UK to Spain (Alicante-my one location)~1st May?

[glb37]

UK To Spain - Alicante region, stay a week or so, and back. Someone to accompany me on an extreme budget? I'm single male (hetrosexual), 47, unemployed, unfit.

Hi, I've joined this forum for interesting reading about others' stories and tips with cycling, but also, wondering if there is someone out there who would like to accompany me from somewhere in UK (I’m at central Scotland) to Spain - ~ 1st May.
I could to describe myself as fully as possible in private emails.

I'm wondering if there is someone who is contemplating a long tour and is looking for one person (me) as company - where it would be a matter of gaining fitness enroute, at no fast pace, but to enjoy the challenges of simply getting to my chosen location (where I've been to before once by public transport years ago). Mainly wild camping, but occasional b&b or camp site every 3, 4 or 5 days. Once there we would stay in one location for, say, a week or so - where we could chill out and recover, swim in a good quiet outdoor swimming pool, eat well, and socialise. I’m generally a quiet shy person. I'm only just fit enough for about 60 miles per day (I don’t work out – not motivated being unemployed, next to no money, etc.). And company on a long tour would be good.
It would take about 8 weeks to 9 weeks in total to travel from (and back to) UK. Using something like a Plymouth ferry to France, down through west coast of France, and after Pyrenees zig zag inland aiming for the east coast of Spain to Alicante region. We could do self catering - renting a small place for a week - whilst enjoying a quiet relaxing time in one urbanisation I know of, which is about 3 miles from a small unspoilt town on the coastal region, near to Javea.

It just takes one person to feel as though they would like to do the same thing, is similar in fitness - although I would prefer it if the person is fitter than me - to give inspiration on the long tiring hills, and mental strength etc. And also to become a friend.glb37 Posts: 6 Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:25 am

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[stephenjubb]

whats your average speed? mine is 10mph, 50-60 miles a day, it takes me 2.5 hours to break camp in a morning, as I'm a slow not rush person, like to wild camp as much as possible, hate spending money unless necessary (except where I've not spent anything for weeks, then do not mind), don't do hotels (unless good reason), only do hostels (unless necessary) if I can do tent (don't like sleeping in dorms with snorers and being woken up), only occasionally do restaurants if good value (cook myself as it is cheaper).

I've toured a lot on my own and hence have developed my own style. Last year was touring Scotland and met and toured with a german, we had a great laugh but he cycled faster than me, didn't like wild camping, left camped quicker, shopped quicker (I liked to look for everything that was cheap) and after a while his rush rush got on my nerves against my laid back take it as it comes approach.

I compromised more than he did and he never knew at the end he greated on me, I hid it well (British stiff upper lip, not wanting to offend and all that) but I was glad to get rid when he carried on and I had to stay on a campsite as my rear rack broke.

The essence is you need to tour with someone compatible otherwise you will grate on each and end up splitting. You need to state your touring style and not, I repeat not downgrade anything you think is important (I remember from your post in November of mentioning 80 miles - that put me off) just to avoid going on your own. It is better to go alone than with someone incompatible. If you can find someone you are compatible with and not get sick of the sight of each other then it can be good.

I like people but do get sick of being around any one particular person all the time, this is not necessarily their fault just a feature of my personality, I like my own space. How would you handle this?

I have a few years touring experience to spain, iceland, scotland (3 times), portugal.

I'm planning on touring scotland for four months this year, wild camping as much as possible and exploring every remote place accessible by bike etc). I like the idea of what you are proposing but only have a thousand pounds to spare (which I can stretch on four months in scotland) I am not sure how much your trip is likely to cost but it is certainly interesting.

I look forward to discussing it in more detail.

My views above are about me only and not intended to cause offence to anyone else.

 

[stephenjubb]

p.s forgot to add I'm bicycle touring addicted (both touring, camping and bicycles).

 

[glb37]

