Your touring plans for 2026

[albion]

Note the rail sale is on until end of Sunday for plan ahead jaunts until 25th March.

Good weather not included.

 

[Diz]

Mid-winter is often a time for me of pouring over maps, looking at ferry schedules etc and generally dreaming of warmer days to come on two wheels. So what are you planning for 2026?

For me, I’m thinking of a mini- tour- riding from Dunkirk to Hook of Holland, spending a few days in Ghent on the way (where my non cycling wife will join me via Eurostar - we’ve never been there before). So- train to Dover for the Dunkirk ferry, then ride through Belgium and southern NL taking in Ghent and a few national parks in Belgium and NL, then Hook ferry to Harwich and ride home from there. Currently thinking of early to mid- May.

Done this route in 2023. We rode to Ypres, Ghent, Antwerp, Gorinchem and then to The Hook. Some lovely riding

 

[All uphill]

Just booked the ferry to the Hoek van Holland for early June.

I'll be going alone and meeting my son for a couple of days and then basing myself in a nice hotel and doing day rides. Can't wait!

 

[Dirk Van Der Dirk]

I thought about Groningen too this year but decided it was a little far for the time I have available. Looks like a 3 or 4 day ride from the Hook (at my pace!) so I think I’ll save that one for when I have more time.

Overnight ferry to Hook, cycle to Den Haag, train to Utrecht, cycle to Zwolle, train to Groningen...same way back?

 

[dimrub]

I'll be spending some time in the UK in April, and then in the summer. I definitely want to use some of this time for touring. I've done a C2C last year, thinking of going S2N this time. Maybe start at Land's End and see how much distance towards JoG I can cover - don't have exact dates (and thus durations) yet. I'm not sure what to do in terms of a bike yet.

 

[All uphill]

I'll be spending some time in the UK in April, and then in the summer. I definitely want to use some of this time for touring. I've done a C2C last year, thinking of going S2N this time. Maybe start at Land's End and see how much distance towards JoG I can cover - don't have exact dates (and thus durations) yet. I'm not sure what to do in terms of a bike yet.

Taking your last sentence first you'll know touring bike prices are at a low in the UK just now. You may have also seen the CC map and list of bicycle recycling charities.

Might you buy a used touring bike from one of the charities and use it for your tour?

If that appeals could that influence your starting point for your tour?

 

[dimrub]

Taking your last sentence first you'll know touring bike prices are at a low in the UK just now. You may have also seen the CC map and list of bicycle recycling charities.

Might you buy a used touring bike from one of the charities and use it for your tour?

If that appeals could that influence your starting point for your tour?

I'm definitely thinking of buying a used bike. I might even keep it, as it seems I'll be maintaining some kind of semi-permanent presence in the UK in the next few years. I was not aware of bicycle recycling charities - well, other than eBay, if you can call it that. Can you recommend one?

As for the starting point - I'm not sure yet where will we be based, and how many trains would it take to get from there to Land's End or any other possible starting point - but I'm ok with taking multiple trains. A year ago, when we did the Kirkland C2C, we met a bloke in Lockerbie who rode there from Brighton, so that's an option too.

 

[All uphill]

I'm definitely thinking of buying a used bike. I might even keep it, as it seems I'll be maintaining some kind of semi-permanent presence in the UK in the next few years. I was not aware of bicycle recycling charities - well, other than eBay, if you can call it that. Can you recommend one?

As for the starting point - I'm not sure yet where will we be based, and how many trains would it take to get from there to Land's End or any other possible starting point - but I'm ok with taking multiple trains. A year ago, when we did the Kirkland C2C, we met a bloke in Lockerbie who rode there from Brighton, so that's an option too.

There's a map and list here on Cycle Chat. Lots of choice. I'll try to add a link.

Failed.

Here's a screenshot

 

[Glow worm]

Overnight ferry to Hook, cycle to Den Haag, train to Utrecht, cycle to Zwolle, train to Groningen...same way back?

Thanks - I’ll certainly take a look at that option. At least in the Netherlands there is a reasonable chance a train may actually turn up, unlike here!

 

[All uphill]

Overnight ferry to Hook, cycle to Den Haag, train to Utrecht, cycle to Zwolle, train to Groningen...same way back?

Good suggestion.

Another is ferry, then cycle to Amsterdam, day one, cycle to Enkhuizen, ferry to Friesland, day two, cycle to Groningen day three. Train back to Den Haag and cycle to Hoek.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

At least in the Netherlands there is a reasonable chance a train may actually turn up, unlike here!

Also UK different routes from different operators have different rules, limits, booking, etc.

On the tadpole bent to get to London is often "challenging". Booking (with full description of cycle) is fine but on the train I've had from complete acceptance through "uuumh, not ideal" to "we don't allow such cycles, get a taxi". Complete disorganised mess.

No idea about NL cycle rules but their trains seem much better organised.

 

[fossyant]

Seeing as a new gravel bike is not looking likely given MrsF's reaction last week, I've ordered a rack that mounts with an extended QR skewer for the CX Bike - the P-Clipped rack held up on the KAW, but made for very interesting handling when it got rough - i.e. the back swayed one way, the steering went the other ! Planning some single night trips - e.g. out and back, but weather dependant.

First one will be 'Straight outta Manchester', mainly off road, which climbs the Snake off road, then down to Langset with a night in Hathersage then back via New Mills. Route revisions;- I will joint the route in Hadfield as I'm that side of Manchester, and at Rushup Edge, I'll take back roads into Hayfield rather than the off road loop over South Head - it was rough (exceptionally rocky) and a lot of hike a bike even with a full suspension MTB last time I did it, so absolutely not for a loaded CX bike.