25-11-11, 08:55 AM
I have toured in europe for the last 7 yrs, and could write page so it tbh ! ..but to to try and summarize, my favourite areas are essentially-
1. alps ( almost all areas)
2. western austria ( access to 3 big alpine areas - switzerland/ austria/ north Italy ( dolomites etc))
3. pyrenees/ n. spain- some absolutely awesome mountain roads just south east of pyrenees, plus access to picos europa.
I do prfer central european alps because of its grandeur of scenery ,great infrastructure, and the welcome given to bikers.I think the dolomites are my favourite so far for this welcome and general infrastructure. Austria IMO is my favourite country for its services, road standards and scenery.But its hard to generalize as I could list just so many incredible biking roads I have seen over the last 7 yrs.A big factor is the weather in the alps, I have seen both extremes- hot dry sunny, to freezing , snow and unending rain. Yet still I want to return because I have seen the good bits and it does call me back.
If I was to run a trip, I would head to a superb bikers hotel I know in austria, spend a coupla days there, do the stelvio amongst others , plus switzerland...then move onto another great hotel I know in the dolomites , then head across to the french alps, and back home.Its more like a 9 or 10 day trip though. If you only had 7 days...head for west austria, a great base to see so much , then head back through french alps.If you are interested I am trying to create a trip for 2012?
A couple of notes-
1. at moment switzerland is extremely expensive, due to euro being so weak. Avoid stopping here, but day visits over the border cost nowt. If you use motorway you must buy the quite expensive swiss vignette( £30 approx).beer wine and food are expensive here.Hence why I like west austria ( where fuel is cheapest too).
2. It will cost as much to ride to the pyrenees as central europe alpine areas. Distance is similar, and usually need 1 overnite stop each way.Spain is great for cheap food and drink etc, but it doesnt have the incredible infrastructure and vastness of the alps.Its a difficult choice as each area has its strengths.For example the N260 from sort to la sur d'urgell is probably the best road I have ever ridden..while the south side of the stelvio has the most incredible views and alpine switchbacks , while the ride from Italian border to val disare is best scenic road I can think of. And to ride the 7 swiss passes near meiringen in clear weather is jaw droppingly awesome.
3. The weather in central europe is just so variable....I reckon best thing is to have a trip set up but not actually booked, and go when weather is good. The hotels I pick are never full up for a small group of bikers , since they are winter ski lodges , which always work hard to get bookings for summer, so generally u get good prices and a warm welcome.Its hard though if you have to give firm holiday dates at work...
hope this helps
1. alps ( almost all areas)
2. western austria ( access to 3 big alpine areas - switzerland/ austria/ north Italy ( dolomites etc))
3. pyrenees/ n. spain- some absolutely awesome mountain roads just south east of pyrenees, plus access to picos europa.
I do prfer central european alps because of its grandeur of scenery ,great infrastructure, and the welcome given to bikers.I think the dolomites are my favourite so far for this welcome and general infrastructure. Austria IMO is my favourite country for its services, road standards and scenery.But its hard to generalize as I could list just so many incredible biking roads I have seen over the last 7 yrs.A big factor is the weather in the alps, I have seen both extremes- hot dry sunny, to freezing , snow and unending rain. Yet still I want to return because I have seen the good bits and it does call me back.
If I was to run a trip, I would head to a superb bikers hotel I know in austria, spend a coupla days there, do the stelvio amongst others , plus switzerland...then move onto another great hotel I know in the dolomites , then head across to the french alps, and back home.Its more like a 9 or 10 day trip though. If you only had 7 days...head for west austria, a great base to see so much , then head back through french alps.If you are interested I am trying to create a trip for 2012?
A couple of notes-
1. at moment switzerland is extremely expensive, due to euro being so weak. Avoid stopping here, but day visits over the border cost nowt. If you use motorway you must buy the quite expensive swiss vignette( £30 approx).beer wine and food are expensive here.Hence why I like west austria ( where fuel is cheapest too).
2. It will cost as much to ride to the pyrenees as central europe alpine areas. Distance is similar, and usually need 1 overnite stop each way.Spain is great for cheap food and drink etc, but it doesnt have the incredible infrastructure and vastness of the alps.Its a difficult choice as each area has its strengths.For example the N260 from sort to la sur d'urgell is probably the best road I have ever ridden..while the south side of the stelvio has the most incredible views and alpine switchbacks , while the ride from Italian border to val disare is best scenic road I can think of. And to ride the 7 swiss passes near meiringen in clear weather is jaw droppingly awesome.
3. The weather in central europe is just so variable....I reckon best thing is to have a trip set up but not actually booked, and go when weather is good. The hotels I pick are never full up for a small group of bikers , since they are winter ski lodges , which always work hard to get bookings for summer, so generally u get good prices and a warm welcome.Its hard though if you have to give firm holiday dates at work...
hope this helps