Ride like THE WIND

Tim Wiggins enjoys a fantastic break cycling among the mountains of Alpes-Maritimes and relaxing on the coast in Nice

- Tim Wiggins

As you stroll along Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, gazing upon the azure blue Mediterranean, you’ll discover the city is a paradise-found for beach lovers, shoppers, foodies, and cultural enthusiasts.

Not far away, the Alpes-Maritimes mountain range, just inland from the bustling metropolis, is a true hidden gem for road cycling and outdoor sports enthusiasts – an untouched and magnificent natural masterpiece.

I was here for a whistlestop tour of both, to explore all aspects of the beautiful Côte d’Azur. Arriving on the Promenade des Anglais is a simple and quick affair, with flight connections between Nice and most major European airports, as well as train connections using France’s TGV service, linking the city to Paris and the rest of Europe.

On our first evening in town, we dropped our bags at a beautiful seaside hotel and headed out to explore Nice’s vibrant boulevards. Marketplaces fill the narrow inner streets and the architecture alludes to the rich history of this distinctly cosmopolitan city. We wandered through the parks and along the seafront, soaking up the atmosphere.

Here, you are only a stone’s throw from Italy, right on the Mediterranean coastline, and less than an hour from the vineyards of Provence. These influences manifest themselves in the form of splendid fusion food and a unique Nice style.

We picked a restaurant on the harbourside for our first evening’s sustenance, dining on a sumptuous seafood feast, followed by a fresh lemon tart, and sipping on fine wine, as the sun dipped below the horizon.