EuroVelo

[GlamorganGuy]

Hi, I've just learned about the EuroVelo system of trans-Europe cycling routes and I'm extremely excited by this discovery. I'd love to hear from anyone who has tried these routes (or sections of them). Is any of the cycling off-road / on dedicated cycle paths? I'm guessing not, but interested to know just how cycle-friendly these awesome routes really are. Look forward to hearing from you!

 

[mjr]

Some of it is, but the amount varies by country. Maybe about 30-50% in NL will be car-free and the rest will be quiet roads, but it'll be more like 3% for the UK EV sections.

From memory, I've ridden bits of EV1, 4, 6, 12 and 15. Maybe others. It's difficult to generalise about them beyond saying each bit is reasonably good cycling for its area.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Don't be getting too excited!
Some of the Eurovelo routes, or sections of them exist as ideas rather than reality.
I've been on some of them for parts and they can vary from country to country or from region to region within the same country.
In reality, a lot of EV routes are actually connecting individual national cycling routes.
In places like NL, Germany, France that might mean a decent amount of dedicated cycle paths, in other countries more road, albeit generally quiet. There are no hard and fast rules with EV routes. If there's any off-road it will be suitable for nearly everyone.

One problem can be getting gpx files of the routes, if that's your thing.
https://www.biroto.eu/en/ is a good source for long distance European routes and national routes.
And https://cycle.travel/map is the best planner in my opinion.

For more reading and inspiration on long, cold winter nights there's https://www.crazyguyonabike.com
A treasure trove of journals and a really good search function.

Good luck!

 

[mjr]

Another source of route GPXs is https://cycling.waymarkedtrails.org

 

[GlamorganGuy]

Don't be getting too excited!
Some of the Eurovelo routes, or sections of them exist as ideas rather than reality.
I've been on some of them for parts and they can vary from country to country or from region to region within the same country.
In reality, a lot of EV routes are actually connecting individual national cycling routes.
In places like NL, Germany, France that might mean a decent amount of dedicated cycle paths, in other countries more road, albeit generally quiet. There are no hard and fast rules with EV routes. If there's any off-road it will be suitable for nearly everyone.

One problem can be getting gpx files of the routes, if that's your thing.
https://www.biroto.eu/en/ is a good source for long distance European routes and national routes.
And https://cycle.travel/map is the best planner in my opinion.

For more reading and inspiration on long, cold winter nights there's https://www.crazyguyonabike.com
A treasure trove of journals and a really good search function.

Good luck!

Thanks mate, this is really helpful, look forward to seeing what crazyguyonabike has to say about things. All the best for your future expeditions - Chris

 

[GlamorganGuy]

Some of it is, but the amount varies by country. Maybe about 30-50% in NL will be car-free and the rest will be quiet roads, but it'll be more like 3% for the UK EV sections.

From memory, I've ridden bits of EV1, 4, 6, 12 and 15. Maybe others. It's difficult to generalise about them beyond saying each bit is reasonably good cycling for its area.

I guessed as much, however being a complete sucker for maps and long-distance routes I'm captivated by the idea of it. Will definitely try the Greece to Cadiz route when time allows!

 

[Dave Davenport]

I've ridden sections of quite a few, some are ok (although generally a bit dull imo), others are pretty awful. It's easy enough to plan a long distance route that doesn't rely on them.

 

[mjr]

It's easy enough to plan a long distance route that doesn't rely on them.

Yes but unless you're fussy, why repeat work that someone else has already done?

Plus, following signs means you look around and see more than following breadcrumbs on a stem screen!

 

[DRM]

https://cyclingeurope.org/
The websites author, Andrew Sykes describes them in his “on a bike called Reggie” series of books, it seems the Eurovelo tag is used to link up several bike paths that different countries have, tied up with a theme, if you can, read the books, they’re a good read

 

[GlamorganGuy]

https://cyclingeurope.org/
The websites author, Andrew Sykes describes them in his “on a bike called Reggie” series of books, it seems the Eurovelo tag is used to link up several bike paths that different countries have, tied up with a theme, if you can, read the books, they’re a good read

Awesome recommendation, cheers mate!

 

[DRM]

Awesome recommendation, cheers mate!

Should say as well he does a podcast too, all round the subject of touring.

 

[GlamorganGuy]

Great, that's going to waste a few hours this weekend!

 

[Dave Davenport]

Yes but unless you're fussy, why repeat work that someone else has already done?

Plus, following signs means you look around and see more than following breadcrumbs on a stem screen!

Some sections of the EV routes are terrible, I don't think anyone's done much 'work' on them, certainly not a touring cyclist anyway, also they tend to follow rivers and canals quite a bit at the expense of more interesting routes.
As for looking at a screen, never used one, pages torn out of a road atlas work pretty well and you've got the option of modifying your route as you go. Plus without a fixed route, technically you never go wrong, you just have the odd occasion when you're not entirely sure of your exact whereabouts,