Autumn road bike tours in Europe - 6 road bike tours in the most beautiful wine regions
SPAIN: LA RIOJA
La Rioja is located in northern Spain and is the smallest autonomous community on the Spanish mainland. The famous Rioja wines thrive in the fertile valley of the Río Ebro, which is surrounded by rugged, karstic mountain ranges that keep out the rain and cold air and give Rioja a dry climate that is ideal for winegrowing. Sheep and cattle are at home in the secluded mountain world.
The rugged limestone mountains of the Sierra de la Demanda rise to over 2,000 metres, and the Val d'Ézcaray is even a nationally renowned ski resort. The Sierra de Cantabria chain rises up opposite. The hilly Ebro Valley is home to ancient, cosy villages, numerous monasteries and, above all, wineries - many of these bodegas, even the smaller ones, can be visited; a wine tasting at the end of the day is not to be missed. Because the centuries-old Way of St James also crosses Rioja, you will come across traces of pilgrimage history everywhere. Politically, the region is divided into the autonomous region of "La Rioja" and "Rioja Alavesa" in the north, which belongs to the Basque Country.
You can find the entire article about the cycle tours in the European wine regions and the GPS data for these tours in the download area below:
- Tour 1: Tough passes around Ezcaray (152 kilometres, 2,600 vertical metres, max. 16 % gradient)
- Tour 2: To the Basque Rioja (113 kilometres, 1,800 metres in altitude, max. 13 % gradient)
- Tour 3: Barren Sierra de la Demanda (177 kilometres, 2,500 metres in altitude, max. 10% gradient)
- Tour 4: Among vultures (131 kilometres, 2,800 vertical metres, max. 14 % gradient)
AUSTRIA: STYRIA
In the foothills of the Eastern Alps lies south-west Styria, a varied mix of vineyards, the foothills of the Alps and serious mountain roads.
You can find the entire article and the GPS data for these tours in the download area below:
- Tour 1: Steep plain (112 kilometres, 2,700 metres in altitude, max. 17% gradient)
- Tour 2: Undulating vineyards (109 kilometres, 1,400 metres in altitude, max. 12% gradient)
FRANCE: DRÔME
On tours through the hills of the Drôme, the white giant Mont Ventoux is always in view. But it's not just its legend that attracts racing cyclists - the wine and French cuisine are also hard to resist.
You can find the entire article and the GPS data for these tours in the download area below:
- Tour 1: Wind and waves (96 kilometres, 1,300 metres in altitude, max. 12 % gradient)
- Tour 2: Drôme hills (102 kilometres, 2,500 metres in altitude, max. gradient 12%)
GERMANY: KAISERSTUHL
No other region in Germany is as warm as the Kaiserstuhl near Freiburg. And the best thing for racing cyclists: the vineyards are criss-crossed by a network of winding side roads.
You can find the entire article and the GPS data for these tours in the download area below:
- Tour 1: Rhine and mountains (100 kilometres, 700 metres in altitude, max. 9 % gradient)
- Tour 2: Dance on the volcano (91 kilometres, 1,300 metres in altitude, max. 15 % gradient)
ITALY: SOUTH TYROL - KALTERN
Lake Kaltern, south of Bolzano, lies on a large terrace above the busy Adige Valley. Around it, where wine and apples thrive magnificently, pretty mountain pass roads and shortcuts wind their way.
You can find the entire article and the GPS data for these tours in the download area below:
- Tour 1: Double pass (113 kilometres, 2,250 metres in altitude, max. 18% gradient)
- Tour 2: Val di Fiemme loop (111 kilometres, 1,300 metres in altitude, max. 10% gradient)
ITALY: TUSCANY
Dolce Vita? No, Tuscany is far too good for lazing around. Because the sight of this landscape makes you want to get on the saddle straight away.
You can find the entire article and the GPS data for these tours in the download area below:
- Tour 1: Through the Chianti (88 kilometres, 1,600 metres in altitude, max. 15% gradient)
- Tour 2: Desert ride (84 kilometres, 1,400 metres in altitude, max. 12 % gradient)
