Glasgow to the Algarve - Advice! :)

[Simmy]

My friend and I are planning a cycling trip from Glasgow to the Algarve next summer. My friend cycled around Scotland last summer but I'm a complete newbie...so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Anything from what type of bike to buy (haven't got one yet), essential equipment, routes, where to stay (we're planning to camp, couchsurf or stay in hostels), etc...Thanks!

 

[steveindenmark]

Buy a bike, ride to Edinburgh, Ryanair to Faro in Portugal and then ride.

Hostelworld and Airbnb and Warmshowers are all good accomodation sites.

Steve

 

[Brains]

3,000 miles, 3 months,
1000 miles a month. 250 miles a week, 50 miles a day. Which would be a reasonable target

There is a lot to be said for looking up options like the 'European bike express' and skipping the first 1,000 miles.
Personally I think after at least one and better still two weekend trial runs (out on Saturday, back on Sunday, fully loaded) then forget the bit through England and start in France, south of Paris.

If you have that much time, money and inclination you can always cycle back through England

 

[snorri]

Sound advice from Brains

 

[Brandane]

Sound advice from Brains; BUT .... you could still do the nice bit between Glasgow and Carlisle (via Ayr and Dumfries) before jumping on a train/bus and heading to Paris .

If you are really serious about this though, there is plenty of reading on this board about touring. Basically, get as fit as possible and get your backside conditioned for the saddle by doing a LOT of miles between now and your start date, and carry as little as possible with you.

 

[MarkF]

I advise getting a hybrid, like a Dawes Discovery or Specialized Sirrus, it's very easy to pick up an "as new" machine for little money, particularly after Xmas..............If you want to cycle in the UK then why not head East and pick up a ferry from Newcastle or Hull? I wouldn't fancy the long haul from Glasgow to the "real" start line in France.

There is nothing for you to worry about at 50 miles per day, I rode across Spain on a new bike (to me) and on just about zero training, 3 days in and I was fit!

 

[Brandane]

There is nothing for you to worry about at 50 miles per day, I rode across Spain on a new bike (to me) and on just about zero training, 3 days in and I was fit!

I suppose much of this is down to the OPs age and general fitness. I am 50, and wouldn't like to advise her to set out on this expedition without a lot of prior training. She might be a 21 year old marathon runner though, in which case your method might work!

 

[MarkF]

I suppose much of this is down to the OPs age and general fitness. I am 50, and wouldn't like to advise her to set out on this expedition without a lot of prior training. She might be a 21 year old marathon runner though, in which case your method might work!

Er, I am the same age as you! Winter, an accident, a bike stolen and several May parties meant that my physical training never got started, my boozing was in tip top shape however.

Of course your advice is sound and sensible, but my experience will put the OP's mind at rest regarding the physical stuff.

 

[Brandane]

Er, I am the same age as you!

And you got fit in 3 days? I'm still struggling after 3 YEARS .

 

[steveindenmark]

I would support Brains suggestion. I too would skip the UK and start off somewhere that feels different to the Uk. Paris is as good a place as any.

Steve

 

[Tigerbiten]

I find, at the start of a long tour, that the first week is easy.
The next couple of weeks are the hardest.
After that I get fitter, but it doesn't get easier because daily mileage increases to match my new fitness.
I train at around 100-125 miles per week.
I start by around 200-250 per week and towards the end of the tour I'm up to 300-350 miles per week.
I cannot up my distance much more due to bad knees.

For the route in the UK, I'd roughly go Glasgow -> Carlisle -> Northallerton then head due south for the Tilbury ferry.
That way you can miss most of the built up stuff on the way south.
Then it's either Dover or Newhaven for the ferry to France.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Hi Simmy,

I think you've already had some good advice. When I cycled to John o'Groats from Bath, I found most of the route in the south of England boring, busy and unpleasant - it got much better once I got north of Manchester, though. Having said that, I do see the attraction of leaving your house and getting to the Algarve by pedal-power alone - I've certainly fallen to that temptation myself a couple of times! Whatever you decide, the most important thing is that you enjoy the experience - if enjoying the experience means taking the train to avoid the nasty bits, then so be it. Personally, I don't like to think too much about how many miles I do in a day; I try to think more about the scenery I've seen and the people I've met.
As for your bike, well my advice would be to get something like this: I've had one for three years now and I absolutely love it. You will need to buy more stuff, though: front panier racks, paniers, a better saddle and a kickstand for starters.
Finally, have you heard of warmshowers? If not, take a look at it - it's a very good way of keeping the cost down (bicycle trips always cost more than you planned!). I'm on it myself (under the name of JimP) and have thoroughly enjoyed hosting cyclists and being hosted myself. Bear that in mind if you decide to got via Amiens!

Good luck!

 

[Simmy]

Thanks a lot for the advice everyone! Fitness wise, I do quite a bit of running however, I know cycling is different. We are planning to do some weekend trials before heading to the Algarve in the summer. The main thing is to enjoy the experience...we're not too worried about the number of miles we do in a day

 

[Simmy]

How about Glasgow > Hull, then ferry to Amsterdam, Amsterdam > Algarve? Good plan?

 

[snorri]

How about Glasgow > Hull, then ferry to Amsterdam, Amsterdam > Algarve? Good plan?

Errr not really. The ferry from Hull goes to Europort which is some 30 miles from Rotterdam, but Europort is two or three days cycling further from Algarve than the Cross Channel ports.