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The 10 greatest cycling holidays

canada goose outlet sale I first started road cycling canadian goose jacket at the age of 15 in Hong Kong, where my father and I moved in 1990. I used to love riding around the New Territories pretending I was in the Tour de France, imagining I was at the front buy canada goose jacket of the race being chased by the peloton (the main pack of riders in a bike road race). The country parks where I’d ride were such canada goose a contrast to the city. canada goose outlet sale

canada goose outlet black friday Now I no longer yearn for epic rides. I don’t do that sort of thing any more as it sounds cheap canada goose uk terribly difficult. That isn’t to say none of my 10 choices below couldn’t be made epic; all it would take is some bad weather, the wrong choice of clothes and a couple of mechanical incidents for the simplest of bike rides to turn into an endurance expedition. canada goose outlet black friday

canada goose outlet belgium This list is more aligned to canada goose black friday sale my new style of cycling, where racing towards a finish line with a number Canada Goose Online pinned to my back is no longer the be all and end all. Now it’s all about the experience, be it solo escape canada goose uk outlet or for social bonding. The latter being my preferred option these days there are few sports in the world that are capable of such memorable shared experiences as cycling. canada goose outlet belgium

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Girona, about 60 miles north east of Barcelona, is my adopted home and the city that has recently become the preferred European base for professional cyclists. It has everything: a wonderful climate, good roads, mixed terrain and the chance to cross paths with some of the world’s most famous cyclists.

canada goose outlet buffalo Rocacorba is the renowned mountain nearby, and the ride out through Rupit is surely one of the most beautiful in the world. There’s a good reason why so many professional cyclists have chosen to live in Girona and the surrounding region: it really is cycling heaven. canada goose uk shop Excludes meals, bike hire and flights. canada goose outlet buffalo

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canada goose outlet store toronto If Girona is the European base for professional cyclists, then Boulder is its North American counterpart. I don’t know of a healthier place in the world. Everybody here seems to take their sport seriously, and cycling appears to be the sport Canada Goose Outlet of choice. Being on the edge of the Rockies, canada goose factory sale there is the possibility of doing some serious riding, none of which would be below 1,600m (5,250ft) in altitude. Go to Cured, the delicatessen owned by a former team mate, Will Frischkorn, and he can give you the low down. If Boulder is boho chic, then Aspen canada goose clearance sale is plain rich chic. It’s worth a visit though, as it really is stunningly beautiful and another great cycling destination. canada goose outlet store toronto

Tuscany is very much the heartland of Italian cycling; they take it very seriously there. Many of the older men you will see on the road look as fit as professional racers, and probably have better bikes. This shouldn’t put you off, however. I’ve never noticed any discrimination between cyclists it’s part of the uk canada goose outlet local DNA. The names Coppi and Bartali are embedded like religion. If there was a spiritual home for cycling, Tuscany would be it. The price includes airport transfers, bicycle hire, full van support, cycling kit, post ride massages and wine tasting, but not flights.

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canada goose outlet uk sale Truly one of the most beautiful places in Britain to ride a bike, the Peak District has a Canada Goose Outlet more canada goose uk black friday rugged and striking Canada Goose Parka beauty than Tuscany, yet is no less breathtaking. I lived and trained in Hayfield for nearly two years and loved it there. This year, the event will be held at Friden Grange, Newhaven, near Buxton. Think of a Goodwood Revival for bikes: everybody gets dressed up, then the ride involves not only Tarmac, but also gravel trails. Some of the most fun I’ve had on a bike in a long time. canada goose outlet uk sale

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canada goose outlet uk I’ve raced here a couple Canada Goose Jackets of times and was blown away by how perfect it was for cycling. Much of the interior of the island is unpopulated, with the coastal areas being the main attraction for obvious reasons. This is a blessing for cyclists as it means much of the inland part is untouched and unbothered by people. Don’t be tricked into thinking it will be easy riding, though there are proper mountains, the tallest of which peaks at 2,706m. Excludes flights. May 7, May 14 and September 24. canada goose outlet uk

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canada goose premium outlet Oddly, Biarritz isn’t a destination much thought of when it comes to cycling, being primarily associated with surfing, yet it has lots to offer. I should know, as I lived and trained there for seven years. Much of the best riding is to be had along the French Spanish border which lies atop the nearby foothills of the canada goose coats Pyrenees. The Col d’Ibardin and Col d’Ispguy are favourites and lead you into Basque country buy canada goose jacket cheap proper. As Canada Goose online for Biarritz itself, there are few places better for aprs velo. canada goose premium outlet

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canada goose outlet london Professional cycling is all about travel. We never stay in one place for long; the races make sure of canada goose clearance that. It’s all very much a blur trying to remember where you are can, at times, be difficult, and after a while not much surprises you. That is until you find yourself in the Dolomites. Each time I’ve been there I’ve been taken aback by the sheer beauty of it all. There’s nowhere like it in Europe. The Alps and the Pyrenees are impressive, of course, but the Dolomites are magisterial a must do for every cyclist at some point. canada goose outlet london

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