West Europe Tour

[db7db7]

Hi folks,

I'll shortly be embarking on a 8-9 day tour from home to Harwich, through Holland, touching Germany before coming back through Belgium and France.

I've planned the routes (will be on Garmin Edge, backed up with "maps.me" app and fold-out maps) and just wanted any suggestions/improvements/warnings with these routes from you friendly people. I did the same thing when planning my LEJOG a couple of yrs ago and received some great suggestions to tweak the courses.
Any advice, greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
D

Home to Harwich - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/8941445
Hook - Eindhoven 9taking in Rotterdam) - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/9718918
Eindhoven - Dusseldorf - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/9719098
Duss - Liege - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/9986251
Liege - Charleville - (i will follow the route on the tour maps by the river for this but my Edge won't plot it for some reason) https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/9721481
Charleville - Calais (not all in one go!) - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/9720120

 

[CopperBrompton]

Hook to Rotterdam is very industrial in parts. Make sure you have good lights if doing it at night as there are random barriers.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Im doing something similar starting Thursday with @hopless500 although we are taking a month to do it and a longer route. You may want to take note of @xilios advice regarding part of the route between Liege and Charleville Meziewhatsit.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/m...lectronic-gismos-on-tour.180995/#post-3720948

 

[db7db7]

Thanks for the advice people - appreciated! I'll be leaving hook in daylight so should be ok.
I'll check that thread out HW. Cheers.

 

[db7db7]

Well just arrived in Calais. All went well. Had to tweak the routes slightly a few times as I ended up on busy roads, fields and even in marshes!
Weather was hit and miss at times beautifully hot with blue skies then 4hrs of continuous rain. The worst day being yesterday with 40mph+ head winds.
Highlights included the 80km bike paths in the ardenes from Belgium into france (stunningly beautiful), recording my longest ride on the first day (120miles) and my inept efforts at French, Dutch, German and even English on one occasion. However, the stand out point was meeting the World BodyBULLding Champion in Belgium (pic attached).
If anyone plans on a similar trip and I can be of assistance, please let me know.
D.
P.S. This touring aint half addictive.