Hi, That's a great reply to my post - mine edited and checked a few times, as, thinking clearly and broadly on things in life is not easy for me, but, I do gain much inspiration from thoughts and suggestions - like your reply to my request - it does form a catalyst for me to get my brain thinking.
My lack of experience is very apparent to me - being unemployed, and not fit, and only having done 1 short tour in Scotland per year (on and off for the last 10-15 years). The longest was a 2 week tour up to Durness, and down the west coast, then east back to Edinburgh. I don't know what my average speed was, but I know I'm not fast - I just pedal on, slowing down for the hills, not pushing too hard. But what I do remember from that tour, was that, I just woke up usually about 7 - 8am, ate something cold and maybe had a hot drink, then broke camp - and this took about half an hour to take tent down and pack and tidy. Then off I would go for usually a 9 - 10 hour cycle. Usually I would be completely on my own - just saying hello to people on the passing, and a quick chat on a few occasions. I think what I missed the most was wishing for continual company - especially during the more tiring remote stretches. And also, if in or near a town/village, someone to have a few chats and laughs with before doing own thing - like music listening in tent, or watching some tv in a b&b, sometimes a few nights with a half bottle of spirit or a couple of lagers, then earlyish to bed for a good 7 hour sleep.
You've got a good knowledge of how risky it is to try and get on with a new person in life - I have that very problem, and am incredibly insular as a result. The only other money would be a very little livings costs benefit money.
I think that my original post was a good try at hinting to someone like minded that I'm not only very likely to find the thought of taking on the challenge very tricky by myself, but also to strongly hint that, with a near as can be suitable person, maybe for most of/all of the challenge it would be a higher percentage of in favour of getting on along the way..
I mentioned too in my original post that 80 miles per day would be a good target - that was both for tempting a fitter person than myself to take an interest, and also I think that this mileage is more likely to be accomplished on a good day - with a tail wind and no hills! But in my recent post I've downed it to 60miles , lol.
The only money I have to spend straight away is £500 - that is all my savings - which would pay mainly for the two ferry crossings, plus once every 3, 4 or 5 days a b&b or campsite. I don't like hostals unless I would get my own room - like my own space, have irritable bowel, and I snore lol. The only other money would be a very little livings costs benefit money. I would very much like to be able to afford a self catering accomodation for a week at my destination, but doubt if I'll have any money.

Anyway, it is just a hope that I can even manage to decide that I can go on this trip on my own. And maybe a compatable person may feel not put off to perhaps meet me somewhere either in south UK or France - and vice verse me feeling compatable enough to them..

 

[MarkF]

sometimes a few nights with a half bottle of spirit

Half a bottle of spirits would see me taking up a 3 day residence in my tent to recover.

I think that it's a great idea and I hope it comes off for you, trips like this can be life changing in many ways, please do it! However, I think it'll be a miracle if, within the next 2 months, you find a compatible co-rider for an 8-week trip, keep planning it as a solo trip.

'

 

[glb37]

Hi,
Yes, I've bought a half on just a few occasions when on tour - and not even finished it . There's something really healthy about exercise - that makes us consume the same amount, or, perhaps even less food than at home at rest. And not feel in the mood to give mean measures of alcohol too. Which is good.

And I also agree, a solo ride is, even though an only slight possibility for me, maybe best. Although, if some people have friends already, and can trust the compatability for weeks of mostly rough simple living, then great. There is still a very slight chance that compatability can mostly be developed - after meeting (but conversing before by email/phone to check many things of similar thinking and expectations!)

Regards.

 

[bigjim]

Try to get this book from the library. It is about 2 guys travelling together. They do fall out but solve these problems as they go. I think you will find some good ideas about coping with sharing the road with another person over a long period of time.

Off the rails-Moscow to Beijing on reumbent bikes/Chris hatherly, Tim Cope.

Good read anyway.

 

[jay clock]

You perhaps need to sell the positives of yourself more. A shy cycle tourist who can knock back half a bottle of spirits, and who has very little money sounds like a challenge.

Why not list all the really great/fun/interesting things about yourself.

On a side note, how do the benefits people like you having a long holiday at the taxpayer's expense? Are you not meant to be looking for work?

 

[glb37]

Wow , that was critical!

Have you heard of Incapacity Benefit? Even if you have, I doubt that you would be sympathetic!

I have £500 pounds in an ISA, and have had for many a year, decades infact.

And if you read my posts carefully enough you would read into them, and see that, I haven't got much confidence and also physical fitness.

But I would still like to take on a challenge - surely that last point is positive enough..

 

[stephenjubb]

are you sure you will have enough money to do this trip?

The ferry crossings are 60 pounds approx (dover-calais), add in renting a place in Alicanta (say a hundred pounds) that leaves you with 340 pounds approx for 8 weeks, then there is spending money on that important matter in Alicante of beer (not cheap there)

Having done spain for a month from alicante to faro on the coast, it was hard to find wild camping spots, campsites were expensive at least 8 pounds a night and this was december, food wasn't exactly cheap with the collapse of the euro.

It is difficult to wild camp anywhere near the coast in spain as it is so populated, further inland it is more feasible, not sure about france but as I understand it municipal campsites are quite cheap.

if you cannot wild camp every night, you will need to use campsites, combine that with food, you may run out of money within 5 weeks.

to achieve your trip means a lot of wild camping and I have doubts it is possible for a 4-5 days a week. what will you do if you run out of money?

one suggestion is to plan a trip for 4 weeks that you can afford comfortably with only occasional wild camping. Then when you do go, wild camp as much as possible, then for each day you wild camp you can extend your trip. so if in the first two weeks you have managed to wild camp for a week, that means you can then justifiably extend your trip to 5 weeks. if you manage to wild camp for 3 weeks of the first 4 weeks you could then have a 7 week holiday. this way ensures you will not run out of money.

from your posts you have the experience, mental and physical characterisitcs to do the trip easily, I just have doubts that you understand the costs of getting to alicante and back, the availability of wild camping in france and spain. without undertstanding and planning for these your trip may not be possible.

if you have the time remember bicycle touring is about being flexible with your destination not following a rigid plan.

