I'm no hard-core lycra-clad cyclist of the Riviera ilk that you see here clocking up the kilometres on busy roads or gruelling climbs, but I do like a leisurely bicycle ride courtesy of Velo Bleu (Nice's version of Boris's Bikes) and my favourite little trip is along the seaside cycle path from NIce to Cagnes which takes about an hour and if you time the trading in of your bike right costs not even a Euro.......
First you cycle along the glorious Promenade des Anglais in Nice with glorious sea views across La Baie des Anges, past the airport, before arriving at St Laurent du Var with many harbourside restaurants and boardwalk cafes.....
Hop back on a new bike and cycle on to the charming Cros-de-Cagnes which still has an old timer's fishing village atmosphere and lots more seaview cafes and restaurants......(a clear theme is emerging here)..
From here there is a wide, spacious promenade to enjoy around the sweep of the bay to Cagnes-Sur-Mer itself where the cycle path terminates......and you can continue to explore the modern town of Cagnes or the Medieval hilltop village of Haut-de-Cagnes....
Velo Bleu allows you to hire bikes by the day or you can buy an annual pass for just 25 Euros and the bikes are free for 30 minutes - but you can trade them in immediately and take a new bike every 30 minutes. After cycling round the heart of Mexico City using a similar scheme (Ecobici) this one really is a piece of cake... (with lots more places to stop off for tea and cake)......
Enjoy the ride!!!
