That's it, we're leaving!

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I'd be really interested in the detail of the route you are planning...

 

[Brock]

I was going to let you do that and follow yours mate

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

.....the song 'Lost in France' came suddenly to mind...dunno why!

 

[Brock]

I haven't even decided whether to start in Calais or Cherbourg yet.. What you reckon?

 

[HJ]

Brock has anyone told you that your a bastard...

Have fun ya bastard!

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I haven't even decided whether to start in Calais or Cherbourg yet.. What you reckon?

well I'd say it depends on where you are based in the UK. Is it easier to get to Dover/Folkstone or Dieppe/Portsmouth?

le Havre is probably where I'm going to invade...mainly because I think the area around calais isn't that great and I've seen it many many times anyway. Other alternatives are St Malo or Ouisterham

 

[Brock]

Well the choice for us is half a day's cycling to Dover or a couple of days cycling to Portsmouth. If the cycling/camping from Cherbourg or Le Havre is considerably better/easier than from Calais then it'd be worth the fairly pleasant ride down to Portsmouth before leaving our shores.

Thanks Hairy Jock

 

[rich p]

If I were you I'd choose Boulogne over Calais as it's a nicer area to cycle out from.

 

[Brock]

If I were you I'd choose Boulogne over Calais as it's a nicer area to cycle out from.

Ok, then that's what I'll do. That option had completely slipped my mind. Thanks Rich

 

[Percy]

March/April this year a lot of campings were shut, particularly in the Northern half of France (in fact, France was pretty much shut). Going south I found a few open (around Bordeaux/Arcachon area) but it is worth considering what you will do when you can't find one (Wild camp? Hotel?)

North coast of Spain is amazing - food, people, scenery. It is pretty tough going though - lots of up and downs (think Dorset coast). I avoided big towns/cities mainly, but riding into Bilbao was pretty cool, past the Gugenheim and into city centre. I'd recommend a stop there.

North Portugal I found a bit of a different kettle of fish to Spain - roads/traffic not as nice, towns/cities a bit dirtier and not so welcoming feeling. But then again it of course all depends on what happens with you - I could go the same route next year and really love it.

Porto was ok, easy to navigate into/out of, but the beach/seaside town of Espinho about 4 miles down the coast is a much more relaxing stop.

The hills between Portugal and Spain (I went back across central Spain) are big and tiring (especially in heat) but beautiful - watch out for the dogs!

 

[Brock]

Thanks for the tips Percy, noted and filed.
How's that book coming?

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I planned out my route yesterday. I took three hours to do it on Biketoaster.com then i went to save the route and realised I hadnt logged in so it wouldnt let me...ARGGGGGGGGH!!!

Hi Percy...thanks for the gear list you sent me....how is it possible to adjust back to life in the UK after such an epic trip??? I think I'd find that really hard.

 

[Percy]

Don't really want to hijack the thread completely, but Brock is the OP so I'll answer...

<<How's that book coming?>>

Not too bad! Although at the moment writing a book seems harder than nine months of cycling.

<<how is it possible to adjust back to life in the UK after such an epic trip??? I think I'd find that really hard.>>

Very strange. I've not come back to the 'normality' that I left behind though - back to my parents for the first time in 7 years initially and now up to Manchester (from Southampton) to live with the girlfriend, so it's all change however you look at it.

Recently though I have had real pangs of nostalgia that have kept me awake at night - just remembering towns, cities, roads, people and having a sort of longing for being there again. A bit like a nice place you find on holiday and occassionally think 'Wasn't that a cool place? I'd love to be there now', only I've got about 200 of those places and they keep coming back to me.

Struggling a bit to keep a grasp on 'real life' too - all the day to day stuff just seems so...boring! What are we going to eat, shall we go to the shops, we need a new washing machine etc etc blah blah boring! I miss the excitement of being on the road every day, I guess. Maybe I'll go find it again sooner than I had planned...

 

[friedel]

I'm sure Andrew and Friedel often go for two or three weeks without washing

You what??!?

We just went five days without a shower and I was absolutely miserable by the end. Salty. Sweaty. Just plain icky all over. And that included a mountain stream refresher and hair wash on day 2. Having said that, the Iranian hijab is very useful indeed for hiding bad hair!

A pack of baby wipes is a great idea for at least getting some of the grime off between showers.

 

[TheDoctor]

If I were you I'd choose Boulogne over Calais as it's a nicer area to cycle out from.

Sadly you can't. Speedferries will only take cars - not bikes.
Shame, because Boulogne is a lot nicer than Calais.