Getting ready for my tour!

[earthuman]

Hey everyone! Thanks to all in the past who have helped me get my touring going. Super grateful to all that I have learned from on this site!
Just want to let you all know that after a few short trips and putting gear together, I will be setting off on a tour from Brighton to Istanbul come mid-october! Not the best time of year to do this, but this is the time that I have!
You can follow me here http://www.thewanderingidiot.co.uk
It's all pretty basic now as I am slowly building up the blog. If you have any advice, have visited the routes I have proposed on the map, or any feedback in general I would LOVE to hear from you as I could use all the advice I can get.
I set off on the 15th of october or so and will try to post pics, video, blog as often as I can.
hope you guys enjoy the read.

Cheers
Vinko

 

[rich p]

Good luck with it, I'm envious!

One thing that strikes me is that coastal routes are often not as interesting as you think. They are often monotonous, often 'owned' and built-up and you only have to be a few hundred yards from the sea to not even know it's there! Not a criticism but you may be denying yourself the pleasures of rural France and it's villages by sticking to the coast.

The other thing is that having toured Slovenia this summer, I can't recommend it highly enough and it would be easy for you to head for Ljubljana, say, en route to Zagreb. The countryside and people were superb.

Bon voyage.

 

[ASC1951]

http://www.thewanderingidiot.co.uk
It's all pretty basic now as I am slowly building up the blog. If you have any advice, have visited the routes I have proposed on the map....

hope you guys enjoy the read.

Cheers
Vinko

It's already very readable. I think you'll get a regular following as soon as the wheels start turning. I particularly like your philosophy that upheaval sudden forced on you is nature's way of telling you to evolve.

Either one of two things is happening here:
1. The world is telling me that I’m doing something seriously wrong.
2. I Created this.

I’m leaning towards the latter. I clearly need change.

As to the cycling bit, I'm not sure I would go from Bordeaux to the Riviera along two canal towpaths. I'd want something slightly more varied.

And

..dumping me nicely into Narbonne on the French Rivierra.
From here I intend to work my way west along the coast, cutting across Northern Italy ..... Slovenia, and into Croatia.

I know "go west, young man" is standard advice for those deep in wanderlust, but you would find yourself in Benidorm rather than Beograd. A paint spot on the back of one hand works for most of us.

The main road down the Balkan coast is horrendously busy in the tourist season and probably still bad in autumn. You may prefer to go inland even if that will be colder. TBH I would, because tourism means that the coastal resorts are now very similar all the way round the Mediterranean and occupied by people who earn a living persuading passers by to part with money; nothing wrong with that, but it gives them a different outlook on life from, say, farming communities.

Doing this trip in the autumn will be very different. I look forward to reading it.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Having cycled from Dieppe to the South of France a few times, abet a few years past now, I would say a route taking you down to Montpellier Via Rouen, Vernon, Dreux, Orleans, Ussel, Albi and Bezier using the many minor roads would be more interesting than your coastal route. Just a thought for you.

 

[BalkanExpress]

Hi sounds like a great trip!

As for the route, and the weather: a fair few years in that part of the world would suggest to me that a continental crossing would be either freezing or bl**dy freezing. If i were doing it i would definately head along the coast (but I am a wimp). the road willnot be too busy at that time of year, although what traffic there will be is not likely to be too bike friendly (but that is true across the region).

The question will be accomodation. In Croatia and Montenegro off season really is off season, many hotels, almost all campsites, restaurants and in some places shops are shut. You will need either to resort to wild camping (could be cold) or some planning ahead to find places open.

This having been said I'm green with envy. Enjoy

 

[earthuman]

Hey everyone. Wow thanks for all the advice so far. I've just got back into town and catching up on some some emails and whatnot. I'll look into some changes on the route as suggested. Will do some more research about the trip from Dieppe to the rivierra as suggested.
A main concern about cycling through Croatia, Serbia, and more continental souther europe is definitely the cold in the winter, which is why I kind of chose to stick to the coast down through Montenegro, Albania, Greece, etc. I suppose it depends a lot on the weather when I get there. I plan to spend xmas in Zagreb as I have family there (cousins, aunt, extended family, etc.) I will then have some time to put some fat on my bones and reevaluate the route before continuing on.
Thanks again and I'm totally open to more suggestions.
I'll be riding a surly long haul trucker and just getting details together to put up on the blog about it. Hopefully that will be up in the next few days.

 

[jay clock]

the bit of coast from Narbonne round (east not west!) to Marseille is fairly grotty. I did the coast but slightly inland. report here http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=4924&v=84

 

[earthuman]

Having cycled from Dieppe to the South of France a few times, abet a few years past now, I would say a route taking you down to Montpellier Via Rouen, Vernon, Dreux, Orleans, Ussel, Albi and Bezier using the many minor roads would be more interesting than your coastal route. Just a thought for you.

Interesting...I like the look of this. Are there lots of bike paths and quiet roads through this area?

 

[rich p]

A friend of mine did this CTC route earlier this year

http://www.cyclingholidays.org/files/1013ppk.pdf

which he recommended.

It has served the CTC so it might be worth considering.

 

[Cathryn]

Can't wait for you to get started!! Ties in pretty well with the arrival of the sprog which means I'll have something to read and dream about over winter. Have an amazing time!!

 

[paulrw]

through france

Went St malo to Narbonne last year. Similar route but went via over a scary bridge in st Nazaire. Took ferry from Royen to Pointe de something,then totally flat to Bordeaux. Easy peasy to the canal de Garonne allthe way to Toulouse. 75% of canal du midi OK but some horrible bits and if wet would be awful. Have good map with you for alternatives. Careful in Narbonne near market and canal, a bit unsavoury. Lovely track north and south of Toulouse,purpose built and 25 miles of tarmac cycle path. Check campsites for being open BEFORE you go.

 

[earthuman]

hey all...I will be coming back for more route advice....aslo, what maps are good? Had a look at some maps at borders today, but couldn't find anything interesting. What do you think about just getting to dieppe and picking up maps from local tourist offices as I go? or is there is recommended map to buy now?
Also, just posted a few pics of my new Surly, www.thewanderingidiot.co.uk. the bike is mostly off the peg but I have changed a few things around so will update that on the site later...but if you like some touring bike porn...the pics are there.
Cheers
Vinko

 

[earthuman]

oh yeah...and anyone here with experience in stealth camping in france or italy?

 

[Cathryn]

The best map tip I ever got was to buy a bog standard road atlas at a scale of 1:200 000 and to rip out the appropriate pages. Works an absolute treat.

If this tip came from someone on cyclechat, many apologies for nicking your tip...and thanks!

 

[earthuman]

Hey all...just a quick update regarding a change of plan...i am meant to be off today, however, two of my good friends here want to join me for the first 2 or 3 days or so...so we are leaving on Sunday...will then start getting the blog going!
Cheers