On my last trip to Brittany, I bumped into a guy in a campsite who had met some people doing a one-day Brittany Ferries mini-cruise. This puts you in Roscoff at 7am and departs back to Plymouth at 11pm. I've just checked the Brittany Ferries website and it's only £29 all-in.
I was thinking of having a crack at this on Sunday/Monday. Does anyone know of a good circular route I could take? Ideally I'd like to stop off at a restaurant and grab a 'Menu Ouvrier.' Apart from that, all I want is quiet roads, nice scenery, a few nice towns or villages for a beer or two en route, and quite a conservative distance - say 60km. (Once I'm on the road, I may decide to go further, but given the time constraint I'd like to start with a plan I know I can comfortably nail.)
And if anyone's done it - any tips? What gear did you take? (So far, apart from the usual kit I'd take on any day-trip, I'm planning a thermarest and pillow for the ferry, a map and compass. Anything else?)
Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Around the estuary on the d73 to morlaix is nice and up the other side branching off to loquirec. Did that route in reverse.
Al
Al
Reuse, recycle, to save the planet.... Auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Boots. Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can...... Every little helps!
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
I had a morning to kill last Sunday waiting for the afternoon ferry from Roscoff. I was camped at Pol de Leon, which is a few km south of Roscoff with a nice centre. There are marked cycle tracks along the coast stretching west through Sibril to Plouescat and the coast itself was very attractive - sandy beaches and suprisingly few people - see enclosed piccy. I am sure you can go along the coast further and could then turn inland and come back once you had gone as far west as you wanted. If you had 12 hours I guess you could reach the western tip of Finesterre. I seem to recall Le Conquet is supposed to be an attractive little town.
But if you only wanted to do 60km then the route I did would be fine. Go directly west on the D10 from Pol de Leon to Plouescat and then work your way back along the coastal roads. There is a footpath which is closed to bikes in some places but was OK in other places, for example along the path behind the beach pictured below, which is above Kerrien.
Biggest problem you might have is finding anywhere open! I got breakfast at the bar in the centre of St Pol de Leon at 08:30 on a Sunday morning but I got the impression the place had just opened. I also had a quick lunch at a place which was trying to close at 13:00 on Sunday afternoon. I arrived the previous Sunday evening and the whole area was dead. If you plan on eating out on Sunday evening spend some time in the morning locating somewhere which will be open.
However, if you only want to do 60km then you might find it better to come back on the 16:30 ferry although this might cost more.
Look out for dolphins - there were a number jumping in front of the ferry when we were about an hour from Roscoff. There are some seats above the bows which are worth grabbing but not if it is rough or you are a good sailor as it tends to go up and down at this point on the ship.
But if you only wanted to do 60km then the route I did would be fine. Go directly west on the D10 from Pol de Leon to Plouescat and then work your way back along the coastal roads. There is a footpath which is closed to bikes in some places but was OK in other places, for example along the path behind the beach pictured below, which is above Kerrien.
Biggest problem you might have is finding anywhere open! I got breakfast at the bar in the centre of St Pol de Leon at 08:30 on a Sunday morning but I got the impression the place had just opened. I also had a quick lunch at a place which was trying to close at 13:00 on Sunday afternoon. I arrived the previous Sunday evening and the whole area was dead. If you plan on eating out on Sunday evening spend some time in the morning locating somewhere which will be open.
However, if you only want to do 60km then you might find it better to come back on the 16:30 ferry although this might cost more.
Look out for dolphins - there were a number jumping in front of the ferry when we were about an hour from Roscoff. There are some seats above the bows which are worth grabbing but not if it is rough or you are a good sailor as it tends to go up and down at this point on the ship.
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Thanks for the responses guys.
Beekeeper - I'm actually sailing on Sunday night but arriving in Roscoff on Monday morning, so hopefully there shouldn't be a problem with places being closed. I think I'll take you up on your suggested route - I've not been round that way before. It would be handy to come back on a 16.30 ferry, but unfortunately that's not an option: I'm doing the Brittany Ferries special offer which only allows me to stay in France for one day and the only late crossing on Monday is 11pm. I've splashed out on a cabin for the return crossing, so I should be bright and ready for work when I roll off the ferry on Tuesday morning. (I only live a 2 minute cycle ride from the ferryport, so it's all very convenient.)
