Here comes the sun
But where to go? Simon Weir shares his top destinations for a memorable tour
Why go touring?
» Astonishing riding, amazing roads, spectacular scenery, lovely climate, friendly locals… The trick is to book the time off now – you can decide where to go later. The main thing is to go!
I’ve only got a long weekend. Where to go? »
If you’re short of time, you don’t want to waste too much of it on motorways. So, if you’re anywhere north of Leicester, head though the Pennines to Scotland rather than wasting time schlepping across southern England and northern France.
If you’re in the south (or like the idea of hitting the continent), start with the Ardennes in southern Belgium and Luxembourg. Most people don’t think of Luxembourg as a riding country, but it’s sensational. The roads are immaculate, there are hills and valleys packed with twisty roads, and it’s peppered with quaint villages. It feels like a secret, with everyone else riding past it to get to the Alps. If you smash the motorways after a morning Eurotunnel, you can be there at the end of the day – though I’d recommend taking the time to go cross-country and you’ll be there for lunch on day two.
What about a week or so away? »
With one week off work – leave on Saturday, return the following Sunday – head to the Alps. If you haven’t been before, make this the year you do – it’s virtually impossible to go wrong. Whether it’s the French, Swiss, Italian, Austrian or Slovenian Alps, they’re all wonderful. You’ll have a fantastic time, guaranteed.
If you can afford the overnight ferry (£500-ish with a cabin), an even better option is Spain and Portugal – which are touring heaven. They’re also some of the most bike-friendly locations. Unless you’re being a knob or speeding in a village, it’s all pretty laissez-faire.
What about two weeks? »
I’d go to Sardinia and Corsica, which have some of the best riding in Europe. It’s no coincidence that so many bike launches are held in
Sardinia – it’s that perfect combination of beautiful roads
