Planning a bike trip? (page 27 of 37)

Hello fellow globetrotters! So, we're dreaming of cycling from Toulouse to Venice this summer. It's our first big bike trip, and I’d love to hear your expert advice on the subject. We’d like to go by bike and return by train. Any routes you’d recommend? As for the bike, mine’s an old Peugeot that runs well, but… will it be enough? Italy is uncharted territory for us—we’re open to all experiences, tips on cities, villages, anything! We’re planning to go for about three weeks in August. Feel free to share your thoughts! =)

Hi zebulon, I did Venice to Geneva with a route that went mostly through Piedmont (Lake Garda and Lake Como) before heading north to the Aosta Valley. It might not be the mountainous route you’re looking for, but as long as you avoid big Italian cities and major roads, there’s no traffic issue. In fact, I often found that Italian roads have a paved shoulder, which feels safer for cyclists. From Toulouse, it’s nice to head toward the Montagne Noire (Mazamet, La Bastide-Rouairoux), then go down to Saint-Pons, and follow the Orb Valley to Lodève. After that, cross the southern Larzac, pass through Ganges, Alès, Nyons (26), Serres (05), Gap, Embrun, Briançon, and then reach the Italian lake region.

It’s not the smoothest ride, but if you stick to small roads, the landscapes are stunning. Campsites are everywhere, and it’s peaceful—except in the French Alps, where you *must* avoid major roads.

Anyway, you should *definitely* avoid Marseille and the surrounding area, as well as the Côte d’Azur. Too many cars…

Hi there, I’m not sure crossing northern Italy is the best idea for a first trip—the roads are a nightmare even by car.

Keep in mind that it’s a common beginner mistake to try to go "in a straight line" by taking major highways. The second mistake is not having a detailed enough map to uncover those backcountry backroads. For a stress-free ride, the ideal is to stick to the roads marked in white on maps, even if it takes twice as long. This applies in France, Italy, or anywhere else...

Otherwise, I’ll be around the lakes region around June 10th, I think. If you want my route...

Hello, ... To have some peace and quiet, the ideal would be to stick only to the routes marked in white on the maps, even if it takes twice as long. This applies in France, Italy, or anywhere else...

Otherwise, I’ll be around the Great Lakes around June 10th, I think. If you want my itinerary...

I’m not the one who started the Toulouse-Venice-Sieste project, but I’m *really* curious to know your itinerary! Back in September 2009, we’d also planned a Nice-Rome route, which we ended up changing last minute (we did Rome-Sutri-Viterbo-Pitigliano-Montalcino-Asciano-Siena-Volterra-Lucca, then back to Rome; our flight to Nice was full, we’d waited too long...). But we were *so* disappointed—especially since we missed scouting around Badalucco-Garessio-Finale Ligure! So if any of you have ridden or are planning to ride in those areas, I’d love to hear your comments, anecdotes, and any other details to tempt us and go back!

http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=349286

Personally, I'm thinking of going from Strasbourg to Berlin in June, and then returning (so making a loop). I'm not sure yet if I'll go all the way to the Baltic. If anyone has any tips, I'd obviously love to hear them!

I’m not the initiator of the Toulouse–Venice–Siestre project, but I’m really curious to know your itinerary!

I’ll arrive in Locarno/Ascona via Switzerland through the Gotthard Pass (hoping it’s clear of snow). Climb up to Arcegno, then descend to Porto Ronco with a stunning view of Lake Maggiore. Next, head to Verbania along the lakeside road (no choice, the terrain demands it). From there, take a ferry to Laveno, then head to Luino since the other side of the lake is less interesting. Visit the charming little town of Luino, then head to Lugano. Finally, make my way to Menaggio with a breathtaking view of Lake Como upon arrival. Cross over to Bellagio, then on to Lecco/Bergamo.

After that, I’m heading to Verona, but if you’re not in as much of a rush as I am, it’s better to skirt the lake on its eastern shore and go through the Adda Valley/Ponte di Legno/Trento/Verona.

From there, I’ll head toward Bologna... etc., meet you in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early July.

Personally, I'm thinking of going from Strasbourg to Berlin in June, and then returning (so making a loop). I'm not sure yet if I'll go all the way to the Baltic. If anyone has any tips, I'd obviously love to hear them.

I think the best option is to follow the EuroVelo route from Basel to Passau or even Linz, then head toward Prague. The roads in the Czech Republic aren't too busy, and if you've never seen Prague, it's definitely worth the detour...

I’m not the one who started the Toulouse–Venice–Siestre project, but I’m really curious to hear about your itinerary!

I’ll be arriving in Locarno/Ascona via Switzerland through the Gotthard Pass (hoping it’s clear of snow). Heading up to Arcegno, then down to Porto Ronco with a stunning view of Lake Maggiore. Next, I’ll take the road along the lake to Verbania (no choice, the terrain demands it). From there, I’ll take a ferry to Laveno and head toward Luino since the other side of the lake is less interesting. I’ll visit the charming little town of Luino, then head to Lugano. Finally, I’ll make my way to Menaggio with a breathtaking view of Lake Como upon arrival. Crossing to Bellagio, then on to Lecco/Bergamo.

