Thinking of leaving the UK - for sunny cycling shores

Hey all,

I did think about posting this in the travel category but I feel general is more appropriate.

Basically I am lucky in that my job can take me pretty much anywhere in the world. And after many years in the UK I am thinking of leaving. Which is where you come in...

I like cycling in the UK but it can be a stressful affair with bad drivers and pot holes.

I have been to France, Netherlands, Eastern Europe and Canada. I would like a dry-ish place but more importantly is a great cycling culture. Good infrastructure and good drivers. And also hills if possible. Maybe too much to ask.

I have been reading the forum and can horribly collate the following about cycling cultures....

USA - not great generally and not very safe
Netherlands - need not say much here...
Australia - had high hopes but sounds like you get beer bottles thrown at you just for being on a road bike
Canada - good but given its size most roads are big and busy
France - from my experience its cracking.

Keen to basically hear from anyone who has liven in a cool part of the world and cycling was all good.

Hope this is not too general-er a question...

R

You shouldn't generalise too much about countries. For instance, there are great places to ride in the US and worse ones. Given the high degree of independence that states and municipalities have in setting their own ordinances and laws, some places have much better legislation for cycling than others. Obviously, the US has very different settlement patterns than most of Europe (much as many European countries have been influenced by the US and have generated US-style sprawl).

You won't get it all. The closest fit to your wishes would be university towns in Germany, Belgium or the eastern hilly bit of the Netherlands. You could think about places like Leuven or Freiburg.

There are also Ferrara in Italy (30% modal share of cycling in the centre) or Bolzano (claims a recent modal share of 43% and certainly hilly by virtue of being in the Alps).

Good luck.

I lived in Zurich for 18 months and loved the quality of the roads, the easy access to hills and mountains and a train service that allowed you to travel around the country relatively cheaply to ride, but the winters were a bit too harsh to be able to cycle all year round.

The Swiss themselves are cold fish and there was no cycling culture that I found, most local clubs were unwelcoming, which would be important for me.

I've ridden extensively in Europe and I think if I was as lucky as you and able to choose where I could live then either the south of France, probably somewhere away from the coast though, or the Italian lakes, either Como, Maggiore or Iseo, would be my choice.

I lived in the Jura area of France for a bit.

I'd lose a nut to live there again. Nice people, the weather can be a bit wet, but beats this shithole of a country any day.

Good Luck!

straya mate

spent some time in the vendee in france. a few hills, no mountains. big cycling culture and quiet small roads that are surprisingly well paved.

...although the weather is about the same, maybe a bit nicer in summer but prone to storms

I've lived in Mallorca for almost 4 years. Can't help think my time has come/is coming to an end here but I have loved cycling throughout the duration. There are many plus points and almost as many negatives but from an island I expected very little from, It truelly surpassed my expectations. i didnt come here for cycling but it has been an amazing by product of living here and i will look forward to revisiting this almost paradise island for many years after I leave. The fresh food available is some of the best I have tasted, the beaches (I have been to many around the world) considering they are so close to my home, the UK, are in fact some of the best I have ever been to and the drinks measures are free pouring. I shouldn't have to tell you about the cycling however the only thing I would say is perhaps it is too small... Definitely worth a look.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info so far, it's nice to have a few opinions thrown in.

From my time in France(nice to Paris SS ride) last summer I can say...

Weather was amazing, food great, nice looking ladies. I even came home and started to learn French.

My plan is to Mallorca it up for a couple of days in march. Just wish Australia was closer so I could check it out myself.

Don't want people to think I dislike the UK by the way, just think there may be more out there...

R

Australia = horrible place to ride a bike!

Don't want people to think I dislike the UK by the way, just think there may be more out there...

No, there's only one UK.

just be aware march is probably the worst weather month. last two years we had snow and due to the humidity in winter it feels much colder than the temp actually is..

Hi guys,

....My plan is to Mallorca it up for a couple of days in march....

R

Japan has absolutely amazing roads and scenery if you go out of the city. The down side is that the quality of driving is shocking and despite the amount of cyclists/bikes on the road, there is a serious lack of knowledge about 'actual' cycling. Maybe it's just where I live but I get funny looks just being on the road and not the pavement.. even by people cycling the opposite way on the road towards me. Maybe its because I'm foreign.. or wearing a helmet?

I was in Mallorca for a month in December/January. I wish I could be there more often. My brother and sister live there and the favourable cycling conditions are very envious.

Australia = horrible place to ride a bike!

Have to disagree... There is amazing riding here. The people are a bit shit though.

Yes, but it's the people who do the riding. If they're a bit shit, then so is the riding. :D

#finestappliedlogic

cross post from HHSB thread. This is Mallorca 9th december 2012. *i wont post anything in the thread again i promise!

Mallorca in December... only 3 months till summer :) *from now

Mallorca, here I come.

Looks like you were pushing a big gear there, run into much trouble in the hills?

I think I might hire a bike when I get there, cheaper than taking my own. I hope my bike does not consider it cheating....

Thanks for the info about the various places guys. I really appreciate it. And it looks like Australia is of the map for a while at least.

The joy I experienced in France while cycling has spoilt me I think....

Id move somewhere for mountainbiking any day over road cycling and bike commuting concerns.

Even commuting off road is a joy.

Just did a bit of cycling in San Francisco.

Was the first time in a long time I enjoyed riding on the road.

Impeccably patient drivers and some amazing roads just the other side of the Golden Gate. Good food, friendly people and warm all year round. Although it can be humid I'm told. Tonnes of trails close by too.

Obvious issues though: green card and San Fran is not cheap to live in.