Curious as to where one would go…. Been to Girona a few times and love it. That said, might want to do something a little different this summer… How is traffic in Nice when comparing, people, food, etc..? My wife won’t be cycling, but I will be (plus the usual running and swimming…). Also, adding another thread on Bormio vs Isola 2000.
Thanks.
I can’t compare Nice to Girona, but my comments on Nice are - it’s not terrible if you are comfortable on roads and dealing with the risk.
But I wouldn’t make it my cycling destination by any means. Going from downtown up through the Ironman WC bike course was a bit of a mission, and I wouldn’t ever do that (again) for fun.
Riding towards Monaco is pretty nice, but the road doesn’t have a bike lane or shoulder in some sections. There are some nice climbs in the hills in that direction as well.
So if I was there for a race, I’d get some good rides in and enjoy it.
Interesting. Yeah, not going for a bike camp per se. Just want a place to have fun, have a small city / big town feel whereas I can be out of city center in 10-15m ride. But, if it’s really wild do not want that. Not necessarily interested in the Ironman course. Many IM courses IMO, are put on fairly wide roads you might not otherwise ride and therefore training on such is a pita. Not sure about Nice’s situation, but not looking to do the course or anything.
I did Nice last summer, stayed in my camper in Cagnes Sur Mer. I liked it and didn’t get as much cycling in as I would have liked due to an injury, but the transport links around the place made it easy to get around and the bike path along the front was helpful to dodge traffic. However there is an awful lot of it in the centre and it felt a little tiring trying to get out to get up to the bigger climbs.
I do love Girona though, will be going back there for my 3rd time this summer.
I don’t think you would regret either, and maybe family wise they would prefer Nice and the surrounding towns?
You could consider as alternatives:
If it´s any incentive for you: Spain is WAY cheaper than France in COL, hotels, etc
Recall Tour de France is in Barcelona / Tarragona around 5-7th of July this year. Might be a great combo 
Any suggestions of where to stay in Priorat??
Interesting. It seems that is West of town. Contemplating staying next to the base of the Col de Eze, slightly east of the main town in Quartier du port. Still seems like it is happening enough, and yet you can sneak out of town through that climb. Maybe I’m wrong. I do believe a few pros live in that region, so I’d like to think (hope) it’s not too bad to launch out of town. Correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks.
Interesting. I’ve heard of Priorat. If I don’t recalibrate now, definitely adding it to the ‘future’ list. I love Mallorca. Only been there in March though. I hear summer can be crazy. Though whether it is more crazy than Nice as to traffic, I don’t know…
A point of reference: I have stayed in Malaga in the summer. And, while it was packed, it was still fairly easy to ride into the mountains. I wouldn’t ride along the coast. I am ok with something like that or less congested. Is it fair to say Nice is like that, or less busy? Or, is it more busy? Again if you/anyone has a comparative experience between these two cities. Thanks.
I would add Vic to my list less busy than girona.
If possible, check Siurana in Priorat. It is a high point and you will also find world class rock climbing (and world class rock climbers) around that little town. Fun and strong vibe.
But anywhere in Priorat really is magic. Perfect roads and climbs - hardly any cars.
Escaladei or Gratallops are nice historic, Catalan towns. Use Strava heatmaps for routes.
We love this hotel: https://terradominicata.com/
Just holler if I can help more - we live 1h north of there.
No you are absolutely right. I stayed out there due to better campervan parks but if you are the other side of Nice its much easier
Out of curiosity, what Pyrenees towns would you suggest? Any close or in Catalonia?
Depends a lot on what you are after! Font Romeu (in France) for training at heights is amazing, and you may recall the Norwegians has passed summers there. Andorra is nice too - also good facilities, many triathletes lives there.
Val d´Aran is really beautiful, you can reach big climbs around Luchon from there (Col de Aspin / Tourmalet etc) or ride in the same valley where you have Port de Bonaigua (22 km)
Closer to Barcelona you have the “Pre-Pyrenees” mountainrange and Puigcerda valley, that is beautiful and has many famous climbs (and actually some flat stretches for TT riding)
But not really places your wife is gonna like, I guess.
Also, Pyrenees are real mountains - weather can change rapidly, there is NO flat pretty much anywhere, etc.
An option could be San Sebastian on the north coast - you can actually reach the Pyrenees from there and it´s an amazing city.
Mallorca is a better option as well
Less crowded over the summer , great vibes, more affordable and decent food options
I just find Nice super crowded over the summer unless you are planning to go like now or after Sept
Love San Sebastian / Donostia! Was there a few years back for the Tour. Definitely will be back there one day. Was going to go back last year, but, we chose Asturias (another favorite region). Definitely looking to choose to stay in Catalonian region of Pyrenees since my wife has to go pickup family papers in Barcelona as I just don’t want to tack on too much additional time driving or with mass transit. I hear you on Priorat (this is on my list for the future). Also, I just told my wife these options. Apparently, my mother-in-law lived in Puigcerda for s short time many years ago. Thank you for all the help!
Really?? Mallorca better? I’m surprised. By the way, not saying your wrong. Just curious if you can elaborate further on your experience. I’ve only been to Mallorca once (March/April 2012), and I’ve heard it gets pretty packed during summertime. Where did you stay in Mallorca that you would recommend? We were down in the southwest Palmanova / Magaluf area (Hotel Ponent Mar).
Separately, from my research, I think Nice can be a hit or miss mostly on where you stay. If doing Nice, it seems like the Port area (east of town) might be the best option for a quick escape on Col D’Eze. Feel free to chime in if I’m wrong here, as I might be since I’ve never actually been. This is just on some rudimentary research. It also seems that the closer to airport (and ergo Ironman bike course), the more chaotic the roads are.
For what it’s worth, Malaga in the summer is chaotic near the water. But, within a few minutes from town one can get on the Puerto Leon. If Nice is like that, then I am ok with it. But, if it’s mad traffic into the Mountain roads, then I don’t want to be there. When I travel, I like to stay on the edge of town for this reason, provided the roads leading to town are actually non-trafficked and safe…
Anytime 
time has come for decisions! Enjoy and let us know how it´s going down (and if you took any of my KOMs)
Puerto Portal area. Great dining options and views. Have been there twice and both were in late Aug, so maybe less crowded?
the city centre area whatever it is called is also nice. Good vibes, nicer than Nice in the sense it’s less loud
I stayed there for a weekend before moving to Puerto Portal once. It’s more homely vs Nice. Nice screams tourist!
You are right. Too many options really. It’s a good problem to have. Yeah, I don’t do the KOM thing. Partly cause I don’t feel like I’m fast enough anymore. Although, maybe if I put more structure into training again, prolly could make some dents here and there. But, mostly because I like enjoying the climb for what it is alone (scenery and such). And, the last two times to EU didn’t help either. I was either attending sick or leaving sick. Just was in Malaga trying to keep some steep climbs ‘Zone 2’ so that my cough wouldn’t turn into something more serious… Last year did Lagos De Covadonga on 2nd day riding (any exercise) after almost three weeks of being sick and still with chronic cough / laryngitis. Was planning on using those few weeks as a training block pre-travel as I was already in semi lackluster shape. HRM was about 20 beats higher than it should have been. Anyway, praying for not a repeat of any of that this summer and more consistency throughout. That all said, I would actually relish some structure training and time trial / all out efforts now and then though…
Your KOMs are safe. However, bets may be off if a Seixas or Pogi type comes rolling along. Idk, you might need an e-bike then?.!? Had this old geezer pass me on one up a hill before COVID. At first I was severely depressed, then I heard the motor… Didn’t realize they made them in a road bike model at the time .