Search found 292 matches

by HarryD
22 Feb 2024, 9:43am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: North coast Spain west, Santiago, Braganca, Potes
Replies: 22
Views: 924

Re: North coast Spain west, Santiago, Braganca, Potes

Rob, you queried temperatures for Potes. Here are those for Leon on the plain between Braganca and Potes. Very little shade so exposed to the weather. For June:

Average Max 24.0C Average June min 10.2C

31mm rain 56% humidity Days with rain 4.6

Hours sunshine 314

Highest recorded 36.5C (25/6/1943) when the average daily max was 29.1C
by HarryD
20 Feb 2024, 2:14pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: North coast Spain west, Santiago, Braganca, Potes
Replies: 22
Views: 924

Re: North coast Spain west, Santiago, Braganca, Potes

Certainly a very interesting and varied trip

A bare bones trip taking in Llanes, Santiago, Braganca and Potes comes out at about 1,100km plus 18,00m of climb. With your three weeks there should be times to explore the Galician coast plus other route options

Yes, Spain is always hillier than you expect. Even the coast. I'd suggest following the Camino del Norte along the coast from Llanes to Ribadeo before following it to Arzua and ultimately Santiago. It is a myriad of cyclable tracks and minor roads that often don't make their way onto road maps. I can recall it being hilly but in an interesting rather than challenging way. Being on the Camino there are plenty of places to stay at generally good prices

The return from Braganca to Potes over the Picos is high but the edge of the plain of Leon is typically at 900m and you'll have got there over several days. So far less climb than you think

Heat wise. Yes it can get hot. It's not just the heat but the solar gain from skies are usually clear allied with a high sun. You can get the same heat on the coast, high in the mountains or on the central plains. In such conditions we, along with many others, set off in the pre-dawn morning cold. Never regretted it. It's a strategy most walking the Camino adopt when it really does get hot. We then crash out early afternoon and grab a midday menu del dia

As you say, wild camping is illegal. In some places you may simply be told to move. In protected areas you may get fined by the local police before being moved on. There is no tradition of wild camping in Spain like in Scotland or other upland UK areas. Expect to get the odd opportunity but its a lot of lugging for that. Accommodation in Spain and Portugal can be cheap and readily available which

Hope this helps
by HarryD
8 Jan 2024, 4:45pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring Bike Stem
Replies: 32
Views: 1834

Re: Touring Bike Stem

Hi Cugel, my experiences seem to be different from yours. Three times either me or my partner have been sorted for stems as described. First time was in Nottingham, second in Ripon and most recently at Ride Scotland in Boat of Garten. All as I/we were passing. Fortunately don't get through that many stems. Its not that hard to tell whether a stem is more, less or even the same in terms of comfort as the original and the OP seems to have given it some thought as to what they want.

Maybe I've simply been lucky in where I've randomly happened to drop in on or maybe they take one look at me and decide I'm clearly in much need of help, generosity and kindness
by HarryD
8 Jan 2024, 10:39am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring Bike Stem
Replies: 32
Views: 1834

Re: Touring Bike Stem

What you need is you, your bike and a bike expert in the same place at the same time to get it sorted ant to get it right. Where can this happen?

Most bike shops have a range of stem lengths and angles. Good ones will happily show you what they've got, fit and swap round to get it right at no extra cost. Very good ones will even swap the supplied clamp bolts with something better. They are not expensive items so buying on line won't save much, if at all, compared to the value of improved comfort and ride
by HarryD
15 Dec 2023, 10:32am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Southern Spain winter tour
Replies: 24
Views: 3704

Re: Southern Spain winter tour

Chris F, exactly what I was thinking of

Fully agree about Grazalema. Ronda is much better in the evening when the day trippers have gone back to the coast. The evening paseo and a wander through the quiet streets is a delight. The last time I was there during daylight I lasted about 10min with the crowds before turning round and leaving. However, plenty to see for the first time visitor. The Hotel San Francisco has a bike garage and other cycle friendly facilities
by HarryD
13 Dec 2023, 11:02am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Southern Spain winter tour
Replies: 24
Views: 3704

