Generic Touring Thread

Yeah I would probably be up for trying wildcamping first time if I was in a group but I'll be doing this on my own because I don't know anyone who can drop their life with a weeks notice and come with me.

Thanks @Aroogah for the resources on France!

I would agree with this but have also done a bit of wild camping and do prefer the wild feeling, when things go well.

I definitely like to try it out someday, but since I'm touring alone I'm a bit nervous about it like you said. Can very much imagine the awesome feeling though.

I cycled from St Malo (got the ferry from Southampton) to Bordeaux about a year ago.
The route was 90% offroad on bike paths, no hills, incredible countryside. Very beautiful.
It takes anywhere between one week or two, depending on how fast you take it.
We camped wild every night but there are lots of campsites en route.
I had a splendid time. If you would like the route, I can send it to you or post it here.

Check out the Eurovelo routes

Getting a ferry from newhaven to dieppe and along the coast to st malo or roscoff for ferry back is a reasonably cheap option, and has some really pretty bits.

France has municipal campsites everywhere, basic but really reasonably priced

Well there's a distinction between wild camping and camping in the wilderness. You could camp in a field outside your friend's house and it would still be wild camping. Or in a layby. Going on the definition of "is it a campsite? If not it's wild camping". If it's a busy route/place I'd have no qualms about solo wild camping.

If it's a busy route/place I'd have no qualms about solo wild camping.

Wouldn't you want to camp remotely? Or am I misunderstanding.

Camping in sports/football fields can be useful, you get easy access to fresh water and sometimes even a shower if the changing rooms are open.

You can camp wherever you like. I mean I wouldn't want to be right next to someone else but I've camped with other tents in sight plenty of times. Usually because there's a very obvious, very good camping spot that lots of people know about.

Depends on access codes as well, here in Scotland and in places like Sweden you're free to camp wherever you like. In England you're not technically allowed to wild camp so I guess you'd want to hide yourself away somewhere remote so you don't get caught.

Edit: when I say busy route I meant more bike/walking route, not a motorway or something

@platypus That sounds pretty idyllic, but by offroad and on bikepaths do you mean tarmac? 25c is as much as I can fit in my bike I reckon, maybe 28 if I took off the guards.

@Heldring Oh wow.

@laner yeah you're not the first person to say this about France and camping is everywhere and easier, I think the universe is screaming pretty loudly that France should be where I spend these weeks!

@frankenbike my definition of wildcamping is basically that yeah; no campsite. I worry it will actually mean lots of horrible nights in laybys because I'm terrified of being shot by a farmer or being a nuisance to anyone. And laybys aren't fun.

France should be where I spend these weeks!

Cannot but agree. My first tour was through France. Great weather, scenery, food and loads of campsites. You will not regret it.

If you don't want to wild camp just stay at the camp sites and have access to a shower and such. Campsites are also a nice place to meet other cycletourists

There's plenty in France ✌️🌞

Great! 80% tarmac, 20% easily rideable canal path - on the Nantes-Brest canal. You could do it all on 28s.

I'll send you the route soon!

Also, I know it's hard to convince people about this kind of thing, but I have never had any problem wildcamping anywhere in France. I would encourage you to give it a try if you feel up to it, it may be very rewarding.

I’m back home from North Wales know. Due to the searing heat and the forcast torrential rain the trip was cut down to 4 days, Barry to Bangor. It came in at 250 miles with 18,000 ft of elevation and an average speed of ~12mph.

It was a total blast! Wales top to bottom is an absolute stunner. I can’t wait to get back out there.

I’ll do a more detailed post about routes and kit if people are interested :)

^ very game to hear that.

great, yes would love to see a route!

Yes please

Would love to see a route for this - planning to do Lon las cymru in July but can be swayed to another Welsh route :)

I have a wide open and run 28mm Vittoria randonneurs on open pros with guards. Cycled to lots of bothies last summer on some pretty rough tracks and it was not ideal but fine. Eurovelo routes can go from tarmac to gravel to mud but are generally traffic free so nice and quiet. The Danube cycle route is lovely

Sometimes wild camping in the open is not a bad idea... on the lock, on the opposite side of the canal to the towpath is a good example. People can see you're no trouble, but it would be a pain in their arse to cross the canal to bother you. Also, churches generally have a water tap that is easy to access, but it spooks me at night!

I and @MrT4 have got 2 weeks off from 22nd July and have made tentative plans to do the Velodyssey route down the west coat of France, probably ending at Bordeaux.

Part of the logic for this is that we'll be down in Penzance for a couple of days beforehand, and thought it made sense to nip over on the Ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff, where the route starts.

I have just come to the realisation that this is like super-peak school holiday season, for both French and English.

It's looking like booking camp sites might be problematic, and I'm wondering if the whole thing is going to be a nightmare and we should look at somewhere else. We normally go touring end of Aug/first 2 weeks of Sept, which has been fine so far, but this might be pushing it.

Anyone any experience of France at this time?
If we just tip up at campsites and beg for a small spot (2 person tent) are we going to be sorely disappointed?

Cheers :)

Do people generally book then, or are you worried cus it’s high season?

I think this is what @6pt and @tricitybendix did, although they were in Spain.

Two friends and I are planning on Swansea -> Bangor along the Welsh coast this summer. As it's half term this week (I teach) I took the opportunity to do some touring prep. I cycled out to Box Hill (a first), up Leith hill then camped wild before heading back to south London in the morning. Great fun :)

Bike 10kg
Pack 9kg
Tarp, sleeping bag, roll mat and very little else!

Edit: Just adjusted my slightly wonky looking seat, fear not.

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