50th road cycling holiday

[MaxFromage]

It’s not immediate, but I’d like to start planning the above. Most of it isn’t set in stone but it has to be February/March:

2-3 weeks
Budget- Up to £15K
Guided riding, group size doesn’t matter
Road cycling mainly, but some gravel/poor roads would be ok
Happy with double digit temperatures (or lower if it involves some big hills). Don’t want continuous cold/rain
Love climbing hills, but to be frank, just love cycling
Distance doesn’t matter. If it’s a serious challenge, bring it on
Accommodation- Whatever works
Would more than likely hire a bike(s)

I was thinking either a far-away trip that involved cycling or could be a well-known destination for a week and then move on somewhere else (potentially less cycling orientated/multi-activity). Or literally anything in-between.

For reference, I’ve been lucky enough to visit lots of places, but there’s nowhere I’d have to cross off the list other than cycling Nicaragua to Panama, as I’ve already done that. Obviously the weather in Feb/March would rule out a number of places. Climbing the Alpes etc can wait.

Looking for a bit of PH inspiration- good companies to use, continents/countries/routes etc.


Thanks.

[RC1807]

Huerzeler organise LatAm road tours…..how is your German?

[corroded]

Would you consider a self-contained, self-supported challenge, such as the Tour Aotearoa? Ticking off a specific route or achievement always has more appeal for me. Timing is right for NZ. I’ve always wanted to do the Raid Pyrenean (supported) but not in February!

[MaxFromage]

RC1807 said:

Huerzeler organise LatAm road tours…..how is your German?

Scheiße to be honest, but my friend Google seems pretty good for now. Duolingo could be added to the to do list. Cheers, that's definitely one to consider.

Edited by MaxFromage on Sunday 20th October 13:38

[MaxFromage]

corroded said:

Would you consider a self-contained, self-supported challenge, such as the Tour Aotearoa? Ticking off a specific route or achievement always has more appeal for me. Timing is right for NZ. I’ve always wanted to do the Raid Pyrenean (supported) but not in February!

That's a great shout thanks! For some reason I haven't even thought about NZ despite it being my favourite holiday destination after a 3 week honeymoon doing large chunks of the island.

[mie1972]

https://www.skedaddle.com/uk

Friend works for this company taking out retired/touring cyclists (in UK) but they do trips worldwide all year round

Looks like from the website can choose month, location and whether guided or not - they have morocco, columbia, cuba, vietnam as options for February

[MaxFromage]

mie1972 said:

https://www.skedaddle.com/uk

Friend works for this company taking out retired/touring cyclists (in UK) but they do trips worldwide all year round

Looks like from the website can choose month, location and whether guided or not - they have morocco, columbia, cuba, vietnam as options for February

Thanks. I didn't know about Columbia, with the Alto de Letras climb and 16k of climbing in total over two weeks

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

How about Taiwan for something a bit different? Looks like there a lot of possible tours, and the terrain looks pretty interesting in terms of coastal routes mixed with mountains.

https://pedaltaiwan.com/tours/16-day-full-island-t...

[MaxFromage]

Gin and Ultrasonic said:

How about Taiwan for something a bit different? Looks like there a lot of possible tours, and the terrain looks pretty interesting in terms of coastal routes mixed with mountains.

https://pedaltaiwan.com/tours/16-day-full-island-t...

Again, that's one I'd never have thought of thanks. As you say, an interesting mix of terrain. Temps looks ok, would just need to understand rainfall etc.

[mcelliott]

Well below budget but I did the Raid Pyrenee and Raid Alps, both were amazing, weather would be a factor but I did some amazing ride in the alps in January which were stunning

Edited by mcelliott on Wednesday 23 October 07:09

[smifffymoto]

Spiceroads have lots of options in South East Asia.

[MaxFromage]

mcelliott said:

Well below budget but I did the Raid Pyrenee and Raid Alps, both were amazing, weather would be a factor but I did some amazing ride in the alps in January which were stunning

Edited by mcelliott on Wednesday 23 October 07:09

They're on my list, but I'd rather go knowing I won't need studded tyres

[MaxFromage]

smifffymoto said:

Spiceroads have lots of options in South East Asia.

Thanks, there's plenty of options there.

[blue_haddock]

I know there are a lot of people who go to the Canaries at this time of year for warm weather training so could you possibly do a week on a couple of different islands? Gran Canaria has some amazing routes through the centre of the island and both Lanzarote and tenerife have some great scenery through the volcanic areas.

[MaxFromage]

Yes it's definitely on the list thanks. Possibly a week and then move on somewhere different.

[arn22110]

Siam Bike Tours in Thailand. Run by a Swiss couple

[dodgyviper]

Pamir Highway?

[MaxFromage]

Cheers both. I'm not sure I fancy Afghanistan though

[dodgyviper]

MaxFromage said:

Cheers both. I'm not sure I fancy Afghanistan though

ha ha don't blame you, however you can do it without going into Afghanistan.

Just reading this cyclists blog of it a few years ago - map showing the rough route

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&am...

[ALawson]

MaxFromage said:

Yes it's definitely on the list thanks. Possibly a week and then move on somewhere different.

We just did 550km and 13.5km climbing in Tenerife in 5 days, that was based in the Golf Del Sur. You could easily do three or four big days and pick up Masca / Santiago Del Tiede loop, South Island loop and a loop of the north plus the far East end of the island. Would be a bit of over lapping roads but some big days.

Lanzarote could be done in 3 days not as good as Tenerife in my opionion.

La Gomera is worth a day and Gran Canaria has some great route according to cyclist magazine and people I know.