Central Scotland To Spain (Alicante region-stay a week) and back

[glb37]

Hi, I've just 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 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.

 

[stephenjubb]

have you ever toured before?

On the actual route would you camp (and wild camp). This significantly can reduce the cost.

what about 50 miles per day?

cheers

Steve Jubb

 

[glb37]

Hi, I have been on one Scotland tour per year - about 450/500 miles each one, lasting between 4.5 days and 1.5 weeks long. I have, and would wild camp 2 (or maybe 3) nights in a row, then a B&B or camp site, or some hostal with own room.

If hilly I would be at 50 miles per day, same with a heavy wind against. But usually I would be comfortable with about 80. If a tail wind and not many hills, then over 100 miles is comfortable. But at anything over 50 - 80 miles per day I feel drained of energy, but nevertheless I would want to get a good distance in if a good challenge is on.

 

[glb37]

This is my bicycle: Dawes Sardar 2008 with 26" wheels, straight bars with bar ends, good geometry to the frame for touring and sturdy for big weight carrying.

 

[jay clock]

impressively large amount of kit on there. It looks like a collossal tent and sleeping bag combo

 

[glb37]

Hi,

It's not really too much as just essential camping kit mainly in the back (tent is in there - small two person). The rear bags are not folded down and clipped - so they look one third higher than normal. And on the rack are very warm sleeping bag (base thicker item) and the other item is just a Thermarest lightweight mat. There is room in the back bags for more food and water. In the front two bags on the low rider are just clothes and waterproofs and a map and first aid. On the bars are a map holder with small solar charger panel - for mobile phone (music and gps etc.), and on the handle bars too is a small wind turbine (lightweight plastic - to charge things too).

Regards.

 

[bigjim]

You must be pretty fit to contemplate 80 to 100 miles a day fully loaded on 26" wheels. I'm not overweight and regard myself as reasonably fit and capable of regular 80 mile days on mixed terrain but thats on a lightly loaded lightweight racer and stopping for breaks etc.
I think your mileage ambitions could put potential companions off as you look as if you will be spending long days in the saddle and seeing little.
I may be wrong but I believe most fully loaded tourers are looking at about 60mile days as a good average.

 

[glb37]

Hi,

I hope to be able to do about 80 miles per day when with good conditions and no mountains, dropping to 50 miles for the day's cycle on steep and windy rainy days (if too bad, then drop mileage right down or skip a day). 3 weeks or so is the hope to cover the distance to get to South East Spain. I'm flexible with time, as unemployed. So with a weeks stay at one destination and a 3 weeks or so journey back, that makes for a good demanding tour all being well enough.

Mark Beaumont was doing mostly 100 mile days, and occasionally 130 miles. But, he is fitter and younger and does not weigh 18 stones etc. I would never be able to keep up with him unless he slowed down, lol. So if someone is in the bracket of fitness i.e. fitter than I am, then a 3 weeks or so cycle to Alicante region is a possibility, with a 8/9 week expedition in mind. But I'm a little flexible in details which would need to be discussed with the person who is feeling like this similar type of journey - cycle on and on to destination, relax, gently swim, and eat well for a week, then a good return journey.

Or even, at least a good part of the journey could be with company if you have different plans..

Regards.

 

[MarkF]

Spain is hilly pal, I am pretty fit (for a 48 year old) but IMO 50 miles is a very decent figure in Spain, 80+ sounds like a not very enjoyable endurance test to me. I don't think I had anywhere near the weight that your bike looks to be carrying, but in Catalunya recently, I struggled, and when I struggle, I stop and enjoy myself, another thing that makes 80+ miles a day impossible.


I'll pm when I know what I am doing, my bike is currently languishing in Barcleona, I might get it back soon, or it might stay there till spring. If the latter then I may be interested in Pyrenees - Alicante if you are still on your lonesome.

Good luck.

 

[glb37]

Hi,

Yep, I agree, in my very first post above I put: "I'm needing to be fit enough for about 80 miles per day (but can't guarantee that!)" lol.

So the 3 weeks to get there may well turn out to be 3.5 - 4 weeks. I'm ok about that beside not having enough money (and fitness). But I suppose all that I need to be sure of initially, (nearer the time) is having the ferry costs and the b&b/camp site costs, maybe enough for the first 10 accomodations. In amongst these the rest would be wild camping, and having only just enough money for cost of living - food in particular.

I will need to see first my fitness, then money saving over next 3 months.

Regards.

 

[stephenjubb]

You must be pretty fit to contemplate 80 to 100 miles a day fully loaded on 26" wheels. I'm not overweight and regard myself as reasonably fit and capable of regular 80 mile days on mixed terrain but thats on a lightly loaded lightweight racer and stopping for breaks etc.
I think your mileage ambitions could put potential companions off as you look as if you will be spending long days in the saddle and seeing little.
I may be wrong but I believe most fully loaded tourers are looking at about 60mile days as a good average.

correct on all points

 

[stephenjubb]

Hi, I have been on one Scotland tour per year - about 450/500 miles each one, lasting between 4.5 days and 1.5 weeks long. I have, and would wild camp 2 (or maybe 3) nights in a row, then a B&B or camp site, or some hostal with own room.

If hilly I would be at 50 miles per day, same with a heavy wind against. But usually I would be comfortable with about 80. If a tail wind and not many hills, then over 100 miles is comfortable. But at anything over 50 - 80 miles per day I feel drained of energy, but nevertheless I would want to get a good distance in if a good challenge is on.

I have done tours of up to 3.5 months, several times and found that it is hard to keep up 60+ miles fully self supported, camping, day on day, easier on tours up to 2 weeks so respect due on your potential ambitions for such a high stated daily mileage.

 

[glb37]

Yes, and hence another reason for me to request company for the expedition - to help me cope with expiring on a country road far from water, food, shelter (help lol)! I am not in good shape physically and mentally, so, if someone wanted to pace along with myself, then they would need to know that it would be a long uncertain expedition from day to day..

But, even although saying that above, I would have good/better days and hopefully be good company to the person along with.

Regards.