Generic Touring Thread

I was talking more about using a small flannel to dry with.
1 change of clothes.
Not maybe luxry items.

Cooking stuff does take up a little space too. But it's more clothes/shoes etc.

Everyone has to do it their own way and for 8 weeks, I'd want a few more items.

Go front panniers and then load stuff on a rear rack. And maybe panniers too for putting food/water in. I use a packable backpack when I need extra storage, but might as well take panniers. It's 8 weeks. Just take some stuff. If you need a bit more buy a t-shirt or so when on the road.

Also I meant more, don't load EVERYthing on the rear. As it'll be horrible. Fill 2 front panniers and then put the rest of the rear rack and the weight will balance out nice.

The food laner, the food.

Everyone will have to carry food at some point, no matter if it's going to be cooked or not

rosie and I managed two people's worth of stuff for 6 weeks plus numerous bulky luxury items in four panniers. so any sane solo person should be carrying less.

Front-loading is sounding like a good plan. Two front panniers on a low-rider, with extra bits strapped on top of a rear rack (I assume that's what you mean skinny). Would a bar bag on top of this be overkill? I like the idea of having my electronics/some snacks to hand in front of me. Would it make the overall balance too front-heavy?
I will be spending some time doing non-cycling stuff, but a pair of vans authentics are light and I can manage on not many clothes. Wal-mart tshirts will be bought at some point no doubt too.
Cheers for the advice

I'd like to point out that weight over the back isn't as bad as people make it out to be. I offroaded for about 300 miles of my last trip with everything on the back. Not saying spreading it all out wouldn't be better, but it was fine both up and down the hills. If all you have is a rear rack, its still totally do-able.

Does anyone have any good tips for finding nice, basic campsites in france? There seem to be a lot of large campsites with fancy swimming pools and a whole village of mobile homes which isn't really what we're after. I've found this website useful but am looking for more, predominantly in Brittany.

Also, if anyone has personal recommendations for campsites in Brittany I'd be really interested, cheers.

http://camping-municipal.org/camping-france.htm
Or google maps 'camping' you'll get lots of results and just call them.
Camping municipal is normally cheap. But not always. But will have motorhome.

Most french campsites are motorhome orientated as that's the market. If you want simple, just wild camp.
However 'camping a la ferme' are small farm campsites and may be more for you.
http://www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com/recherche/index/sejours/2646/?q=&camping=1

I can't quite remember, but I think the 'Archie's Camping' POI for your garmin might list whether a camp site is municipal.

Also, can recommend this place if you're nearby. Basically the garden of a farmhouse, quiet and charming, very friendly hosts. Also, given a bit of notice, they'll knock you up a killer breakfast.

Try the Camping Indigo group for a good "old school " french site

Cheers @skinny, that's perfect. I was under the impression that wild camping isn't really accepted in France- but I guess if you find a quiet spot no one will know. I'm also going to Scotland this summer and love knowing that we'll be able to pitch up (nearly) anywhere. I guess this tour will feature more sitting by the tent drinking wine so a campsite is more suitable.

@busseynova that place looks ideal, exactly where we're looking as well- we'll definitely try and spend a night there. Cheers!

anyone ridden round the isle of wight, just wondering what the A roads are like?

Have a sieve through http://www.bretonbikes.com/, or even contact Geoff Husband, very friendly, wealth of info, and a useful contact if you get a mechanical in Brittany

They can be busy, especially the North part of the Island...
But nothing unusable..
The road from Shanklin to Ventnor is interesting

There is a permanently signed cycle route around the IoW, it's the same route the IoW Randonnee follows and largely avoids the busier roads. It's signed in both directions (clockwise/anti-clockwise) with different colours (see here) so it's really easy to follow, and takes you through plenty of towns/villages so you're never too far away from a food/beer stop.

ah thanks that looks much more interesting, how gravelly is it? ive got 28c tyres, would that suffice?

It's all on roads so shouldn't be any gravel unless there has been heavy rainfall to wash some into the road. I did it a few years back on 23c tyres so 28 should be fine!

oh right, its just cos it says this on the site.

100km Randonnee - Clockwise
100km Randonnee - Clockwise but avoiding gravel cycle tracks

@hats i still have my route from Granada to Sevilla somewhere if you fancy going that way, first part is fun but there where 2 flat bits with a fair bit of traffic that where less nice

down to Malaga through Alhama de Granada is really nice i'd take a different road back up though , and i honestly dont remember how i did it :/

there is a really nice bike coop in Granada some people should know some nice routes around ! =)

Ah yeah sorry! There is a short section that follows the river but I remember the path being quite good, even in the wet. I was on 23c tyres and managed fine.

You can avoid it though by staying on the road, but you have to take a sharp right at the bottom of a long descent, staying on the A3055 instead of carrying straight on towards Freshwater. You can see the sign for the anti-clockwise route on the left of this street view , but there is no corresponding sign for the clockwise direction. Probably because they don't want a load of cyclists emergency braking at the bottom of a long hill!

thanks mate! j

Alpkits bivvys are available again FYI.

Hi - if you have the Granada-Seville route I'd like to take a look at that. I've got a route to Alhama de Granada that I'll have a go at, also one to Orgiva. Wanna be there NOW.

I'm cycling to Biarritz, France in June to meet my pals for a lovely group holiday. Anyone got any tips or highlights at all? I'm keen to find some good climbs on the way, as I'll be packing very light and taking my road bike. Any suggestions welcome!

One idea is to head in the direction of Pau with a quick jolly up a mountain before heading to the party.