 

[bigjim]

But surely if the OP has incapacity benefit then this income could presumably be used as he is not spending money on UK living costs.
By the way being in receipt of incapacity benefit does not stop you being able to ride a bike! Your incapacity can be related to walking/lifting or psychological problems such as depression or stress related. I'm sure being out on the bike is a better use of the OPs time than sat in front of the magic box.

 

[delport]

I am going some time around May, but i don't plan to take it quite that slowly, i'd like to go from portsmouth to Gibraltar in 3 weeks or less ,and i'll be wild camping possibly every single night.I don't really worry if people say you won't find anywhere as it is generally possible anywhere.This from a person who has been homeless in the past.

I'm not properly organised yet, but i know i can do over 1000 miles in 3 weeks, i don't fancy doing 3000 miles though, so i'll need to think about a ferry for part of the journey, there is an Ld lines ferry from west france to north spain that would knock a lot off the journey.I might go for that.

Yes i've done extreme budget too,£2 a day to live on, or a more comfortable £5 a day is all you need.As long as your bike is in good shape and there are very few mishaps you'll get by.

Focus and determination i feel are important for stuff like this, i wasn't sure if i should even go on a long distance trip with only £14 in my pocket for a week but i managed.

Anyway best of luck, don't let anyone put you off, everything is feasible.

The ultra cautious just sit at home.The keen just do it.

 

[glb37]

Hi,
Yes, between £45 and £60 each way, so that takes care of about £120 of the £500. Every 4 days I would b&b it - and the journey would take up to 3 weeks to get there say. So perhaps 8 b&bs @ average £25 per night b&b= £200. This leaves about £180. Perhaps a small self catering for a week would be about this amount £180 - low season and short notice.. The Benefit money that I presently have available to eat with comes to about £50 pounds per week - but back home this would have to spare out for clothes etc. if needed. So having £50 per week to just eat off on holiday is ok. Getting back would perhaps have to be mostly wild camping.
When on holiday, I just have the occasional 2 lagers back at the accomodation tent/b&b. Just now and again, when on holiday, half a vodka or similar, would be consumed - but I must stress, I don't feel like doing this often when on holiday/after exercise. The main challenge and health have to be considered first, then celebrating good times coming second.
If I need to break cost of living support money - I would use my credit card sparingly, and see how it goes.
Thanks for the compliments Stephen, I know from only a little experience that it's a combination of - very tough, and many rewards in a day's cycling. The one main thing that I didn't/don't like - and am sure many would feel too if on a long expedition - is no company. You see, by managing to afford an occasional b&b or camp site, at least we have the chance of more contact with people - whether it be briefly or more sociably. Wild camping, on a long expedition is a bit solitary. But I would have music, and I would be so tired too, so it may even out.
BigJim, what's an OP? And thanks for your understanding reasoning.
Thanks for your encouragement and tips.
Sorry we all had to read that other person's (jay clock's) critical comments and wrong assumptions - so cold..
I quote to everyone - from the top of this forum page "CycleChat A fun friendly online cycling community" It was tested with that cold person's comments, and the feelings it stirs in me are strong.
All the best with safe cycling.

 

[glb37]

Aah, thanks delport, you must have been typing whilst I was.
Thanks for your great advice and encouragement.
I would just get down France from the one ferry up north, then cut south east at the border with France/Spain to east coast of Spain. So we may be on very different roads. Have a good safe journey.
That trailer you adapted is wonderful. And am sure you have other good adaptions and ideas.
Regards.

 

[delport]

Aah, thanks delport, you must have been typing whilst I was.
Thanks for your great advice and encouragement.
I would just get down France from the one ferry up north, then cut south east at the border with France/Spain to east coast of Spain. So we may be on very different roads. Have a good safe journey.
That trailer you adapted is wonderful. And am sure you have other good adaptions and ideas.
Regards.

It is surprising the people you will meet if you do go solo, i always had folk to chat to when i did my 23 days on the road in october last year.
It would have been great having a cycling partner for the odd day here and there.But some of the cyclists i passed chatted for a while.

I even got a meal and a bed for the night from one kind cyclist, who had also done john o'groats-lands end.That was totally unexpected.
It was unlikely to have happened if i was travelling with another person.