Duane_Bosch Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 Hey All. For those of you that have done a Euro trip on your road bikes can I have some advice please? I've done 6 Alps trips (All to Morzine) but it's time to spread my wings a little. I'm looking to do a trip next year on the road bike. We're looking at doing the Alta Badia region in Italy but getting there will prove expensive based on shuttle quotes I've got. The other alternative is the area around Monte Grappa. Propably Semonza. Some prerequisites for the trip. Continental EuropeAlps or PyreneesHopefully somewhat close to an airport or easy to get toNot renting a carSome climbs that have featured in the Giro or TDF maybeStunning scenerySo if you've done a trip like this please fill me in.
Donovan Le Cok Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 Neville Cragg (Bike Mob) is there right now (Monte Grappa.) https://www.instagram.com/nevcragg/ Perhaps chat to him when he is back?
Duane_Bosch Posted May 30, 2017 Author Posted May 30, 2017 Neville Cragg (Bike Mob) is there right now (Monte Grappa.) https://www.instagram.com/nevcragg/ Perhaps chat to him when he is back?Ja. Messaged him last night. He's going to have to give me a full debrief when he gets back. Apparently there's ELEVEN routes to the top of Monte Grappa.
Baracuda Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 Hey All. For those of you that have done a Euro trip on your road bikes can I have some advice please? I've done 6 Alps trips (All to Morzine) but it's time to spread my wings a little. I'm looking to do a trip next year on the road bike. We're looking at doing the Alta Badia region in Italy but getting there will prove expensive based on shuttle quotes I've got. The other alternative is the area around Monte Grappa. Propably Semonza. Some prerequisites for the trip. Continental EuropeAlps or PyreneesHopefully somewhat close to an airport or easy to get toNot renting a carSome climbs that have featured in the Giro or TDF maybeStunning scenerySo if you've done a trip like this please fill me in. It doesn't fit into many of your criteria above, but after a few trips to the French Alps and Pyrennes, we did a trip to the Dolomites in northern Italy last year which was incredible. We were mainly based out of Canazei, which the Giro went through this year and has 5-6 days of insane climbing around it that easily competes with the French Alps and then Bormio which is at the base of Stelvio and a few others that will keep you busy for a while . Canazei is especially well located to do butterfly wings / loops of 80-150km each day on legendary Giro climbs. In terms of logistics, we booked accommodation through AirB&B which was very reasonable and came with lots of vino and lemon cake. We flew into Milan (Emirates or Qatar Air) and hired a diesel stationwagon which was not too bad in terms of costs. We did spend a fair amount of time hunting down bargains a few months in advance. Our previous trips to France have always been train based, but in northern Italy, a car makes a massive difference. But most of northern Italy and especially the Dolomites is absolutely amazing. On the trip we stayed near Lake Garda for two days to start and "warm up". On the map is looked like a normal road through rolling hills, but the 20km from Lake Garda up to the AirB&B on a farm was longer, steeper and as picturesque as Alp du Huez. And it is not noted at all, it is just another road in northern Italy. If you like cycling in mountains, it is certainly an area of the world to visit.
Duane_Bosch Posted June 8, 2017 Author Posted June 8, 2017 It doesn't fit into many of your criteria above, but after a few trips to the French Alps and Pyrennes, we did a trip to the Dolomites in northern Italy last year which was incredible. We were mainly based out of Canazei, which the Giro went through this year and has 5-6 days of insane climbing around it that easily competes with the French Alps and then Bormio which is at the base of Stelvio and a few others that will keep you busy for a while . Canazei is especially well located to do butterfly wings / loops of 80-150km each day on legendary Giro climbs. But most of northern Italy and especially the Dolomites is absolutely amazing. On the trip we stayed near Lake Garda for two days to start and "warm up". On the map is looked like a normal road through rolling hills, but the 20km from Lake Garda up to the AirB&B on a farm was longer, steeper and as picturesque as Alp du Huez. And it is not noted at all, it is just another road in northern Italy. If you like cycling in mountains, it is certainly an area of the world to visit.Thanks for the heads up. The current plan is as follows. Fly in to Venice.Train to Bassano del GrappaSpend 5 days riding the area on and around Monte Grappa. There's apparently 11 roads to the top of Grappa Rent a car and head to Corvara in Alta BadiaRide Giau, Campolongo & Pordoi whilst staying in CorvaraHead to ZoncolanAttempt Monte Zoncolan. My fiance clearly didn't do well in Geometry in High School coz she didn't seem that fazed when I said 23% max gradient.If we play our cards right we'll rack up 6-10 Giro cols in 2 weeks. To anyone who hasn't ridden in the Alps make a plan & GO! It doesn't have to be expensive. Avoid rental cars, restaurants and bike shops and you can easily come in at under 25k all in. I'm no racing snake. (More of a puff adder really) But I love riding my bike in stunning locations. And an Alpine road climb is the thing that currently gets my blood pumping.
lechatnoir Posted June 8, 2017 Posted June 8, 2017 haha!! might be cheaper to courier your luggage there, and ride there by bike!
Duane_Bosch Posted June 8, 2017 Author Posted June 8, 2017 haha!! might be cheaper to courier your luggage there, and ride there by bike!Ja. Rented a car in Switzerland last year. SSSSOOOO expensive.
Duane_Bosch Posted July 12, 2017 Author Posted July 12, 2017 Neville Cragg (Bike Mob) is there right now (Monte Grappa.) https://www.instagram.com/nevcragg/ Perhaps chat to him when he is back?2018 travel plans have been amended slightly. To 2017. We went to chat to Neville. He seemed pretty amped on Bassano. So we've booked for October. Leave here on the 2nd and leave there on the 10th. It's only a week but I reckon that will be fine. Got good flights on Qatar. 8.5k per ticket. Including Travel insurance. Air BNB Accom in Bassano for +-R700 a day. I still need to book the train from Venice to Bassano. Fly in to VeniceTransfer from the Airport to train stationTrain to BassanoHang out in Bassano for 7 days riding bikes, eating pizza and drinking grappa. And maybe doing some other stuff..... We're planning a day trip in to Venice on one of the days. I've made that my bird's responsibility. I've been mapping out rides on Strava. Looks Amazing. We were planning on doing Alta Badia but that means renting a car and after last year's frankly ridiculous rental costs I don't want to rent a car in Europe unless I REALLY have to.
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