New to touring

[Jakemax]

Hi,

Ive cycled all my life and travelled a great deal but never by bike..

Im settled in Brighton now and am really fancying doing some proper touring in the UK/europe this summer, i miss the free feeling you get when backpacking.. Currently building up my fitness (very slowly)..

The idea was i'd go off for 1 or 2 night rides at first and maybe sleep rough weather permitting.. I'd like to be off road but nothing too hectic, im riding a hybrid and want to ease myself in..

Can anyone recomend a route to start me off? They'll be two of us so should be safe enough if we can camp out somewhere a bit secluded?? Any advice would be welcome, im thinking just sleeping bag, ground sheet and small gas stove etc? Maybe a drop of scotch to send me off to sleep?

Im based in Brighton but dotn mind travelling...

Cheers in advance,

Jake = )

 

[dragon72]

Jake
Welcome to the forum!
I'm also in Brighton. Don't forget France is only a few hours away if you take the train to Newhaven and sail to Dieppe (about £25 return avec vélo). Just after the Easter weekend I did a cheeky 3-day tour. Read about it here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=5098&v=1y
Couldn't have been easier.

 

[Jakemax]

re

Thanks mate,

Looks amazing and so cheap!!!! Right up my alley..

So you just eat in local places and dont bother carying a stove etc.. Sounds like a plan..

I might get myself a map and head off soon, just wana check up on campsites etc..

Cheers tho..

J

 

[andym]

Jake
Welcome to the forum!
I'm also in Brighton. Don't forget France is only a few hours away if you take the train to Newhaven and sail to Dieppe (about £25 return avec vélo). Just after the Easter weekend I did a cheeky 3-day tour. Read about it here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=5098&v=1y
Couldn't have been easier.

Erm you both live within a short bike ride of Britain's newest National Park!!!!!! Seriously, what is there in Northern France to compare with the South Downs?

Jakemax you could consider the South Downs Way - it's doable on a hybrid provided the chalk isn't too wet.

Alternatively there's the Downs Link. Further afield there's the Isle of Wight or the New Forest or Isle of Purbeck. There's also a decent ride along the coast from IIRC Hastings to Herne Bay mostly off road.

PS I couldn't find a return from Newhaven to Dieppe for less than £40 - still a fair bit cheaper than Brittany ferries.

 

[dragon72]

You're spot on, the South Downs are glorious.
But the food and the ladies are tastier across the channel. But I'm biased, being an ultra-francophile French teacher.
>£40 for Newhaven to Dieppe!!!!???? Where do you get your quotes from?
I just checked on http://www.transmancheferries.co.uk/ and the fare range they quoted was £24 - £28 return for a bloke and a bike for a 4 day break during the week when the schools are on late-May half-term.

 

[andym]

You're spot on, the South Downs are glorious.
But the food and the ladies are tastier across the channel. But I'm biased, being an ultra-francophile French teacher.
>£40 for Newhaven to Dieppe!!!!???? Where do you get your quotes from?
I just checked on http://www.transmancheferries.co.uk/ and the fare range they quoted was £24 - £28 return for a bloke and a bike for a 4 day break during the week when the schools are on late-May half-term.

I got my prices by taking dates at random through June and July. I get £32 for Newhaven-Dieppe going out on Friday the 22nd and coming back on the 25th. Very good value but not as cheap as you're making: out I think ''from £25' would have been the more accurate way of putting it.

Cost of cycling from Brighton to the South Downs precisely zip, nada.

 

[Jakemax]

thanks for the advice guy's.. Im not too worried if it's £32 or £25... hehe

Im gona check out the south downs though, youve been a great help..

J

 

[Dayvo]

richp - another Brighton forumer - has a very good write-up of his jaunt from last summer:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4067&v=4O

Good luck and have fun.

 

[rich p]

Cheers Dayvo and welcome Jakemax. My new blog is of Belgium below. I read your account (and posted on your guestbook) dragon72. Very entertaining.

Coincidentally, my son has just phoned me for advice about a 4 day tour from Dieppe with his mates. I'll point him towards dragon's write-up.
The SDW is a great route but some tough climbs and much better on an MTB.

 

[Jakemax]

Hi Dragon 72,

Got my ticket booked to Dieppe for early July.. Im follwing your route for the first day..

Thanks a million for your help, I cant wait!!

BTW- £26 return!

 

[dragon72]

Enjoy! BTW the local cheese called Neufchatel is v. good!