WHERE TO RIDE FROM NICE – GILETTE & BONSON
The cycle path on the western side of the Var river is an easy and flat route into the arrière pays, the deserted hinterland behind Nice; on each side, the climbs up to villages like Le Broc are challenging and fun, but this ride takes you right to the end of the cycle path, and into a short loop in the hills. Have a coke and an ice cream at a café in Gilette village square, high above the river while enjoying the views of snow-capped mountains, then carry on round to tiny Bonson.
In the afternoons, the sea wind can make the return journey along the Var hard work, so if you don't mind another climb, take the road to Castagniers and descend the other side of the ridge into Nice.
key kit
Arm Warmers.
In the early morning and during spring and autumn it can be cold in the Var valley. Take a pair of arm warmers to cut out the chill on the flat run towards the hills.
2 - RENT AND RIDE
Travel light and book your bike. We offer a range of rental bikes, the R5 Cervelo road bike and the Aspero Cervelo gravel bike along with titanium road bikes from French marque Leon. Each bike is complete with pedals, tool bag and rear light while, if needed, each rental can also include Specialized shoes and helmet.
3 - THE CAFÉ
Located on the Old Port, our café is the prefect pre and post-ride meeting place. With some routes that begin almost outside, excellent coffee and a full range of our clothing collections for men and women. There are weekly rides as well if you’d like to discover riding on the Cote D’Azur with like minded companions.
When the ville of Nice decided to use #nicecyclingparadise to promote the grand depart of the 2020 Tour de France, there was definite method in the madness. If Paradise Lost has over ten thousand lines of verse, this cycling paradise found has almost as many routes, roads, stretches, views, climbs, cols, lacets, stops and starting points. Enough at least to satisfy even the most discerning cyclist.
NISSA ALL-ROAD
Linking two classic Alpes-Maritimes cols via a gravel ridge-line ride on a loop that takes you from portside to the heart of the mountains and back again.
MONT CHAUVE
Mont Chauve, known as Nice’s ‘bald mountain’, proves that nature constructed one of the best viewpoints the city has to offer.
BONETTE
Join the climb directly from the village and get ready for a day of zero flat riding by climbing and descending both sides of the mountain,.
Duranus & Saint Blaise
Head up the valley to where three rivers meet, climb higher still and take the time to look around.
Braus & Turini
Time to get serious. A ride that includes two of the majestic cols from our Montaignes a la Carte series and typical of what makes riding from Nice such an intoxicating mixture of pleasure and pain.
Éze & Madone
One of the classic rides of the region, which takes in two legendary climbs and hits you with a 10% slope right at the start. Ride out from our Café in Nice, take on the challenge and return to claim your badges.
Mortola
Ride a portion of the famous F1 Grand Prix course in Monte Carlo, and then climb out towards Menton, the last town in France, and over the border. It may be short but it includes two countries and into one principality.
Vence
It includes a col from our Montaignes a la Carte series as well as unforgettable views and a route away from the madding crowds. Climb the side of the Var valley and over to the pretty artists’ town of Vence itself.
ESTEREL & ADRETS
The Esterel coast road starting from Théoule-sur-Mer is beautiful, winding through secluded coves and up and down into pretty village ports.
CAP D'ANTIBES
A Cote d’Azur roll-out that hugs the sea and arrives at one of the region’s most well-known towns.
Our Badges
To celebrate the local climbs and the roads we ride, we created a badge for each of our local cols, collected together in our Montagne à la Carte series. Ride the climb and claim the badge.
Not technically included in this ride, Mont Vial can be added to the route for those whose legs feel strong.
