Hotel or camping during a cycling tour?

[briantrumpet]

That's my experience of France too, mostly. HOWEVER.... I did get caught out once and I suggest you don't try turning up on spec when the French themselves are on holiday (which seems to cover much of the summer). I ended up having to buy a tent and sleeping bag.

Fair point, though my sole tactic was to aim for big enough towns to sustain a few hotels, but not in any way touristy places - and though I went at the beginning of August, there was no trouble. Actually, the best place of the lot was when I stopped about 10 miles short of where I had aimed for - I'd have statyed in a dog kennel by then, I was so tired, but found a B&B in the middle of a little village (Boën), and had the most fabulous food and accommodation. In the morning the owner was a bit apologetic about the price of 40 euros for everything, including dinner and wine.

 

[cyclingovereurope]

Sorry, I'm not able to make a poll , so i counted the replies until now...more or less:
Hotel/B&B 19
Camping 18

 

[doog]

Camping first, hotel etc as a last resort . Its just part of the whole experience for me, not having to worry where you doss down for the night -also like the routine that goes with it...We do plenty of all inclusive hols and cruises etc, yet this hobby is me, my bike, the tent, the elements and just roughing it. Kind of grounds me and makes me appreciate the good things in life.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Even up now!

 

[samid]

Camping mostly for me, much prefer the sense of freedom it gives, and I like sleeping in the tent.

Camping first, hotel etc as a last resort . Its just part of the whole experience for me, not having to worry where you doss down for the night -also like the routine that goes with it...We do plenty of all inclusive hols and cruises etc, yet this hobby is me, my bike, the tent, the elements and just roughing it. Kind of grounds me and makes me appreciate the good things in life.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[xilios]

If it includes a 'wife' at your campsites then it's Hotels for me!

Oops meant "wifi"

 

[Bodhbh]

I'm suprised no one hasn't said it yet, but I just couldn't afford to tour using hotels. But there's other reasons:

i) money can't buy the camping experience (this goes for car camping with the OH too)
ii) lack of flexibility.
iii) tbh I don't really appriciate a hotel. I want to get out and have a nose round once I'm settled somewhere, not hole up in a room. If I got somewhere warm to sleep, I'm happy.
iv) nothing interesting ever seems to happen when you at hotels.

Fallen into the habit of going on a short city break with the OH every year. That's my fill of hotels for the year sorted. I admit camping has it's crappy sides too, but it has it for me on balance.

 

[LouiseSJPP]

In France, if looking for a B+B in small towns, head for the Tourist Office, they keep mostly up to date on availability and know the owners. In Saint Jean Pied de Port, they'll send you to me

 

[bigjim]

I normally don't sleep well in a tent. I also don't like the faff of camping. Sitting on the damp floor, stirring a bowl of morning porridge. Drying the tent, packing up etc. It's all a faff when I could be riding or just chatting. I've had better experiences and met more people in B&Bs, hotel, rooms, Warmshowers etc. I like a roof and walls. White fluffy towels and a soak in a hot bath at the end of the day is my thing. I deserve it. That said I usually carry a 800g emergency tent and a light down sleeping bag and I have used them. I however must admit , sitting outside a tent on a sunny morning with a fresh brew is one of lifes small joys.
Accommodation for the single rider is a bit expensive in Europe. The odd night in the tent can restore some of the financial balance. But travelling with a partner, it is no contest. A room every time.

 

[snorri]

iv) nothing interesting ever seems to happen when you at hotels.

I've been involved in a couple of hotel evacuations in the early hours after the fire alarms went off, never had anything interesting like that when sleeping in a tent.