Al, I've done the route from Roscoff to Morlaix a couple of times before and I agree it's a cracking little ride. I think I'll see how quickly I do the coastal route, and if I've got time, I'll nip into Morlaix for food and maybe fill up on beer and cheese in the hypermarket.
Beekeeper - I'm actually sailing on Sunday night but arriving in Roscoff on Monday morning, so hopefully there shouldn't be a problem with places being closed. I think I'll take you up on your suggested route - I've not been round that way before. It would be handy to come back on a 16.30 ferry, but unfortunately that's not an option: I'm doing the Brittany Ferries special offer which only allows me to stay in France for one day and the only late crossing on Monday is 11pm. I've splashed out on a cabin for the return crossing, so I should be bright and ready for work when I roll off the ferry on Tuesday morning. (I only live a 2 minute cycle ride from the ferryport, so it's all very convenient.)
Al, I've done the route from Roscoff to Morlaix a couple of times before and I agree it's a cracking little ride. I think I'll see how quickly I do the coastal route, and if I've got time, I'll nip into Morlaix for food and maybe fill up on beer and cheese in the hypermarket.
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
BeeKeeper wrote:and...?
Sorry! Didn't think a write-up for this modest jaunt would be necessary, but happy to oblige. Here's how it went:
Sunday 10pm. Cycled to the ferry (500yards!). Straight to my secret quiet spot under the stairs. Thermarest, pillow and sleeping bag at the ready. Lights out.
Monday. 7pm. Up and off the ferry. Cycled along the V7 towards St Pol de Leon. Stopped at a particularly nice beach to eat the fruit, crunch bars and yoghurt I'd brought along. Then through St Pol and off to Morlaix along the quiet roads, via Penze and Taule. Hit the Decathlon in Morlaix and bought an incredibly useful little mirror for my bike, plus a load of kayak gear - it's great having empty panniers! Into the town centre, coffee and off. Headed back to Penze and had the workers lunch menu in the restaurant. Amazing: 3 courses, plus coffee and all the wine you wanted for 11 euros! No wonder the town square was packed with white vans...
From Penze, I took the back roads West to Mespaul. (If anyone is planning to follow my steps, I'll warn you - I used the sat nav on my phone for this bit, and I'm glad I did - you don't see many sign posts.) Then on to Saint Catherine.
At this point, I bottled it! It was very hot, and I was feeling a bit knackered after my big lunch and wine, so I headed due North up the D69, then via Plougoulm to Dossen on the North coast, before working East back to Roscoff. Looking back, I should have continue further West before hitting the coast, giving me a longer route back to Roscoff. I only did 60 miles, and I was kicking my heels in Roscoff for ages - I should have made it a 100-miler, but I'll know for next time.
In Roscoff, I clanked away from the supermarket under a tower of cheese, beer and cider. Had a so-so meal and loads of beer in various bars before arriving stupidly early at the ferryport - my bike being too overloaded to do much else. I'd booked a cabin for the return crossing. It was nice to have the luxury, but you don't get much more sleep as they start piping in music to get you out of your cabin at 5am!
Total cost could have been £29, but was actually £55 because of the cabin on the return leg. The scenery was amazing - beautiful beaches, rivers, estuaries, villages, quiet roads, considerate motorists and all the stuff that makes Brittany a cyclists paradise. I'm going to make this a regular trip - it's so easy to do that it would be a crime not to. I was feeling a little fragile this time as I was still recovering from the Glastonbury festival which always leaves my with some kind of flu. Next time, I'll do it when I'm firing on all four cylinders and try and do a more purposeful trip to cover some ground and see a few sites.
And the cherry on the cake? I got off the ferry at 7am. And just as I was walking in through my front door it started to micturate down. Get in!
