Touring in July/August
Touring in July/August
I'm heading out on a European tour at the end of July. Probably going to head south from the hook of Holland towards Croatia and back, route undecided. Obviously this is peak holiday season which I usually try and avoid. What will it be like then in the central European countries I plan to visit?
I once toured Spain at this time and it was fine, then crossed in to France and it was a nightmare as everywhere was really busy as the French were taking their holidays en masse.
I once toured Spain at this time and it was fine, then crossed in to France and it was a nightmare as everywhere was really busy as the French were taking their holidays en masse.
Re: Touring in July/August
Germany (the Rhine) in July in gorgeous weather was fine a couple of years ago. Accommodation was a little tight close to the river and route, but seemed OK with small detours.
Re: Touring in July/August
Hmmmm if you're wondering about how busy places are, then yes, end July to near end of August is the busy time. I can understand the contrast between Spain and the south of France at that time, but I'm fairly sure that contrast isn't typical over the whole continent.
I've found campsites to be very accommodating with cycletourists, always offering to squeeze me in somewhere, when full. (Switzerland was the only exception.) Other accommodation options obviously will reflect the level of business.
The main bike routes, think Rhine, Danube etc. will be well populated with all kinds of tourists with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings. Other routes may not be as well serviced with food/drink stops. I recall long stretches in rural Germany with no shops in high heat. Similarly, rural France has very limited options in the afternoons as a lot of places close.
I'd be more worried about temperatures at that time of the year. If a road is busy I can always seek a less busy one. If a campsite is full I can always find another or look for a wild camping spot. If a day is hitting the high 30's there's not a lot I can do about it. I've ridden in temps around 40 in Spain, along the coast without too much problem. Inland, lower temps hit me much harder. And that's on the bike. Camping can be tough in those temps too.
I've ridden in Italy (Grado/Venice/Verona) in mid September and even then it was quite warm!
I've found campsites to be very accommodating with cycletourists, always offering to squeeze me in somewhere, when full. (Switzerland was the only exception.) Other accommodation options obviously will reflect the level of business.
The main bike routes, think Rhine, Danube etc. will be well populated with all kinds of tourists with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings. Other routes may not be as well serviced with food/drink stops. I recall long stretches in rural Germany with no shops in high heat. Similarly, rural France has very limited options in the afternoons as a lot of places close.
I'd be more worried about temperatures at that time of the year. If a road is busy I can always seek a less busy one. If a campsite is full I can always find another or look for a wild camping spot. If a day is hitting the high 30's there's not a lot I can do about it. I've ridden in temps around 40 in Spain, along the coast without too much problem. Inland, lower temps hit me much harder. And that's on the bike. Camping can be tough in those temps too.
I've ridden in Italy (Grado/Venice/Verona) in mid September and even then it was quite warm!
Re: Touring in July/August
If you don't mind the mountains, I recommend southern Germany / Austria for July / August tours. My brother and I have done that a couple of times. Many Germans and Austrians leave for their own holidays at that time. Some hotels are low on staff (due to not many people there), and there are lots of bargains to be had, especially in ski resort towns and villages.
The Rhine and Danube routes are quite busy.
I'm no too familiar with other places in Europe for July / August.
The Rhine and Danube routes are quite busy.
I'm no too familiar with other places in Europe for July / August.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Touring in July/August
Thanks, lots of food for thought. Southern Germany and Austria would certainly be on my route. I'd probably carry on that way to Croatia or as far as I get, then head back via Italy and France. I don't mind cycling in high temperatures but agree camping isn't much fun.
Re: Touring in July/August
robing wrote:Thanks, lots of food for thought. Southern Germany and Austria would certainly be on my route. I'd probably carry on that way to Croatia or as far as I get, then head back via Italy and France. I don't mind cycling in high temperatures but agree camping isn't much fun.
Croatia has become the new Greece. The coast is flooded with tourists, especially with campers and motor homes. Try to avoid the coastal roads and you should be fine
I wish it were as easy as riding a bike
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Re: Touring in July/August
In Germany the school holidays are staggered or offset
The first starts on 20.6, the last (Baden-W) ends on 10.9
The first starts on 20.6, the last (Baden-W) ends on 10.9
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Touring in July/August
This is useful - and quite interesting!
https://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/
https://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/
“My two favourite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library.”
― Peter Golkin
― Peter Golkin
Re: Touring in July/August
I'm going on tour shortly. Getting the night ferry from Harwich to Hook. Plan is to go to Liechtenstein and back. I will go via Belgium then join up with EV15 in Germany but may cut across the Black Forest. Coming back via Strasbourg, Ardennes and get the ferry or Eurotunnel from Calais. Prepared to be flexible, month maybe a bit longer.
