Cycling the French Riviera: Nice, Monaco and the Mountains
There’s a well known warm up race every Spring that finishes on the Côte d’Azur. It’s called the Race to the Sun and Paris-Nice is a usually a real showcase on the climactic difference between the North (wet, windy, cold) and the South (sun kissed*, charming, scenic etc etc).
*Sunshine cannot be guaranteed, see terms and conditions for more information.
The section of the coastline of the South of France that borders the North of Italy has got to be one of the richest in the world. Boasting not just the vibrant holiday hotspot of Nice itself but the neighbouring super chic, super wealthy Monaco. And this is the very well-known home of a few of the best bike riders on the planet.
There’s lots to discover both on and off the bike along the French Riviera and behind it in the mountains. If you want a leisurely ride for a spot of lunch, there’s a cycle path pretty much the whole way to Antibes. If you want to ride the famous Poggio in San Remo you can cross the border with ease and test yourself on the hill that forms the climax of the longest race on the professional calendar.
But if you’re here for big days and long climbs, there is plenty to go at in the Alpes-Maritimes. Some of my favourites are the Col de Braus, a climb we rode both ways and it’s just as fun going down as it is up (or the other way around, depends on your perspective on climbing vs descending I guess).
Col de Turini is a proper mountain test, settle in and tap away for 14km at 7.8%. Likewise so is the Col de la Madone straight off the coastline that has been used for years as a fitness test for the likes of Chris Froome and ‘he-who-must-not-be-named’.
Bistros galore, you’ll not be short of places to eat and drink in Nice itself, although a word of warning in the more rural areas that places do have a habit of closing when they feel like it… (welcome to France as a whole I guess).
If you’re looking for the next place to discover on two wheels, Nice could be just it, so get in touch today…