Re: Southern Spain winter tour

Taking into account your comments on Ventoux here is a possible route that gets you into the heart of the mountains surrounding Ronda (Bedoin to Chalet Reynard 16km @ 7.1% and CR to Ventoux 6km @ 7.4%). Only the big climbs are noted:

From the airport take the train to Malaga, then to Alora to start your ride

Alora to Antequera (hilly), to Fuente de Piedra to Algamitas to Olvera (climb out of Algamitas 6km 5.7%) otherwise undulating, Via Verde to Puerto Serrano (flat)
Puerto Serrano to Prado del Rey (entering the mountains) to El Bosque (option to head for Grazalema via El Boyar 16km @ 5.5%) to Ubrique to Benoacaz (5.9% for 6km) then onto Grazalema to Montecorto to Setenil to Ronda. Ronda to El Burgo to Ardales to Carratraca to Alora. Around 370km plus 5300m of climb

An option to extend is from Ubrique head for Jimena de la Frontera via the Puerto de Galiz then take the ridge road to Ronda. Trains can take to from Jimena to Ronda
by HarryD
12 Dec 2023, 10:43am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Southern Spain winter tour
Replies: 24
Views: 3704

Re: Southern Spain winter tour

You've picked a great part of the world to spend have a tour of. I've been there so many times and continue to visit

Weather wise it can be a bit hit or miss. Usually warm and sunny but build in a bit of flexibility for possible shorter days when it does turn cold and wet.

It can get cold overnight in the mountains but will warm up quickly in the sun. Remember Spain is an hour ahead of the UK and also to the west. A 9 am UK start time is equivalent to a 10:30 Spain start. The days are noticeably longer and the sun considerably stronger. Some restaurants do open later but not that many in my experience. Even then we are talking 8:30 pm. I usually stay in remote places. In really touristy places such as Setenil don't expect anywhere but hotels to do meals in the evening and even the bars shut up early

Accommodation wise I use Booking.com or Google for searches. Finding a bed for the night shouldn't be an issue

You comment that you don't want mountainous but don't say how hilly you are happy with or are prepared to tolerate. Please could you let us know. The roads are generally well graded but climbs can be long. There are stiff climbs but climbs are the price for days in the mountains
by HarryD
7 Nov 2023, 10:19am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: European warm weather destination road cycling
Replies: 13
Views: 4582

Re: European warm weather destination road cycling

A lot of the 'bike' hotels in Mallorca also have heated outdoor pools as well as bike storage and maintenance garages. Some are reserved for swimmers rather than bathers. Stayed in one in Port de Pollenca a couple of years ago

As has been said three quarters of the island is flat and there is a labyrinth of roads. There are bookable shuttles that will transfer you and your bike to other locations for a one way ride or just to experience somewhere new

Jet2 do Sport holidays which cater for cyclists so no problem getting your bike there nor with transfers. Plus agents on hand to sort out any problems
by HarryD
18 Sep 2023, 10:37am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ideas for Trip
Replies: 20
Views: 5250

Re: Ideas for Trip

Agree with the others. Avoid the A82. The cycle path only goes halfway up Loch Lomond where the road narrows and has been said is awful in a car

How about:
Start in Dumfries and take cycle route 7 to Ardrossan using the Clatteringshaws option (much unsurfaced forest roads to trekking rather than road tyres best). Also consider following the coast more from Dumfries and join the 7 at Kirkcudbright

Then as has been suggested ferry to Arran and Campbeltown. From Tarbert consider the ferry to Partavadie. Make your way to Hunters Quay spending taking whichever route takes your fancy. Ferry to the mainland

Cycle route 75 and minor roads to Lesmahagow then strike across the Southern Uplands towards Newcastle. Again whichever route takes your fancy

Totals around 500miles with around 7,500m of ascent. The roads generally good with little traffic. The route links several of my favourite cycling areas and includes a number of my favourite day rides
by HarryD
10 Aug 2023, 11:09am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Entry to France
Replies: 41
Views: 2111

