ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Not a tour with me though - one with my super-fit friend Carrie! She asked if I knew anybody who might be up for it, and I told her I would ask here on CycleChat. She isn't really into the forum thing so I said I'd do some preliminary vetting for her, and pass on contact details of any volunteers.
Carrie set off on a similar tour in 2017 but was (literally) brought to a crashing halt by a serious accident on this stretch of railway line where it crossed a wet road in Switzerland ...
This was the outcome!
Anyway, she is back to full fitness and has done some touring since, but she feels that she has unfinished business in Switzerland and wants to go back to that crossing to carry on with her original plan from the point where she fell off.
She is flexible on timing. She was thinking 6-8 weeks starting at the end of June, but could move that to later in the year to fit in with school holidays (whatever).
She wouldn't want to plan the tour to death. You would have an idea of where you'd be going and how you'd get there, but not have a rigid timetable to stick to.
Perhaps longer distances when weather and energy permitted, shorter if the weather turned evil or an easy day or two were needed.
Some days might be only 20-30 kms, but some would be 80+ and mountains would not be avoided! Her fitness is not a problem - she could definitely get over a couple of big Alpine mountains in a day with her bike laden with panniers, and I would suggest that you ought to be at least close to that level too to avoid frustration.
She is thinking of wild camping where you can, or on sites where you can't. This would be a low-budget trip.
You would be using bike-friendly roads wherever possible, or good quality cycleways. Perhaps some gentle off-road trails, but nothing that you couldn't comfortably do on a touring or cyclocross bike carrying heavy panniers.
Start in Switzerland, go to Germany and Austria for a tour round Lake Constance then head up the Danube. I think she was talking about Romania, then - I forget! Let's just say that it all sounds interesting ...
She has cycled with competitive men and isn't in a hurry to tour like that. 'Smiles, not miles' is what she told me. Enjoy the scenery, the cafes and the culture. I don't think clubbing is what she would be interested in.
I said that I'd see if there were any potential touring companions here on CycleChat. If I think you'd get on I will put you in touch with her.
Anybody interested ...?
PS Oh - female OR male companions, but strictly separate tents!
Carrie set off on a similar tour in 2017 but was (literally) brought to a crashing halt by a serious accident on this stretch of railway line where it crossed a wet road in Switzerland ...
This was the outcome!
Anyway, she is back to full fitness and has done some touring since, but she feels that she has unfinished business in Switzerland and wants to go back to that crossing to carry on with her original plan from the point where she fell off.
She is flexible on timing. She was thinking 6-8 weeks starting at the end of June, but could move that to later in the year to fit in with school holidays (whatever).
She wouldn't want to plan the tour to death. You would have an idea of where you'd be going and how you'd get there, but not have a rigid timetable to stick to.
Perhaps longer distances when weather and energy permitted, shorter if the weather turned evil or an easy day or two were needed.
Some days might be only 20-30 kms, but some would be 80+ and mountains would not be avoided! Her fitness is not a problem - she could definitely get over a couple of big Alpine mountains in a day with her bike laden with panniers, and I would suggest that you ought to be at least close to that level too to avoid frustration.
She is thinking of wild camping where you can, or on sites where you can't. This would be a low-budget trip.
You would be using bike-friendly roads wherever possible, or good quality cycleways. Perhaps some gentle off-road trails, but nothing that you couldn't comfortably do on a touring or cyclocross bike carrying heavy panniers.
Start in Switzerland, go to Germany and Austria for a tour round Lake Constance then head up the Danube. I think she was talking about Romania, then - I forget! Let's just say that it all sounds interesting ...
She has cycled with competitive men and isn't in a hurry to tour like that. 'Smiles, not miles' is what she told me. Enjoy the scenery, the cafes and the culture. I don't think clubbing is what she would be interested in.
I said that I'd see if there were any potential touring companions here on CycleChat. If I think you'd get on I will put you in touch with her.
Anybody interested ...?
PS Oh - female OR male companions, but strictly separate tents!
But when your accommodation is booked & paid, you have no choice but to soldier on. Hope Carrie finds a good touring partner & has a more successful trip this time 
