Joining a group for one day

[LouB]

Hi all,
I am looking for some advice in planning a present for my husband. He is a reasonably strong amateur road cyclist (100-120km cycles on weekends, averages 26-29kmh over hills,mountains) and I am looking to arrange a break away for the two of us. I should add that I most definitely do not cycle!! I know there are several parts of Europe we could go to where I could arrange bike hire and he could go off for a good cycle but I think he’d prefer the social aspect of cycling with a group as he usually does here. So, I suppose what I’m asking is if its possible to achieve what I have in mind
- a city break for the two of us for 3 nights
- bike hire and pre-planned integration with a local cycling club (he has insurance through his club here in Ireland)
- somewhere I can shop, stroll happily while he’s away
- September/October time of year
- I have a personal preference for Spain but am open to all suggestions
I hope some of you can give me some guidance and I really appreciate in advance any time you take to reply.

 

[42x16ss]

Annecy is stunning, it has a very friendly cycling club who are responsive to inquiries from visitors and it is close to several well known mountain passes. The lake is beautiful with good places to eat and swim etc. There are markets most days in the old part of town with amazing small goods and other products. It’s a close drive to some other great towns like Albertville as well.

Other good options that would tick the boxes are San Sebastián, Nice and Como/Lecco in Italy.

 

[King Boonen]

What languages does he speak?

 

[brownbobby]

I would second Nice as a suggestion...ticks every one of your boxes.

Cafe du Cycliste shop/cafe do group rides every Saturday and Sunday from the Marina where they're based, no need to book or prearrange, just turn up on the day, i think they even hire bikes but don't quote me on that. Group rides tend to be a mix of nationalities with first time visitors and locals/regulars.

Plenty of shopping and other stuff to keep you busy in Nice while the hubby cycles as well.

I'm sure several other cities would tick the boxes, but Nice is the one i have experience of and can highly recommend with some fantastic routes around Nice heading into the hills and along the French Riviera.

 

[the delgados]

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions, but I want to chime in to say your partner is a lucky person.
You (a non-cyclist) are very kind to think about these kind of details, and that pretty much makes you an awesome person.
p.s. Quick story. I once raced with a guy whose girlfriend broke up with him. The conversation went like this:
girlfriend: You're always riding your bike and you don't spend time with me.
guy on bike: Yeah, but I love my bike.

 

[rick james]

if I ever make it to the Alps for a cycling break it will be Annecy I go to.....Also I would add, we done Girona for a city break last year and it seems really well set up for cycling, I couldn't cycle at that time as I had done myself an injury but the town is stunning, filled with history..