Cycling UK Forum

Thanks for those responses, really useful, wasn't sure if the terrain would allow for it. But will have a go!

Re: the caravan /travellers sites. Yes I saw them recently too, not necessarily somewhere I would be willing to hang around. I took the wrong turn and wandered into one (Toulouse, so maybe not the best example) and did not feel safe, eyes were upon me, until someone pointed out the exit. But they sometimes had running water/toilets and looked like they were acknowledged and semi-supported by the local authorities.

The aires are the places where you can rock up in a caravan. to cut and paste from the internet - Aires De Service are a network of stopping places specifically designed for motor homes or camping cars - sometimes free, sometimes it is a parking space that you pay for (Lourdes was full of them). But I'm not sure if they exist for tents.
So maybe the cheap/free municipal camping sites are the only alternative for camping?Anyone know?

Hi

I'm off to visit a friend in Bordeaux and would rather cycle part of the route (from London). It looks like I'll have Sunday lunch until Friday night to cycle this 600 kilometres, which should be rushed but feasible (just home from a 1400mile trip from Santander to Slovenia - fab and I'm relatively fit).
So this is more of a transportation rather than tour trip.

I'm asking about the possibility of wild camping in the northern parts of France. It was fine last month in the Midi-Pyrennees and near the Alps (and the rest of the trip), but does anyone have experience of wild/stealth camping North France? It's just me, and my Gelert Solo tent (small, green, tired and tested for wild camping)

Any suggestions of route/roads are appreciated


Thanks!

Thanks for all the help

I made my bike tour from Santander to Slovenia, loved it (Switzerland was tough though), Dolomites wonderful and Soca valley breathtaking.

Thanks again

Great. Thanks for all those responses.

I'be been looking at your site Jeremy, great pictures, so i think i will go for Portalet, as it's suitably central and works for my general route. Maps now on way!

(Graham, this is quite a common posting, so I was afraid some people may have pointed me the way of a search machine - which I already tried.)

I've never used this forum before, really impressed with really helpful answers! will be coming here again and hopefully providing some responses too,

Happy cycling

Meg

Sorry for the repetition.
I am coming from Santander to Switzerland, heading to Geneva. My brother's birthday present to me (1:200,000 maps) has gone via Jonhannesburg, I live in London, so my route planning has been limited so far.
Crossing points I have found here/online include
Col du Portillon
Pierre st martin
Col de Pourtalet

I'm not so keen on Somport, due to traffic reported.

Due to my route, I'd like it to be not too far east/west along the border, but I have no particular destination in France in mind. I'm on a hybrid bike with 28x700 tyres and with rear panniers with tent, it won't be 15kg somewhere around/hopefully under 10kg.
I have no urge to do the col du tourmalet, scenery is more important that the name. And I'll be doing this in July.

I've had a look at the profiles but I'm also looking for what other people think.
Any other suggestions/places to get advice would be great

Thanks
Meg