Time off in September. 5/6 day Euro Tour? Ardennes?
Discussion
Hello all, I know there are a lot of experienced euro tourers on here. Annual Leave next week, 2 weeks off, early September, no plans, no major commitments. Any suggestions for a quick Euro trip?
Did an incredible 10 day trip back in July with the gf to the Alps, and went through the Jura on the way down and Vosges on the way back. Both excellent, but seemed better as an interesting diversion on the way to the Alps rather than as destinations in themselves…
Had thought about Ardennes but wondered whether it might be a bit of an anticlimax after the July trip. Or do I just blast down to the Alps?
Suggestions greatly appreciated. Love some decent scenery and happy with a mix of technical/flowing roads. Solo trip this time, probably on the 1290SA-R.
Thank you.
Did an incredible 10 day trip back in July with the gf to the Alps, and went through the Jura on the way down and Vosges on the way back. Both excellent, but seemed better as an interesting diversion on the way to the Alps rather than as destinations in themselves…
Had thought about Ardennes but wondered whether it might be a bit of an anticlimax after the July trip. Or do I just blast down to the Alps?
Suggestions greatly appreciated. Love some decent scenery and happy with a mix of technical/flowing roads. Solo trip this time, probably on the 1290SA-R.
Thank you.
hiccy18 said:
Two weeks off and only a 5 or 6 day tour? Surely some mistake!
It s a good point, I should have clarified trying to keep costs reasonable(ish). The July trip had 5 nights in Switzerland. Gfs first very long distance tour so had to stick to hotels of a very good standard! If it's mountain roads/scenery you want then the Alps/Dolomites are leagues ahead of any of the "on route" options. By all means go to the Ardennes, Vosegs or Jura regions, but understand that, while there are some great roads and some great scenery they are no where near as good.
With the Vosegs and Jura regions you're looking at either a hard days boring motorway ride (my preferred option) or 2 days on mediocre roads, to get there with the same to get back. On a 5 day trip that makes things a bit tight for riding good roads and having fun. And none of that counts the time in the UK to get to the coast and cross to mainland Europe.
For me, going to a mountain region does not mean a single ride through part of it then head for home, I'd want to spend dime riding as many of the roads as I could. If that's what you'd want to do, and you really only have 5 or 6 days, then I'd recommend changing your expectations and planning a tour around the Ardennes, with the focus on historical sites rather than jaw dropping scenery and switch back roads,
With the Vosegs and Jura regions you're looking at either a hard days boring motorway ride (my preferred option) or 2 days on mediocre roads, to get there with the same to get back. On a 5 day trip that makes things a bit tight for riding good roads and having fun. And none of that counts the time in the UK to get to the coast and cross to mainland Europe.
For me, going to a mountain region does not mean a single ride through part of it then head for home, I'd want to spend dime riding as many of the roads as I could. If that's what you'd want to do, and you really only have 5 or 6 days, then I'd recommend changing your expectations and planning a tour around the Ardennes, with the focus on historical sites rather than jaw dropping scenery and switch back roads,
black-k1 said:
If it's mountain roads/scenery you want then the Alps/Dolomites are leagues ahead of any of the "on route" options. By all means go to the Ardennes, Vosegs or Jura regions, but understand that, while there are some great roads and some great scenery they are no where near as good.
With the Vosegs and Jura regions you're looking at either a hard days boring motorway ride (my preferred option) or 2 days on mediocre roads, to get there with the same to get back. On a 5 day trip that makes things a bit tight for riding good roads and having fun. And none of that counts the time in the UK to get to the coast and cross to mainland Europe.
For me, going to a mountain region does not mean a single ride through part of it then head for home, I'd want to spend dime riding as many of the roads as I could. If that's what you'd want to do, and you really only have 5 or 6 days, then I'd recommend changing your expectations and planning a tour around the Ardennes, with the focus on historical sites rather than jaw dropping scenery and switch back roads,
Perfect, thanks mate. Was hoping for that sort of straight-talking. I can probably push it to 8 days or so which would give me ample time in the Alps (probably get some climbing in too) provided I just blast down on the motorway. If I can’t, then Ardennes at a relaxed pace it is. With the Vosegs and Jura regions you're looking at either a hard days boring motorway ride (my preferred option) or 2 days on mediocre roads, to get there with the same to get back. On a 5 day trip that makes things a bit tight for riding good roads and having fun. And none of that counts the time in the UK to get to the coast and cross to mainland Europe.
For me, going to a mountain region does not mean a single ride through part of it then head for home, I'd want to spend dime riding as many of the roads as I could. If that's what you'd want to do, and you really only have 5 or 6 days, then I'd recommend changing your expectations and planning a tour around the Ardennes, with the focus on historical sites rather than jaw dropping scenery and switch back roads,
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