Love cycling? So do I. All around the world.
I have been on the grand tours projects mailing list for a while. It takes a while before curiosity eventually gets the better of you and you click through to see what it is all about. And oh man was I happy to see what I found. These guys run high end bike tours across mainly European venues. Think TDF Tour de France routes and Giro de Italia followers. But then also expanded to other areas. For the major European bike tours and some of the sping classics and other races they have many derivatives. So that you can also experience those same routes and climbs. Albeit at a vastly different pace. Shall we say, more manageable.
https://grandtoursproject.com/
More grand tours projects to come
Over the next seven separate blog posts we will cover some of the tour options they have. We’ll compare it to some of our own cycling and trips. And make a mental bucket list of upcoming must-do bicycle rides and climbs across the globe. Because the world is a smaller place than you think. And you only have a relatively small amount of time in which to cover it all. So let’s get cracking. Neatly split up into the following areas:
- FRENCH grand tours projects
- ITALIAN grand tours projects
- SPANISH grand tours projects
- SWISS grand tours projects
- EUROPEAN grand tours projects
- EASTERN grand tours projects
- AMERICAS grand tours projects
Sneak peak of the grand tours projects
Sneak peak of each of the grand tours projects above and what I expect from them just based on the heading and location. And then we can compare it to the reality after exploring each one individually. This is what I expect:
French cycling tours
The FRENCH grand tours projects will likely include many derivatives of the TDF Tour de France route. The whole route, partial routes, and spectators’ packages. So, you can either cycling EFI (every expletive inch) yourself. Or just select the best parts or climbs. There are so many options here. Cycling in France.
Italian cycling tours
Continuing along the same lines as the TDF routes above. I expect the ITALIAN versions to include the Giro de Italia route and hen all the respective derivatives thereof. The Giro d’Italia is an annual, multi-stage road cycling race, one of the three prestigious “Grand Tours”. Organized by the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport since 1909, it primarily takes place in Italy during May and June and is known for its scenic routes and intense competition. Cycling in Italy.
Spanish cycling tours
Por favor Espanol? The SPANISH grand tours projects might very well continue along the same lines as the TDF and the Giro above. And include many routes and climbs from the remaining of the 3 major cycling GRAND TOURS. Which is the Vuelta a España: This race takes place in late August and September in Spain. Now we have a very good idea of where the grand tours projects got their name from. Cycling in Spain.
Swiss cycling tours
It was interesting to note that based on the number of international jerseys seen at the inaugural Nedbank GRAVEL BURN a fortnight or so ago. The most popular countries from abroad included Switzerland, Germany and the Americas. There sure was a heap of SWISS riders in the GB. And when I think of cycling in Switzerland I think of stunning climbs. And the Swiss EPIC. Based on local marketing. Cycling in Switzerland.
European cycling tours
This will be all that fall without the scope of what was already covered in The “big three” Grand Tours in road cycling. Ie the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España. These are the three most prestigious and longest multi-week stage races in professional cycling. And the remainder would be stunning places across Slovenia and possibly the Balkans. Cycling in Europe.
Eastern cycling tours
This is where it gets interesting. There are some stunning cycling to be had in far off places to the east of our globe and I would love to explore these in future. Think the Japanese odyssey and more. Also some seemingly flat but hillier inland cycling routes across the UAE and Arabic countries. Think Asia and Tibet. Cycling in Japan. And more.
Cycling tours in the Americas
Not necessarily just the USA, but more exotic options in Argentina, Andes mountains, Patagonia. What about cycling in Mexico? Quick, do it, before that wall idea gets to completion. Jokes aside, I’m curious to see where this goes. Cycling in the Americas.
GTP?
Grand tours projects!
And there you have it. time to get into the details with the individual grand tours projects. And YES, we can send your bicycle there. Here and there and anywhere and everywhere. With #bicyclecouriers.
