First Euro trip, where to go?

[steveindenmark]

It all depends on what you yourself want to do. I like to amble along and see where the road takes me. Other people like to belt along and make as much distance as possible.

You have to decide that yourself. But anywhere outside the UK is exciting once you start pedalling.

 

[Brains]

I'd start by looking at the Bikeline Esterbauer cycle tour route books, many are in English, find a route, buy the book and off you go.

As an aside also look at the European Bike Express as a method of getting to Europe with a bike
Also we have found the Harwich/Rotterdam ferry to be much better option as you start right in Holland

 

[CopperBrompton]

I second the Avenue Verte route.

If you want to see what this looks like, I took lots of photos when I did it:
http://www.benlovejoy.com/cycle/tripreports/londontoparis/

It is a very pleasant route (just don't take the overnight ferry like we did!).

 

[snorri]

I suppose it depends what you have already done in the way of foreign travel, perhaps you are a seasoned traveller albeit without a bike, but my first cycle tour abroad was also my first visit to mainland Europe.
That tour took me along the LF1 route between Den Helder and Boulogne, certainly not greatly challenging, but there were many new experiences which boosted my confidence and encouraged me to tackle more adventurous trips in future years, a good foundation tour.
There is loads of info on the LF1, google is your friend..

 

[ThompsonCrowley]

I still need to get some gear, however have a bike at last. Thinking starting at Calais as you may expect, then maybe a Eurovelo route and want to fly back. Maybe a weeks cycling, Italy looks like a good bet. I guess you could go anywhere, any tips here?

Yeah, I would agree, Holland for your first European cycling trip. There's also LA Meuse river path in Belgium (starts at Namur). It runs through lots of pretty towns in southern Belgium and all the way into France (Charleville). There are loads of cheap campsite right on the path and much to see. It's a safe, well sign-posted route.

Just an idea.
Tom

 

[StuartG]

Unless you live in Dover than Calais is possibly the worst place to start. The Pas de Calais has few redeeming features and a lot of traffic. Newhaven to Dieppe, Harwich to Hook of Holland, Portsmouth to anywhere in Normandy/Brittany is far more attractive.

If you have some French then cycling in France can be a wonderfully intimate experience. If not then the folks in Benelux usually speak English better than us. As other's have said - for a first trip then Paris or Amsterdam and back with a stopover can fill a week nicely. Go to one port come back from another. That gives you a basic route. Personally Normandy gives you beautiful easy rides along the rivers or ridges, Brittany is a bit more challenging. A combination may be perfect. Then the following year cycle to the Med. Its a great experience going gradually from a Northern European climate and vegetation to a Mediterranean one. Avoid cities and make sure you've eaten by 2pm is the trick.

 

[MarkF]

I think all those, I would really like to see some major cities like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, but I am also going by the Eurovelo routes which don't fit too well. Say I wanted to go Calais -> Paris --> Rome, the Eurovelo miss huge sections here, well as far as I can see.

I'd go to Spain, I loathe being wet (rain) and if you are unlucky and it does rain then you'd soon be dry, plus, it means less (stuff) weight. There are numerous great bike trips from BCN and hiring a bike can be considered as they are so cheap per week.

 

[chewa]

Unless you live in Dover than Calais is possibly the worst place to start. The Pas de Calais has few redeeming features and a lot of traffic. Newhaven to Dieppe, Harwich to Hook of Holland, Portsmouth to anywhere in Normandy/Brittany is far more attractive.

If you have some French then cycling in France can be a wonderfully intimate experience. If not then the folks in Benelux usually speak English better than us. As other's have said - for a first trip then Paris or Amsterdam and back with a stopover can fill a week nicely. Go to one port come back from another. That gives you a basic route. Personally Normandy gives you beautiful easy rides along the rivers or ridges, Brittany is a bit more challenging. A combination may be perfect. Then the following year cycle to the Med. Its a great experience going gradually from a Northern European climate and vegetation to a Mediterranean one. Avoid cities and make sure you've eaten by 2pm is the trick.

I'd have to agree with this entirely. Benelux is a great start (though in Belgium take satnav or a compass - everywhere seems to be a secret!) Netherlands fabby too and it's a nice experience cycling through Amsterdam. You could make it to the Veluwe which is beautiful.

I go to Normandy 4 or 5 times a year and it is stunning.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I guess I could cycle to Paris and work my way to Northern Italy, I guess one fear is that i cycle into some heavy duty mountainous areas that either require a lot of pushing for days or a huge detour.

If you cycle from Paris to Northern Italy then that's exactly what's going to happen! It's very mountainous in the centre and, unless you go a very long way round, you'll have some real lung busters to cross.
For a first cycle tour, I'd tout for France any day. Obviously I'm biased because I live here, but the country offers so much for the cyclist. The variety of scenery is staggering, there are some beautiful villages, the food is marvellous and cyclists are given more respect by motorists than any other road user. In fact, I'd say that France is more suited for a first cycle tour than the UK, which for me is not an ideal touring country (too busy, too much agression directed at cyclists.)
I second what others have said about a route through. Avoid Nord Pas de Calais. It's an area renowned for friendliness, but the landscape is really monotonous with huge, flat fields with hardly anything to break up the view (or the wind). Normandy is very hilly in places, but it's no worse than the Cotswolds. The main problem with Britanny is the weather! Expect lots of rain - but you may find that you'd prefer to spend your time sampling the delicious local produce instead. If you want to go to Paris, take my advice and follow the Route Verte already indicated. For God's sake don't even considering entering Paris from the North. It's an urban maze and very hard to navigate around - you may even end up accidentally on a motorway. If you do enter Paris, don't expect it to be quick in, quick out. Paris is the second biggest metropolis in the EU, only slightly smaller than London, and it takes forever to cycle through it even if you do know where you're going.
Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[PaulSB]

There are some great tours to be made in the UK. Head to northern England or Scotland and you won't be disappointed. The Outer Hebrides is wonderful cycling country.

If you want to go to Europe then France has huge areas of very fine cycling. Personally I wouldn't even consider going in to Paris. Last summer I had to cross London from Euston to Victoria with a laden tourer. I ended up walking as I was so concerned for my safety. If one is not prepared for big city cycling, which I was not, it's a very scary experience!!

 

[willem]

Am I the only one who assumes that this is for the immediate future rather than next summer? If it is indeed, then you need to keep an eye on elevation. At higher altitudes it is getting pretty cold, and to cross the Alps may be getting pretty hard without some help from a train.

 

[briantrumpet]

The Netherlands is cycling mecca,[...] flat and everyone speaks English.

It takes all sorts ... that's my idea of hell ... I prefer somewhere with hills, and where they don't speak English!

 

[CopperBrompton]

It takes all sorts ... that's my idea of hell ... I prefer somewhere with hills, and where they don't speak English!

Scotland, then.

 

[JackE]

Cycling from Calais to Bruges is worth considering. It's around 85 miles and once into Belgium it mostly follows excellent canal paths (this might inspire you http://www.gamber.net/cyclebel/ ). Bruges is a beautiful, cycle friendly city. Ghent is an easy days cycle away. Great food, beer and very hospitable people. This was my first Belgian trip and I've been back 3 times since.

 

[rm90]

I do like the sound of Paris, what is Paris like, general speaking, just a huge sweeping city I suppose. I think Calais to Paris would be fine for a first trip. I've been cycling to work every day about 8miles each way and not a problem at all, I could easily do 50-60miles a day.

Yes I wouldn't want to waste hours trying to navigate to the center of Paris so what's the best approach to Paris, E W S etc.