You're probably sick of this but....

Flycatcher

....I've just got back from Spain and really fancy taking a month out next year to cycle down from Calais to Barcelona and get a ferry to Menorca and meet my family who will fly.

So as a regular commuter of 20 miles per day I should be able to up the anti to 100 miles per day over a week to cover the distance in about 8 days. Short of trawling this forum could I pester for some advice of reading material for tips for this proposed trip please. I had a look today in Borders but nothing appeared suitable. And any other advice [route planning guides/essential items etc] from the likes of fieldmouse who seems to do this a lot would be welcome.

Sorry, I know these are a pain of a post but if anyone could help I'd be grateful.

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") If I could do a baby elephant I'd use that instead.

Unknown

take a map of France or Europe and draw a straight line from Calais to Barcelona( its so close it should be on a map of France).


look in www.trentobike.org for a bit of info from the countries pages

enjoy

george

_________________________________
Trip
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

wasi

Great plan - I like tours that have a specific end point.

Planning is as jibi says. Straight line on a France map (avoiding Paris if its in the way). Then look for smaller roads on the orange Michelin maps or, if you want more detail, the yellow ones. Ready. This's how I am currently planning my trip to Toulouse.

Unknown

essential items

a bike
An open mind

everything else is optional.

Are you camping or CreditCarding?

Is there somewhere you would like to go/see/do in France/Spain

You could head over to the Atlantic coast down to Biaritz then in Spain draw the line


so many options.

I believe Vernonlevy is heading down to the med from Calais about the same time.

He must have some ideas.

Or he could be like me, and just go with the flow.

You will meet people and read things in tourist Info places once you are there that will change any plans you start out with.

Tailwinds
george

_________________________________
Trip
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

Brains

If you are a regular 20 MPD commuter, can you do 100 miles in a day ? yes.
Can you do 100 miles the next day ? probably.
Can you do 100 miles the third day. No.
(or if you do manage that, then no way will you do it the 4th day)

I'd get the European bike express to beyond Paris (miss out the boring bit of northern France) to maybe somewhere like Orleans and then start from there. Don't watch the miles, but when you run out of time, jump on the train.

http://www.bike-express.co.uk/

wasi

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Brains</i>

If you are a regular 20 MPD commuter, can you do 100 miles in a day ? yes.
Can you do 100 miles the next day ? probably.
Can you do 100 miles the third day. No.
(or if you do manage that, then no way will you do it the 4th day)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I'll have to disagree with that. I used to be a regular 20k (not miles) commuter, and managed a 100 miles per day average from London to Madrid, incl over the Pyrenees, carrying my camping equipment. Remember it's very different cycling, you have all day, can take plenty of breaks, and ride at a reasonably gentle pace.

Unknown

Wasi, did you take rest days?

When I tour I always try to have a day off the saddle every 4 or 5 days to let the body recover.
I go to museums, art galleries or just wander around. Or just stay on a camp site and do my washing, get drunk and eat loads

Recharges the batteries.

george

_________________________________
Trip
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

Asterixcp

In 2004, camping, I managed Valence to Royan in 5.5 days over the Massif Central, incl. 1 rest-day at Salers. On 3 consecutive days I did over 100 miles and felt better and better!

Other than that, I'd agree with Brains about Northern France, especially Rouen to Orleans. The Limousin and further south is a far better area to cycle, however. At the foot of the Pyrennees, Ceret is one nice place to stop before crossing the border into Spain - good tourist office and shops.

I'd also 2nd Bike Express - I am off to the Pyrennees on their coach as far as Perpignan on Saturday[:D]

Pour vivre heureux, vivons le v‚lo..

ciuffolotto

With a year to prepare you'll be fine - not just fitness but bike comfort too.
I rode from Caen to Marseille in 5.5 days (v light camping mostly) a couple of weeks ago, and I'm not speedy, just put in long hours each day. Panniers slow you down, so if you pack light and arrange accommodation on the way you'll find the going easier.
Go for it - I found my similar trip (to Sardinia, to my own wedding) was one of the best things I've ever done.