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.
I cycled from Nice to Calais in 2016 and I really enjoyed it.
However, I would have enjoyed it more if I had done the ride in reverse as you are!
I think I had frustrating head winds each day but going north to south the Mistral winds along the Rhone valley will hopefully propel you south with a smile on your face.
I stayed at Arras, Laon, Vertus, Bar sur Seine, Dijon, Macon, Lyon, Valence, Vaison la Romaine, Forcalquier, La Bastide and Nice .
I cycled 890 miles averaging 74 miles per day with a lovely detour via the Burgundy vineyards .
In the beautiful Provence region I remember a beautiful road passing by the impressive Mount Ventoux but if I did the ride again I would also 'enjoy' the challenge of cycling up and over it!
Make sure your route passes through the Gorges de Verdon which was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!
I wish you the best of luck!
I’m curious. Do you just lock your bike outside a supermarket? Take it to your room in the hotel?
Would love to make a trip like that but can’t get my head around leaving my bike out of sight, let alone overnight.
SST wrote: ↑18 Aug 2023, 1:55pm
I’m curious. Do you just lock your bike outside a supermarket? Take it to your room in the hotel?
Would love to make a trip like that but can’t get my head around leaving my bike out of sight, let alone overnight.
There's some recent discussion of this in the archives, including what we do: viewtopic.php?t=138237
On my recent trip in France my bike was never left outside, unless outside in locked yard, etc. Once kept in my room when I arrived late and no one on check in. Rest of time in secure places they offered,: bottom of stairwell; hotel office; garage;etc. I have never been told to leave it outside in many months of EU touring.
In Asia, I take into my room if nowhere suitable. Only once left it outside and that was in Japan. I wasn't happy, but the hotel guy was insistent. Of course perfectly safe.
I do leave outside supermarkets. Locked and in good view. Having my grotty old panniers on and a flat bar bike with no name make it fairly unappealing despite actually being quite a reasonable bit of kit (Surly Long Haul Trucker with Super C panniers).
In order of worry about theft: England; Western Europe; most of Asia.
Most small towns in France I will lock the bike outside a supermarket - definitely not Calais.
Hotels will usually allow you to put a bike in a room if they don't have a space - I've rarely had a problem with this - I had to argue with the manager of an Ibis in Caen last year to allow our bikes in the room - he wanted us to leave them in a bike rack outside which was in view of the reception (but probably not late at night/ early morning).
SST wrote: ↑18 Aug 2023, 1:55pm
I’m curious. Do you just lock your bike outside a supermarket? Take it to your room in the hotel?
Would love to make a trip like that but can’t get my head around leaving my bike out of sight, let alone overnight.
Yes at the supermarket. Try to leave it in plain view, try to stick to slightly smaller/quieter towns with modest size supermarkets rather than giant hyper marches which are also often on less accessible ring roads for cyclists.
I also have an older non flashy bike with panniers- it isn’t obviously super special and I think the luggage makes it a little less convenient to steal.
At night french hotels and b&bs are generally familiar with cycle tourists and will have somewhere to store the bike- mostly indoors but not in your room. You can email and check in advance too and check questions in eg booking dot com. NB a Italian hotels like it stored outside on a bike rack which I found a lot trickier.
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.
On the advice front, carry a LOT of water. Am currently in the Auvergne, where today it was 41c. Very few places to get water, on a nice quiet cycle travel route but with 2 smaller bottles I am having to ration it. Going to try and strap a bigger bottle on somewhere tomorrow..
WEBH wrote: ↑22 Aug 2023, 8:10pm
On the advice front, carry a LOT of water. Am currently in the Auvergne, where today it was 41c. Very few places to get water, on a nice quiet cycle travel route but with 2 smaller bottles I am having to ration it. Going to try and strap a bigger bottle on somewhere tomorrow..
try one or more of those standard 2 litres plastic bottles from the supermarché with a bungee on the top of the rack- it’ll catch the sun so maybe drink it first. Bit hot for you- don’t overdo it- we’ll be in the Auvergne in a week and it will have cooled down a lot.
Sounds well planned.
My only comment is stock up with water.
The distance between villages can be a long way. I have used bars to fill bottles but take two plus as much as you can fit in and fill up at every opportunity.
Experience of not doing so and is not fun.
Enjoy.
