Mandragora
Senior Member
First of all, apologies for putting this in the 'expedition/touring' section, because it's so titchy I imagine most of you would do a run like this without even thinking about it, but I'm a relative newbie, and will be cycling alone so would appreciate any tips in respect of a day trip I'm thinking of doing when we#'re away camping.
We're off to France tomorrow and will be going to Les Landes. I know the cycle tracks for about 25 miles in the area we stay in (up to Mimizan, down to Leon) but until now I've always done 'out and back' rides and I fancy a change. What I'd like to do is take the train from Morcenx to .... somewhere near Bordeaux/Arcachon and then cycle back to our campsite on the 'Velodyssey' cycle route.
http://www.velodyssey.com/troncons/arcachon-leon
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/trains_Morcenx_Train_Station_to_Facture_Train_Station_475_319.aspx
My spoken French is good; my navigation skills abysmal, so what I really need is any help that anyone can give me in respect of working out where I need to begin my journey, and the quickest and easiest way to get onto the cycle route. I've done enough of the cycle route to know that between French signage and my navigation skills it's going to be a pretty hit and miss affair unless I've got a clear idea ahead of time of what I'm doing.
Am I right in thinking that I want to head for 'Facture' as my start point?
If I did this, where would I pick up the cycle route from, once at the station?
Does anyone know this area well enough to be able to say if, in doing so I'd end up on busy main roads for any length of time?
Sorry to sound like such an old witterer - I do want do have a go at more challenging things, but I know myself well enough to know that if I don't plan it properly I'll be useless!
@Jimmy Doug @Hill Wimp @yello I've taken the liberty of nicking your names from the brilliant 'cycling France' thread and tagging you as you may have some pointers....
We're off to France tomorrow and will be going to Les Landes. I know the cycle tracks for about 25 miles in the area we stay in (up to Mimizan, down to Leon) but until now I've always done 'out and back' rides and I fancy a change. What I'd like to do is take the train from Morcenx to .... somewhere near Bordeaux/Arcachon and then cycle back to our campsite on the 'Velodyssey' cycle route.
http://www.velodyssey.com/troncons/arcachon-leon
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/trains_Morcenx_Train_Station_to_Facture_Train_Station_475_319.aspx
My spoken French is good; my navigation skills abysmal, so what I really need is any help that anyone can give me in respect of working out where I need to begin my journey, and the quickest and easiest way to get onto the cycle route. I've done enough of the cycle route to know that between French signage and my navigation skills it's going to be a pretty hit and miss affair unless I've got a clear idea ahead of time of what I'm doing.
Am I right in thinking that I want to head for 'Facture' as my start point?
If I did this, where would I pick up the cycle route from, once at the station?
Does anyone know this area well enough to be able to say if, in doing so I'd end up on busy main roads for any length of time?
Sorry to sound like such an old witterer - I do want do have a go at more challenging things, but I know myself well enough to know that if I don't plan it properly I'll be useless!
@Jimmy Doug @Hill Wimp @yello I've taken the liberty of nicking your names from the brilliant 'cycling France' thread and tagging you as you may have some pointers....
