1st cycle tour (london to kenya)

[del]

Hey guys

Just a progress update on my first cycle tour

Left London on the 11th of september cycled to dover, which was hell, didnt really prepare it well so we missed the cycle routes and stuck to the main roads. The hills were pretty hard with my fully loaded surly.

We got to france on the monday which is where it really felt like it started.

We then headed to belgium, luxembourg and are currently just north of munich in germany about to rejoin the danube.

Its taken us 3 weeks exactly to reach here so progress has not been very fast but we have done quite a bit of touristy things and we are starting to get in to the swing of things now so our milage is hitting about the 100km mark on average.

So far Ive been loving it, apart from the hills of belgium which was hell, endless hills wind and rain and cold, but it was our own fault as we later learned they were easily avoided!! but hey we all learn the hardway.

 

[BlackPanther]

endless hills wind and rain and cold,

Maybe we should all keep schtum about the 80° heat wave we're having at the mo.

I envy your trip, it makes my longest (120 mile) trip seem a bit pathetic.

Keep on pedalling.

 

[Brains]

Maps

Learn to read them; - The route London/Dover should not involve a single main road or a single hill, it's flat all the way and mostly off road or on minor roads with a car every 10 minites.
Same applies Calais to Belgium.
I agee that Luxembourg can be very hilly, but those old railway lines make great routes (you did find the old railways lines I hope....)
Munich to the Danube should be fine as long as you go via the lakes, and there are no hills on the Danube - get the esterbauer 'BikeLine' books/maps - they have an English version of the entire Danube route, but even the German version is great if only for the maps.

What is the route to Africa ?
Italy/Egypt or are you going to try Syria ?

 

[Danny]

Italy/Egypt or are you going to try Syria ?

Hopefully not - Syria could be a very unsafe place to be at the moment!

 

[steveindenmark]

I am not sure which way you are heading but we were in St Moritz last week and had 40cm of snow in one night. It was not much fun as we were on a motorbike. It shocked everyone, even the locals. 3 days earlier we were on Lake Como in 30 degree heat.


What is your general plan from Munich.



Steve