Winter cycling week abroad - where?

[nammynake]

I have a week off work in early December and thinking of flying somewhere warm for a week on the road bike. I'd be travelling on my own so I've been looking at the various companies offering accommodation and guiding. I'm not after a dedicated training week, just somewhere warm to ride my bike with some people. My fitness is only average following a 4 month ban after an accident so I can't do mega mileages or ascent, though I have a month to hammer the turbo in preparation.

Any suggestions on places? Countries, companies etc?

[anonymous-user]

Nice. Check out the latest "cyclist" magazine for the reasons why!

Budget flights from loads of places on the UK, good weather, popular with the pros so there are some challenging hills nearby!, good inexpensive hotels, can't think of anything bad about the place. 16-18 deg c this week!

[Dr Imran T]

^^^ I had to re read your post a few times, then I realised you suggested Nice in the south of France!!

Great place indeed. Can get cold in December though.

[Barchettaman]

Lanzarote.
Ticks all the boxes except the one marked 'easy'.
Plenty of good bike hireoptions too.
Have an awesome time!

[S10GTA]

4 month ban?! More info required please

[duff]

Majorca seems the obvious choice - cheap flights, loads of options for bike hire, guiding, hotels etc. Outside of the NW side it's reasonably flat. I went last November and it was 22c, slightly damp roads at higher altitude but a fantastic long weekend of riding.

[neenaw]

Depending on how much you want to spend it might be worth looking at going to Cape Town and booking some time with irideafrica.
They do road and MTB tours, the roads are great for riding, the weather's great and the scenery over there is outstanding.

For when you're not on the bike, the food and wine is cheap and plentiful!

[S10GTA]

I did a week in Spain a few years back, based in Calpe. Lovely area, and mountains!!!!!!

[anonymous-user]

S10GTA said:

4 month ban?! More info required please

I was too polite to ask!....

[nammynake]

S10GTA said:

4 month ban?! More info required please

Well, technically it was an advised period of no riding, although the Doctor was pretty stern! I crashed while mountain biking in Morzine and spent 3 weeks in a French hospital with a damaged liver and kidney. That was 3 days before the Marmotte sportive that I'd specifically travelled to France to take part in. It's fair to say I'm not in 'marmotte shape' after 4 months off the bike!

[Grandfondo]

December can be rather cold in most of Europe so another vote for Lanzarote or Tenerife,both have great bike hire and organised rides!

[Rouleur]

S10GTA said:

I did a week in Spain a few years back, based in Calpe. Lovely area, and mountains!!!!!!

+1

It's great for riding around there, the weather will be great, and you'll find accomodation at whatever price point you want. Only thing is your choice of flatter roads isn't vast as the terrain ramps up once you get inland.

[nammynake]

Rouleur said:

+1

It's great for riding around there, the weather will be great, and you'll find accomodation at whatever price point you want. Only thing is your choice of flatter roads isn't vast as the terrain ramps up once you get inland.

I'd actually like some decent hills, I just won't be tackling them very quickly!

[Flood]

Off to Malaga on the downhill bikes in first week of Dec, not much use to you, but monarch are doing free sports equipment at the moment, definitely woth checking out if you're in anyway on a budget. Had it confirmed bikes are included in this...

[Rouleur]

nammynake said:

I'd actually like some decent hills, I just won't be tackling them very quickly!

The Costa will be perfect then, as will Nice and Majorca.

[S10GTA]

nammynake said:

S10GTA said:

4 month ban?! More info required please

Well, technically it was an advised period of no riding, although the Doctor was pretty stern! I crashed while mountain biking in Morzine and spent 3 weeks in a French hospital with a damaged liver and kidney. That was 3 days before the Marmotte sportive that I'd specifically travelled to France to take part in. It's fair to say I'm not in 'marmotte shape' after 4 months off the bike!

ah, that makes more sense. I thought you meant a ban from racing by bc or something

[anonymous-user]

Tenerife. We rent a place for €150 a week (sleeps2-3) and easily cover 3000m+ of climbing per day. Sea level to 2000m in 35km, nowhere like it. Great cycling at altitude half the day Fantastic roads, brilliant temperature all year round. Can't wait to get back there.

[GaryGlitter]

nammynake said:

Well, technically it was an advised period of no riding, although the Doctor was pretty stern! I crashed while mountain biking in Morzine and spent 3 weeks in a French hospital with a damaged liver and kidney. That was 3 days before the Marmotte sportive that I'd specifically travelled to France to take part in. It's fair to say I'm not in 'marmotte shape' after 4 months off the bike!

I was advised no exercise for 3 months following a viral infection that screwed up my liver function and white blood cell count. Went out on the bike a week after I was discharged from hospital. The consultant phoned me to see how I was, wife answered with 'he's fine, he's gone cycling'!

BTW - Lanzarote is lovely, been once and would go back again (but would take a bike next time).

[47p2]

Did Lanzarote in February, was fantastic. I hired bike when there and was not expensive, probably around the same price as taking mine but without the worry of damage...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Marrakech for a bit of a left field suggestion. Stay in a villa outside of the city. Lots of long flat (ish) roads. Remarkably well surfaced. Wide, and sparsely trafficed. If you're feeling keen you can head up into the Atlas mountains which are stunning.

Just don't tell anyone or the secret will get out.