October holiday - where to?

cobbslane
cobbslane Posts: 10
edited July 2011 in Road beginners
Ok guys, here's the challenge... I am planning on a weeks break in the middle of October this year as a biking hol for me and the missus. Problem is I cannot decide on where would be most suitable at that time of year.
We are both 50+, grades 1-3 would be ok and I do not wish to have someone drag our luggage stop by stop costing a fortune nor do I wish to drag it with me on the bike either. So i am looking for a venue with lots of established routes out and back so to speak, that is picturesque, safe and not too far from civilsation - oh and in Europe.
I don't mind taking my own bikes or hiring either. Would like a decent hotel as I no longer camp. Don't mind inland or seaside.
Any ideas would be very welcome - preferably from your own experience rather than a guidebook, please.
Thanks in advance.
Gerry

Comments

  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    Majorca
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Biarrittz
  • Wacky Racer
    Wacky Racer Posts: 638
    I have done alot of cycling on the west coast of France, inland from La Rochelle, it is fabulous bike riding country, and cycling is very safe and enjoyable in France due to the fact that everyone cycles everywhere. I spent some time in Le Langon, south Vendee a few weeks back and did quite a bit on the bike, it really is biking heaven. You could tie in the islands such as Il de Re (beautiful and cycling friendly), Il de Oleron (famous for oyster beds), plenty of places to stay on route and easy to put together your own route taking in alot of great places to visit. Depending on how far you think you would get you could start at La Rochelle and make your way via the islands to Bordeaux. Personally I would drive to La Rochelle with the bikes on the car and put together a loop to Bordeaux taking in the islands I mentioned and come back through the Limousin region. You'd have to work out how long you would need and judge an appropriate circle. The great thing about France is that everything you would need is available, and loads of pavement cafe stops.
    Ridley Orion
  • Wacky Racer
    Wacky Racer Posts: 638
    Alternatively, fly your bikes to Geneva airport and take the route across the French border to Becanson, through the Alps. Stunning scenery, amazing twisty climbs and descents, and plenty of places to stay the night (decent hotels). This would be a tougher route than the one above though, some of the climbs are very hard as you can imagine, some of the drops off the road to your right heading through the Alps are pretty scary too!
    Ridley Orion
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Provence ( you don't have to do Ventoux!)
  • canamdad
    canamdad Posts: 165
    Cycled in Riccione area for 10 days in April and stayed at Hotel Dory (www.bikeholiday.com/eng/home.php) which I'd recommend highly. Quite an area for cycling and there are lots of other hotels offering similar programs. Easy to get to if you don't mind taking Ryanair from Stanstead direct to Rimini airport (about 2 km from Riccione) and the hotel will pick you up. Rides are guided but, of course, you can strike out on your own as well. They have reasonable rates for hire bikes too with either alu or carbon Scotts.

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