Touring in Brittany early September

[jay clock]

Great news, my regular buddy is single again (boo hoo but means he has more time) so we are off for a week at the very end of August to Britanny. Sail to St Malo, and back from there too.

Any useful local tips? Aiming to camp, and do around 80-100k per day. Both are experienced tourists so it is really about any particular recommendations in the area, campsites, or routes

Jay

 

[rich p]

It's been some years since I toured there Jay but Dinan is a must-see place if it's en route. Nice buildings, quayside and cafés.
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...RUFUtGeHoGN7QaT_4HgAg&ved=0CE4Q9QEwAw&dur=372

 

[jay clock]

cheers, nice place. went there on my way to Gib last autumn. In addition to trip to Brittany end August I am also cycling from St Malo to the Vendee for a family trip (they are driving!) so will be in Dinan next week too.

 

[fudgepanda]

Try and visit the south coast of Brittany if you can. Benodet and Sainte Marine are very nice and well worth a visit. I looked at getting the train so far and then riding further as I'm not going to be up to riding some of the routes some people on here do, but, despite the supposed cycle friendly-ness of France, SNCF and the TGV seem to insist the bike is in a travel case on some routes. Either that or you have to book the bike on another train and pick it up when you get there. Not sure what I'd be doing while waiting for it to get to where I was. Have I read their websites properly?

 

[vernon]

Try and visit the south coast of Brittany if you can. Benodet and Sainte Marine are very nice and well worth a visit. I looked at getting the train so far and then riding further as I'm not going to be up to riding some of the routes some people on here do, but, despite the supposed cycle friendly-ness of France, SNCF and the TGV seem to insist the bike is in a travel case on some routes.

The TGV is no different to the other high speed European trains bikes are not welcome. I'm not sure why the high speed services do not accommodate bikes.

 

[Mattonsea]

Yep Dinan and Dinah are great spots to stop. Or down the coast to Concale.

 

[fudgepanda]

The TGV is no different to the other high speed European trains bikes are not welcome. I'm not sure why the high speed services do not accommodate bikes.

French train services seem to welcome bikes with open arms.....at least as long as they are either in a travel case (the website doesn't say what you're supposed to do with it while you're cycling) or book them on another service, for example the day before or after(nor does it suggest what you can do while waiting to follow it the following day or waiting for it to arrive), perhaps the wait could be spent brushing up on your French grammar or map reading.

 

[fudgepanda]

Yep Dinan and Dinah are great spots to stop. Or down the coast to Concale.

I'm working on persuading Mrs. f that she should fill the support vehicle role, you know the kind of thing, carry the luggage, provide food and drink, change the tyres, massage aching muscles and provide relief from tension.

 

[Mattonsea]

I'm working on persuading Mrs. f that she should fill the support vehicle role, you know the kind of thing, carry the luggage, provide food and drink, change the tyres, massage aching muscles and provide relief from tension.

Yep I came up with that plan and got the stern look.

 

[fudgepanda]

Yep I came up with that plan and got the stern look.

Stern look?? There's a very good chance I'll face a future sleeping in the car.

 

[willem]

The new EV4 route has just been opened for long stretches along the north Brittany coast. We liked it a lot. Nice quiet roads and cycle lanes, some off road (don't use narrow tyres), and some on disused railways lines. Signposting was excellent, and so were the free maps that you could get in the local tourist offices. This is part of the new Tour de Manche roundtrip around the Canal. Apparently the parts along the southern coast of England are equally attractive.
Willem

 

[fudgepanda]

Thanks willem, but I've still got to get there. The websites for British train companies don't seem to be any more helpful than the French ones. I could always get a cycle rack and take the car, but I know where that's likely to lead to, taking the bikes on a nice automotive tour of northern France.....and back again.