Cycling UK Forum

I haven't done any cycling there but I have visited both islands. Skopelos is about twice the size of Skiathos, and the highest terrain on Skopelos is up to 2200' as opposed to 1400' on Skiathos. Whether there is enough to entertain you on Skiathos for 3 days, sorry, can't help.

I would expect the weather in late October to be changeable; much like the weather in the UK just now.

If you prefer flatter terrain, Northern Germany has oodles of it; I have stayed at Campingplatz Munster and it's a decent base for rides in any direction. I haven't been myself (yet) but Luneberg Heath, south of Hamburg has lots of possibilities.

A couple of tools to help with the calculations (I'm sure there are many others):

https://ninety180.com/howToUse

"Schengen Calculator 90/180" app for the iPhone.

They show the results in different ways but that's no bad thing as an error check. Personally I would only count that days that correlate to stamps in the passport - if there's no stamp, you weren't there... And you have the same number of exit stamps as entry stamps I hope

Former colleagues of mine in the airlines inform me that when they travel to Europe as crew whilst working, they don't get stamped in and out of Schengen so long as they're in uniform. From an immigration point of view, it's as if they weren't there. They can still then use the full 90 in 180 for leisure travel. I'm surprised if freight drivers are treated differently when they turn up in their 44 tonners; hardly the vehicle to use for leisure travel.

If you want something that might offer a little more security, you could consider the long term car park at Groningen airport.

If you're really concerned about keeping an eye on your stuff, you could stay with the bike until everyone else has left the car deck and you're the last to go up the stairs. Then try and be at the front of the queue to be first on the car deck before disembarkation.

roubaixtuesday wrote: ↑22 Jan 2024, 9:31am
Hence the global esim suggestion, which I think gets around that. They also do individual country ones, which as I understand it you can buy in advance then activate whenever you want.

Hope that logic makes some sort of sense.

Ubigi.com also do esims which covers "Europe" and "Eastern Europe", both on a one off fee and monthly arrangement. Perhaps one of those would fit the bill. I'm not sure if it was mentioned but remember that esims only provide data; any phone calls and texts sent will be via your usual provider, unless you use the voice call function of apps like WhatsApp.

I have a Garmin Edge Touring. Garmin still producing map updates for it but I find it's easier to use the free ones from https://garmin.bbbike.org . The original (from 2013) battery ran out of steam after about 7 years but I was able to source and fit a third party replacement. Can't recall where from, probably eBay, and this one is still giving a days use.

I'm sure Garmin Basecamp will produce a file which will generate turn by turn instructions on the unit, but I've always found Basecamp a pain to use. Sites like ridewithgps though will generate gpx track file which provide a line on the map to follow which I find good enough, and these probably help preserve battery life too.

Hope you manage to find something that works for you.

Not sure if it's available for Android, but for iOS, you might have a look at the "OutDoors GB" app. Can't recall if the annual sub is £15 or £20 for the year but for that you get fully downloadable OS maps at 1:50000 and 1:25000, and you can overlay gpx routes onto them, amongst other things. It runs in conjunction with outdoorsgps.com.

Hope that helps.

I’ve used the Harwich - HvH ferry half a dozen times over the last 18 months (mostly with a Campervan, couple of times with the motorbike). Leaving Harwich you go through port security. We always get stopped with the Campervan; they want to know that the gas is off and have a look inside. They have never raised any issues about knives in the “kitchen”. They usually use a mirror thing to check under use vehicle; not really sure what they’re looking for. With the motorbike, always get waved through port security.

On arrival at HvH, customs usually seem to stop trade vans rather than tourists. Don’t think they’re that interested in cheese sandwiches.

There’s a branch of the Albert Hein supermarket about 400m ride from the passport checkpoint. They have all the cheese and ham you could wish for. They don’t take credit cards.

Steve X wrote: ↑16 Apr 2023, 10:03am I hope this does not sound too stoopid a question, do I actually need a map?
I have the route on my Garmin, and I would need several OS Maps to cover the Western Isles. I am guessing I will pick up tourist maps for sights of interest, and I always think asking directions is a great way to meet people.

If you’re a smart device user, the “GB & Parks” app gives you nationwide coverage, on- and off-line, of all of the UK OS maps at 1:50000 and 1:25000 for £15 per year. Better viewed on an iPad size screen of course but useable on iPhone.

The number of bikes being carried on the back of motorhomes (ours included) whilst crossing to and from Europe on ferries this year hasn't been any less than before Brexit. Taking your personal effects abroad for the purposes of tourism is still allowed.

It seems to me that Eurostar needed an excuse not to provide any spaces for bikes, and have chosen Brexit. Meanwhile, every other cross channel transportation route is carrying on as before.

+2; there for 12 days in May. Asked on arrival by the Immigration Officer what was the purpose of our journey (tourism) and if we were vaccinated (didn’t ask to see proof). Arrived in a Campervan with bikes on the rack. No hassle.

This any good to you?

https://nivon.nl/accommodaties/de-grutto/

Will wrote: ↑23 Mar 2022, 10:48am As of today, a negative PCR test is no longer required:

https://www.government.nl/topics/corona ... eclaration

Will

Noted, thank you. Time to get booking