Generic Touring Thread

I still have memories of touring my CDF with front panniers. Rode so stable and nice, such a good setup.

I think I’m finally cured now from (heavy) front loaded touring, at least with these big panniers. Handling is not great compared to other setups, and I found packing and closing them a little cumbersome too.

Last year’s full Wit Slingers setup was probably my favourite so far.

Maybe it's trail related. I'm sure I just also have nostalgia and wouldn't like it now!

Long weekend around the Cotswolds for me. Starting in Oxford and heading out in a big loop.

What an incredibly amazing area for riding. The weather certainly helped. Lots of water, Insulated bottles are an absolute game changer. Cool water all day long, and pop some ice cubes in too.

Lovely mix of quiet roads, bridleways, canals etc. Few pub stops, ice cream stops etc.

Would defo recommend the area and seemed pretty cycle friendly.

Broadway hill can absolutely do one though when loaded up...

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Few more.

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Looks lovely - do you have a route file?

I'm planning a few days in Normandy with a mate next weekend, looks like we'll be coming into and out of Caen. Will do a bit of Eurovelo 4 but not looking for massive miles, mostly bimbling, eating and drinking. Any particularly charming towns/villages/sights/national parks/restaurants etc that anyone would recommend in that part of the world? Much obliged.

The best bit of summer is a @Tijs trip report.
I greatly enjoyed the gravel around Maastricht and Aachen, but some of the hills are brutal!

There’s a nice campsite in arromanches,, very close to the centre and the beach. It’s not the site which is of note, rather than the boardwalk which looks over the mulberry harbours on the sand. A couple of great bars and restaurants on the front there. Of course Moules Frites is a must.
Can also recommend the ride out to Pegasus Bridge, off road from memory and it’s a well preserved area with bars and cafes.
And is any trip to the area complete without a trip to Honfleur? Moules frites on the harbour wall is of course a must again.

The best bit of summer is a @Tijs trip report.

❤️

The campsite in Arromanches near the centre is campervan only now, I tried to stay there last year. There is however one up the road called Camping Les Bas Carreaux which is very nice, and is a nice walk into town.

The Pegasus bridge route is off road and is very nice.

I completely agree about Honfleur, lovely place.

Only place I'd add is a bit further along, Port En Bessin is absolutely beautiful, albeit with quite the climb out!

Veloroute du lin is very nice as an inland alternative to EuroVelo 4
https://en.francevelotourisme.com/cycle-route/veloroute-du-lin

I quite like Fecamp, nice slightly faded seaside town vibes.
Le Havre for some lovely brutalism.

Does anyone recommend a travel insurance that covers cycle touring? Preferably that covers it if you're in the Island Nation Of Japan?

InsureAndGo

Paid for everything when I fell down a ravine abroad and split my head open.

Any updates on trip?

How was it? Route? Bike? Gear? Etc xoxo

I'd vouch for this. They paid out big and easy when I was ill in new Zealand. Flew me home 1st class etc.

Cc @Belagerent

Thank you for these! I think we're actually doing Caen > St Malo now, so sadly won't get to Honfleur but Arromanches is def on the table and will almost certainly be taking the route from the port to Pegasus Bridge so lovely to hear that its recommended.

Anything on the direct-ish route between Caen and St Malo, please do shout.

Seconded! Looks great

Mont-Saint-Michel.

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Yup, thanks, that's very much on the list! Did you ride up into it/is there much to do inside?

Cheers

There are no cycling signs so this is as far as I got.

Fair enough, cheers. I'd love to know if anyone else has been in/on and thinks it worthwhile? I guess we'd be pushing our bikes, which might be annoying if likely to be packed....

Always love to read your write ups - thanks

Definitely worthwhile, as long as it's not too packed. The lanes are tiny there so it gets rammed quickly.

The cathedral itself is stunning.

Nice one, thanks! If we can leave the bikes securely somewhere we'll definitely try and head in!

You can ride up to MSM on the shared path boards to the left side of the road (see photo), there are bike loops just outside if you do. We rode back on the bus road though due to how busy the path was. They say you should only cycle on the shared path, but nobody said anything.

There are also loads of bike loops and lockers at the visitor centre if you wanted to leave bikes there and walk / bus up.

We didn't go inside, but I've been in before when I did the 'race the tide' walk across the sands, and it was nice inside, if pretty busy and touristy.

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