Generic Touring Thread

Hook of Holland ferry is one of my favourites. I'm pretty sure I've written about trips I've done on here, maybe in the Holland thread or elsewhere.

https://ridewithgps.com/collections/45974?privacy_code=RzfGaCCr1C2K6xPN

https://ridewithgps.com/collections/1940574?privacy_code=siXfWLGzCp7G6jR2

Hopefully those two links work

Nice pictures! If it's not a private/family one do you mind sharing the name of this holiday hut?

Its Rehof Rutenberg near Lychen, definitely not owned by us. The hut in the pictures is called Lupulus.
Incredible part of Uckermark, nearest lake is perfect, and the nature reserve is beautiful.

Had a look at the hook of Holland ferry for a long weekend. Wanted to make the most of the time so aimed for overnight but being forced into a cabin really puts the cost up. Looks like £280 for the cheapest room return. Anyone know if the cabin really is compulsory or a kind hearted email might get it waived?

I’ve taken the trip in the day without a cabin and didn’t have an issue also took the night ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and found a empty room full of seats again no need for a cabin but the bar did help

Just don’t book a cabin. My partner and me just use our mats and sleeping bags, find a quiet spot for the night. This is more common on some ferry routes than others but there’s always a few people doing it so it doesn’t feel too weird

I’ve done it without a cabin on dieppe and st malo overnight ferries before, that was my plan to just kip in a corner, but it doesn’t want to let me book on this one. Says it’s mandatory and won’t let me go further

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Try if it allows you to just book a seat

Plus 1 for the sleeping mat and sleeping bag, I’ve done it on the Portsmouth - st malo route. Ear plugs and an eye mask help too as it’s never completely dark or silent.
I’ve just seen the mandatory cabin thing. Bummer

Pretty sure for the overnight harwich to holland you have to book a cabin. That price actually looks pretty good to me! Last year in May i paid 350 for the same!

For me the time savings are generally worth it, but I think if you book the daytime crossing you don't have to book a cabin.

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Thanks. Ended up with Vittoria Randonneur. Not really exciting tyres but they did the job (job= a week touring in the Dolomites).

Terrible pic because I wasn’t expecting it, but today I saw: 2 cyclists, side by side, towing a tiny caravan. It certainly made me smile! On the Nantes - Brest canal

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Fantastic!

Unexpectedly have 10-14 days free over Christmas/NY and thinking about a tour. Have never done any touring in British wintertime so at a bit of a loss as to where to even start thinking about. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?

Word of warning in winter, lots of UK campsites close down over winter so it can be hard finding someone to camp.

That's if you're planning on camping!

I'd be looking to maybe go overseas to France/Netherlands/Belgium where they're better equipped for winter touring. Especially if it's icy.

Oh yeah, sorry that wasn't very clear. Looking to get the hell out of the UK, as far away as necessary to find some warm weather

I've done 600k audaxes at Xmas which is kinda similar I guess. Actually has been surprisinly warm for most of my stupid rides. I don't generally ride if it's icy so that's handy.

I've been wanting to go up to Scotland and winter camp but haven't actually done it yet but it's still on the todo list. I've done Spain in winter and that's kinda easy - it can still be 20C in the day but -5C overnight so you just need warm kit and warm sleep gear and you're golden.

With two weeks I'd be trying to get as far away from London as possible, so yeah, probably Scotland and try not to die.

Ah, well now you're talking my language. Because I crashed and lost much of summer I have spare holidays so I'm also going to be trying to get as far away from this shithole as possible.

Was thinking about revisiting the Vacant Mountains area near Teruel which is lovely or heading even further south and hitting one of the Grand Graunche routes.

https://montanasvacias.com/

https://granguanche.com/routes/gravel/

Might be one for the Which Tyres thread, but does anyone have any recommendations for touring tyres that aren't Marathon Plus? I'd like to avoid the Hell of double puncture powerlessness on my next mini adventure, but would also like to not add 1kg to my wheels if possible. TYVM.

continental contact urban's I have had nice experiences of.

I second @Thrasher - they are rated for between 90 kg and 132 kg per tyre in 26" and 28" sizes.
I use them on our Bullitt cargo bike with great results. I'm getting some for our tandem next.

Nice one. Thanks, both.

Anyone got advice about the number of bibs to take while out riding?

In my case for 10 days, leaving in about a week, on-road Caen to Barcelona. Can't decide whether to take 2 bibs or 3 bibs; trying to minimise my stuff and wondering whats sensible.

Normally I just takee change of clothes in addition to what I've got on, layering top layers, warmers, etc, assuming some handwashing in between. But this is a bit longer than usual for me, autumnal when I'm normally doing this sort of thing in summer, and the weather is changeable etc. Any thoughts?

Are you camping or staying in hotels? If the latter, I'd just take two as you can easily wash/dry overnight.

Thanks that was kind of my thinking too - If it were hotels all the way 2 makes sense and has worked for me in the past. In my case I havent booked any hotels... I'm taking the bivvy and sleeping bag and exposure light because I enjoy nightriding on quieter lanes, and camping, or snoozing by the roadside. I reckon 2+1 for bibs, i.e. having a 3rd lighter summer set just in case.