Eh so my life's hit the skids a bit and I'm looking to bung my newly built Tripster in a box then get a one-way ticket to spend a couple of months somewhere sunnier and warmer (and cheaper!) to reboot and try to figure out what to do with myself and I'm hoping the hive-mind might have suggestions... Looking for sun, chilled road and gravel rides, cheaper the better, and nice food, wine and beers to enjoy afterwards while I hunt for a new job in Germany or somewhere far far far away from here ;(
Went from looking for houses with my partner of 7 years to finding myself having to look for shitty, unaffordable one bed flats in the space of a week, so for the sake of my sanity I have I've also decided to jack-in my permanent-cringe of a job and intend on putting my very small nest egg (I mean small-so no champagne and caviar on lake-side verandas until the early hours unfortunately) to work to let me do this for a few months without too much worry.
To be honest even before that it's been a torrid few years to say the least even before C-19 as I've had some chronic health issues which are only now improving, and as a result my fitness level isn't great so the Alps or Pyrenees are definitely out!
I've been to Sardinia and Sicily before and loved them both but not sure if the terrain might be too ambitious as I remember lots of hills or sketchy fast coastal roads, but I'd go there just for the food and the weather tbh. Malaga and Menorca on the other hand I've not been to but heard good things and seems cheap? Having potential social options would be good if I'll be on my own for a few months so there's that too. The boring sensible choice would be going to south Germany or Austria somewhere to make a head start on improving my language skills but well... the weather's hardly comparable and it would be pricier too.
It's not gravel but a few roadie acquaintances usually go to Majorca or Tenerife for winter riding.
There used to be quite a few low rent hotels in Malta offering ex-pat winter rates even including the flights for longer stays.
This might give you some inspiration or maybe not.
A mate has been to Majorca in March with local club & it was cold & wet.
I was always told 4 hour flight for winter sun. Canaries - I've been to Gran Canaria a few times in January & its hot. In land rides all go up unless you hug the coast.
Duplicate post.
We have friends living just east of Malaga, they are mid to late fifties and moved for a break from UK, and they love it. Both keen cyclists and plenty of road and mtb and a welcoming cycling community there. They are in a village / town rather than a big city and seem to get by without having to work.
I can’t imagine any of those places are going to be sunnier warmer and cheaper
Morocco? But even that may not be that warm
In descending order, all prioritised on warmth & cheapness:
Malaga.
Corsica.
Morocco.
Ethiopia.
Botswana.
Just if you're on Corsica, tie a Scottish flag to your bag. The true locals like being controlled by Paris just as much as many Scots love Westmonster.
thanks for the suggestions all, a few options I'd not considered-like the sound of Corsica or even doing a month on Corsica, then Sardinia, then Sicily to take me into the new year. Will have a serious gander at Malaga and Mallorca too.
All of my previous cycle-travel has been touring from place to place as opposed to being in one spot for a length of time so it's all new to me and my headspace is limited as I'm looking to head out next week and have lots of packing and moving in-between. More exotic places like Morocco would be fascinating but tbh I feel rinsed atm and staying in the EU seems easier in terms of energy and language so maybe not the best time.
I think relatively speaking most all will be cheaper and warmer than Edinburgh tbh, even if not 'summer' warm or sunny. Just had the student influx so one-bed prices here are c. £1k a month before heating, leccy and wifi so even paying tourist rates I'll likely save a chunk of cash in most places 'off season' and living modestly.
As a curve-ball check out the Azores - a Portuguese territory so very cheap cost of living. They are out in the Atlantic, have a fairly stable ~20degree temperature year round and are stunningly beautiful.
We went there for our honeymoon and was blown away by how great they were. Volcanic Islands so plenty climbs and the roads were in good nick. We never cycled but used Scooters. Also the flights are usually offensively cheap.
***edit just checked a random 1 bed flat in Horta on AirBNB - the entire month of November for £500!
haha that is a curve-ball! 👀
thank you for the suggestion
For proper lower costs you'll need to be outside the Eurozone. I'd have suggested Morocco as somewhere accessible that you can explore quite easily by bike. Sicily, Mallorca etc all pricier.
Why an island? Would Southern Spain or Southern Italy or Algarve not offer better chance of settled and warmer weather?