european mountainous cycling destinations

[offbyone]

I may have the opportunity to go to europe for about a month and telecommute and cycle. I was looking for recommendations and information.

I am not sure when exactly the trip will be, but it will probably be sometime between late august and end of october. I am a little concerned if I go later the weather will be cold, but not sure if that is a valid concern.

What I am looking for is essentially somewhere I can rent a house/apartment with internet and I can ride ride out my door and have access to large passes/summits, mountain roads and valleys reasonably close. Although I am content to hermit out in a small town, I would prefer that it at least have a restaurant/bar.

I was thinking some little area in switzerland like Obergoms or Andermatt. Or maybe Valloire France. I of course have never been to either. Or maybe I should be looking at Italy.

I would appreciate recommendations.

 

[winkybiker]

You want to base yourself in Luchon-de-Bagneres. Superbagneres, Port'd'Aspet, Peyresourde, Port-de-Bales, Col-de-Mente are right there. These are just the ones you've heard of. Many more. Even more if you are prepared to ride a bit of gravel and poor roads. It is a climbers' paradise.

Aubisque and Tourmalet within a day. You can do Tourmalet and back in a day, or get a lift to Laruns and ride Aubsique, Tourmalet, Aspin (easy side) and Peyresourde to home. Epic.

Flat and rolling hill-valley riding to the north.

It is a decent sized town with plenty of stuff.

 

[offbyone]

You want to base yourself in Luchon-de-Bagneres. Superbagneres, Port'd'Aspet, Peyresourde, Port-de-Bales, Col-de-Mente are right there. These are just the ones you've heard of. Many more. Even more if you are prepared to ride a bit of gravel and poor roads. It is a climbers' paradise.

Aubisque and Tourmalet within a day. You can do Tourmalet and back in a day, or get a lift to Laruns and ride Aubsique, Tourmalet, Aspin (easy side) and Peyresourde to home. Epic.

Flat and rolling hill-valley riding to the north.

It is a decent sized town with plenty of stuff.

Oooh thanks another great option to consider. Do you know what the weather/temperatures are like here in the fall?

 

[winkybiker]

Do you know what the weather/temperatures are like here in the fall?

Not really, but there is plenty of low-altitiude interesting riding if the weather is too dire. The Col de Mente and Port'd'Aspet are not particularly high. Even the Aspin and Peyresourde are lower than, say the Aubsique or Tourmalet (Which would be perhaps even be closed by the end of October - not sure?)

I have ridden with these guys (see link) a few times. They're just up the road from Luchon in a little village called Bertren. They've been there for a few years. You could drop them a note. I'm sure they'd offer some advice.

http://www.pyractif.com/

 

[deboat]

Salzburg, Austria is a good for a climbing and or flat road or mtb riding. After October forget it. And of course then there is great beer here too !!!
Germany is only about 10km from Salzburg. Sometimes I get on a train for an hour and ride back home. you can go in any direction! I know there is no famous climbs here but I will say it is a bikers dream to ride around here!

Have FUn whereever you go!

 

[McLovin]

I think this is what you need.
http://www.pyreneescyclinglodge.com/

Get in contact with that guy. Don't know about prices.

 

[BVB6BVB]

Consider the Trento/Bolzano area in Italy and have several legends within reach: Stelvio, Gavia, Giau, Madonna di Campiglio, Tonale etc.

 

[L'arriviste]

For the Alps, Briançon, Vizille and Grenoble. All offer a bit of urban action for the (rare) moments you're not on the bike. For local knowledge on the climbs, try asking the lovely musician and cyclist Steffan Rock, who lives in the Grenoble area and rides those big names all the time.

Mid to late October is when most of the high passes close though that won't affect most of your stay, so I'm just posting this for those who might find it useful...

Availability of Alpine and Pyrenéean cols on specific dates is searchable at Bison Futé, France's useful national road monitor:

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/acces-aux-cols/

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

If you want to do the French Alps: Briançon. With Alpe d'Huez, Lautaret, Galibier, Col de la Bonette, Izoard, Agnelle, Sestriëre, all close by

 

[McLovin]

if you want to do the french alps: Briançon. With alpe d'huez, lautaret, galibier, col de la bonette, izoard, agnelle, sestriëre, montgenevre, granon all close by

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[offbyone]

Thanks so much for all these tips. I got lots of research to do!

 

[LugHugger]

You might want to consider Girona too. The non Clinic reasons the pro's pick this location over the northern side is a warmer, drier climate and it's cheaper than France to boot. Either way, take Graham Fife's excellent Great Road Climbs of the Pyrenees with you!