The December Carrot: How a Shared “Why” Simplifies Planning the Ultimate Nice Adventure
It’s mid-December in Boise. Outside our studio window, it’s one of the rainiest, coldest days imaginable—the kind of winter rain that makes you want to retreat into a Netflix binge, hot soup, and baked goods.
But for us at Sparhawk Velo Adventures, that cold rain is actually an inspiration. We realized that if we don’t put intention into our next adventure right now, the winter hibernation will win. To get out of bed at 4:30 AM to hit the trainer or to brave the wet roads, you need a carrot.
Our carrot? Nice, France.
In a recent strategy session, Lara and I sat down to talk through the “Why” behind this trip. We discovered that when you nail down your motivations first, the logistics actually start to plan themselves.
Why Nice? Why March?
For most people, a trip to Europe is a summer affair. But we are planning for mid-March. Why? Because Nice is the finish line for Paris-Nice, the legendary “Race to the Sun.”
We have a “Why” that is three-fold:
- The Inspiration: We want to be at the finish line to cheer on a close friend and pro cyclist who has dominated this race recently.
- The Event: The day before the pros finish, the race course is open for the Paris-Nice Challenge, an 80-mile Gran Fondo with 8,000 feet of climbing. That is a massive early-season goal.
- The Mental Health Break: After logging long hours through a Boise winter, we need a “Level 1” entry back into international travel—a place that loves cyclists, has easy logistics, and offers a gentle entry into the European riding culture.
Staying in Sync: The Planning Shortcut
The most important part of our conversation wasn’t about flights or hotels; it was about getting our goals in sync. At SVA, we’ve found that if you know each other’s “Why,” the planning becomes simple.
1. Defining the “Hero Moment”
Lara wants to see the towns we missed last time—Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, and Grasse (the perfume capital). I want to experience the energy of the pro peloton. Because we know this, we don’t argue about the route. We simply look for the “in-between” paths that connect the legendary climbs with the cultural stops.
2. The “Plat du Jour” Rule
We synced on our daily rhythm: we aren’t looking for 100-mile “death marches” every day. We want the Plat du Jour (the plate of the day). We want to sit in a village square at noon, eat what the locals are eating, and soak in the culture. Knowing this helps us plan routes that are “train-accessible,” allowing us to ride 40 miles out, have a delicious local lunch, and take the train back if the daylight runs short.
3. Off-The-Couch Preparation
Since this is an early-season trip, we are “off the couch.” To make the planning less stressful, we are bringing in experts. We’re meeting with a physical therapist to address “niggles” before they become injuries, and a sports psychologist to help us stay motivated when it’s February and we’re tired of the trainer.
The SVA Takeaway: Find Your Carrot
When you plan a trip, don’t start with the map. Start with the conversation.
- What is the “Carrot” that will get you through the winter?
- What is the one “Hero Moment” you both need?
- What does a “restful” day actually look like for you?
By defining these between us, the logistics—the flights, the bike shops, the train lines—stop being hurdles and start being the bridge to our goal.
We have 10 weeks to get ready. We are going to share every step of this process—from bike fits to route scouting—so you can replicate this “In-Sync” planning for your own adventures.
Ready to find your carrot? Stay tuned as we document the road to Nice.
Listen to the Podcast here.
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