Is there a general agreement that if one could live anywhere to spend one's life cycle touring it would be on the European continent? With the amazing cycling infrastructure, vast open spaces (compared to crowded little Britain), pretty towns and villages, varied topography and endless destination options, given enough resources, and ignoring the seemingly obtuse bureaucracy, would that be the ideal preference for cycling adventurers?
Best cycling touring anywhere is on the Continent.
- Thread starter blackrat
- Start date
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Mike Ayling
Guru
- Location
- Melbourne Downunda
The well funded retirees on CycleBlaze think so.
Maybe so but the forum is not very active. Last post of any kind on any subject was two weeks ago. Perhaps the well-healed crowd don't talk to each other much?
I am rather hoping members on THIS forum will talk about their interests.
Debade
Veteran
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
I have been fortunate enough to cycle in Europe (coming back soon for my third cycle trip), USA, Canada, Mexico Baha, a day ride in Vietnam and maybe another place or two. My take is the people have been great in all of them. For the most part they have been safe. And, every ride included something to learn and admire. Other human speed holidays (hiking), Spain, New Zealand, Portugal, S. Africa and elsewhere have been similaraly rewarding.
It's just being out there moving, meeting like minded people and eating all you want without wearing it later
.
It's just being out there moving, meeting like minded people and eating all you want without wearing it later
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Mike Ayling
Guru
- Location
- Melbourne Downunda
Just saying that a lot of them cycle in Europe rather than Canada or The Land of The Free and Home of the Brave. Look at the list of the journals.
Apart from the owner's posts the CrazyGuy forums are also almost non existent.
chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
Whilst I agree that there are a lot of options on the continent and I do make full use of living here, there are still the same fundemental issues here as in Britain. Chief amongst which, is actually getting to the start or back from the end of a tour. I've been looking into a trip for this summer and whilst I could drive somewhere I've then got to find secure safe parking for the duration of the trip.
Sadly public transport, namely trains, are often a nightmare to take a bike on. Here in Germany the long distance ICE trains only have 6 small spaces for bikes and are often fully booked up months in advance. If your train is cancelled or heavily delayed, then you are completly screwed. Local regional trains are often slow and have little to no space for full size bikes. Other countries are no better or even worse, Sweden for example doesn't allow bikes on most trains unless they are boxed up.
Sadly public transport, namely trains, are often a nightmare to take a bike on. Here in Germany the long distance ICE trains only have 6 small spaces for bikes and are often fully booked up months in advance. If your train is cancelled or heavily delayed, then you are completly screwed. Local regional trains are often slow and have little to no space for full size bikes. Other countries are no better or even worse, Sweden for example doesn't allow bikes on most trains unless they are boxed up.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
and yet people seen to regard the Netherlands as one of the best places to cycle. Population density 541/km², compared to Britain's 285. So crowding isn't a barrier to good cycling and all the "our ancient country doesn't have space for cycling" people are the motoring lobby or have been conned by them.
Moodyman
Legendary Member
Some of my most enjoyable tours have been in Blighty. There are plenty of quiet places - the Highlands & Wales amongst others. Weather is the only negative.
France though, is something else. The endless countryside, food, weather, variety of landscapes, smooth roads, greenways and velo routes. It’s the full package.
Been to Netherlands and Belgium too. I commend the infrastructure for utilitarian use. But for touring, I find they’re too densely populated. You can always hear the distant rumble of traffic or machinery so never experience true tranquility.
France though, is something else. The endless countryside, food, weather, variety of landscapes, smooth roads, greenways and velo routes. It’s the full package.
Been to Netherlands and Belgium too. I commend the infrastructure for utilitarian use. But for touring, I find they’re too densely populated. You can always hear the distant rumble of traffic or machinery so never experience true tranquility.
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I have been fortunate enough to cycle in Europe (coming back soon for my third cycle trip), USA, Canada, Mexico Baha, a day ride in Vietnam and maybe another place or two. My take is the people have been great in all of them. For the most part they have been safe. And, every ride included something to learn and admire. Other human speed holidays (hiking), Spain, New Zealand, Portugal, S. Africa and elsewhere have been similaraly rewarding.
It's just being out there moving, meeting like minded people and eating all you want without wearing it later
We lived in Glastonbury for a couple of years and I worked in South Windsor. Lovely country, as is all of New England, but those winters were long and so cold, we had to escape! 🐧🥶⛄
Do you take your bike with you when you fly, or rent when you get there?
spen666
Legendary Member
A very subjective opinion.
not everyone would agree, some value different things to that valued by others
Very useful, thank you. Best not to have an actual opinion then?
chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
Returning to this after a bit of a ponder, I can definitely understand why it may seem much better over here on the continent. Certainly for day to day cycling it's fantastic here and I wouldn't wish to ride anywhere else.
With touring though, my prefered way is to ride off road in remote and adventurous areas. For me Scotland and many other areas in the UK are just as appealing as the Alps to ride in. A couple of years ago I rode over 600 km in the Scottish highlands and loved it. The small cafes and cake stops that the UK does so well really were a highlight of the trip. If it wasn't so expensive and awkward to travel to the UK, I would pop back for a few more tours, there's a couple in Scotland I would love to do.
With touring though, my prefered way is to ride off road in remote and adventurous areas. For me Scotland and many other areas in the UK are just as appealing as the Alps to ride in. A couple of years ago I rode over 600 km in the Scottish highlands and loved it. The small cafes and cake stops that the UK does so well really were a highlight of the trip. If it wasn't so expensive and awkward to travel to the UK, I would pop back for a few more tours, there's a couple in Scotland I would love to do.
