Cycling UK Forum

I think the best descent I've done in the UK was on the Old Military Road from Tomintoul to Inverness.

Somewhere on the East coast. Goes as far as you can see.



Scotland. Near Aviemore. Forget exactly where but downhill from a Ski lift. Brilliant.

Countries have different areas and different characteristics. They're not strictly comparable. Weather etc can make a big difference.

Where have I cycled that I most enjoyed? Ireland in good weather. Scotland. I love Scotland. Parts of England are superb, esp. Yorkshire, but also Devon and Cornwall if you don't mind cycling up walls. France. Coastal Brittany, Alps, Pyrenees. Spain. Most of it is terrific. Corsica. Now that's a place. Sardinia. Bavaria. Dolomites. Sardinia. Peloponnisos.
The worst drivers? Well, the worst I've met are in crowded parts of Britain and Portugal. Crowding generates impatience.
Best cycling routes? Germany. I've only been to Denmark once.
Best value? Spain, Germany.
Best cycling food? Ireland, Britain, Germany.
Worst breakfast? France.

Gearoidmuar wrote:Worst breakfast? France.

You can't have been to Italy!

nirakaro wrote:

Gearoidmuar wrote:Worst breakfast? France.

You can't have been to Italy!

A decent breakfast is what I like most about cycling in the UK. Continental breakfasts are rubbish. Jams and cold meat mostly. Yuk.

nirakaro wrote:

Gearoidmuar wrote:Worst breakfast? France.

You can't have been to Italy!

I have. It's a draw!

ukdodger wrote:

nirakaro wrote:

Gearoidmuar wrote:Worst breakfast? France.

You can't have been to Italy!

A decent breakfast is what I like most about cycling in the UK. Continental breakfasts are rubbish. Jams and cold meat mostly. Yuk.

Indeed. I don't mind cold stuff if there's plenty of it and variety. A fry is the best start, though.

Gearoidmuar wrote:

nirakaro wrote:

Gearoidmuar wrote:Worst breakfast? France.

You can't have been to Italy!

I have. It's a draw!

At least in Italy they serve decent coffee.

Vorpal wrote:

Gearoidmuar wrote:

nirakaro wrote:
You can't have been to Italy!

I have. It's a draw!

At least in Italy they serve decent coffee.

That's another thing that's wrong - coffee not a decent cup of tea with your breakfast.

pete75 wrote:

Vorpal wrote:At least in Italy they serve decent coffee.

That's another thing that's wrong - coffee not a decent cup of tea with your breakfast.

Tea bags pack small.

Vorpal wrote:

pete75 wrote:

Vorpal wrote:At least in Italy they serve decent coffee.

That's another thing that's wrong - coffee not a decent cup of tea with your breakfast.

Tea bags pack small.

Tis true. I always take my own tea bags, powdered milk and an element that heats in the cup. Marvel powdered milk is best but not perfect by any means.

Anything is better than continental tea.

You are right about French tea and the way they make it. Normally when I camp I have a stove to boil a kettle but this time staying in hotels we took a small travel kettle and a stock of tea bags. Best breakfast we had in France was at a Chambre d'Hote owned by an Englishman. Best breakfast on the trip was in Andorra, a help yourself buffet with bacon and eggs.

al_yrpal wrote:France? 200+ branches of Decathlon each selling all sorts of bikes, clothing and accessories. I have even seen under cover CRS riding Decathlon bikes at the Deaville film festival. You dont see French cycle tourists but on weekends plenty of clubs out just like here. Its a big country double the size of the UK with a similar population. The cyclists are less densely distributed.

Cyclists are regarded as heros in France unlike here where we are seen as a nuisance.

Al

+1 to this. As a driver, France is where I really first noticed that, culturally drivers care for cyclists. I'd never seen cars indicating as they passed bikes until I lived in France. I've only noticed that in the last 10 years some drivers indicate around bikes in the UK. I felt pretty safe in France. I also did a fair distance cycling about in the South West so I'd say I prefer cycling and driving in France to the UK. I still think drivers in the UK are amongst the most thoughtless and ill disciplined anywhere I've experienced in the world.

I have never cycled in Ireland but have travelled all over the world. Ireland seems to have the worst, most agressive drivers anywhere in my experience. It peculiar because the Irish themselves are always so nice?

Al

They are very aggressive around the larger cities. Within 20 miles of Dublin and Galway I found to be the worst.

On the subject of France: During lunch today I was discussing possibilities for next year's tours. My wife categorically refuses to cycle again in France and Andorra, that is how bad it was this for her this year.