A Lone Cyclist

[Dyfrig]

Hi Havn't cycled in Europe before but fancy taking a ride from Calais to Ypres and spend a few days there. Unless I can press gang some of my friends to come with me, I will be alone.. Could a lone cyclist be vulnerable and what precautions should one make. Happy to consider joining up with someone interested doing the trip or a similar one

 

[snorri]

It is not at all unusual to see solo tourists, go for it!
Going solo can give rise to concern re bike security when you want to do some shopping in a town or visit a museum etc. and have to leave the bike with panniers unattended. Usually no one is interested in your stuff anyway, but you can often get round the problem by shopping in village shops rather than in town centres.
The solo tourist does not pose a threat, making it easier to get into conversation with locals along the way which can add greatly to the pleasure of the tour.

 

[oldleggs]

......l hope it's safe on the 4th June l am booked on the Dover/Dunkirk ferry. My first place to visit is Ypres, l am going to spend a couple of weeks visiting the ww1 battlefields. Then Rhine/Danube for the summer.....if there's a summer!
l cycled parts of France a few years back and had no problems, so you should as they say "go for it" best of luck.

 

[Brandane]

I'm a solo tourer too, and wouldn't have it any other way! I can go where I want, when I want, stop where I want to stop, etc..

Last summer I went to the Loire Valley via ferry to St Malo and train to Nantes, returning from Orleans by train to Caen for the ferry back to Portsmouth. Not once did I encounter any hassle or even unfriendliness. Unless you count the junkie at Rennes railway station who was quite insistent that he wanted a piece of my pizza, until he realised that hungry and angry Scotsmen can be quite protective about these sorts of things. He got the message and left me alone, to go and find himself another victim .

As far as precautions go, I would say there is nothing you need to do that you wouldn't do in the UK.. Get a feel for your surroundings and make a common sense decision as to whether you cannot let the bike and luggage out of your site for 5 seconds; or if you can happily swan off for a wander round town and a leisurely lunch. Obviously don't leave valuables on the bike like passport, phone, or cash. I carried a long security cable and padlock, which I used to thread through the pannier handles and bike frame as well as a sturdy fixed object. Not much use to the determined thief I know, but a deterrent to the casual opportunist while you are having lunch or choosing a bottle of red at the local Carrefour.

I love France and wish I didn't live so far away from the south coast, or I would visit much more often.

 

[Dyfrig]

......l hope it's safe on the 4th June l am booked on the Dover/Dunkirk ferry. My first place to visit is Ypres, l am going to spend a couple of weeks visiting the ww1 battlefields. Then Rhine/Danube for the summer.....if there's a summer!
l cycled parts of France a few years back and had no problems, so you should as they say "go for it" best of luck.

 

[Dyfrig]

oldleggs An appropriate name for me too. Going to Ypres and visiting the ww1 battlefield is exactly what I intend doing but from Calais. Perhaps you will report back your experiences to me when you come back.
Intend going in Sept. Anyone want to consider joining me please be in touch

 

[oldleggs]

....l am hoping that l'll still be cycling somewhere in the south of Europe come Sept. Planning on a 5 month trip if l can keep pushing the peddles, have no real route planed just want to see some different countries especially the Balkans.

 

[vernon]

I've toured solo in Europe for five years and enjoyed the experience. I have basic French which has improved each year as I abandon English once I set foot on French soil and soldier on with basic conversational and transactional French. I have yet to learn German but have mastered the number system so can usually cope on the rare ocassions that I arrive at a non - english speaking establishment in Austria and Germany. I made no attempt to learn Hungarian.

I've had the most amazing times along the Loire, Doubs, Rhine, and Danube and have always been made to feel welcome. I found myself cycling in the Somme and visiting the battle fileds and war graves to be a sobering and emotional experience.

I've never felt lonely on any of the tours as there's always folk interested in my activities. It helps in my case that I don't appear to be the typical cycle tourist.

 

[Banjo]

Wish I could join you Dyfrig . Sadly cant be done just yet (I am workin on an escape plan though).

Re Vernons post , my experience was similar to yours ,I have done a little bit of cycling in Germany and found the German people amongst the friendliest anywhere.After living there for a few years I can speak just enough German for the locals to take pity on me and use their almost invariably better English.making an arse of yourself in a foreign language is a great icebreaker if nothing else.

Im sure the same applies in France but havent done much in France or ever visited any of the battlefields.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've done a few solo tours now. They're not for everyone, but I've never felt unsafe or at risk in any way.
In fact, I've always had people go out of their way to help or be friendly.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I've ridden through most of the WW1 battlefields on the somme, Ypres,verdun, and also the WW2 beaches and in land battles in Normandy, Falaise gap etc

It's an experience, sobering, quiet, good fun, interesting and to be honest all the better for riding solo and being able to take my time 'pottering' around.

I'm sure you will enjoy it.

 

[snorri]

Could a lone cyclist be vulnerable and what precautions should one make.

I have found a bar-bag handy for carrying anything valuable, camera, gps, passport, return ferry tickets etc., that will not fit in your pockets. Mine has a shoulder strap and it is not much trouble to unclip it and carry it around with me on the occasions when you have to leave the bike unattended.

 

[Noelinspain]

Have read this exchange with some interest, since I hope to cycle the Danube on my own in July, all the way from its source to Passau. I took a deep breath and booked my accommodation (pretty expensive) all along the route - going to do just 60 to 90 km a day, which I hope will allow me time to visit the many interesting towns and villages I'll pass through on the way. I just keep my fingers crossed for good weather, because I hate cycling in the rain! Also booked my train back to the start, where I will leave my car. Just 42 euros for me and the bike. Really good value I reckon.

 

[bigjim]

Doubt you'll be alone on the Danube path in July. It'll be pretty crowded. I did that route in early May and it was busy enough then.

 

[Noelinspain]

That will obviously slow me down - not that I'm a speed freak, you understand! But I 'm a sociable guy,so if i meet a compatible cycling companion on the way, that would be great. I am deliberately starting on a Monday, so as to avoid the weekend traffic! At least until Regensburg that is.