Reports by Richard Evans

This was a mixed bag in all senses. Lakes, mountains, sunshine and rain. A beautiful trip, crossing from Italy to Switzerland and back again. Recommended.

This was a great trip. I often think that I might improve an itinerary if I were to travel to an area again but not on this occasion. The scenery was stunning, the roads very quiet and the places I stayed in all had good places to sleep and eat in. It might be that there is a narrow travel window, with the winter too harsh in the mountains and the summer too hot. If however you can travel at this time of year, it is a great cycling destination which other cyclists have yet to discover.

A classic tour in five riding days from Geneva to Grenoble. The ride took in the Col De Aravis, Cormet de Roselend, Col d'Iseran, Col de Galibier, Col de Sarenne and Col d'Ornan. The page gives the route, the places I stayed in and place I ate at.

A great trip around northern Corsica. I started with a round trip of Cap Corse from Bastia, then crossed the island, staying in the hills close to Calvi. The tour continued down the coast to Porto, with a round trip based there. The most spectacular day was the ride from Porto to Corte in the middle of the island. The last ride was back to Bastia through a remote area. Great scenery every day, with quiet coastal and mountain roads. Thoroughly recommended. www.corsicacyclist.com is a very helpful site for anyone planning a trip

A fantastic tour, starting in Annecy, taking in the Col de Roselend, Col d'Iseran, Croix de Fer and Col Madeleine, then back to Geneva. The page gives details of the route, hotels and restaurants. I was pretty unfortunate with the weather in July 2014, even encountering snow on the Col d'Iseran. I will return, hoping for better luck next time.

A five day tour of the Pyrenees, beginning in Foix and crossing westward to the Col d'Aubisque. The mountains lived up to expectation, with great climbs and descents. Following a week of heavy rain, I had to make a couple of diversions to deal with flood affected areas. Unfortunately that meant missing a couple of the highlights I went to do; the Tourmalet and Aubisque. The upsides, including dry weather, however, outweighed the problems. Here you will find a description of the route I took, the one I had intended to, as well as tips on hotels and restaurants along the way.

I have cycled in Slovenia and the Dolomites before and on both occasions due to poor weather and a lack of fitness did not ride a route I had previously planned. I decided to return to tackle two climbs - the Grossglockner in Austria and the Vrsic in Slovenia. It was well worth it. Here you will find details of the route, together with information on the hotels and restaurants I used. Learning the lessons, it could be turned from a very good to great tour.

In 2009 I took a tour of the Dolomites. After taking the train from Venice, the tour started in Belluno, taking me to Canazei, Cortina and over into Austria. The tour takes in some famous climbs but also less obvious but just as spectacular passes. The page includes information on the hotels and restaurants that I used.

My tour of the Alpes Maritimes was the most spectacular of all ones I've undertaken to date. Travelling in the first week of September, the weather was good and the roads empty. As expected, the food was great. Some of the overnight stays, however, could have been better. If I had it to do again, I think it could be the perfect trip. Here you will find details of the trip, maps and recommendations on where and where not to stay.

I undertook a short tour of southern Tuscany in June 2010, starting in Montepulciano. The page describes the four days of touring, providing maps and photographs of the area. For those wanting to combine picturesque cycling with stays in beautiful towns and great food, it is an excellent choice. I've provided some information on the hotels and restaurants I used. I would highly recommend the trip, although perhaps shortening some of the days to allow more time to explore.

Route: Montepulciano - Montalcino - Massa Marittima - San Gimignano - Pisa

I undertook a short tour in Norway in the summer of 2011, beginning in Lillehammer. The page describes the four days of touring, providing maps and photographs of the area. Riding in the Jotunheimen mountain range was particularly spectacular. For those interested in great climbs which are a bit off the beaten track, this is an excellent choice. I've also provided some information on getting around and the hotels and restaurants I used. I would highly recommend the trip, although I may have felt differently had it rained