Search found 10 matches

by sail&fish
22 Jun 2016, 6:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Accomodation and route along the Seine
Replies: 4
Views: 387

Re: Accomodation and route along the Seine

The ferry website is http://www.seinemaritime.net/nos-action ... aires.html there is a pdf with maps and times
by sail&fish
22 Jun 2016, 1:43pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Accomodation and route along the Seine
Replies: 4
Views: 387

Re: Accomodation and route along the Seine

We did a trip similar to this last year starting in Le Havre, heading North before heading towards Rouen and Paris. 2 adults and 3 children age 13-18. Some of our route might be similar and the following might be helpful if you are at the budget end of the market:

prior to Rouen we stayed at le-relais-du-passage-de-la-roche: http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-rela ... b1a;dcid=5 . This was right beside the Seine in quite a rural area, we locked the bikes to a tree in the garden.

In Rouen we stayed at Hotel arts-et-seine: http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/arts-et ... 22c;dcid=2 . This had a secure Courtyard where we stored the bikes.

Near Les Andelys we stayed in some huts/lodges at reves-de-nature: http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/reves-d ... 22c;dcid=2 . This was not beside the Seine but brilliant if it is your thing. Again, quite remote and we locked our bikes up under shelter. They also gave us a free beer which we obviously looked like we needed as it is on top of the hill.

At Les Mureaux we stayed in a Formula 1. We have used these before and lock all the bikes together against a railing, lamp post or something.

Our next stop was Versailles where we stayed at appart-city-saint-cyr-l-ecole: http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/appart- ... 22c;dcid=2. This was an appartment hotel which appeared bike friendly as they were accommodating 100 or so participants in the Paris-Brest-Paris bike race. They allowed bikes upstairs with a damage deposit.

In Paris we used Air BnB and stayed in a place titled "very high in Paris". They had a garage in an underground car park for our bikes. Our bikes returned on eurostar 48 hours before we left and we resorted to the velib-bikes but it sometimes took time to round 5 up.

It was a great trip with lots to see. Sometimes we followed the river, other times we diverted away using an old fashioned map for both a change in scenary and gradient. There were lots of ferrys over the Seine which were free and marked on our map but they are not 24 hours.

Good luck and hope you enjoy it.
by sail&fish
15 Jul 2015, 1:22pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Reading to Paris
Replies: 7
Views: 2296

Re: Reading to Paris

We are riding Portsmouth to Paris in August but taking 5 days over an indirect route. 3 days from Reading might be a slog. The usual (well most documented route) appears to be Dieppe to Paris and there is some good info on this site.

We are taking the fast cat from Portsmouth to Le Havre and I seem to remember that they would not take bikes on the night crossing, whether that is all crossing or just the one we tried to book I am not sure.

Our return will be via Eurostar and we are going for the (unbooked) drop off service; this guarantees delivery to London within 48 hours and the bike will then be held in London for a period of time. We phoned SNCF in London and they were really helpful, we then booked via topcashback through SNCF to get 3% off.
by sail&fish
8 Feb 2015, 6:07pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Visiting Isle of Wight next weekend
Replies: 16
Views: 2483

Re: Visiting Isle of Wight next weekend

There is a fast catamaran to Ryde and a vehicle ferry to Fishbourne further West. We have only ever booked when travelling with a vehicle. I think you can book on line. Operator is WIghtlink. http://www.wightlink.co.uk/iow/do/cycling
by sail&fish
27 Jan 2015, 10:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Paris and Bike Security
Replies: 5
Views: 1173

Re: Paris and Bike Security

jamesgilbert wrote: AirBNB style rental where you can check beforehand if there's room for the bikes inside.


That's a top tip thanks as is the bike hire, is there an easy way to check space for bikes inside or do we message each individually?
by sail&fish
26 Jan 2015, 10:23pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Paris and Bike Security
Replies: 5
Views: 1173

Paris and Bike Security

Following a successful trip to France (St Malo to Caen) last year with our 3 boys we are considering a trip to Paris this Summer perhaps travelling one way by train. My concern is bike security in a major city both whilst doing touristy things in the city and overnight while staying in accommodation.

There will be 5 of us and am interested in any experiences or recommendations you may have.
by sail&fish
13 Aug 2014, 3:25pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Rance Tidal Barrage
Replies: 7
Views: 1400

Re: Rance Tidal Barrage

We cycled across this last week from East to West. Yes the road was busy but going down the hill was fast and very little traffic came past us. We stopped at the EDF energy visitor centre (loos and water available) which was interesting and cycled up the hill after the bridge was lifted thus having an empty road. There were 5 of us and it would have been close to £50 for the ferry.
by sail&fish
8 Jul 2014, 10:33pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tour de Manche Mapping (St Malo-Roscoff)
Replies: 11
Views: 5383

Re: Tour de Manche Mapping (St Malo-Roscoff)

We are going the other way, St Malo to Caen. The Michelin 1:150000 we purchased has bicycle routes marked on it that appear to match up with the http://en.tourdemanche.com/ website.

The map was Michelin Local 303 Manche, Calvados
by sail&fish
8 Jun 2014, 10:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: When I flew with my bike this is what happened......
Replies: 95
Views: 48114

Re: When I flew with my bike this is what happened......

We flew from Gatwick to Izmir in 1987. When we got to check in they asked us to let the tyres down, we left the queue to do so and when we rejoined the flight was full!. Holiday delayed. We flew to Sofia a few years later. In both cases the bikes were fine.

What we did do was obtain 2 bike boxes of different sizes such that one could be fitted inside the other. We then left this 'single package' in left luggage ready for our return.
by sail&fish
3 Jun 2014, 11:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: St Malo to Caen routes and places to stay
Replies: 12
Views: 7429

Re: St Malo to Caen routes and places to stay

LukePedal wrote:We are having our first cycling venture to northern France in May and would appreciate any advice on routes between St Malo and Caen ports. We will be doing this over 5 days and any advice would be great. We would preferably stay in hostels or any good low cost accommodation. Many Thanks Luke


Luke

I am really keen to know how you got on as we have a similar plan. We are taking our 3 boys (17, 14 and 12) on their first ever tour in the Summer, this will be our first tour for just over 20 years. We are planning to travel from Portsmouth into/out of St Malo to/from Caen. We will stay in Hostels/B&B. Happy to phone you if it is easier.

John