Cycle clothing brand Café du Cycliste have launched a guide for cyclists offering tips, maps and routes around the company's base in Nice on the south coast of France.
The guide contains information on scenic coastal rides and hill climbs, including the Cime de Bonnette - at 2,802m, the highest paved road in Europe - as well as practical local info on weather and where to find the nearest water fountain and boulangerie for mid-ride refreshments.
Introducing the guide, Café du Cycliste say:
"We don't just receive orders here, we also get many questions about the roads and cols surrounding Nice; and it was with this in mind that we decided to create a guide to help others create some unforgettable trips in the cycling paradise that surrounds Nice where we, at Café du Cycliste, are lucky enough to be based.
It's all there: routes, climbs, elevation and gradient profiles, cycle paths, water fountains, cafés, bakeries... Our philosophy is to bring a bit of the Côte d'Azur to everyone, wherever they happen to be riding their bike. But we also want to share the joys of riding in our own back-yard playground with all the cyclists who make the trip here."
Having visited Nice earlier this year - unfortunately without my bike - the appeal of cycling in this region is easy to see. The dramatic scenery of the Alpes Maritimes, with beautiful old towns perched in the hills overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, the glamour of nearby Cannes and Monaco and a feast of apres-ride options from culture to fine dining - it's all just a short flight away. The guide even includes info on places to hire good road bikes while you're there.
The routes cater for all seasons and inclinations, whether you fancy a laid-back spin along the seafront or an epic alpine challenge. Café du Cycliste continue:
"There's something to suit everyone - from flat rides on the coastal bike path, to hilly excursions with great views out over Cannes and the sea, to real tests of endurance and willpower in the high snowy southern Alps.
Come and explore the roads around Nice, hang out on the beach or go pro-spotting in Monaco. There are coffee stops, bike shops and other attractions too - be our guest!"
April to November is the prime season for cycling in the South of France, but even the winter months, when roads are quieter, offer plentiful options along the coast. Check out the guide here, and be inspired.
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