Cycling UK Forum

Hi Oldknees

You might like to read my blog from day13 to day 26. It covers my trip along the Danube from Tuttlington to Budapest....You might get a bit of useful information about the section you want to do, based on my experiences of doing the whole of Euro-velo 6 this summer. The website is
www.islawighttotheblacksea.blogspot.com Regards David

I cycled from the Isle of Wight via Portmouth and Le Havre to the Black Sea along Euro Velo 6... in August/Septmber this year on my own. It took me just under six weeks and was the most amazing ride. I`ve just finished writing a blog about the trip with some photographs that you might find interesting.... www.islawighttotheblacksea.blogspot.com

Regards
David

Think you will find that many of the Scottish ferries are heavily subsidised so they can offer cheaper fares. Why they should be when the ones down south are not I`m not sure.

You talk about being ripped by cross channel ferries but here on the Isle of Wight everytime I travel to the mainland it costs a fortune with a car or as a passenger with a bike. I`m driving to Europe with my bike in the car and have to book a period return on the Isle of Wight ferry(I`m going Red Funnel, it`s the cheapest) and the Dover to Dunkirk ferry ( I`m going Norfolk line) Red Funnel are charging me £60 return for a 55minute crossing and Norfolk Line only £38 return for a two hour crossing. The other Isle of Wight company Wightlink wanted £85 return for a 35minute crossing.

Thank you Lisa and CJV for your help and advice about my trip. I leave tomorrow and will definitely take plenty of food on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry as don`t want to pay their prices. Regards...David

I`m planning to take in early August the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry (£165)and cycling south east across Spain to Barcelona. The route which looks good is Bilbao-Pamplona-Tudea-Zaragoza-Lleida- Barcelona. Much of the route follows the River Ebro and is about 380miles. Does anyone know if this is a good route to take with campsites and cheapish accommodation. Is there a cycle path alongside the river?

Would then take the ferry from Barcelona to Civitavecchia near Rome(£95) and cycle across Italy to Ancona via Assissi. It looks a bit hilly on the map and is about 190miles.

The next stage would be a ferry from Ancona to Split (6hours and £59)and take a train to Belgrade. Believe in the summer there is a train once a week from Split to Belgrade and costs about £30...

From Belgrade would cycle the Danube cycle path, Eurovelo 6 towards the Black Sea and use the Bikeline booklet. About 490miles.

I`ve worked out the route in my armchair with a computer. If anyone has any practical experience of any part of the route or ferry crossings would be pleased to hear any suggestions. Think four weeks would be needed..If any interest in joining me my email is islawight@hotmail.com David

The round the Isle of Wight route is quite hilly especially on the south side of the Island. If you follow the cycle route some of the more challenging hills near Ventnor are avoided, but Blackgang and Freshwater are energy sapping climbs which have to be undertaken. The 100km (or shorter route) Randonnee on the first Sunday in May has free entry, but on the morning near the Wightlink ferry terminal at Wootton the wait to register can be long when hundreds of cyclist come off the ferry at the same time....At the end of the ride you receive a certificate but you get charged if you want a badge..In September the BHF ride likes you to raise some money for the charity by sponsorship, but you can just turn up and ride if you donate £5 at the checkpoint when registering. They don`t however give you a certificate, but sometimes you get a few freebies like pens and waterbottles. Both rides are great fun and worth doing...I`ve been doing the Randonnee since it started....

Does anyone have any information on Eurovelo 6 from the Atlantic to the Black Sea, especially the last leg into Romania. Has anyone cycled the whole distance. Most people seem to finish in Budapest, is it because the route and roads are so poor in Romania? These Eurovelo routes according to `Wikapedia` have no gradients over 6%, accommodation every 50km, public transport every 150km, provision points every 30km, open 365 days a year, no more than a 1000cars per day on any roads used, wide enough for 2 cyclists and sealed for 80% of the route (whatever that means) It sounds great, wondered if all this is the case for Eurovelo 6 does anyone have any info apart from what`s on the internet, especially first hand information. Might consider cycling this route in August if anyone is interested...

Hi

If you have to travel from Portsmouth you have a choice of ferry sevice. The Fast Catamaran or the Car Ferry. Both will take bikes, but the car ferry is cheaper. The Cat goes to Ryde and the Car Ferry to Fishbourne. If you find yourself in Gosport ,the Gosport Ferry will take you across the harbour to the Railway Station where you can catch the Cat. If you decide to go by Car Ferry just cycle along the seafront towards Old Portsmouth and follow the signs...

Anyone out there interested in a bike ride from UK to Rome in early August. Time flexible also route. Would rather go with small group than solo. Would camp, YH or cheap hotel. Cycled the three peaks last year and want a challenge this year. Any tips or ideas?..Email islawight@hotmail.com for more details or use forum..

I`m considering a ride from Calais to Rome in Early August. This would be along the pilgrims route (none religious) due south east through France/Switzerlland/Italy. The distance is about 1200 miles and would take about three weeks. I would camp or stay in hotels or YH. If anyone has done the ride and can offer any tips or would like to join me, let me know. My email is islawight@hotmail.com
Alternatively if anyone is doing another trip in Europe early August perhaps I could join them.