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,
Did 7 days in June, went to the Black Forest and then the Vosges. It was just under 2,000 miles in 7 days (from Cheshire) and we did about only 100 miles in total on motorway in France/Germany. Black Forest was great and despite what I'd heard we saw no police in 4 days there.
I'm on holiday in France at the moment, but in car unfortunately, and there are some cracking roads around Provence. The Ardeche Gorge is fantastic and Mont Ventoux had loads of bikes up there the other day when I cycled up.
I'm on holiday in France at the moment, but in car unfortunately, and there are some cracking roads around Provence. The Ardeche Gorge is fantastic and Mont Ventoux had loads of bikes up there the other day when I cycled up.
Edited by towser44 on Sunday 30th August 20:22
towser44 said:
Did 7 days in June, went to the Black Forest and then the Vosges. It was just under 2,000 miles in 7 days (from Cheshire) and we did about only 100 miles in total on motorway in France/Germany. Black Forest was great and despite what I'd heard we saw no police in 4 days there.
I'm on holiday in France at the moment, but in car unfortunately, and there are some cracking roads around Provence. The Ardeche Gorge is fantastic and Mont Ventoux had loads of bikes up there the other day when I cycled up.
Thanks mate. Enough to keep you amused for 7 days in that area? I'm on holiday in France at the moment, but in car unfortunately, and there are some cracking roads around Provence. The Ardeche Gorge is fantastic and Mont Ventoux had loads of bikes up there the other day when I cycled up.
Edited by towser44 on Sunday 30th August 20:22
H40405J said:
towser44 said:
Did 7 days in June, went to the Black Forest and then the Vosges. It was just under 2,000 miles in 7 days (from Cheshire) and we did about only 100 miles in total on motorway in France/Germany. Black Forest was great and despite what I'd heard we saw no police in 4 days there.
I'm on holiday in France at the moment, but in car unfortunately, and there are some cracking roads around Provence. The Ardeche Gorge is fantastic and Mont Ventoux had loads of bikes up there the other day when I cycled up.
Thanks mate. Enough to keep you amused for 7 days in that area? I'm on holiday in France at the moment, but in car unfortunately, and there are some cracking roads around Provence. The Ardeche Gorge is fantastic and Mont Ventoux had loads of bikes up there the other day when I cycled up.
Edited by towser44 on Sunday 30th August 20:22
We're only 80 miles from Sisteron (shortest route) and about 120 miles from the Gorge D'Verdon so you've got Route Napolean nearby as well
Edited by towser44 on Monday 31st August 07:46
The Old Gits did Provence last year https://www.old-gits.org/2025.htm and did the Route Napoleon from North to South as part of the "get there" journey. I can't recommend the regions of Rhone-Alpes and Provence enough as biking destinations. With the Route des Grande Alpes to the East (I'll be riding that in a weeks time! 
https://www.old-gits.org/trips.htm ) and the various Gorges and Balcony roads to the West there are so many great roads to choose from.One of my favourites is the D955 through Castellane
Personally, I prefer to get there in 2 days, one on toll roads then one on a mixture of toll and N roads, with the same coming back, so as to get 2 extra days riding when there.
https://www.old-gits.org/trips.htm ) and the various Gorges and Balcony roads to the West there are so many great roads to choose from.One of my favourites is the D955 through Castellane Personally, I prefer to get there in 2 days, one on toll roads then one on a mixture of toll and N roads, with the same coming back, so as to get 2 extra days riding when there.
I did Vosges and Black Forest in about 6 days last year. I managed to stay off the motorways mostly apart from in the UK. I'd have liked a bit more time in the Vosges but had arranged to stay with a mate in Basel so had a a deadline to get to his. Black Forest was awesome and I'd like to go back there. I am in a little bit of agreement on the motorway point. Some of the roads I used instead of the motorway were ok but maybe the time would be better spent on the really good roads. If you are into you war stuff then I watched a load of Tim Rodie videos before I went for some good tips.
The hotels out there are so much better value for money I found too. I'd text/ring the missus at home when I was getting ready to stop and ask her to find me somewhere within an hour or so of the direction I was heading in and she'd normally find me somewhere nice with a pool (it was stupidly hot the week I went last August) for no more than £80.
Picos is also a good shout but be more prepared for it to be damp there from what I'm told. Enjoy whatever you do.
The hotels out there are so much better value for money I found too. I'd text/ring the missus at home when I was getting ready to stop and ask her to find me somewhere within an hour or so of the direction I was heading in and she'd normally find me somewhere nice with a pool (it was stupidly hot the week I went last August) for no more than £80.
Picos is also a good shout but be more prepared for it to be damp there from what I'm told. Enjoy whatever you do.
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