Cycling Challenge for 2018

[rugby bloke]

I am thinking about a cycling challenge for 2018. My main criteria is that it should be in Mainland Europe and doable in a long weekend. Apart from that I'm open to suggestions.

I'm looking at Mt Ventoux and Paris - Roubaix, which I guess are a bit obvious. Anyone do either of these and can pass on some tips, or what are the less obvious options ?

 

[gavroche]

Les Gorges d'Ardèche. Loads of twisty, up and down roads, pretty villages and scenery. Of course, don't forget the excellent food as well.

 

[rugby bloke]

Thanks, I''l take a look.

 

[classic33]

If it's hills you want, well worth a read.

And it's on here.

 

[Brandane]

A long weekend? It depends how long is "long"; but you could get the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St. Malo (Brittany ferries) getting you in to St Malo for 8am.. Choose a route eastwards from St Malo with a view to finishing at Ouistreham near Caen on whatever night you want to catch the overnight return ferry back to Portsmouth. The most direct route is about 150 miles (I've just done it, via Avranches and St. Lo), but you can vary the route by routing north or south of the straight line. Last year I did it via the Cotentin peninsula heading north up through Coutances to Cherbourg, then down the other side. There is a huge network of minor back roads to choose from, and it is excellent cycling country!

 

[Donger]

What @Brandane said. Portsmouth looks to be a great place to sail from, as you could head out to either St Malo, Cherbourg or Caen (Ouistreham), whichever takes your fancy, and come back from a different port. Personally I rather fancy St Malo to Cherbourg, passing Mont St Michel and then along the East coast of the Cotentin past Utah Beach and Barfleur. I'll be doing it as soon as I retire. Leave your car at home too.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I've heard there's a moderately-challenging sportive on July 1st.
http://www.sportive.com/events/la-marmotte-granfondo-alpes-2018/2018-france/2704/cycling

 

[steveindenmark]

You don't say where you are. But if you can fly with Ryanair.

I flew to Treviso in Italy this year. It's a lovely town. I then rode on great traffic free tracks to Sermonzo and then up Monte Grappa. The views on the way up and the memorial at the top are worth the effort. Monte Grappa is a challenge.

Certainly doable in a long weekend.

 

[ColinJ]

You don't say where you are. But if you can fly with Ryanair.

I wouldn't book with them the way things are right now - they may no longer exist next year!

 

[steveindenmark]

I wouldn't book with them the way things are right now - they may no longer exist next year!

I think they will but it could be a mystery tour just now.

 

[HLaB]

JOGLE, you did say you were an elite cyclist didn't you ?
Seriously the last few years its been Flanders, the Marmotte, Liege Bastogne Liege and the 312 as my targets. Last year I stayed closer to home though and the ToC Chrono. Next year is hopefully JOGLE but I definitely won't be doing that over a long weekend

 

[rugby bloke]

Thanks for the all the replies, plenty of options to research through the dark winter evenings.

@HLaB - I dream of being a good cyclist !!

 

[Alan O]

Cycling in Normandy is wonderful. It may not be quite the physical challenge you're looking for, but if your challenge is "How much can I enjoy a weekend's riding, stopping at little cafes and restaurants in attractive small towns" then it will be hard to beat.

I've been round Normandy quite a bit in the past, sadly not cycling (though I'd love to - it's obviously perfect for it). The challenge for me whenever I've been there has always been to stop eating - because there are indeed just so many terrific little restaurants and cafes (including some excellent seafood ones along the coast) that the feeling of "Ooh, if we stop here, perhaps we could squeeze in a little bit more" was never far away.

If I went cycling there I doubt I'd get much distance covered, because there just wouldn't be enough hours left in between feeding stops

 

[Sixmile]

They may no longer exist next year!

Hopefully. I personally would avoid giving anything to O'Leary.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/envi...-leary-says-cyclists-should-be-shot-1.2634793

 

[ColinJ]

Hopefully. I personally would avoid giving anything to O'Leary.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/envi...-leary-says-cyclists-should-be-shot-1.2634793

He really is an idiot, isn't he!