I have gone on four trips with Thomson Bike Tours (https://www.thomsonbiketours.com). Tour de France King of Alps (Ride/Watch), Trans Dolomites, Trans Austria, Trans Cantabria. I can not recommend them highly enough, especially if you really like riding your bike on some epic routes with full support. The tour groups are very turnkey and take care of everything. Be sure to look at the itinerary of the different groups for what you want. If you want a more casual and relaxed experience, such as long lunches, short days in the saddle, etc. then there are big differences in the various companies. I really like Thomson because of the quality of the routes, the guides are outstanding, always know they are there while riding, and take care of the riders. Yes, for me the money is worth it based on the areas I am traveling (and I am “lucky” that I have tons of air miles from work trips that I can usually get my airfare covered).
As for doing your own trip, depends on how comfortable you are as an International traveller. A work colleague and I rented a small trailer at a campsite for a few days outside of Borg d’Oisans for like 50 euro a night and rode in that area - epic and tons of routes. Biggest concern for us was having a catastrophic mechanical while on the “wrong side” of the mountain to home so we always were a downhill to civilization. Also, Lake Annecy area is absolutely beautiful and can ride to many climbs. In Italy I would look at Alleghe and Bormio and would have no problem doing my own trip there. Selle Ronda is an amazing route you could ride many times. I think Lake Garda has bike hotels. Mallorca is another place that you can do a lot of self guided as a good cycling area and we stayed in Spain at a bike/fitness hotel that had lockers, etc. Really depends on where you want to go but Europe has some excellent options.
Enjoy and feel free to PM if I can help.
I miss you "Sports Night"
As for doing your own trip, depends on how comfortable you are as an International traveller. A work colleague and I rented a small trailer at a campsite for a few days outside of Borg d’Oisans for like 50 euro a night and rode in that area - epic and tons of routes. Biggest concern for us was having a catastrophic mechanical while on the “wrong side” of the mountain to home so we always were a downhill to civilization. Also, Lake Annecy area is absolutely beautiful and can ride to many climbs. In Italy I would look at Alleghe and Bormio and would have no problem doing my own trip there. Selle Ronda is an amazing route you could ride many times. I think Lake Garda has bike hotels. Mallorca is another place that you can do a lot of self guided as a good cycling area and we stayed in Spain at a bike/fitness hotel that had lockers, etc. Really depends on where you want to go but Europe has some excellent options.
Enjoy and feel free to PM if I can help.
I miss you "Sports Night"
Last edited by:
Quo Vadimus: Oct 21, 19 4:08