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Many thanks. I think I will go back there soon myself. It would be nice to go as far west as possible but I think that would take 2 days at least for me from Roscoff - there and back being about 160km without any diversions along the coast to see the scenery, bars etc. - But I've just noticied their best offers end 15 July (e.g. 50% off a cabin mid-week).
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Sounds great but where do you get 24 hour parking. Is there a £10 a day car park at the ferry terminal like the one in Portsmouth?
Al
ps D73 along the estuary to Morlaix is quite nice
Al
ps D73 along the estuary to Morlaix is quite nice
Reuse, recycle, to save the planet.... Auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Boots. Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can...... Every little helps!
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Beekeeper - if you make any plans to head further West, let me know if you want company. I've done Roscoff to Brest before, but I picked the most direct and least enjoyable route. I imagine it would be a good ride if you kept off the beaten path.
Al - I literally live 500 yards from the ferryport, so car parking not an issue for me. There are residential areas where you can leave a car near the ferryport - you'd need to have a drive around to find one. The Hoe is mainly residents parking + meters, but the backstreets of Millbay still have a fair few on-street parking spots.
Oh, and I did do the D73 along the estuary last time I was in Brittany. That's a great route, but I wasn't really concentrating on following a particular route this time - I just followed the cycle routes where possible, and then just hopping from village to village to reach my waypoints.
Al - I literally live 500 yards from the ferryport, so car parking not an issue for me. There are residential areas where you can leave a car near the ferryport - you'd need to have a drive around to find one. The Hoe is mainly residents parking + meters, but the backstreets of Millbay still have a fair few on-street parking spots.
Oh, and I did do the D73 along the estuary last time I was in Brittany. That's a great route, but I wasn't really concentrating on following a particular route this time - I just followed the cycle routes where possible, and then just hopping from village to village to reach my waypoints.
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Al, there is car parking at the ferry port - £7.50 a day if I remember correctly. I have also heard you can park in the street but I am not sure I would be happy leaving it for several days - the sort of people who live near ports might have the wheels off it!
DD - some company would be nice. A cheap option might be camping but to keep the weight down not taking any cooking equipment on the basis it is hardly the wilds of nowhere and food can be bought easily. On my last trip I even had a couple of onions in my bag and the irony of taking onions to France on a bicycle completely escaped me until pointed out by a freiend. Otherwise B & B'ing would be convenient I guess.
DD - some company would be nice. A cheap option might be camping but to keep the weight down not taking any cooking equipment on the basis it is hardly the wilds of nowhere and food can be bought easily. On my last trip I even had a couple of onions in my bag and the irony of taking onions to France on a bicycle completely escaped me until pointed out by a freiend. Otherwise B & B'ing would be convenient I guess.
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
devon damo...could do with some advice if possible. We are a bunch of lads who completed the route 27 Ilfracombe to Plymouth last year to range money for Chestnut Appeal and managed to raise £1817. After not doing anything this year we have decided to organise another charity ride next year and have picked France as our destination. We all live in Plymouth so would be looking to start our ride in Roscoff and to increase next years mileage cover a distance of 150 to 200 miles. As you have completed some of the route yourself could you offer advice to the best routes to take and any problems we could encounter...any help would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Gunnislake railway station at the head of the Tamar Valley Line has free parking - and plenty of spaces. Stay as long as you want.al_yrpal wrote:Sounds great but where do you get 24 hour parking. Is there a £10 a day car park at the ferry terminal like the one in Portsmouth?
Park your car there, take the train to plymouth with your bike - no problems about booking as there's plenty of room - cycle to the ferry terminal.
Mick F. Cornwall
Re: Circular 12-hour route starting from Roscoff
Our cycle club, "Falmouth Wheelers" used to do this trip a couple of times a year, now we usually make it a long weekend, sailing Thursday night returning Sunday morning. We stay at St Poll de Leon, bit more expensive these days but a great weekend. I agree with everything you say about Brittany, great for cycling, great food and lovely people. We were there last weekend, so lucky with the weather but really rough crossing coming home but worth it. I can get the train from Falmouth to Plymouth for £5.50 return booking in advance, or could last year, may have gone up a bit this year. Just love it over there 
'Kernow bys Vyken'