Where to go after the RDGA?

[MattW]

Hi all,
Looking for some possible ideas for our late summer tour in early September.

My missus and I did our first big European trip in 2013 doing loads of the big alpine passes with our hands held by another couple who've done lots of European touring We both loved it and this year we're striking out on our own (couldn't manage the same dates with our friends).

Having dipped into a little of the RDGA last time, we've decided to do the whole thing this year and the route goes like this so far:

Hull - Zebrugge

Zebrugge - Troyes(ish)

Troyes(ish) - the start of the RDGA and as far south as we get on the first day.

Then work our way down the RDGA taking our time and staying as and where we fancy.

From the south coast is where we can't decide which way to go, options including:

Jump a ferry to Corsica and spend some time on there, then work our way north through the interior of France.
Head west, do the Verdon Gorge and worm our way north through the interior of France.
Head east into Italy, head north and do some more passes in the lumpy bits and work our way north, probably dipping back into France at the end.

Thoughts about the three options above:
I don't know whether we might be pushing it time wise doing Corsica - we aren't into huge mile days unless we have to.
I know almost nothing about the interior of France but I assume there are nice bits to see on the way north!

The ferry is booked and I'll probably pre-book somewhere for the first night in or around Troyes and I intend to book the last night in Dun-sur-Meuse (probably doing a few war sites on the day before). We intend to stay in B&B's / small hotels etc. Apart from that, the world is our mollusc.

Any ideas / advice from someone with more clue than me (not difficult!) would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Matt

 

[mcinlb]

What I did the first time following the RDGA was along and up the Route Napoleon(if you've not done it) and a ring round the gorge Verdon , north to Annecy (worth a visit once if you've not been), north to the Vosges area. Stayed at Kaysersberg or Riquewihr on the Route des Vin.

 

[Redboots]

Head east into Italy, head north and do some more passes in the lumpy bits and work our way north, probably dipping back into France at the end.

That's the way I would go. Some nice passes in the Dolomites.
Cortina might be a bit too far, depending on your allotted time, but its a nice area with good passes and tiramasu

 

[Peirre O`Bollox]

Corsica is an obvious choice after the RDGA. This is what I did 2 years ago and highly recomend.
I took 2 days down from Zeebrugge to the Annecy stopping at Beze (363 miles Zeebrugge-Beze) then cross country via Nyon to Annecy. 2 more days to do the RDGA (overnighting in Briancon) before pushing onto Nice.
It's only a 5-6hrs ferry from Nice to Calvi, then an hour down to Porto, so you could effectively catch the morning ferry in Nice and be in Porto by 3-4pm. There's an int'l YHA in the centre of Nice about a mile from the ferry terminal, you can park your bike outside the reception. 3-4 days based in Porto will allow you to ride 2/3rds of the main Corsican Cols at a leisurely pace before either returning to the mainland, or a final push over some of the best bits towards Bastia

 

[adventuredon]

I did something similar to your plan 2 years ago. Have a look at www.free-me.com for routes etc

 

[MattW]

Thanks for the input everyone - very helpful - lots of food for thought
Cheers
Matt

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

My vote would be to go east and potentially experience the mountains of Italy/Austria/Switzerland/Germany.

 

[alecg]

To be honest I haven't done Corsica, time and all that. I have done the other two both are good option perhaps the Gorges more sightseeing than great roads but great none the else. The Alps always wonderful and you can tick you list if thats your thing. Both option well document in the fabled "Alps and beyond". Ultimately don't commit, then let the weather Gods direct you.

 

[Rasher]

We headed up Route Napoleon to the Vercors last time:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/279972

You could also have a couple of nights at Gorge Du Verdon before heading up to the Vercors as well, although Corsica would probably be a real good choice, never been myself, but it looks fantastic.

 

[Wapping]

Early September, when it starts to get cooler and the tourists have gone, I'd head up into central Provence, the Luberon and Mt. Ventoux. I'd then go up through the Vercours, before heading north and west, crossing the Rhone into the Vosges (French equivalent of the Black Forest) east of Colmar.

Up, through the Vosges, then north west again through the Morvan to Avallon. From Avallon, via Troyes, Château T, Soissons, St Quentin, Zeebruge to home.....

What you'd be doing is travelling up the eastern middle of France, keeping south and east of Paris and overall east of the Massif Central.


PS You can get some biblical thunderstorms in Provence in late August / early September, with enough thunder, lightning, wind and hail to last you a lifetime.

 

[MattW]

Early September, when it starts to get cooler and the tourists have gone, I'd head up into central Provence, the Luberon and Mt. Ventoux. I'd then go up through the Vercours, before heading north and west, crossing the Rhone into the Vosges (French equivalent of the Black Forest) east of Colmar.

Up, through the Vosges, then north west again through the Morvan to Avallon. From Avallon, via Troyes, Château T, Soissons, St Quentin, Zeebruge to home.....

What you'd be doing is travelling up the eastern middle of France, keeping south and east of Paris and overall east of the Massif Central.


PS You can get some biblical thunderstorms in Provence in late August / early September, with enough thunder, lightning, wind and hail to last you a lifetime.

Some great ideas there - thanks