Re: Entry to France

Have only entered France in the Camper. Always got stopped & searched both ways at Dover/Calais. Never so at the Channel Tunnel

Always take recent bank statements etc to show funds, insurance etc but have never been asked for them

We've just got a Crit Air sticker and as others have commented it's easy and quick to get

When the clean air zone in Rouen started we didn't have our Crit Air so we started crossing the Seine by the Pont de Brettone between Yvetot and Bourg-Achard. It's a little slower than going through Rouen but so much less hassle and there is an aire by the river on the south side
by HarryD
6 Aug 2023, 6:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle touring in Andalucia
Replies: 11
Views: 918

Re: Cycle touring in Andalucia

Hi Wilson999

Have a look at https://cycle.travel/map/journey/472299

820km with around 12,000m of climb. Takes in the hill Serrania de Ronda with its white villages and of course Ronda. A less hilly section route takes you to Granada where it continues through the foothills to Guadix. From there there climb is quite seriously into the Alpujarras for a hilly day or two (there is less climb on the south side of the valley but is far less interesting). From Lanjarron the route is less hilly but does include a section of gravel road before reaching Alhama de Granada and for a lumpy but very scenic return to Malaga

All on roads I've ridden and loved. Plenty of accommodation but forget about camping

Hope this helps
by HarryD
2 Jun 2023, 8:45am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling bases in Trento - one week riding in each
Replies: 2
Views: 333

Re: Cycling bases in Trento - one week riding in each

Did a couple of weeks touring that took in Trentino/Trento. We didn't hole up anywhere for more than a night though

The issue is that the area is full of big hills with roads going a long way round them and often crowded valleys. This makes several day rides from a base without repetition challenging

Trains take bikes so there are options to train out and bike back but they are not ubiquitous but do increase options. There are loads of excellent bike tracks virtually everywhere but can be a bit disjointed
DSC_0409.JPG
If it were me I'd look for areas with a high density of mixed of roads. The area between Trentino/Trento and Feltre would be in my thoughts

We had an excellent time there and it is certainly worth the effort to visit by bike
by HarryD
9 May 2023, 9:30am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring nutrition
Replies: 28
Views: 2288

Re: Touring nutrition

Cheers Mrs HJ for your comments and suggestions which chime with me

Looking at my ride and AF records it looks like the episodes follow a day or two after a long ride with a cafe stop but only come on after approx. 50mins of running

However, no episodes follow long rides if I constantly top up my carbs during the ride irrespective of cafe stops

Initial conclusion is that long rides (50 to 70 miles with around 6,500ft) deplete my glycogen reserves which don't recover sufficiently in time for the next full bout of exercise. When I top up it's with around 70g of carbs/hr (approx. 1g/kg of body weight) mixing energy drink and high carb snacks. Topping up starts from the off and is little and often. Starting later gives me gut ache. I certainly don't feel as stiff or hungry after a topped up ride

For me touring is less intense than day rides with more breaks and I've always stopped to eat something after 90min then every 60min without any problems. Only normal food on tours
by HarryD
9 May 2023, 8:51am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: The way of the roses - Aldwark Bridge was closed
Replies: 23
Views: 2513

Re: The way of the roses - Aldwark Bridge now reopened

The BOATs and Bridleways from Milby near Boroughbridge to Myton on Swale via Clot House farm are rideable. Maybe the odd push at the end if this rain continues

From Myton a minor road plus BOATS and bridleways will get you to Aldwark. Again, should be rideable
by HarryD
7 May 2023, 8:48am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring nutrition
Replies: 28
Views: 2288

Re: Touring nutrition

MrsHJ

If you do get AF how quickly does it go after getting some carbs in?

I have similar issues to yourself. Low carbs during exercise can trigger arrhythmia/ mild AF but taking on carbs when it is detected followed by a normal meal usually ends it. Detection to normal pulse is around 4 hours

Cheers