Exeter to Nice (via western France)

[dominict]

Hi,

Having found a recent, growing interest in cycling, I am planning a cycle tour that will commence in Exeter (Ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff) and ending in Nice. I aiming to do this tour next year in the first week of September. I'm 24, have a high level of all round fitness and in the preliminary stages of the planning the tour. With a lack of experience in tour cycling I was hoping to gain some advice from some more experience tour riders.

I have initially look at a route passing through the following the places; Exeter/Plymouth/Roscoff/Quimper/Vannes/Nantes/Fontenay-le-comte (rest day to see relatives who live there)/Cognac/La Reole/Moissac/Toulouse/Narbonne/Aigues-Mortes/Aix en Provence/Vidauban/Nice.

To give you an idea of time scale, I aim to complete the route in 2/3 weeks.

Any tips/advice on this route or similar would be greatly appreciated.

Some questions that I have;

On average how many km should I aim for in a day? (based on the cycle being more direct than scenic)

Camping tips for accommodation? (aiming to include the occasional bb/hotel/air bnb for better recover days)

Useful pieces of equipment? (bike and personal related)

Other general advice for touring through France?


Many thanks,


Dominic

 

[Alex H]

Other general advice for touring through France?

Bedtime reading https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/my-tips-for-cycling-in-france.80485/

 

[rich p]

http://www.camping-municipal.org/index.htm

 

[PaulSB]

Opinions on distance per day will vary hugely as it depends on your objective - simply riding or riding and being a tourist at the same time. I haven't studied your route but if you plan to make this a long distance ride 80 miles a day would be a good target. If you're doing the touristy stuff probably 40/50 per day.

My riding tends to vary according to circumstance; how I feel, what's to see, who I meet, etc. generally average 70 miles a day.

This was my kit list for my last 10 day, 800 mile trip through France, staying in B&B, I took:

2 x cycle shirts
2 x cycle shorts
2 x cycle socks
1 x base layer
1 x cycle shoes with SPD cleats - means you can walk in them!!
3 x T shirt
1 x boxer shorts
1 x trousers with zip off legs
1 x lightweight fleece
1 x travel towel
1 x lightweight shower proof jacket
2 x cycle gloves
1 x cycle cap
2 x inner tubes
2 x CO2 cartridges
1 x pump
1 x Garmin
1 x puncture repair kit
1 x multi tool
1 x chain
2 x spare cables
Small selection of zip ties
Selection of Allen bolts, washers and nuts to fit bike
2 x foil survival blanket
1 x high pitch whistle always round neck on a cord
1 x lock with combination
Plasters
Pain killers
Mosquito repellent
Sun block
Maps
3 x bungee straps
Baby wipes clean the bike and you
Travel knife, fork, spoon

 

[betty swollocks]

You're in danger of over-complicating this.
You're young, you're fit.
Load up the bike with stuff you think you'll need: jump on it, point it vaguely in the right direction and start pedalling.
It really is as simple as that.

 

[Brains]

Day one, roskoff to quimper is very bumpy
I'd allow two or even three days for that depending on ferry arrival time and I always put in a very short day on day one 20-25 miles is enough

 

[Cavendash]

take a head torch, so you can do stuff in the dark, with your hands free.
Don't forget a few spare spokes

 

[Cavendash]

And definitely some sunglasses

 

[Cavendash]

Put your personal stuff - passport, wallet, phone, any other valuables - in a handlebar bag with the map, so you can easily take it off when you go into a cafe

 

[srw]

Take a look at the link in my sig if you want to go via Bordeaux and the coast. Also at the Fridays' Caen to Bordeaux tour thread.

 

[Jacqueslemac]

I'll be based in Normandy by then (mid way between Caen and St Lô). Feel free to pop in if you're passing.

 

[Mile195]

I've done a lot of motorcycle touring in France. Campsites are EVERYWHERE. If you're taking a tent you won't need to book anywhere. Just make sure you're somewhere by 1830 unless you're happy doing wild camping - campsite receptions generally begin to close between then and 9pm.

Road surfaces are generally quite good and even with a fairly corse sheet map you'll be able to find a suitable route each day as it'll be obvious which roads are bigger and busier, and therefore better to avoid. "N" roads are like "a" roads here. "A" roads are motorways. So you're best to stick to "D" roads and "C" roads if you want less traffic.
Not that French roads are anything like as busy as ours are.

 

[glenn forger]

I'll be based in Normandy by then (mid way between Caen and St Lô). Feel free to pop in if you're passing.

I was looking round there the other day:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-36753189.html