Ideas for last minute cycling week abroad?

nammynake

So I have next week off work (wc 21st) and I fancy a few days cycling (road) abroad. I would like to fly out on Monday 21st and return on Sunday 27th, which leaves 5 days for riding (Tues-Sat). I will be travelling on my own but would like to stay with fellow cyclists and join daily led rides.

I've seen a number of holidays advertised online but they all seem to be 7 day trips from Saturday to Saturday.

I would prefer to hire a bike just to save the faff of taking mine.

Any suggestions on locations or companies would be great!

banditvic

Gran Canaria go out with Freemotion.

MountainMonster

I would suggest the Austrian Alps, near Salzburg or Tyrol. There should be plenty of places to rent bikes, some killer climbs and amazing scenery and food.

Flights are direct to Salzburg Airport from London Stansted and take less than 2 hours, although I am not sure where you will need to fly from. There is one British bloke who does rides out there with accommodation but I can't seem to remember his website now. Really nice guy, and when I lived in Austria I rode the train down with the bike one time to meet him and have some rides on new roads. Top guy!

sloppyschleckonds

nammynake wrote:

So I have next week off work (wc 21st) and I fancy a few days cycling (road) abroad. I would like to fly out on Monday 21st and return on Sunday 27th, which leaves 5 days for riding (Tues-Sat). I will be travelling on my own but would like to stay with fellow cyclists and join daily led rides.

I've seen a number of holidays advertised online but they all seem to be 7 day trips from Saturday to Saturday.

I would prefer to hire a bike just to save the faff of taking mine.

Any suggestions on locations or companies would be great!

Where haven't you been before?

markhewitt1978

nammynake wrote:

So I have next week off work (wc 21st) and I fancy a few days cycling (road) abroad. I would like to fly out on Monday 21st and return on Sunday 27th, which leaves 5 days for riding (Tues-Sat). I will be travelling on my own but would like to stay with fellow cyclists and join daily led rides.

I've seen a number of holidays advertised online but they all seem to be 7 day trips from Saturday to Saturday.

I would prefer to hire a bike just to save the faff of taking mine.

Any suggestions on locations or companies would be great!

Mallorca without question! Especially this time of year. You can book a flight on easyJet / Jet2 etc and get a hotel room or apartment. Port de Pollenca is the main cycling base on the island, and there are a few hire companies there such as Pro Cycle Hire. You will need to book in advance as when I was there this time last year, they were turning people away. There's plenty of organised rides going on all over.

rpherts

MountainMonster wrote:

I would suggest the Austrian Alps, near Salzburg or Tyrol. There should be plenty of places to rent bikes, some killer climbs and amazing scenery and food.

Flights are direct to Salzburg Airport from London Stansted and take less than 2 hours, although I am not sure where you will need to fly from. There is one British bloke who does rides out there with accommodation but I can't seem to remember his website now. Really nice guy, and when I lived in Austria I rode the train down with the bike one time to meet him and have some rides on new roads. Top guy!

The Alps might be a bit on the chilly side in April

whoof

Plus one for Majorca North East coast. Try Max Hurzeler for bike hire with many hire stations/shops through out the island and good value. One week for a Cube Agree including insurance about £70 which is the same as Easyjey will charge to carry your own bike without any of the hassle. They also do daily rides which you can book and join in on.
http://www.bicycle-holidays.com/en

ronnierocket

What about Nice, v short transfer from airport, great food and cycling e.g. Col de Madone. Hire a bike from here http://cyclecotedazur.com/.

Other options could be Morzine/Les Gets, ski season pretty much finished there and most of the local cols are open Col de Joux Plan, Avoriaz.... Was out skiing a couple of weeks ago, weather was hot and sunny. My friend was out that way last week and skied in morning, cycled in afternoon.

MountainMonster

rpherts wrote:

MountainMonster wrote:

I would suggest the Austrian Alps, near Salzburg or Tyrol. There should be plenty of places to rent bikes, some killer climbs and amazing scenery and food.

Flights are direct to Salzburg Airport from London Stansted and take less than 2 hours, although I am not sure where you will need to fly from. There is one British bloke who does rides out there with accommodation but I can't seem to remember his website now. Really nice guy, and when I lived in Austria I rode the train down with the bike one time to meet him and have some rides on new roads. Top guy!

The Alps might be a bit on the chilly side in April

My father in law rode out in Salzburg at the weekend and was fine on the descents with a light jacket and gloves.

Bar Shaker

Hotel Dory in Rimini should be on your list too. Google for details.

ManOfKent

I know someone who works as a guide at this hotel in Riccione near Rimini: http://www.hotelmilano.net/holiday-ricc ... ge_71.html. It's early in the season but the weather should be OK and there's a good variety of rides for different abilities.

I'm going there next month so I hope it's good.

MichaelW

Slovenia is always good and you can rent road bikes. Bled is the usual acivities centre.

massivecompacthalo

It's a bit late, Osona region in Catalunya. But where did you go in the end and how was it?

nick1972

How about Majorca with Stephenroche.com

bill_gates

Nick1972 wrote:

How about Majorca with Stephenroche.com

If you book all other accommodation/flights, etc seperate, can you still book onto any of the one-day guided tours with the likes of stephenroche.com?

durhamwasp

try lowcostholidays.com - they don't have to be 7 days

nammynake

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. In the end it was just too tight getting sorted so I did a local 3 day tour around Yorkshire via Rosedale Chimney and Reeth. Stayed in youth hostels and was blessed with sunshine each day!

Some good ideas for future trips so thanks again!

MountainMonster

Sounds like a pretty fun result anyways.