Nice - South of France - Recommendations?

[misterhorsey]

Hello there

I'm lucky enough that work is sending me to Cannes in early to mid April and I am planning to take a few days off to hopefully ride a bike up a few mountains.

I'm going to start some intense googling. But just wondering if anyone recommend any road bike hire / road bike tour type operations I could have a look at. A friend recently did a italian alps week of mountain climbing torture and I was wondering if there were similar outfits.

I don't know anything at all about the region to be honest, other than recently reading about how Exile on Main St was recorded somewhere in the vicinity.....

Merci in advance.

[tomness]

Lucky you. I love the riding around Nice. I have always taken my own bike and sourced my own routes. It is pretty easy to work out some great routes.

However in my searching I came across these guys:
http://cyclecotedazur.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't used them but they seem pretty good from their website. If you only have a few days then a ride up to La Turbie via Col de Eze then down to Menton and up Col de Madone is a must. I can send a few route ideas if you want.

[riles]

Wow what are the chances! I'm about to move to Nice end of next week - well about 20 min outside place called Roquefort les pins.
As mentioned by tomness cyclee cote d'azur the best ones in the region I've found aswell, english run / owned company that I've only read positive reviews of!
tomness, would you be willing to either post some of those routes / or send them this way, would be much appreciated.

[toolonglegs]

It is lovely riding down there!... plus the weather is good!!!. Lucky buggers .
This year has been stunning so far... already wearing summer .

[riles]

It is lovely riding down there!... plus the weather is good!!!. Lucky buggers .
This year has been stunning so far... already wearing summer .

are you in the region aswell? biggest issue I'm having at the moment is trying to find a bike shop in the area that speaks english: silly i know being in France and all

[toolonglegs]

I am just north of Lyon. I hardly know a single person who speaks English, in bike shops you might struggle .

[riles]

I am just north of Lyon. I hardly know a single person who speaks English, in bike shops you might struggle .

brilliant!! now in the weeds about trying to get my new toy finished and built

[roller]

I can wholeheartedly recommend these guys:

http://www.pyractif.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

they could give you a great week in the Pyrenees, you could easily get to them by catching a train to Toulouse.

have a great trip.

jealous.

[tomness]

tomness, would you be willing to either post some of those routes / or send them this way, would be much appreciated.

Ok
Here are some of the rides I have done, created in map my rides (you may need to hit the View Route Fill Screen tab to see the actual route). The elevation that map my rides gives seem to be quite high so I have also added my garmin elevation stats where I have them. If you want garmin gpx files pm me.

The day after I arrive I normally do this route to spin my legs:
http://www.mapmyride.com/fr/nice-proven ... e-44937774
garmin elevation 780m

A very pretty slightly longer route through Peille:
http://www.mapmyride.com/fr/nice-proven ... e-45591790
I had no garmin for this but would guess the elevation is around 800m.

A short ride up Mt chauve. Nice climb and there is a fort at the top you can walk around. It's a bit of a sketchy descent so I probably won't do this next time I go to Nice.
http://www.mapmyride.com/fr/villefranch ... e-44509022
garmin elevation 740m

A longer ride via Col de Madone. This ride is great, fabulous view, some solid climbing and flowy descents. Be careful at Saint Agnes to get the correct turn up Col de madone. There is a sign but it is small and easy to miss. You should stay on the ocean side of the mountain until pretty much the top. If you end up on the non ocean side you have missed the turn:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/229079405
garmin elevation 1680m

Climb up Col du Turini. I got a 25 minute train from Nice to Sospel and started the climb from there. You could ride from Nice via the Col de Braus, but I didn't have time for that on a family holiday. Instead I came back down via Col du Braus.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/229095077
elevation would be around 1600m

I did ride to Antibes one day, but I didn't really enjoy that as much. Much more traffic and I prefer the scenery in the mountains. This ride is pancake flat. Antibes is very pretty though and is it nice to ride along the coast.
http://www.mapmyride.com/fr/nice-proven ... e-57819046

I have also ridden up Mt Agel, which is a lovely climb with some spanking views back over Monaco. However as I discovered there is a military base at the top, so I can't recommend you ride up there. Best to avoid this one.

[tomness]

Here are some rides that I plan to do when I get back to Nice in September

Col de Vence:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/229033027
elevation should be around 1200m

Col du Braus - Castillion - Menton:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/372338413
elevation should be around 1900m

col du Turini & col du Chateauneuf:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/372340147
elevation should be around 1800m

[misterhorsey]

Hey guys,, thanks for the tips, suggestions, recommendations.

I've been so busy and disorganised trying to tie everything up before I go that I haven't managed to reall look through this thread or organise anything yet, alas.

And BNA is so wonderfully distracting I've been trying to keep away from it in order to get organised!

cyclecotedazur.com look like great outfit but have not yet responded to any of my emails, bookings. I'll have to keep chasing them.

Apparently Nice has a bike share scheme. Worst case scenario I rent one of those and try and take it up:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/06/climb ... la-madone/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[misterhorsey]

Wow what are the chances! I'm about to move to Nice end of next week - well about 20 min outside place called Roquefort les pins.
As mentioned by tomness cyclee cote d'azur the best ones in the region I've found aswell, english run / owned company that I've only read positive reviews of!
tomness, would you be willing to either post some of those routes / or send them this way, would be much appreciated.

Riles, let me know if you'd like a ride companion!!!!

[sambo3]

I will be in Menton from July 16 - 19 before heading across to the Pyranees, will look at doing one of these routes whilst there.
Thanks for listing the links to your rides tomness

cheers
Sambo

[riles]

Wow what are the chances! I'm about to move to Nice end of next week - well about 20 min outside place called Roquefort les pins.
As mentioned by tomness cyclee cote d'azur the best ones in the region I've found aswell, english run / owned company that I've only read positive reviews of!
tomness, would you be willing to either post some of those routes / or send them this way, would be much appreciated.

Riles, let me know if you'd like a ride companion!!!!

most definitely would be keen! Im actually going to be working as a guide for cycle cote d'azur this summer aswell!

Did Col De Eze and then Col de la Madone yesterday! WOW some incredible climbs those 2 were - not to mention the views in between the hurt!

[misterhorsey]

awesome!

I just arrived in Cannes and am duelling with unreliable wifi, but I'll PM you with my details and hopefully we might be able to arrange a ride.


any tips on good neighbourhoods to stay in Nice? I'm just about to book!

[tomness]

I always stay near the port. Lovely area that is a bit off the main touristy zone.

[misterhorsey]

thanks tomness, i found a studio in the old town via 'home away uk'. I have a feeling its probably right in the middle of the touristic area, but is ok - its not for long and i'm sure it will still be lovely. Cheers

[tomness]

The old town should be nice. It is pretty much a no vehicle area, except for a bit of local traffic, and is a bit of a warren of narrow lanes and alleys. There are basically 2 or three main pedestrian alleys through the old town that are pretty busy with tourists and local foot traffic. However if you take yourself away from those routes then the rest of the old town is much less busy. I like wandering through the old town and have done the walk up castle hill numerous times. Very pleasant.

The area around Casino Ruhl and the Promenade des Anglais is what I would consider the heart of the touristy zone. I generally don't spend any time there. At this time of year there shouldn't be too many tourists anyway. July and August are the worst times for visitors.

Enjoy your stay