1-week cycling vacation?

[Jdm]

I'm looking for ideas for a 5-7 day solo bike vacation to anywhere in the world! I've never taken a bike trip. Since I'm currently not working and my wife said I can go, this is my chance.

Guidelines:

• Type of trip - Beautiful biking routes, delicious food, and local culture. Participating in a major bike event or visiting a renowned shop would be fun. This can either be a regular vacation that includes some cycling or the other way around. I'm also open to a group tour versus 100% solo depending on the cost. I'm driving or flying from the Bay Area and am ok flying half-way around the world.
• When - Between now and Thanksgiving.
• Type of riding - Road or gravel. I'm planning to bring my bike unless it's easier to rent one at my destination.
• Physical demands - I currently bike 80 miles a week spread across 4 days with 8k ft of climbing. I did a self-supported 100-mile ride 2 months ago.
• Cost - Need an overall low total cost across travel, food, and accommodations

[donevwil]

Not cheap with travel, but doesn't get better than a Cinghiale tour.

Tuscany Cooking and Cycling Sept 14-22
Strada Bianca in Toscana Oct. 5-13

[weisan]

Annecy, France

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=299750

[Alistair]

International - Tuscany, Italy. It's a known cycling region, good support, good roads, mix of terrain, ability to hop from town to town without ridiculous days. Might not meet price needs.

USA - Shenandoah Valley, VA or other mid-Atlantic Blue Ridge region. Lots of small towns/cities, lots of gravel and good county roads. Cheap. Even cheaper if you are open to camping. Fall = leaf peeping season.

Mexico - I've heard (but haven't been myself) that Oaxaca is nice.

[weisan]

[Alistair]

Another option, if you are open to gravel that's closer to mountain biking is Scotland. Lots of farm track and trail. Something like the Badger Divide or NC500.

[tv_vt]

You might enjoy going to Provence and riding up Mt. Ventoux with Veloventoux folks in Puymeras, France. UK couple run it and have lived there for decades. Talk to Craig or Vicky. Beautiful area for riding even if you take Mt Ventoux out of the equation. Should be nice in the fall. Was there last September. VV also have riding guides (Andy is one) who can help you out and ride with you - they know the area like the back of their hand.

Fly into Marseille and Craig can pick you up, or rent a car. Bring your bike or rent a nice one in Maulacene or Bedouin. Food and wine - yes!

[fa63]

I am planning on heading to Girona in late October / early November. Looks like there are a ton of road AND gravel options, which is appealing to me.

[CNY rider]

For 5-7 days I would stay in the States and come to the Finger Lakes region of NY state.
You can't beat it in the fall and you won't have to deal with the time, hassle and expense of international travel.

[mass_biker]

Agree with CNY rider. Find a good base (that is easy to get to) and do your rides out of there. The less infrastructure and logistical issues, the better I think.

Each spring break we try to get out to North County San Diego where my in-laws live, and where I stash a bike (and now know a lot of the roads). I call that my “cycling vacation” as I have my regular routes/loops down, and I try to incorporate some local “destination” rides (i.e. Palomar) if possible over the course of a week or so of riding.

That said, the appeal of some of these specialist cycling hotels etc. in Europe is pretty tempting.

[PurpleBikeChick]

If interested in flying abroad, I find self-guided bike tours to be a a good balance price wise. Your luggage is taken from hotel to hotel and you cycle.

Depending on the tour company, you can add extra nights if there is a city you want to explore. Upgraded hotels worth the price. Important is to check what bikes are offered for rent if not bringing one. Reading all the reviews is important too.

I have used the company below. here is one from the enthusiast level which while typically 32 miles a day can be in the 50s.
https://www.biketours.com/italy/tuscan-wine-classic/


One used to be able to determine easily what the local tour company was and contact them directly, but this is no longer the case.

[FastCanon]

Looks like it's about $600 from SFO to Barcelona in Oct. From Barcelona, take the train to Girona, which is like $20? Hotels aren't too pricey too.

[cgolvin]

I envy you, and think it's very generous of your wife.

I have no experience and no way would I gainsay France, Italy, or Spain, but in your shoes I would also consider Japan, South Korea, or Vietnam as I've heard great things from friends who have ridden there.

[XXtwindad]

Nice, France.

https://www.cafeducycliste.com/en_us...-riding-guide/

[mhespenheide]

For a low overall total cost, coming from the Bay Area, it would be hard to beat a West Coast road trip. I could see going down to the Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez/SLO/Paso Robles and riding different gorgeous roads every day. Good food and great scenery, excellent wine and beer if you're into that. Or head north and follow the recommendations of Jay's Essential Bike Rides going up into Oregon.

For something pricier and more exotic, I'd personally reach out to @velotel and see if I could join him on some of his amazing rides through the backroads of the Alps.