Search found 40 matches

by spicerack
8 Aug 2017, 1:33pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Camino, briefly!
Replies: 14
Views: 2247

Re: Camino, briefly!

HobbesOnTour wrote:Hi again, Heathbrook,

I came across this and thought you may be interested.

https://www.cicerone-extra.com/cycling- ... e-la-plata

Frank
Yes, yes and yes. That is a really great write up on the Via de la Plata. The only other thing I can add is that because you'll be traveling through a quieter route with bigger towns than the any of the northern routes you won't be competing for space with 'real' pilgrims but you'll still get a taste of what it's like. You could finish up in Oviedo, Valladolid or Santander for easy flights home.
by spicerack
25 May 2017, 2:23pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle touring in Sri Lanka
Replies: 5
Views: 4752

Re: Cycle touring in Sri Lanka

It looks incredible, thanks for sharing. I'd be interested in your route if you have a map or list of destinations?
by spicerack
20 Apr 2017, 12:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Colmar to Freiburg
Replies: 7
Views: 846

Re: Colmar to Freiburg

I rode from Frieburg to Colmar last September, definitely a cycle path across the bridge (and most of the way on the German side as far as i can remember). There is a great little campsite in Neuf-Brisach if you want to break up the trip.
by spicerack
21 Feb 2017, 11:41am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Surly LHT or Cross Check?
Replies: 34
Views: 5752

Re: Surly LHT or Cross Check?

I chose between the cross check and the LHT 5 years ago. I was lucky I lived in London so could test ride both bikes easily. I was sold on the LHT until the test ride, it felt really heavy but solid, a bit like driving a van. I went with the cross check with a few customisation and it's been fantastic for long and short tours, both 2 panniers and 4, as well as my part-time commuting and spins in the country on weekends.

As said previously, I don't think a bike that could carry more weight is necessary for touring Europe so the LHT is overkill for most people.
by spicerack
9 Feb 2017, 1:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 4 days in holland - advice?
Replies: 25
Views: 6559

Re: 4 days in holland - advice?

I recommend including the Breezendijk, it's incredible to travel so straight and flat for such a distance.

And don't forget about the wind, it can make 80 miles pretty tough if it's blowing the wrong direction!
by spicerack
25 Oct 2016, 1:25pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Train bag
Replies: 14
Views: 1781

Re: Train bag

I used one of these for the TGV from Lille to Avignon, seems to be out of stock but sure you can find something similar.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... -prod41796

No padding and not great to carry, but it was small enough to roll up and put on my rack during the tour.

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my Moto G (4) using hovercraft full of eels.
by spicerack
8 Aug 2016, 5:05pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: London to Amsterdam Cycle.
Replies: 10
Views: 1961

Re: London to Amsterdam Cycle.

The route from Bruges to Amsterdam is very nice, so nice I've done it twice. But I've taken the Eurostar to Bruges via Brussels so can't comment on South of that.

This is roughly the route we followed over three very easy days (some of the lines are not drawn correctly but the signs in Holland are so easy to follow you hardly need a GPS), mostly following the North Sea cycle route with some variations so we could visit Delft.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9910540
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9911023
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9970200

Great hostel in the forest near Domburg is good for groups, although it does make the day out of Bruges very short.

Also as mjr said, the Harwich ferry is great as a more direct route. Actually I took that last week and I'm in Amsterdam now.
by spicerack
27 Jul 2016, 6:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling from Strasbourg to Munich help!
Replies: 10
Views: 1029

Re: Cycling from Strasbourg to Munich help!

I should be passing through this area in a few weeks and I will be camping.
How are the campsites, comparable to the rest of France with camping municipals? Is it too densely populated for wild camping?

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my Wileyfox Swift using hovercraft full of eels.
by spicerack
4 Sep 2015, 9:48am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: SPAIN PORTUGAL
Replies: 5
Views: 1913

Re: SPAIN PORTUGAL

I second the Pedal Portugal recommendation. I followed the guide and routes Alentejo Circuit with my girlfriend earlier this year and it fantastic for her first trip. Huw who runs the site and writes the guides was also super helpful.
http://pedalportugal.com/touring-routes ... o-circuit/
by spicerack
21 Aug 2014, 5:54pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Gijon to Poole Ferry
Replies: 9
Views: 2416

Re: Gijon to Poole Ferry

None of this makes sense to me. I took the LD Lines ferry from Poole to Gijon in April of this year with my bicycle. The booking ws quite straightforward online with 'Bicycle' listed as a drop-down option under transport used.


Very weird considering what the lady on the phone said. I tried to check again using the website but now it says that there is no availability. Anyway, we've already booked flights to Asturias for the way out and getting the Santander ferry back. Ferry both ways would have been nicer and better for my airport baggage handler paranoia, but flying out seemed the easiest option in the end.
by spicerack
8 Aug 2014, 8:26pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Camping in Northern Spain
Replies: 11
Views: 3049

Re: Camping in Northern Spain

I'll be doing a very similar trip in late September and had also been considering the camping options so it's good to read this thread. I have toured in Spain before and didn't camp because of all the reasons stated above. This time I am planning to take the gear and spend half the nights wild camping (anyone have experience of wild camping in this area?). Great tip about picking up the 'credential', I used a few albergues without it last time and had to say I had lost it.
by spicerack
6 Aug 2014, 11:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Quick poll: Your touring accomm - tent, hostel, hotel?
Replies: 29
Views: 3304

Re: Quick poll: Your touring accomm - tent, hostel, hotel?

I only a spend few long-ish weekends per year touring in the UK, say 6 nights / year on average, doesn't sound like much but the longer tours tend to be abroad. Roughly 50% camp sites (including pub campsites), 10% wild camping and 40% B&Bs (when the weather is bad).
by spicerack
31 Jul 2014, 9:26am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Gijon to Poole Ferry
Replies: 9
Views: 2416

Re: Gijon to Poole Ferry

So I called LD Lines, got through after being on hold for 20 minutes a very unhelpful lady who couldn't get me off the phone fast enough informed me they don't accept bicycles because of 'licensing'. I wonder if a CTC campaign might be able to change these license rules?
by spicerack
29 Jul 2014, 11:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Gijon to Poole Ferry
Replies: 9
Views: 2416

Re: Gijon to Poole Ferry

When we went last feb

So I guess this in a not a new service then?

Could the CTC lobby them to accept cyclists?

Good idea, it frustrates me when they don't take bikes.

It's a lovely area to cycle though as I'm sure you know. I've done several trips using the Santander ferry.

Good to hear, I'm quite excited.

I'll give them a call and see what the latest news is.