I want to wild camp where possible, bur from what I've read - all the countries on my trip it's a no-no and possibly even fines? Anyone have any experience of this? (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland - France might be OK).
I want to wild camp where possible, bur from what I've read - all the countries on my trip it's a no-no and possibly even fines? Anyone have any experience of this? (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland - France might be OK).
Re: Touring in July/August
robing wrote:...I'm heading out on a European tour at the end of July...
Here some possible ideas … never had problems with “busy bicycle traffic” along the entire routes !!
Strasbourg-Nürnberg 12/22 AUG 2014
Nürnberg-Praha 10/16 AUG 2015
Re: Touring in July/August
robing wrote:I'm going on tour shortly. Getting the night ferry from Harwich to Hook. Plan is to go to Liechtenstein and back. I will go via Belgium then join up with EV15 in Germany but may cut across the Black Forest. Coming back via Strasbourg, Ardennes and get the ferry or Eurotunnel from Calais. Prepared to be flexible, month maybe a bit longer.
I want to wild camp where possible, bur from what I've read - all the countries on my trip it's a no-no and possibly even fines? Anyone have any experience of this? (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland - France might be OK).
This gives some advice of wild camping in Europe, Switzerland looks interesting!
https://www.bergzeit.co.uk/journal/wild ... e-allowed/
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Re: Touring in July/August
robing wrote:I'm going on tour shortly. Getting the night ferry from Harwich to Hook. Plan is to go to Liechtenstein and back. I will go via Belgium then join up with EV15 in Germany but may cut across the Black Forest. Coming back via Strasbourg, Ardennes and get the ferry or Eurotunnel from Calais. Prepared to be flexible, month maybe a bit longer.
I want to wild camp where possible, bur from what I've read - all the countries on my trip it's a no-no and possibly even fines? Anyone have any experience of this? (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland - France might be OK).
Yes it is possible in any country well except possibly some where like Syria or Yemen. Try to camp away from dwellings, arrive late and leave early. Leave no trace. Change wild to stealth camping. No idea what sort of tent or indeed bivi you have. What ever sort a discrete dark green or camo is best more likely to match your surroundings than say yellow, bright blue, orange or any other hi viz colour. Once you've done it a few times. You will wonder why you didn't do it more. At some point you will probably need a shower and to charge batteries for electronics necessitating a camp site if you don't have a recharging regime on your bike. Good luck.
"Zat is ze reel prowoking qwestion Mr Paxman." - Peer Steinbruck, German Finance Minister 31/03/2009.
Re: Touring in July/August
Free campsites in NL https://www.logerenbijdeboswachter.nl/paalkamperen
Ditto in Belgium : http://bivakzone.be/
I've wild camped in Germany, but well, well away from civilisation.
Be wary in border areas of NL. Dodgy things go on in the border areas.
But lots of smaller campsites in NL that can be very cheap for the camping cyclist.
Enjoy!
Ditto in Belgium : http://bivakzone.be/
I've wild camped in Germany, but well, well away from civilisation.
Be wary in border areas of NL. Dodgy things go on in the border areas.
But lots of smaller campsites in NL that can be very cheap for the camping cyclist.
Enjoy!
Re: Touring in July/August
Ivor Tingting wrote:robing wrote:I'm going on tour shortly. Getting the night ferry from Harwich to Hook. Plan is to go to Liechtenstein and back. I will go via Belgium then join up with EV15 in Germany but may cut across the Black Forest. Coming back via Strasbourg, Ardennes and get the ferry or Eurotunnel from Calais. Prepared to be flexible, month maybe a bit longer.
I want to wild camp where possible, bur from what I've read - all the countries on my trip it's a no-no and possibly even fines? Anyone have any experience of this? (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland - France might be OK).
Yes it is possible in any country well except possibly some where like Syria or Yemen. Try to camp away from dwellings, arrive late and leave early. Leave no trace. Change wild to stealth camping. No idea what sort of tent or indeed bivi you have. What ever sort a discrete dark green or camo is best more likely to match your surroundings than say yellow, bright blue, orange or any other hi viz colour. Once you've done it a few times. You will wonder why you didn't do it more. At some point you will probably need a shower and to charge batteries for electronics necessitating a camp site if you don't have a recharging regime on your bike. Good luck.
Good advice! A small green tent. I have wild camped in Scotland, France and Mongolia. I've got battery packs to keep me going for several nights without power.
Re: Touring in July/August
HobbesOnTour wrote:Free campsites in NL https://www.logerenbijdeboswachter.nl/paalkamperen
Ditto in Belgium : http://bivakzone.be/
I've wild camped in Germany, but well, well away from civilisation.
Be wary in border areas of NL. Dodgy things go on in the border areas.
But lots of smaller campsites in NL that can be very cheap for the camping cyclist.
Enjoy!
Thanks! Useful info.