solo rider looking Ideas for cycling holiday in europe

[Keith Thompson]

Hi

Normally I go to Free motion in Gran Canaria in winter. Looking to go away in June and think it would be too warm there. Looking to stay in one place, be able to rent a road bike and be able to join with other riders. Normally ride 50-60 miles a day and like the hilly stuff. Checked exodus travel but seems costly when you add single room supp, flights from Glasgow to London ect.

Any ideas

Keith

 

[MarkF]

How about Barcelona? Quick and cheap flights, low 20's probably, nice cycling temp, plenty of hills, especially towards Girona and on the coastal road if you are not the nervous type. There are a lot of clubs for you to make contact with and when not cycling, you'll be spoilt for entertainment.

I have hired road bikes in BCN on a few occasions, the last month being only a few weeks ago, 60 euros a week or 15 per day. My room , with bike, was 25 euros per night, bang central, south side of Placa Reial.

Tbh Bilbao/Cantabria is better IMO but I've never seen road bikes for hire, not from anywhere along the coast, Gijon to Bilbao.

 

[bigjim]

I'm just back from 10 days in Mallorca. Good flights, all inclusive hotel, tranfers and Full Carbon bike hire. Came in at less than £400 for everything. I do it alone every year. Had a beautiful double room and as much food and drink as I wanted. I did ride alone though, but that is my choice. There are thousands of riders out there and I always got chatting to some on a mid morning stop in a village square.
Some of the hire shops do organised rideouts. Not sure if it costs anything extra.

 

[Keith Thompson]

I'm just back from 10 days in Mallorca. Good flights, all inclusive hotel, tranfers and Full Carbon bike hire. Came in at less than £400 for everything. I do it alone every year. Had a beautiful double room and as much food and drink as I wanted. I did ride alone though, but that is my choice. There are thousands of riders out there and I always got chatting to some on a mid morning stop in a village square.
Some of the hire shops do organised rideouts. Not sure if it costs anything extra.

Is there a lot of English speakers there. The only thing I disliked about Gran Canaria was it was full Germans, who are very nice
but it is hard to hold a conversations with people with limited English and I only speak English.
Thanks for info

 

[bigjim]

Is there a lot of English speakers there.

Its a mixture and the cycling is dominated by the sheer number of Germans there. However I,ve met quite a few English . I recently spent time chatting with a group of 16 members of a CTC club.
I've rode with other solo English riders I've met and of course there are usually quite a few English at the hotel to socialise with. Never lonely.
I've also dined with a few Dutch riders. The Dutch always appear to speak perfect English.
Some areas like Arenal tend to be dominated by the Germans but Alcudia is very English and Pollensa is a mixture.
With the weather so bad here I'm considering going back in a couple of weeks.
A nice German guy took my picture in one of the village squares.

 

[steveindenmark]

Did you organize it yourself or use a company, Jim?

Steve

 

[bigjim]

No, sort it all myself. Easy enough on the net.

 

[looe]

Is there a lot of English speakers there. The only thing I disliked about Gran Canaria was it was full Germans, who are very nice
but it is hard to hold a conversations with people with limited English and I only speak English.
Thanks for info

Learn a language then !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bigjim]

Learn a language then !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something to be said for that. I've managed to speak enough Spanish, German and French to at least look like I'm trying.
You do earn some respect that way, even if it is the common phrases that you would use most on holiday. I do find though, that most people tend to try to reply to me in English, as it appears to be a language that people seem to be keen to perfect.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

northern Cyprus...you'll need to take your own bike...no probs...great roads and good climbs...

 

[Globalti]

How about the Dutch Alps?

 

[ChristianCycleHead]

Hi

Normally I go to Free motion in Gran Canaria in winter. Looking to go away in June and think it would be too warm there. Looking to stay in one place, be able to rent a road bike and be able to join with other riders. Normally ride 50-60 miles a day and like the hilly stuff. Checked exodus travel but seems costly when you add single room supp, flights from Glasgow to London ect.

Any ideas

Keith

Hi Keith,

I've just come back from a fantastic holiday with the guys at Bike About Europe they offer guided bike tours in Spain, and Portugal, might be worth giving them a shout.

Thanks

 

[clid61]

No, sort it all myself. Easy enough on the net.

Hi Bigjim. On a whim a fortnight ago I booked myself 4 nights end of April in Mallorca. I intend to hire bike whilst there , any advice, routes , dos and donts would be welcome .

Never been before , looks good , im staying in Palma