Cycling UK Forum

Many thanks for the helpful advice. Did a bit more checking on the Colliers Way and looks really nice. May get the chance to look up a long-lost friend in Frome as well.

Cheers, Andy

Just planning annual mid-Oct three-day trip. Rough idea is to start at Gt Bedwyn, head east to Bath (probably on Sustrans route 4), then loop round south through Frome, Warminster/Shaftesbury, Salisbury and back to Bedwyn. About 50 miles per day.

I did some of the canalside bit of Sustrans route 4 east of Devizes several years ago in autumn on a hybrid and found it pretty impossible going owing to mud and leaves clagging the wheels up. Can anyone tell me what the surface is for the Devizes to Bath section?

Also, any route suggestions for the Bath back to Salisbury loop much appreciated.

Thanks, Andy

Looks ambitious! These are long days - especially given the generally hilly terrain. Hopefully the winds will be kind as a combination of hills and westerlies on days 1 and 2 wouldn't be make it hard going.

I'm originally from East Devon and love the countryside there, but am hardly unbiased, I did a 3 day tour round there a few autumns ago - train to Taunton then over the Blackdowns down to Beer, then round trip via Sidmouth, Honiton, then back to Taunton. Hilly but very quiet roads and great scenery.

Sorry, can't suggest a particular parking spot in Taunton - though must be some for a few days. I'd suggest my brother's house (as he lives there) but maybe a bit cheeky. I wouldn't have thought you'd have a problem finding on-street parking just outside the centre.

Andy

My company is doing the Bike-to-Work scheme, through Halfords. I was thinking of buying another Brompton, though I'm just checking whether I could get one through Halfords (as I'd heard this may not be possible now. Meantime I see that I can get Dahon folders from Halfords and am slightly tempted by the MU P8 for example. While not as compact as the Brompton, the Dahon's 20" wheels and 8 gears make it look a better option for longer distance rides (even mini-tours maybe...).

Can anyone out there offer me advice on this model or Dahons in general?

Many thanks, Andy

We went from San Feliu to Girona. Got lost at least 3 times near Llagostera, and then again near Quart. Ended up giving up and came back on the road for the last 10km.

What was particularly nice was that the area is so green and heavily wooded. The shade provided from the strong sun was very welcome. Judging by the huge number of other local cyclists we saw (racers on the roads, MTBs on the tracks) it's clearly a very popular cycling area.

Only slight problem was the language. I can speak some (Castilian) Spanish but we had some fun and games with the Catalan. A bit like Spanish, a bit like French, with some unique bits of it's own. Reading signs was interesting. Possibly a reason for us getting lost on the Girona-San Feliu via verde.

Moltes gràcies

Andy

I posted a few weeks back asking about routes around Girona, and got back some good advice.

Just like to report that I came back yesterday after a 5-day trip and found the area astoundingly nice to cycle in. Wonderfully varied landscape and flora, friendly people, courteous drivers, quiet roads, and the countryside abundant with poppies and other wild flowers. Some kn*ackering long ascents, but the descents will live long in the memory.

Spent 3 days in the Garrotxa volcanic park/Pyrenees area NE of Girona, then a day trip to the coast. The 20km vertiginous coastal stretch between Tossa and San Feliu (with a dip in the Med half way along) is a pleasure not to be missed. We did the two Vias Verdes (Olot-Girona and Girona-San Feliu) and would highly recommend them - particularly the former (the latter had signing problems so we kept getting lost). These disused railway tracks are extremely well used by local cyclists.

One of the best regions I’ve ever cycled in.

Contact me if you’re interested in any more detail.

Andy

Been on four trips there since the helmet law came in. I wear a helmet, my two buddies don't. Never had any problem. Just returned from Catalunya yesterday. Saw hundreds of other cyclists. 90% of race-style road cyclists wore helmets. Probably 60% of others did.

Andy

Thanks for responses. I've taken the bike on Ryanair several times in the past but never used a bag or box. I get the feeling that they may have tightened up a bit. Can be airport-specifiC as well. I'm going Bournemouth-Girona. I suspect, as surmised, the main reason is to stop other people's luggage getting dirty. I don't want to risk it.

I've thought about doing a DIY job from mattress covers etc, as suggested, and may well resort to that.

I'll check CTC direct.

Many thanks again, Andy

I ordered 3 of these from Wiggle (via CTC site) a few weeks back for flying to Spain on 14th May. They've not yet arrived and appears there are still none in stock, so getting slightly concerned I won't get them in time. These are the cheap (£4.99), transparent plastic ones.

Does anyone know of an alternative place from which I can buy these (or similar), or does anyone out there have any they're not using and willing to sell?

Thanks, Andy

Great, thanks. I'll give it a go.

Regards, Andy

Thanks very much for responses. All very helpful.

CPeachey mentioned the rail trail between Olot and Girona not being good for skinny tyres. This is El Carrilet, one of the Vias Verdes (old rail lines converted to cycle/walking trails). The Via Verde website says the surface is 'compacted sand'. I'm on a touring bike with mid-width tyres - about 32 I think, so not too skinny. Anyone know if the surface would be OK for these tyres?

Thanks, Andy

As it happens I'm off next month for a 4-5 day trip around Gerona (north of Barcelona). I've not been there before. Looking to do a ride up into the Pyrenees and a coastal one on the Costa Brava.

Regards, Andy

Some of my favourite trips have been in Spain esp the north. I've done a 4 day one west of Santander and a similar length one in Galicia much further west. Great scenery, fairly quiet roads, nice people, reasonable prices, not too hot.

I'm going to Girona, NE Spain, in May and am seeking tips, advice on the area. Flying with bike to Girona airport and then have 4 days to do an on-road tour. Rough plan is to do a 3-day circuit NE into the Pyrenees (via Olot and Camprodon), then back to Girona and do a day trip to the coast and back. I've never been to the area before, so open to any suggestions.

Many thanks, Andy