Cycling holiday recommendations

[lauda]

I turn 40 later this year and my wife and family have asked for ideas of what I might like. I'd previously seen the cycling holidays on the Rapha website and thought these looked really good but it seems that they've now stopped running them.

I'm looking for something in Europe (I particularly love Italy although I'm open to other places too), probably 3-4 days and fully supported, including bike hire. Food and drink inclusive, up to a point, would be good too. I'm a reasonably competent road rider (I rode the Festive 500 fairly comfortably this year as well as getting up Teide in Tenerife) but I'd say that descending is probably my weakest area as there aren't too many decent places to practice in the south of England and I'm not much of a risk-taker at the best of times. 100km days with a decent amount of climbing (2000m-ish) is probably where I'm looking to pitch it so that it will be challenge but hopefully not kill me.

Budget is probably in the £1000-1500 range, depending on what's included and I'm looking at June - September to actually ride.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good companies they've used, or any to avoid?

Any input much appreciated. Cheers!

[anonymous-user]

Why not enter something like https://www.hauteroute.org

[lauda]

The Haute Route events look interesting but seems like they’re more of a multi-day sportive than an all-inclusive package. I basically want to get on a plane with my bag, turn up and ride, without having to organise my own accommodation, meals, etc.

[JagBox]

We did Croatia last year as a boat bike, with Freedom Treks. Highly recommend.

Lots of other holidays available.

https://www.freedomtreks.co.uk/

[Scabutz]

I've been going to Lanza last few years. Although mostly for triathlon rather than pure cycling. We stay at TriSportsLanzarote. They have coached weeks and weeks you can do your own thing. Its fully catered and they have secure bike garage, pool, hot tub etc. They will sort the bike hire too from Bike Sensations.

Lanza is great for cycling. Quiet roads and the locals know how to handle cyclists and give plenty of room. Weather is great, hardly ever rains and if it does it's just a passing shower. Does get a bit windy but you get used to it.

No super massive climbs but some decent ones. Tabeysco and Mirrador probably the best known. Cycling through the volcano park is amazing, wind gets very strong there. Femez climb is an utter fker.

[anonymous-user]

lauda said:

The Haute Route events look interesting but seems like they’re more of a multi-day sportive than an all-inclusive package. I basically want to get on a plane with my bag, turn up and ride, without having to organise my own accommodation, meals, etc.

https://www.hauteroute.org/events/how-to-enter-intro
Check out “enter with tour operator”
It sounds perfect for what you want, great roads, iconic climbs, full support and loads of other cyclists, it would be an awesome event.

[nammynake]

The TransAlp is an alternative to the Haute route. Brilliantly organised with German efficiency and much cheaper than the Haute route.

[Pablo16v]

A friends ex now runs a place in the Hautes-Alpes region....

http://www.serredesormes.co.uk/

[millen]

I bumped into 'Flash' Gary at a cafe last year. Seemed a decent, enthusiastic chap who outlined his DeLucci operation in Portugal
https://www.delucci.co.uk/testemonials/ I haven't been myself but it's on my 'to investigate further' list. Off the beaten track compared to the Alps but looks challenging and scenic nevertheless. I imagine what you get may depend on who else is there during your stay, but it seems not to be all about training camps and they offer other activities if you don't want to cycle every day. He has a brief write-up in Arrivee no. 141 (the Audax UK magazine). Just a thought, anyway......

I also know 4 people who've been impressed with Peak Tours from Sheffield. These are more structured tours, obviously, but seem geared to low/middle ranking cyclists.

[GuinnessMK]

I'm sure https://www.skedaddle.com/uk would have something suitable.

[Daveyraveygravey]

There are loads of firms that organise trips like this, have a look at Google or in the back of the cycling mags.
My friends have been on a couple of trips they've organised themselves for about £500 each, once to the Alps and once to Italy around the Stelvio.
I'd be a bit wary of Haute Route - another friend did the Geneva to Nice ones a couple of times. 6 or 7 days full on riding. There's one short day in the middle - but it's a mountain time trial up Alpe d'Huez or something similar! It's very close to a full on race, with great support, including massages after each day, and if you're at that level, then fine. It's also a lot of money, getting on for £3K I think. They do some shorter more accessible events now I think but if I was riding in that region for the first time I would want to take it all in, not be battering myself every minute to try and stay in touch.
There's nothing in the (south of the) UK like riding up a proper mountain. Over an hour in your lowest gear, not sure where the summit is, it can be over 30 degrees and sunny at the bottom, but cloudy and close to freezing at the top.

[mikecassie]

https://www.colconquerors.com/schedule/

https://marmot-tours.co.uk/search/holidays/

https://www.polkadotcycling.com/calendar/

Try these, I can recommend Polka Dot, very customer orientated.

[moonigan]

I did the TDF 2018 with alpinechaingang and it was superb and highly recommended. You get to ride some of the stages and then watch the tour either on the mountain or in a town. https://www.alpinechaingang.co.uk//riding-programm...

[lauda]

Thanks very much for the suggestions everyone, much appreciated.

I've got plenty of food for thought there, although I think I'll steer clear of anything that has too much of a competitive/training camp slant to it as what I really want to do is just enjoy riding in some amazing scenery.

[ndg]

A friend works for Marmot Tours, seems to have lots of positive comments on his facebook.