so certainly low volume

I guess that's a factor too. I've done some quicker rides when I know they're only going to be short... and maybe I'm well rested.

I tend not to head out unless I'm going to do 40 or 50 miles as a minimum (aside after work rides before getting dark)

 

[Martynt74]

@AndyCr15

If you end up in the Denia, area, then there's someone plotting one hell of a ride if you want me to keep an eye out for their GPX after the event!

Magnificent 7 - One Day Ride | Siempre Ciclismo

One day epic supported ride - 165km - 3,500m - 7 climbs

www.siempre.cc

 

[AndyCr15]

Funnily enough, I was pricing up long weekends in Spain, just to see how feasable it was to get away from the cold for some rides and Alicante was one of the cheaper flight options

Yeah, can't hurt, thanks.

 

[SoliD]

Looking at going away in the summer but driving down to the french alps or possibly italian dolomites, now i've done Bourg D'Oisans, so Alpe D'Huez, Col Du Glandon, Galibier etc all nice and close, but wondering what other good bases you have stayed in that have access to some of the great climbs. We were looking at 3 weeks, but wife doesn't have much holiday left, so probably likely to be 2 weeks now, so may even look at having 5 or 6 nights in 2 places. Will likely take my road and mtb bikes too and get an uplift day or two in.

 

[#Chri5#]

A few years back we stayed in Corvara for a walking holiday and that could make a good base. You've got plenty of Passos on your doorstep - Campolongo, Gardena, Pordoi, Falzarego etc. We thought it was a nice large village (small town?) with plenty of options for accommodation, food and supplies.

If you wanted something other than the big name climbs, maybe have a look at the Chartreuse (which I thought was quiet and beautiful) or Vercors (which I didn't get to but would certainly do if back in the Grenoble area).

 

[SoliD]

Nice one thank you! Think it will be dolomites now i've seen the MTB world cup is on in Trentino in the middle weekend we're planning to go! Good to know there is good walking too as we will have the dog with us and doing some big walks in between me cycling.

 

[#Chri5#]

Nice one thank you! Think it will be dolomites now i've seen the MTB world cup is on in Trentino in the middle weekend we're planning to go! Good to know there is good walking too as we will have the dog with us and doing some big walks in between me cycling.

Corvara was superb for walking. Some (but not all) lifts were open in the summer, so you could save the initial killer climb. There were a couple of lifts in Corvara which popped you on to the Pralongia Plateau. The plateau is is beautiful and the mountain huts were ace. Mid-walk apple struddle and a beer sat in the sunshine makes a perfect rest stop in my book.

Pralongia walk - Alta Badia walks - walks from Corvara - Dolomites walks

Using the Pralongia chairlift near Corvara, a 5 mile high level walk in the Alta Badia region of the Dolomites, with spectacular mountain views

www.andrewswalks.co.uk

We had a day off walking and went to Cortina d'Ampezzo but picked the day where everything shut at lunchtime so didn't get long there. There's also loads of WW I history in the area. Our holiday was with Collets and they had a trip with a local guide who took you through some of the tunnels which I enjoyed.

 

[AndyCr15]

I'd forgotten this thread. I'm trying to have an extra epic year with lots of cycling trips, but I've been looking for something in August-September time. I google'd and saw Saddle Skedaddle have a Bilbao to Barcelona in that time. Has anyone used them? It's more than I was thinking to spend, but if the support is very good, could be worth it.

 

[SoliD]

Concern around going to Spain that time of year is it can be absolutely horrible temperature wise!

Chri5 that's some great info thank you so much! definitely swaying towards heading down that way, as can get over to Stelvio as well. for a day trip.

 

[AndyCr15]

Concern around going to Spain that time of year is it can be absolutely horrible temperature wise!

I've done it a couple of times around then (and once in July) and yes, it can get very hot, but I seemed to cope okay with it in the past.

 

[#Chri5#]

Concern around going to Spain that time of year is it can be absolutely horrible temperature wise!

Chri5 that's some great info thank you so much! definitely swaying towards heading down that way, as can get over to Stelvio as well. for a day trip.

I had an e-mail from Collets Holidays this morning and it reminded me of a super walk.

Start in Pedraces and get the gondola up to the church at Sante Croce. You head roughly north, going through the forest with the huge cliff faces on the right, towering above you.

Schutzhütte Hl. Kreuz · Loc. La Crusc, 1, 39036 Badia BZ, Italy

★★★★★ · Mountain cabin

maps.app.goo.gl

I remember it being busy at the church but we were soon on our own and only saw a few MTBers on the trail. Eventually you leave the foot of the cliffs and get into a more open area, heading for what Collets call the Runch Hut in their walk guides. Satellite view on Google Maps shows the trails.

Ranch da Andrè · 39030 La Val, Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, Italy

★★★★★ · Restaurant

maps.app.goo.gl

Little log cabin refugio in what seemed the middle of nowhere with outside seating in the sun for refreshments. It was a very warm day, so pints of ice cold lemonade went down a treat. You can then follow the good tracks down the super-scenic valley back to the gondola car park. Collets list the walk as 9km, 75m climbing and 735m descent.

 

[SoliD]

Thanks @#Chri5# thats amazing. Think i've got a rough plan now, heading to Black Forest first, then down to somewhere near Val Di Sole to go and watch the MTB world cup weekend and then over to the Dolomites for 5 or so nights before heading home. Plenty of cycling and hiking.

 

[SoliD]

Off again to Majorca tomorrow, after last time when all the best roads were shut, I should be able to get the iconic climbs in, will acclimatise tomorrow by heading to the lighthouse in the afternoon once bike is all set up, then Sa Calobra Sunday, Over Puig Major Monday to Soller, then later in the week doing the Andratx to Pollenca route, but heading all the way along the range. Will be broken up with some nice hikes up some of the lesser known peaks if the weather is good.

 

[topgun06]

Got Majorca all booked up for next month now. Was very surprised at the cost of bike hire, so it worked out way more cost effective to take my own despite the added faff. Bus from the airport, sod the 200 euro private return transfer to Pollenca.