After that, I’m heading to Verona, but if you’re not in as much of a rush as I am, it’s better to go around the east side of the lake and pass through the Adda Valley/Ponte di Legno/Trento/Verona.

From there, I’ll head toward Bologna... etc., meeting up in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early July.

Thanks for these amazing route suggestions! I’ll savor them all (starting with OpenRunner...) as I prepare for our retirement adventures! We’re kicking off retirement in early August 2013, traveling by tandem. Two big projects, order still to be decided: 1.) Tour of the Americas (2 years starting from our home in southern Quebec). 2.) Grand Tour of the Mediterranean

We’ll be back with more details...

Hi

This summer, our family is going to see if the grass is greener in Brittany and England.

We’re going to try the Petit Tour de Manche with our three kids.

I’ll tell you more about it later.

Kenavo.

The Via Claudia Augusta! Basically Munich to Venice, crossing the Alps following the footsteps of our Roman ancestors.

We considered Croatia, but it seemed too touristy based on what VoyageForum users said.

Hi there! I love riding close to the sea! I’d like to do a bike tour somewhere by the coast this summer. Ireland, England (good chance to practice English), Corsica? Not sure yet. Any other islands? Somewhere further south, before or after the worst of the heat? Any suggestions?!!

Hi there, Not an original idea, yes—the same as my 2013 project featured on my website’s homepage. If that’s the case, we might cross paths, but keep in mind it’s over 7,000 km round trip from my place. Happy planning! Marc

Hi everyone, Same here, a sea and beach lover ;) At the end of 2011, I did Vannes (56) to La Rochelle (17) with lots of detours along the coast! http://afreek.free.fr/blog/

This year in August, I’ve decided to explore Corsica by bike (first time!) Vannes > Toulon by train + bike, then down to Bastia, heading west (L’Île-Rousse), and I’ll follow the coast. Once I reach the south of the island, we’ll see!

Like in 2011, I’ll post a photo recap when I’m back.

See you soon, and I hope you all have a great time with your projects!

That’s awesome! Bike travel plans are really blooming now that spring is finally here. Happy planning, everyone!

That's awesome! Bike travel plans are blooming now that spring is really here. Good luck with the prep, everyone!

Thanks!

Mine just took shape: Basel (Switzerland) to Vienna (Austria) via the EV6, then from Vienna to Ljubljana (Slovenia) via the EV9, then through Italy via the Dolomites and the Italian lakes (route depending on how I feel), and finally back home through Switzerland with 1 or 2 mountain passes for dessert. That’s a little over 3,000 km in 1 month.

Leaving in a month...

A bit tight on time... and a return trip from Bilbao to the Jura (French side) in about two weeks via back roads....

Brittany, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire on the itinerary: On our end, we’re continuing our family travels. After last year’s Eurovélo 6 from Montbéliard to Angers, this August we’re heading out on a tour of Brittany starting from Angers, following the coastline (Nantes, Vannes, Quimper, Brest, Roscoff, Lannion, Saint-Brieuc, Saint-Malo, Mont Saint-Michel). Then we’ll head toward Caen and Le Havre before making our way back to Angers through the inland routes (Orne, Sarthe). A roughly 1,500 km journey over a month—we’ll take our time to explore, rediscover, and enjoy. Hoping the Breton weather isn’t too unpredictable... This will be our last medium-length trip before our big family adventure in 2014–2015: a real 16-month cycling journey around the world! Guillaume

In May, over 5 days, I’m planning to do Cherbourg–Le Havre by mountain bike, following the GR trails with some friends. This summer, over a month, I’ll be cycling around Brittany from Vannes to Mont Saint-Michel, then around the Cotentin peninsula before heading back to Rouen—road bike and trailer in tow. I’ll probably be solo for that part. This’ll really round out my France tour, which I should be able to finish in 2014.

in 95 days (finally end of July) a diagonal Bordeaux > Nancy round trip Just to test our gear a bit more for our world tour starting in May 2014 😉

My bike trip is in the works (this afternoon)!

I’m mapping out my route on OpenR... for an early start tomorrow. Rouen, Dieppe, and back—about 150 km.

Just a last-minute plan!

The forecast calls for sunshine in Upper Normandy tomorrow, so I’ve gotta take advantage of it.

M

Mid-May: a loop from Bordeaux to Arcachon, then by train and the EV1 to Bayonne, Toulouse via Pau (Pau–Saint-Gaudens train), and back along the Garonne lateral canal. Oysters, foie gras, Jurançon sheep’s cheese, cassoulet. We only have 5–6 days, so we’ll take some train shortcuts.

Summer holidays: continuing the EV6 from Mulhouse eastward for a few weeks (beer, potatoes, sausages).