France cycle route EV6

[fatblokish]

Anyone tried this route? I'm departing Caen/Le Havre and heading for Clermont Ferrand and the wiggly red EV6 line on bikeroutetoaster seemed serendipitiously aligned.

Of particular interest is the section south east of Orleans, as far as the Moulins area. I will be on 25mm tyres on Mavic open-pros and need reassurance that my derriere will not be in tatters on this leg.


Ta

 

[vernon]

The route is fine. I've crossed France twice using it. The only rough bit that I can recall is a stretch of what I thought was pave to the west of Orleans. It turned out to be a stretch of original Roman road.

I'd be happy to use 25mm tyres.

 

[fatblokish]

Thanks Mr V,
is the route well marked?

 

[vernon]

It's not bad but the signage in the bigger towns and cities can be easily missed. The EV6 map set is worth having if only to indicate slightly off route attractions and camp sites.

 

[fatblokish]

It's not bad but the signage in the bigger towns and cities can be easily missed. The EV6 map set is worth having if only to indicate slightly off route attractions and camp sites.

Well I did the bit from Orleans south and east to Nevers. Well signed, as you said.

And the views, oh la la ! One minor issue, being on a raised levee I did feel very exposed to the oncoming wind, but then this did serve to stop me sweating in the heat; only once I'd got off the bike for a break did I feel the sweat accumulate.

What struck me is how few cyclists there were. On any trip between Bath n Bristol I see at least as many cyclists as I did on the 130 miles between Orleans and Nevers, still not complaining though.

And finally, the French drivers are definitely more respectful of cyclists than British ones, giving me plenty of room, signaling when overtaking, no smidsys, or hooks etc, in both cities and rural roads.

And really finally, it was hot. So hot in fact that I had to modify my planned route to take in more villages away from the eurovelo to allow for water refills. On one day, last Thursday IIRC, I drank a litre of water an hour for each of the 9 hours I was in the saddle with steady temperatures of 35 degrees plus.

anyway thanks for the advice!

 

[vernon]

Glad you enjoyed the ride. Do you have any ambitions to do more of it?

Vienna to Budapest on the Hungarian side of the Danube is very enjoyable and much cheaper than France.