Solo Touring

Spawn of Cabbie

It looks like I might be doing a 5-6 day tour to meet my friends in La Clusaz on my own.

I'm credit card touring so will I end up cycling all day and then passing out after dinner in my room and talk to no-one for a week?

What can I expect?

Bigtallfatbloke

I'm thinking the same thing about my solo tour plans. But it isn't all about meeting people...sometimes it's good to be alone.
I find it very hard to meet people, I am big and imposing and people seem to stay away...either that or I need a new deodorant.

I'm going with a tent and sleep bag so maybe I'll meet people on a campsite...you know the blonde sweedish female type who needs a spare tent peg type...yup...it'll happen I'm sure....hmmm....I'll take a good book anyway.[:D]

Unknown

If you want to meet people, I would suggest staying in hostels but not in big cities....I am not sure whether they have such things where you are going.

I met plenty of friendly people this way in New Zealand [:)]

Otherwise take BFB's advise and take a thick novel!

Unknown

If there is someone sitting alone go and sit with them, if you feel up to it.
I have met some great people when I have been touring alone.

A friend is just a stranger you haven't met!!

It's up to yourself to start the conversation sometimes, that's if you want to chat. If not eat and sleep.

Have a great ride.

george

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redfox

I tend to stay in youth hostels where possible, there are often like minded people to strike up a conversation with.

www.endtoend.info

snorri

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

What can I expect?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I think you are in for a pleasant surprise.[:)] IME the locals tend to be a little inquisitive when they see a lone cyclist and are more likely to approach a single person for a friendly chat rather than a couple or group. You will be required to answer a few questions, where from?, where to? etc. as an introduction but after that it's up to you.[:)]
There is no need to feel lonely on a solo tour.

daviddd

A friend of mine thinks that 'things happen when you travel alone' and I think there's some truth in that. At least you won't be arguing with someone about which way to go or where to stop - you are really 'free'. After a lifetime working around others I'm looking forward to being independent for a year in Oz, but I also look forward to meeting fellow travellers and others on a regular basis. It's maybe a chance to learn all about me.

Alpine Tour July 2006:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=l ... =1914&v=9d
Forthcoming lap of Australia:http://www.davidddinoz.blogspot.com/

mazza

i think it can be a great way of meeting people touring i like mixing camping with backpacker hostels i went to scotland last month and i met loads of people even met a really nice italian girl on the ferry who then spent four really nice days with seem to to meet and talk to people all though the day i think it depends on you and weather you make the efort to talk to people and how out going you are.

vernonlevy

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

It looks like I might be doing a 5-6 day tour to meet my friends in La Clusaz on my own.

I'm credit card touring so will I end up cycling all day and then passing out after dinner in my room and talk to no-one for a week?

What can I expect?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

You'll be surprised at the frequency of ecxhanges that you'll have with the locals. OK so my experiences so far are confined to 2,500 miles og UK based touring but there's a lot of inquisitive and talkative folk out there who'll engage you in conversation.

I met George aka Jibi who posts in this forum on my first LEJOG when I was minding my own business in the Clifton Gorge. I've been accosted by folks who've seen me 50+ miles earlier in the day and are gobsmacked that I'd be able to or want to cycle so far for pleasure.

Be open minded and receptive - you'll be pleasntly surprise by your encounters.

ut_o_cykla

I agree with all the above. Hostels are good, but so is picknicking - people who've seen you earlier stop and chat, looking a bit amazed that you've cycled what they drove...:-). Family campsites are also crawling with friendly people (unless you're in Germany for Ascension weekend... sorry all Germans) but you're credit card touring so...
Personally I love reading a good book too, it's the only chance I get to read for more than a few minutes at a time
Five days isn't long...have a good trip

pousse moi s'il vous plait

Anonymous

I've done one solo tour (only 3 days) and was apprehensive about this element of it but I surprised myself - as a female it's more of an issue than if you are a male. I was able to strike up conversations with people in pubs by sitting at the bar with a pint. The bar staff talk to you if nothing else. In one pub I met someone who knew my mother in law! Small world eh? In another somebody who came from my home town. If there are other cyclists doing a similar route as you chances are you'll keep bumping into them so you build up camaraderie that way. The other advantage is if you are completely knackered then you can just crash out when you want. I found that solo touring really increased my confidence around other people and I felt like a different person afterwards purely for that reason. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

__________________
Mediocrity is for winners

Eurostar

Spawn, I hope you speak a bit of French. Evenings can get lonely if you're in bars or mooching around town and can't talk to anyone.

Spawn of Cabbie

I'm afraid my French is rubbish!

On the plus side I am a bit of a lairy Essex boy, so shyness has never been an issue for me!

Eurostar

Have you got time to improve it with one of these instant-miracle-courses like Rosetta Stone?

Forget it, all the frogs know English these days - they have no choice!

Spawn of Cabbie

I can have an entire evening of conversation, consisting entirley of saying sportmens' names and a thumbs up or down to denote how I feel about them.

Bigtallfatbloke

When i was 16 I rode down to Paris. One night I won a cuddly bear toy on a stall. In the next bar I placed it on the stool next to me...I had people talking to me all night.

Mr_Tomcp

I have been trying to work out if I was up to solo touring in France this summer and it's been good to read this thread My first attempt at a cycle tour had to be cut short because of work commitments but I was thinking back to when I used to drive down to Cornwall on my own to surf. It was certainly lonely and challenging at times (sorry if that sounds ridiculous to hardcore travellers but I found that, like Daviddd said, 'things happen when you travel alone'. I ended up making friends with some other people down there and staying with them - I would never have made the effort if I'd already been with friends or family. When I look back I have some really good memories of those trips.

ut_o_cykla

Kirstie - my impressions too as a lone female traveller - I spent quite a few evenings in 'dodgy' Spanish bars being 'looked after' by the barman, who made sure I got good food for 'bicyclettas', shooed away the local drunks and generally made me feel comfortable as the only gal in a rural, rough bar that with my husband I would have avoided. The locals soon found out I spoke English and came to try out their English - good fun when you only speak 20 words of Spanish! I have a special place in my heart for Spain now you understand!

pousse moi s'il vous plait