Experience the wide open road
Wide Open Road Cycling Tours have been operating since 2001 and are owned, operated and run by Clare Holdsworth. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Clare has extensive cycling and travel experience in Europe and Australia, has detailed knowledge of the best cycling routes as well as the cultures, traditions, food and wine of the regions they pass through.
Our rides are point to point (we don’t believe in spending valuable holiday time in buses), we cycle around 80km a day, attract a mix of abilities, ages and genders. The common factor is a love of challenging but sociable cycling with a good meal and glass of wine (or two!). Many of our customers become lifelong friends and return in following years.
Nice to Annecy and the Tour de France
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
France
16 days (Bike: 13 days)
1170 km (~90km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5790
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
The ultimate French cycling holiday. Cycle through Provence, climb Mt Ventoux and arrive in the French Alps to be part of the action of the Tour de France on Alpe d’Huez!
This is the ultimate French cycling holiday, starting in Nice and finishing in Annecy, timed to perfection to watch the Tour de France on the iconic 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez. We ride through lavender and sunflower fields, visit honey coloured Provençal villages and conquer the mighty Mont Ventoux. We traverse the French Alps, tackling the famous climbs and immersing ourselves in French culture, food & wine along the way. We finish at the picturesque & historic lakeside town of Annecy, surrounded by mountains. It’s a cyclists dream, timed to perfection to see 2 stages of the 2022 Tour de France.
Terrain Mountainous with an average altitude of 1500m per day, with some consecutive days 2000m+ as we ride through the Alps.
Distance 1000km
Average Daily Distance 80-100km per day
Sardinia & Corsica
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
France & Italy
13 days (Bike: 11 days)
700 km (~64km per day)
Moderate
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5000
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
Ride with us across two of the most beautiful, sun kissed islands in the Mediterranean - Sardinia & Corsica - one French, one Italian.
We cycle mountain passes 1500m high and descend to the Med for a swim in sparkling turquoise waters.
Ride from Barcelona to Nice via 2 of the most stunningly beautiful mediterranean islands. This is a journey through dramatically diverse cultures and landscapes - where fishing villages and sandy white villages are paired with rugged mountains, pine forests and shimmering lakes. This is the ultimate ride for those after a contrast of mountains and coastal riding, French and Italian cultures.
Terrain Coastal and mountainous cycling. Come with a good level of fitness to manage consecutive hilly days with a few big climbs during the tour as well as a couple of flatter easier days.
Distance 700km
Average Daily Distance 80-100km per day
Milan to Venice
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
Italy
14 days (Bike: 10 days)
1000 km (~100km per day)
Moderate
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5890
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
Lago di Como, Madonna Del Ghisallo, Passo dello Stelvio, the classic climbs of the Dolomites and a spectacular finish in Venice!
Madonna del Ghisallo, Muro di Sormano, Passo di Gavia, Stelvio and Mortirolo and in the Dolomites, the Passo Costalunga, Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and more if you choose!
Terrain Average altitude of 1000/2000m per day (Tour options for less/more climbing available)
Distance 800-1000km (options available on some days)
Average Daily Distance 80-100km per day
The Pyrenees Bordeaux to Barcelona
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
France & Spain
16 days (Bike: 10 days)
1000 km (~100km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 6000
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
This is the ultimate cycling adventure - from Bordeaux to Barcelona via the epic climbs of the Pyrenees.
Ride from Bordeaux to Barcelona via the Pyrenees and see highlight stages of the Tour de France including a mountain top finish! Our route traverses the Pyrenees, crossing the most beautiful and well known climbs of the Tour de France and Vuelta España.
We experience the contrasting French and Spanish cultures and cuisines and conquer the famous Col du Tourmalet. This ride is timed to perfection, as we watch highlight stages of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees.
Terrain Rolling vineyards and farmland making way to hilly and mountainous terrain as we pass through the Pyrenees.
Distance 1000km+ Average Daily Distance 80-100km per day
The ride begins with easier days and rolling mountains, building to the challenging climbs of the Pyrenees. Arrive with a good level of fitness and mountain experience.
Gold Coast to Byron Bay
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
Australia
9 days (Bike: 8 days)
600 km (~75km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 3890
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
A 9 night, 8 day loop, starting and finishing on the Gold Coast, exploring the beautiful Tweed River, mountains, hinterland, cane fields, foodie hotspots & surf beaches
Experience some of the world’s best cycling as we ride from the Gold Coast to Byron & Beyond! Quiet rolling country roads, sugar cane, sub-tropical forests, spectacular views, picturesque beaches, laid-back villages and even a few seriously decent mountain climbs. The cycling is superb - it’s quite unexpected and underrated.
Terrain Lots of undulating hilly riding with a few flatter, easier coastal sections. A mix of mountainous, rolling hills and coastal cycling.
Food Northern NSW is a foodies dream destination. From farmers markets to hatted restaurants - it’s a food bowl of exceptional produce and a real culinary gem! This tour is also a food-tour by bike!
Grand Tour: Nice - Venice
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
France & Italy
34 days (Bike: 23 days)
2170 km (~94km per day)
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 11600
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
Combine both our 2022 Cycle Tours: Nice to Annecy followed by Milan to Venice to create a full month of riding the best cycling destinations in Europe.
You will cycle through the honey coloured villages and lavender fields of Provence, ride Mt Ventoux and conquer the epic climbs of the French Alps. Seeing the Tour de France on Alpe d’Huez on Bastille Day will be a highlight. We finish Stage 1 in the gorgeous lakeside town of Annecy. After 4 days of R&R we begin again in Milan for another 2 weeks of incredible cycling through the iconic Italian cycling destinations of Lago di Como, the Alps, Dolomites & Prosecco region - along with the Italian food, wine, culture along the way - La dolce vita! . This really is the ultimate cycling adventure!
The first stage finishes in Annecy after breakfast on Tuesday 19 of July.
You have 4 nights at your leisure.
There is plenty to explore in and around Annecy - or if you prefer, Milan.
We can assist with hotels, travel ideas and recommendations for between tours.
Vic Alps Cycle Tour
Tour Operator: Wide Open Road
Australia
5 days (Bike: 4 days)
400 km (~100km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 1640
Overview
Tour Operator Wide Open Road
Tick off 4 of the #7PeakRide climbs
Join us for a long weekend cycle tour in the Victorian Alps and tick off 4 of the #7PeakRide climbs: Hotham, Falls, Buffalo & Dinner Plain. This is a fully supported cycle tour where you will enjoy the camaraderie of other like minded cyclists and quality regional produce.
Four days of spectacular cycling in the Victorian Alps with a carefully crafted itinerary enabling you to ride a fully supported loop showcasing the spectacular scenery, mountain villages, regional produce, local wineries & micro-breweries of NE Vic. Ride 4 iconic mountain climbs and stay in great family run accommodation.
Terrain We’re conquering four out of seven peaks along the famed 7 Peaks trail. Falls Creek, Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham, & Mt Buffalo climbs.