Your touring plans for 2026

[Glow worm]

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.

 

[albion]

Mini tours for me. A few days here and there when weather permits.
None in 2025, 2026 hopefully a busy one.

 

[All uphill]

I'm also looking at ferry schedules. The choice is between NL again, Normandy or Brittany in early May.

Before the holidays I'd decided on Normandy, by bike and alone. That has now changed to going by car with Ms AU and meeting my Dutch son and his partner! So the main trip is likely to be NL again, centred on Apeldoorn and Groningen.

Other than that I hope for a few two or three night trips in the UK.

 

[Glow worm]

I'm also looking at ferry schedules. The choice is between NL again, Normandy or Brittany in early May.

Before the holidays I'd decided on Normandy, by bike and alone. That has now changed to going by car with Ms AU and meeting my Dutch son and his partner! So the main trip is likely to be NL again, centred on Apeldoorn and Groningen.

Other than that I hope for a few two or three night trips in the UK.

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.

 

[oxoman]

A few short peak district wkenders plus King Johns way plus a possible C2C. The C2C will be supported but the others I'll be on my own carrying everything.

 

[Debade]

Looking at a tour Munich to Belgrade mid -summer. Our own luxury no camping tour. Any thoughts that would make this tour more memorable, let me know.

 

[robjh]

I have bought an interrail ticket for four days' travel in a month, to be used some time in 2026, and my idea is that this will cover train travel to each end of a bike tour somewhere, though I have not quite decided where. I'm drawn to the Alps, somewhere across Switzerland, Austria, Italy or Slovenia but have time for a bit more thinking yet.

 

[All uphill]

I have bought an interrail ticket for four days' travel in a month, to be used some time in 2026, and my idea is that this will cover train travel to each end of a bike tour somewhere, though I have not quite decided where. I'm drawn to the Alps, somewhere across Switzerland, Austria, Italy or Slovenia but have time for a bit more thinking yet.

That's a very attractive idea.

Will you be taking your bike with you, or will you hire when you get there?

I have a vague idea about doing this with a Brompton

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Every year I keep thinking about heading NL through Cycle Route R1 up to Estonia (now skipping the couple of days through Kaliningrad. But I hate cycling in rain and love hot weather so end up heading to France and south concerned that Baltic will be cold and wet. I have tried researching the weather along southern Baltic but not found much beyond "it will be colder and wetter than central/southern France). So I keep wondering ... maybe.

 

[rivers]

Most likely 4 days in the Peak District, my usual 4 day trip with my son, a local micro-adventure (sub-24 hours, about 85 miles in total), and possibly a few days on Dartmoor with some friends- but they can plan it. Last year was far too stressful.

 

[dicko]

City tour of Perth WA, Sydney NSW and Melbourne VIC on a bike.

 

[robjh]

That's a very attractive idea.

Will you be taking your bike with you, or will you hire when you get there?

I have a vague idea about doing this with a Brompton

This trip will be with my touring bike - a bit more research is needed obviously to choose trains that I can take it on, but with a little flexibility on my part it should be quite doable, and provides an appealing alternative to flying with all the hassles of boxing the bike that that entails.

I did interrail with a Brompton in 2023, and that was a full-on month's travel with some train and some bike almost every day. It was a fantastic trip and I'd recommend train+Brompton to anyone.

 

[benifor]

Cycling from Calais to Munich in May, going to ride through Belgium and luxembourg before entering Germany.

 

[mikeIow]

Discussing ideas with my pal I did the Barnstaple loop with last year. Maybe one from his place based on this Kennet & Avon one to include 2-3 nights camping (the bonus might be one after getting the train back to Bristol) 🤷‍♂️
Much flatter than our ludicrously hilly loop in Devon!

Also have a short overnight idea for another mate, a loop from our place, camping by Rutland Water.
The dark nights are good time to look ahead 💪

 

[teeonethousand]

Just booked the accomodation and tickets for a 4 day jaunt up from North Yorkshire to Newcastle then Coast and Castles to Edinburgh, train back) mid April.

Managed to only pay 64 each in non moveable costs with everything else not due till the week before and cancellable. I think this is very acceptable as we hope biblical weather does not cause cancellation.

If anyone has any contacts in the weather gods dept I would appreciate some not cold, not wet stuff ordering up

😂