Central Scotland To Spain (Alicante region) with me.

glb37
glb37 Posts: 7
edited November 2010 in Tour & expedition
Central Scotland To Spain (Alicante region-stay a week) and back someone to accompany me on a budget? I'm single male (hetrosexual), 47, unemployed, unfit.

Hi, I've joined this forum for interesting reading about others' stories and tips with cycling, but also, wondering if there is someone out there who would like to accompany me from Central Scotland (or somewhere in UK south of) to Spain next March. I would need to describe myself as fully as possible in private emails (and not whinge too much about how unfit I am here in this forum!).

I'm wondering if there is someone who is contemplating a long tour next year and is looking for one person (me) as company - where it would be a matter of gaining fitness enroute, at no fast pace, but to enjoy the challenges of simply getting to my chosen location (where I've been to before once by public transport years ago). Once there we would stay in one location for, say, a week - where we could chill out and recover, swim in a good outdoor swimming pool, eat well, and socialise. I'm a single male, 47 years old (hetrosexual), overweight and unfit, generally a quiet shy person. I'm needing to be fit enough for about 80 miles per day (but can't guarantee that!). And company on a long tour would be great! It would take about 8 weeks to 9 weeks in total to travel from (and back to) central Scotland down to a ferry, through France, down the east coast of Spain to Alicante region, where we could do self catering - renting a small place for a week - whilst enjoying a quiet relaxing time in one urbanisation I know of, which is about 3 miles from a small unspoilt town on the coastal region, near to Javea.

It just takes one person to feel as though they would like to do the same thing, is similar in fitness - although I would prefer it if the person is fitter than me - to give inspiration on the long tiring hills, and mental strength etc. And also to become a friend, maybe life long.

Regards,

Graham.

Comments

  • bigjim
    bigjim Posts: 780
    Hi Graham
    I've replied to you recently on another forum. have you considered the weather in march? I would imagine Scotland would still be in the grip of winter and pretty poor conditions I would have thought until you hit south of Lyon. I remember driving down to Spain at that time of year and the weather was atrocious until I hit Perpignon.
    I'd rather fly to Spain and work my way back. Follow the sun.
  • glb37
    glb37 Posts: 7
    Hi,
    Yes, but if there is a good forcast at the end of March for 3 or 4 day ahead then, come what may, the tour should start. After all, April could be very rainy in the UK, but fine France and Spain. The main reason for the end of March is because the weather is so hot in Spain in June. And over two months of expedition would take up the cooler, perhaps more cloudy days, so that heat stroke or sun burn would be less of a problem.
    If really bad rain/snow/wind then a day or two or 3 would have to be taken as a temporary stop. I don't have much money at all, especially for the ferry, certainly, nothing just now in my bank, and I'm unemployed on Incapacity due to anxiety etc..
    So, I won't know if able to until nearer the time, and would appreciate some company/help.
  • Hi,
    Yes, but if there is a good forcast at the end of March for 3 or 4 day ahead then, come what may, the tour should start. After all, April could be very rainy in the UK, but fine France and Spain. The main reason for the end of March is because the weather is so hot in Spain in June. And over two months of expedition would take up the cooler, perhaps more cloudy days, so that heat stroke or sun burn would be less of a problem.
    If really bad rain/snow/wind then a day or two or 3 would have to be taken as a temporary stop. I don't have much money at all, especially for the ferry, certainly, nothing just now in my bank, and I'm unemployed on Incapacity due to anxiety etc..
    So, I won't know if able to until nearer the time, and would appreciate some company/help.

    I browsed this Tour and Expedition forum on the lookout for any company on a similar extended tour from the UK to Southern Spain and back, so was very interested in your posting. The only difference is the timing - I was aiming to leave early June and return early August. Having sojourned in Southern Spain for several years in July and August I have not found extreme temperatures a problem in July - indeed have done my daily 2-3 rides in siesta time. It is in August that you'll find the high 35+ degree temps. The other aspects of your proposed tour are alike - low budget, wild camping, 80 miles/day. I'm slightly older than you at 58. This is the age when Indian men, after having fulfilled life's responsibilities of raising a family, surrender everything and go to wander in the forest [vanprasth] for a while to find 'higher truths' - except being exiled in Europe means doing a long bike tour as cheaply as possible.

    Best wishes
    Dennis
  • glb37
    glb37 Posts: 7
    Hi Dennis, Thanks for your interest. It is from a little exprience of 2004 when I was there with my (then) girlfriend, and the African hot air came up in June - it was 32-35 dergrees in the shade, and stayed like that through July and August! So, for this reason mainly, I would like to depart early Spring time.
    I'll seriouly consider March April early next year.
    Regards,
    Graham.
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Just wanted to wish you good luck :-)
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • Hi Dennis, Thanks for your interest. It is from a little exprience of 2004 when I was there with my (then) girlfriend, and the African hot air came up in June - it was 32-35 dergrees in the shade, and stayed like that through July and August! So, for this reason mainly, I would like to depart early Spring time.
    I'll seriouly consider March April early next year.
    Regards,
    Graham.

    Hi Graham,

    Work commitments prevent 2 months off March/April but I there's half way house where I can take 4 weeks off end March - it it worked out this would give me the opportunity of a trial run for the bigger tour I've planned for June. If interested I've PM'ed you my email address should you want to consider this possibility.

    Cheers,
    Dennis
  • glb37
    glb37 Posts: 7
    Thanks, I've emailed you with questions regarding the month of around April.