Planning a bike trip? (page 23 of 37)

Love all these plans! Less exotic but just as refreshing (that’s the magic of biking), we’ve been riding from Facture-Biganos along the southern Arcachon Basin to the Gironde estuary near Pointe de Grave. The journey’s almost over since we’re only 35 km from the tip. Baptiste, 4.5 years old, has been riding his bike solo every day, covering 15 to 20 km. Right now, we’re stuck in the tent because of the rain—it’s really coming down! Gorgeous wild coastline, stunning spots, perfect with a kid: even better than the Landes two years ago. Met tons of cyclists—feels like bike travel is really taking off!

Blandine

For me, it'll be about 1,300 km over 3 weeks in Benin, leaving January 2012...

Met a lot of cyclists: I get the feeling that bike travel is really taking off more and more.

Blandine

It’s true—when you pass through these areas, it’s pretty obvious (and it’s what made me want to give it a try).

And even elsewhere in France, it feels like it’s snowballing. A cool new trend... (well, more like a lifestyle, really).

hi there Leaving on August 21st for the Houillères canal downstream from Sarreguemines toward Trier, following the banks of the Saar River. Then the Moselle River banks toward Cochem and its vineyards. A short detour to Aachen, then the Volcano Route in the Eifel Mountains. Back to the rivers with maybe the Albert Canal toward Liège, Charleroi, and then the Meuse River banks toward the French Ardennes—Sedan or Rethel. That’s my planned route. Happy travels! JC

Hi, My "island-to-island" project wrapped up on Saturday. Goodbye to those who followed me over these past 2 months, and to everyone else—see you next year! Marc

Hello,

I’m new to this forum and passionate about all kinds of travel. A quick intro: 52 years old, energetic, a former Parisian coffee roaster, and I’ve been living in Montpellier for 12 years. I love the idea of bike travel for the human connection it offers with the country and its people. I’m actively preparing to make a big dream come true: taking my time and traveling from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia in 2012. Traveling solo has its perks, but I’ll admit that sharing the experience with someone would be incredibly rewarding. That’s about it. If anyone has the same dream in mind, I’d be happy to get in touch. I already have the bike and pretty much all the gear. I also want to thank everyone for this forum—it’s a goldmine of information that’s helped me avoid a lot of mistakes in my choices.

I hope you all get to realize your dreams too, because life’s way too short to let boredom take over.

Jipé 🙂

hi there in summer 2012 I’m planning to cover 3,000 km in 4 weeks, starting from Bourgoin-Jallieu (38). The route includes crossing the Northern to Southern Alps, following the Mediterranean coast from Nice to Perpignan, crossing the Pyrenees, following the Atlantic coast from Biarritz to Bordeaux, and then traversing the Massif Central via Cahors, Aurillac, Le Puy-en-Velay, Annonay, and heading back to Bourgoin.

PS: If anyone’s interested in joining for part of the ride, that’d be great—I’m currently setting off solo.

A little trip to the Camargue the weekend of November 11th 🙂

Hoping the rain will have moved on by then, if we go 😉

And then, probably Armenia this summer.... No exact dates yet....

3 days in Normandy in the Pays d'Auge for the weekend of 11/11 to pick the last apples 😛 left on the trees.

For me, four weeks in India from Mumbai to Goa—first through the interior and then along the coast. Not too fast, taking in the landscapes and the people. Leaving in 15 days, hoping the monsoon is over and the roads are repaired.

Plans? Oh, those... 🙂 My next one will likely be Portugal by bike in spring or autumn 2012—a project that’s moving along slowly, but I’m in no rush.😉 Three "big" cycling trips and a hiking trek in Africa in two years... time to take a breather!

@Lydie 33 Maybe we’ll cross paths in Portugal.

To answer the question about plans for the next cycling season: In spring 2012, we’re riding the Portuguese coast from Lisbon north toward Santiago de Compostela, then the Camino Francés (in reverse) to Biarritz, along the French coast to Nantes, the Loire, and then straight north to Paris to finish the trip. It’ll be our first trip in Europe.

Here’s mine for next summer😎: the Moselle Valley all the way to Koblenz, starting from home via Belgium and Luxembourg. As much as possible on bike paths, with a partial train return. Otherwise, loop rides on the long weekends in May. Best regards.

For me, the first two weeks of June ;; Saint-Étienne to Saint-Nazaire (the Loire)

I’m looking for any tips (great deals, nice campsites, etc., etc.)

Hello everyone, What a wonderful discussion, showing how cycling can inspire dreams before captivating our legs and eyes for days on end, all around the world.

For my part, I’m planning a new Paris-Montargis-Grenoble trip this December. In previous years, I’d aimed for the Loire to avoid hills (Morvan, Côte d'Or, Mâconnais slopes, foothills of the Alps, etc.), which meant covering more kilometers.

This year, for a change, I’m going for straight lines—and thus the steep climbs—while cutting down on the distance.

Has anyone got any suggestions for beautiful landscapes along this "direct" route between Montargis and Grenoble?

In December? You meeting up with Santa or what? Or maybe you're a ski addict... Anyway, pack some mittens because it’s freezing here! Good luck! Marco

Great idea! Right now, I'm mapping out Toulouse - Montpellier - Nîmes, and like you, I'll be heading through the Alps (but to get to Italy). Normally, it'd look something like "Valence - Grenoble - Briançon," hoping the roads won't be blocked!

We’re already planning for summer 2012 (I know it’s early, but it gives us something to dream about and keeps us moving forward in the meantime!). We’re thinking of cycling around Lake Constance, between Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, with Baptiste, who’ll be 5½, still on his bike.

So if you’ve done it before, don’t hesitate to share your favorite spots—campgrounds, things to see, etc.!

See you soon

Project: leaving and probably never coming back (or just to say hello)

Anyway, I’ve got nothing left to do here, and no one’s waiting for me anywhere—whether it’s for a "normal" job (tough for some of us!), love, friendship, etc. So on foot, by bike, or whatever, I’ll wander wherever the wind or my mood takes me. I’m selling off what I don’t need soon, and I’m outta here 😉 If anyone wants to join me for part of the journey, why not chat about it!

For my part, late June 2012 it’ll be Brittany—I’m leaving from Bourges and doing a loop of about 1000 km, and I’ve only got 2 weeks. Nothing but bliss! Can’t wait for spring....