Finding my way across France

coldel

Hi, hope all who read this are well!

Im going to be cycling from Bordeaux to Paris in a months time, previous to this ive not really done anything more than 100km round trip. So its a biggie for me but a challenge I set myself.

My problem really is navigation, I have a basic route planned via La Rochelle, Tours etc but Im not convinced my collection of local Michelen maps plus compass will be good enough to ensure I dont spend extra hours cycling in the wrong direction.

Im tempted to fork out on a garmin 605 so I have some mapping and direction equipment, obviously its pricey though.

Anyone got any advice on this? Is it worth buying? Are there any alternatives?

billybiker

I have a E-Trek legend. They are fantastic! Really soooo much easier than maps especially in the rain! The E-Tek clips on your handlebars so all you need is a supply of AA batteries.

Bianchi Boy

I have just completed a ride to Paris, and I really think you should equip yourself with a GPS system. I used a Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx with a handlebar mount. Worked well all the time, even in thunderstorms. It's OK using maps on the rural roads because you'll often have time to stop and check the map, but going trough central Paris I found the GPS very valuable.

robbarker

GPSs are cool and many people have clearly found them useful but you have to think about batteries on a longer trip. France is navigable by bike with the large scale regional Michelin maps - cut your route into jersey pocket size squares, number them and laminate of fablon them.

Whatever you do don't miss the road to Pauillac and then through the Medoc past all the famous Cheateaux - then head north via the ferry at Royan and round the coast road. You may feel the need, as I did, to stop off in Pauillac to make sure your fluid levels are topped up.

bornagaincycler

I recently rode from London to the South of France. The only maps I used where A3 copies of an AA France road atlas. The mapping is clear & precise, we never got lost once. GPS would obviously be useful but I can't afford one. I found Michelin type maps too detailed & quite hard to follow. Try my idea & you won't have any problems. All roads are fantastically surfaced compared to the rubbish we cycle on over here. Enjoy your trip whichever maps you choose.

coldel

Thanks for all this guys, Im thinking I may get one.

I actually live in Paris so im ok making my way around Paris as Ive done the 'spending the day getting lost' thing already!

My route is going to be Bordeaux - Cognac - La Rochelle - Poitiers - Tours - Orleans - Paris

I saw people recommending the Garmin Legend, how exactly does it work ie mapping and directing? Im a bit of a newbie to GPS and the Edge 605 looked the type I would need as it resembled the car ones!

So the legend HCx would work better you think?

Thanks everyone in advance - amazed by the amount of replied so far!

inaperfectworld

the problem i found is that the very little roads the sub D roads are quite a maze and it is not worth the trouble to use them as you stop at every junction. last time i found some of these minor roads had no destination signs merely saying "local traffic" : i only use them for short stretches. i would use them more if i had gps. i like the ign 1in 100,000 maps, but on along route you need too many. i get by with photocopied pages (and covered with plastic film) from a 1 in 200,000 michelin atlas.

itisaboutthebike

GPS COULD be useful, but maps and asking for directions has been good enough for me over the last 20 odd years.

On;y time me and the misses got lost was cycling north out of Rome to lake Braciano. But on;y 'cos our maps weern' detailed enough.

The Michelin maps are the best - you need quite detailed maps if you're using the D roads in France.

If you already live in France you should be familiar with thier road signage.

Finding your way in Europe is really no different than in the UK, its just a more pleasant cycling experience all round

coldel

Just so Im clear on these GPS systems, the routing they give you, is it road by road? So if I input from Bordeaux to Cognac the system will find a route or do I have to program the route?

wildmoustache

I'd stay clear of Tours is I was you ... it's a dump (sorry if anyone here is from Tours).

I recently cycled to the pyrenees from london ... just had a train station map of France (i.e. an A2 sized map of France ) ... was fine ... perhaps missed a few small backroads, but never got lots. you become expert with such a map!! I couldn't afford GPS either.

Tip ... each evening write down your route for the next day on post-it notes ... towns that you'll pass through, road numbers, directions etc. ... then sellotape the notes (perhaps cut in half) to your top-tube/stem. Very light and aerodynamic and does away with stopping and reading the map. Honestly, it works a treat.

The journey you are taking is a bit lumpy but you'll have a great time I'm sure. Bon voyage!

bahzob

I love gadgets and have many for my bikes including an Etrex Vista. Which is great, but even so I would not go touring unfamiliar territory without a "real" map. Found the Michelin 1:200000 road atlases are very good. I just buy them and take the sheets I need with me.

giant_man

Big envy here, I would love to do the same. Been from the top of France to the bottom on motorcycle a few years ago and loved it. Surprisingly large country and fantastic.

coldel

Cheers, im absolutely rubbish with directions - ive bought a compass and will invest in some michelin maps as a back up. Im just up against a somewhat tough time schedule and didnt want to lose time going down wrong streets etc.

I got a hybrid bike im using, so hoping the 'bumps' wont be too difficult to deal with!

coldel

Just for you guys that contributed - I got the 605 Edge and it worked wonders. Door to Door helping me cover hundreds of KMs. one less thing to worry about when cycling solo for 500kms! Only regret is forgetting a few times to press START when setting off, as it didnt record my journey - all I get on Garmin Connect is a straight line from La Rochelle to Poitiers!

I would highly recommend this for navigation (it has Car, Bike and Walking options) plus it covers just about everything you need to train...

pinnacleroadie

I did a ride from London to Saumur a month ago (with a ferry journey from Portsmouth to St Malo) and having my Garmin Edge 305 made it so much easier to navigate. I worked out my route in advance using Google Maps and dragged it onto the small country roads. Managed to go nearly all the way without seeing a major road!

Still had to stop and ask people for water though as I regularly ran out!

I also have a good log of my ride with all the data on Motionbased.

coldel

Wow good work! Yeah I had the water problem too - my 605 took me off the major roads and really out into nowhere, most small hamlets have no shops. In one place I actually found a shop open...walked in looking forward to that first good glug of chilled Aqua, looked in the fridge and the only water they sold was Strawberry flavoured!!!

sicknote

I have never used the garmin but one more thing to think of, if you have a phone like you N95 which has GPS and download Sports tracker and link it with google maps.

Plus you will be abl to set routes but would have to pay for the voice bit.