I'm looking for some recommended winter road biking destinations for a week in Jan/Feb for the wife & I.
Last Feb we went to Gran Canaria which was excellent, & went to Majorca in Sept.
I've been told Lanzarote is a bit too windy & Majorca weather can be iffy in Jan/Feb, so a return to Gran Canaria is looking favourite.
But anywhere else we should consider?
How much do you like climbing?
If you answer "Lots and lots and lots"
Then Maderia is good - but not popular at all.
Very scenic, mostly quiet roads, but more climbing per kilometre than anywhere else I have ridden.
Yup I've been to Madeira too with the roadie. Whilst I liked it I have to say the only flat bit was the Airport runway.
Bu then, those roads in the hills are spectacular and very very nice once you get on top of the mountains. Be careful though, there are few roads to the other side of the Island that aren't fast A roads so keep clear of them.
Having been once, I'd not go back riding.
Try Corsica or Sardinia, both are fantastic places with quiet lanes and gravel and tarmac roads leading all over the place. You'll need a couple of bottles because despite the winter when the sun comes out its hot.
Base yourself in Porto Cervo on Sardinia if you can and see all the super rich in their playground.
Andalucia?
..was just about to say Andalucia.
Cyprus is supposed to be good.
I'm in the same situation, looking for somewhere around January where the weather isn't totally rubbish. I've been to Sardinia a couple of times, it's great for road riding but even there, the weather in January can be pretty crap.
I've been to lanzarote many times mainly north, La Santa/Famara area.
Great riding there.
It's at its windiest in the summer months. January is not really windy at all. Temp is mild, cool in the evenings though
Left field suggestion: Colombia. There's no seasons and you might bump into Nairo.
Tasmania as recommended by froome and porte, didn't seem to do them much harm. And you will bump into porte if your out in January
I've just come back from a week in Andalucía with these guys:
It's run by an English couple - he rides your legs off and she cooks fantastic food. Worth a look.
Was going to post a similar thread for ideas, I think i'm going to settle on Tenerife in a few weeks.
Tenerife or Majorca.
Thanks for the replies!
I've heard Maderia is very hilly & the gradients are fairly steap on the roads.
Any particular location we should be looking in Andalucia?
http://bikingandalucia.com/road-cycling/
advantages include:
hills of the Sierra Nevada and Andalucia
low traffic density and excellent road surfaces
best climate in Europe, allowing year round road cycling.
fantastic scenery
lower cost of living than many of the traditional road biking resorts, such as Mallorca.
Another +1 for Andalucia.
I've used these guys in the past, they are Brits who have moved out to live in one of the White Villages http://www.andaluciancyclingexperience.com
Tenerife is a good shout. Long old flight tho. Talk to Darran at Lavatrax. Not sure he does road riding, but if he doesn't he will know someone who does.
Two of us are off to ride with David at Biking Andalucia in early December. Been once before, and it's a great place to ride. Orgiva (the town you stay in) is fab as well. We're MTBing but the roads around there look amazing if that's your thing...