France or Scotland
Yecomb
Posts: 26
I've got 12 days at the start of July to escape for a camping cycle tour. I just can't decide whether to go to France or Scotland. I'll be driving as I don't trust the airlines and don't fancy the train.
Coming from the North, the trip to France would give me a 9 day tour, whereas with less travel, I could get in 11 days in Scotland also at reduced cost. I'm thinking Dordogne/Lot area of France or West Highlands & Islands in Scotland.
I know the weather will be better in France and there'll also be prettier villages, more campsites, less midges and tastier food and wine, but there's some pretty dramatic scenery in Scotland I'd like to cycle sometime and there's the extra couple of days.
So, what would you do?
Coming from the North, the trip to France would give me a 9 day tour, whereas with less travel, I could get in 11 days in Scotland also at reduced cost. I'm thinking Dordogne/Lot area of France or West Highlands & Islands in Scotland.
I know the weather will be better in France and there'll also be prettier villages, more campsites, less midges and tastier food and wine, but there's some pretty dramatic scenery in Scotland I'd like to cycle sometime and there's the extra couple of days.
So, what would you do?
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I'll be doing west scotland in a few weeks time.Raleigh Eclipse, , Dahon Jetstream XP, Raleigh Banana, Dawes super galaxy, Raleigh Clubman
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z122 ... =slideshow0 -
Impossible choice!
This year, I'm doing Scotland but a lot of me wishes I was going to France.
However, if we get the Summer they are promising us, the West Coast in crackling heat and long evenings is unsurpassed.0 -
With the £/EUR exchange rate as it is, you might find Scotland to be better value for accommodation and food.0
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sounds to me like the head says scotland, the heart says france :-)
France in July is very busy, and if the weather reports turn out to be correct and it is a hot one then scotland may be better for weather cycling in"I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
--Jens Voight0 -
I'm hoping to do Scotland this Saturday for a week. Travelling from John O Groats to Durness then down to Ullapool then to Gairloch east to Fort Wiliam down to Oban then to Tarbert across to Arran across to Ardrossan then home to Dumfries & Galloway
If there is little or no wind (!) and it doesn't rain it should be a great tour
Richard0 -
Personally I'd go to France.
But then my standard commuting run goes through stunning Scottish countryside
(I think that's the right smiley for smug...) 0 -
I spent two weeks in the highlands in August a couple of years ago - rained every day and never got above 20C! - and that was a summer when there were record temperatures in the South of the country. Never cycled in France unfortunately, though would love to at some point!Scott Scale 20 (for xc racing)
Gary Fisher HKEK (for commuting)0 -
No contest for me, it would be France every time.0
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Thanks for all the thoughts,
I think pneumatic and edhornby summed it up - impossible choice with head saying Scotland & heart in France.
Interesting to see so many pinning their hopes on weather forecasters who generally can't see 3 days ahead anywhere north of Southampton.
I'm not too worried about the extra cost of France as if it's a great trip I'll be happy to make the money back later on at home.
Also, although Scottish roads will be much quieter, I would keep to the little French roads anyway.
I'll probably end up tossing a coin, although I do worry about a trip like boneyjoes.
Thanks again.0 -
I took a bit of a risk with mine - just remember where the train stations are! If it is REALLY terrible weather, and if you don't mind the expense, you can bash down to paris in less that 24 hrs...0
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France - you are much more likely to get decent weather. The mossies on the West Coast of Scotland are the size of birds :shock: .Go across to France with just your bike and yourself as a foot passenger on the ferry. If you don't want to waste time hanging around in the Pas de Calais jump on a train to Paris then take a train to Geneva and cycle round the Alps 8) .Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
Think how stupid the average person is.......
half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.0 -
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Why go somewhere that they hate you and you can't understand the language? Definately go to France!! "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."0
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Superb tour images Dr U Idh, what month was that ?Pedaling spans generations.0
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That was the end of May last year. We had one hour of rain - and the locals told us that was the first they'd had for 6 weeks.0
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I'd better start packing, especially with the weekend forecast ! really encourages you to get out there.
Thanks, Dr u idhPedaling spans generations.0 -
I like that Aggieboy and Dr U Idh, that's given me some ideas for another trip sometime.
In the end I have booked the ferry and will take myself off to France. I just decided I could get to Scotland more easily for a few days, but France would always need more than a week to make it worthwhile.
My plan is to dump my car in Brive la Gaillarde and get the train to Millau. Then cycle up the Tarn, across to and down the Lot with a day loop from Figeac, then over to the Dordogne and another loop to Brive from Beaulieu sur Dordogne. Then from Beaulieu down the Dordogne past Sarlat and up the Vezere to my car in Brive. Looks like a decent route on google earth and bike toaster.
I know I should get the train all the way but I like the idea of less hassle and more flexibility from the car. Also, I'm not an environmentalist and couldn't care about my carbon footprint.
Anyone know rules on leaving cars for a week or so in France?0 -
Dr U Idh wrote:
Ahh the Western Isles its doesnt get much better than that for cycling in Scotland, some great pics there brings back a lot of memories for me when i was last up that way . In fact i may have another go at that late summer if i can get time of work.Gasping - but somehow still alive !0 -
France every time.
Think about it in terms of the touring critieria that people enjoy
food
welcome for cyclists
campsites
quiet roads
good transport connections
France every time"There are holes in the sky,
Where the rain gets in.
But they're ever so small
That's why rain is thin. " Spike Milligan0 -
Although . . .
for the last 4 days, Scotland has been at its very best: hot and sunny and almost windless.
I had a ride around Fife on Sunday afternoon with the warm air brushing against me and the landscape shimmering. It could easily have been France and access to the experience cost me nothing more than a couple of pints of beer in a pavement bar (yes! really!).
Just occasionally, Scotland beats France and these are moments to savour (like the last two times we played them at football!) 0
