Cycling UK Forum

rareposter wrote: ↑7 Oct 2023, 8:29am

a8887 wrote: ↑6 Oct 2023, 10:08pm High of the trip were the last few days, especially setting off up Mt Ventoux at 6am whilst it was still dark, and the following 250km through the Alps to Nice. The 30 miles descent into Nice down the Gorge de Loup was spectacular.

Sounds fantastic!
What day did you do Ventoux and from which side? Looking at the timings of your trip, it must have been very close to when I was out there...
Hope you got the same good weather that we had!

I did Ventoux on Friday the 22nd Sept. Was really windy the few days before, so I was worried, then it suddenly stopped on the day I got to Ventoux. I stayed in Malaucene the night before, then climbed from that side, down to Sault, then on to Castellane (110 miles in total I think).

Evening all

Just realised that I never actually posted an updated on how my trip went.

Trip went exactly to plan and was great fun. 100-120 miles a day was a lot, not necessarily from a fitness point of view, but because it meant I tended to get to the accommodation each day later than I wanted (about 5-6pm ish most days). A pretty much none stop headwind all the way from Calais to Nice didn't help It did mean I completed Calais to Nice in the planned 7 1/2 days though.

The route Komoot produced was really good. Tended to avoid main roads, through it did send me down the occasional farm track which wasn't ideal.

High of the trip were the last few days, especially setting off up Mt Ventoux at 6am whilst it was still dark, and the following 250km through the Alps to Nice. The 30 miles descent into Nice down the Gorge de Loup was spectacular.

Thanks for all the advice, really came in useful.

I'll post a few pics when I figure out how...

Anyway, my trip starts tomorrow with a train/ferry journey to Calais. Almost had a disaster today when the local bike shop had my bike for a service nearly closed without me picking it up.

I'll post an update a few days in....

Thanks everyone. I do only have limited French, but will spend the next week listening to podcasts so I can grasp a few conversational basics beyond my current hello/goodbye/please/thanks. Anything particularly complicated will need to come from google translate.

Thanks for the water comments. I currently have 2 x 700ml bottles. Will look to see if I can carry more.

Thanks for the Gorges du Verdon tip, my last day is Castellane to Nice, so I can probably afford a small detour to see that.

As for where to store the bike. I am taking a decent D-lock so will be fairly happy legging it into a supermarket for a few mins to get supplies. At night I'll be asking to store it in the room, though a couple of places have already offered secure storage. I've never been refused putting my bike in a hotel room in this country, even muddy mountain bikes.

Thanks for all the positive feedback so far, really looking forward to it now.

simonhill wrote: ↑17 Aug 2023, 9:28am Probably already aware , but the search on Google maps is invaluable. You can locate hotels, bike shops, supermarkets, etc. Also reviews (select latest) to see if place is open (very useful post COVID).

I like to post a quick review to show place is open, eg a ferry that I wasn't sure if it was still operating. Took the chance and it was. It saved a lot of time but would have cost even more if shut. My review was to help those that follow behind. So don't be selfish if you find something helpful to other cyclists.

I also use Google Street view to see if a road or track is cyclable. Surface, shoulder, no cycling signs etc. Sometimes look at possible hotels to see if they may be bike friendly (garage, access etc).

Thanks, some really useful tips there, especially the one about google reviews. I'll make sure I do that.

As for Streetview, already on that and looking at roads and where I may find food. When I did London to Paris we had long stickers on our top tube that provide basic routing. I'm thinking of making something similar for each day showing which towns I'm heading for and what they have (shops etc). This should reduce faffing around stopping and playing with my phone all the time.

MrsHJ wrote: ↑17 Aug 2023, 11:01am I was going to ask about your route actually. Are you going via Paris?- I tend to find cities slow down progress with a bike for the same reason as for cars- traffic signals, changes of direction etc. the other alternatives seem to be either going via Troyes or Rheims.

I think almost inevitably you’ll be heading down the Rhône valley south of Lyon which is fast and efficient (and the southern half is gorgeous, the northern half not so thrilling) and then you’ll swing east south of Arles and then it’ll be a bit bumpier.

The route is pretty much a straight line, so I have avoided going to Paris (I assumed that would be a nightmare). I'm generally stopping at small towns, including Roye (has a Lidl ), Nogent Sur Seine, Avalon and Malaucene are the ones I have planned so far.

The route does follow the Rhone south of Lyon, really looking forward to that part. The up to Malaucene, Mt Ventoux, then staying in Castellane before coasting down to Nice...

I'm setting off on the 15th of Sept, so hopefully it will have cooled down a little.

MrsHJ wrote: ↑16 Aug 2023, 8:09pm Sounds like you’re a lot speedier than me. Make sure you plot each day to and from your bed for the night so you don’t lose time in town navigating.

How many hours are you planning to spend on the saddle a day? Anyhow you’ll be having some down time in the evenings so I’d think about taking something to amuse yourself- whether it’s watching silly videos on your phone, reading a kindle, journaling in a mini iPad, knitting- whatever you prefer for some me time so you’re not staring at four walls of a hotel room in the evening. I like some podcasts for the day too and maybe an audible book in one ear but I’m generally ambling along bike only towpaths and I think you’ll be making speedier choices than that.

Ventoux should be a nice tick in the box- I did the tourmalet with camping gear, and ventoux is very doable unless the winds are too strong.

Also do remember to have fun and enjoy some excellent french food.

I've done quite a few 100 mile rides, and generally take around 7 hours. I'll not be in any rush so I suspect 8 hours cycling day will be about right. I'm sure I'll be alright fitness wise, it's the contact points that worry me....

Jdsk wrote: ↑16 Aug 2023, 7:53pm

a8887 wrote: ↑15 Aug 2023, 10:36pm What's the best way to do route finding? I have plotted a route on Komoot, and was planning to use the Courses function on my Fenix 6 Pro.

a8887 wrote: ↑16 Aug 2023, 5:54pm ...
The device I am referring to is a Garmin Fenix watch. It'll do turn by turn navigation, just need to make sure the battery is good enough (normally it lasts a week+).
...

Thanks.

Do you intend to create your own routes or to use others'? Do you intend to have them all in advance or to create/ find them during the trip?

Jonathan

PS: "Garmin Fenix 6 Series In-Depth Review":
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/08/gar ... eview.html

I am putting together my own that'll I'll upload to Garmin connect then onto my phone I think. Gonna test it out this weekend

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far.

The device I am referring to is a Garmin Fenix watch. It'll do turn by turn navigation, just need to make sure the battery is good enough (normally it lasts a week+).

I do think getting food will be a challenge so I need to ensure I stock up when I do find a decent shop.

As for timing, my wife is meeting me in Nice at the end. In hindsight I should have given myself another of days, but too late for that now sadly

Evening all

I am relatively new to cycle touring, having done London to Paris a few years ago.

I have planned a 8 day solo ride from Calais to Nice in September. Everything is mostly planned, including ferries, flights back etc. I have also booked some of the accommodation on the way (mostly B&Bs).

The route is approx 100 miles per day, which I'm pretty happy with fitness wise. It is my intent for it to be a physical challenge in addition to a bit of a holiday. I'm also planning to do Mt Ventoux on the way past. I'll be doing it on my Ribble Endurance with a frame, top tube and saddle bag, Packing as light as possible.

Anyway, does anyone have any tips for such a trip?

What's the best way to do route finding? I have plotted a route on Komoot, and was planning to use the Courses function on my Fenix 6 Pro.

Any places on this route (pretty much direct from calais to Nice) that I should aim for or avoid?

Thanks in advance.