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I've also discovered what I think to be the Spanish for "Please don't hurt us":
"Por favor, no nos hacen daño"
Apparently this is wrong.
Just asked my new Spanish colleague who tells me that the above is more hypothetical and Spanish speakers would infer it to mean:"Ha! You're not hurting us!" As though it was some kind of challenge.
What I should have written was:
"Por favor, no nos hagan daño"
Just FYI..
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You're welcome to borrow my Garmin as well if you like Ed. Let me know.
Just picked one up actually T but thanks for the offer :)
That said the chap I'm riding with prefers the 'Let's just make sure the sea is on our right I'm sure we'll be OK.' approach. (I'm still keeping my Edge close to hand)
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Just picked one up actually T but thanks for the offer :)
Glad to hear it! Ridewithgps.com is by far the best piece of software for planning your route and it exports directly to .tcx etc.
I would also consider picking up something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/External-Battery-Extender-SatNav-GPS-TomTom-Garmin-/220621345714#ht_3366wt_903
It's good to have a backup battery for if it runs out in the middle of nowhere.
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Slightly concerned about just having a reclining seat but there's no way I'm going to pay an extra hundred quid each just to have a room. Maybe we'll take it in turns to sleep/guard kit/bikes.
if it's anything like overnight ferries that I've been on, bikes will be parked/locked in the car deck somewhere so you won't need to watch them. There's also normally enough space to lie down somewhere with sleeping bag and roll mat.
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It's good to have a backup battery for if it runs out in the middle of nowhere.
Good shout - though if it does I think Van, the guy I'm riding with, will just stop, sniff the air and point with utmost authority in a random direction.
He's from Borneo. It's what they do apparently.
if it's anything like overnight ferries that I've been on, bikes will be parked/locked in the car deck somewhere so you won't need to watch them. There's also normally enough space to lie down somewhere with sleeping bag and roll mat.
Reassuring, thanks!
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They are called maps or Chapnav.
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I forgot to mention that you also need a pipe to point in the right direction.
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Premonitions.
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40 litres is quite a bit of room... Early thoughts for when I do some serious distance touring (se asia next year) are 2 x 20l panniers, handlebar bag, room on the rack at the back and a small front rack as well. The more space you have the more you will carry. I reckon for your trip you should give camping a go. With 2 of you you can easily split the necessary gear and strap to the top of your racks in dry bags, leaving pannier space for the rest of your luggage.
Sounds like a great ride, I motorcycled in the area last year, well rode to Portugal and back.
Some absolutely fantastic roads I'd very much like to go back with a bicycle. Not sure what you're planning but if i remember right the n-634 is for the most part scenic and quiet because the main road that runs paralell has made it somewhat obsolete.*
And in answer to the actual question abut the terrain... it's not too hilly really. but then, that depends what you're used to.
*Just looked and don't think you'll be reaching the quiet and scenic part of the n-634 as that was further west. That west coast of france though is stunning as well... and flat... and camp sites everywhere.
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I'm jealous... I rode St Malo to La Rochelle and back a few years ago, and had a brilliant time. Great countryside, and pretty good roads from what i remember. Btw your mate is right, just take some small scale michelin road maps and a compass...and keep the sea on your right.
If you keep as West as you can (at least as far as La Rochelle that is) its pretty flat, altho not quite as flat as say the Netherlands. Further inland you get more rolling terrain, nothing to worry about but enough to keep it interesting. A gentle warm up for the Pyrenees maybe. -
I don't know if you're considering the bridge at St. Nazaire? If so, I've heard it's an experience you could live without....
Also that big old forest below Bordeaux (les Landes?), try to get it over with fairly quickly, as I've found that it gets very boring very quickly, due to cycling on very straight flat roads for miles on end.
Personally I found Bayonne/Biarritz all to be rather shite, so would rush over to lovely Spain the same day and get on with eating loads, especially in San Sebastian.
That's all a bit negative though really I think, so on a positive note, cycling in France is great to say the least. Wine, bread, cheese, pastries, melon, orangina, beaches, car-free A-roads, pro-cycling locals... I'm jealous. -
Ha! :)I spotted that bugger/remember driving across it years ago and thinking I wouldn't like to cycle it.
We're pretty much heading straight south from Saint Malo to Nantes where we'll cross - there'll be a lot of sprawl around Nantes which is huge from memory but I don't think I fancy being buffeted with winds into the Bay of Biscay.
Shall bear that in mind about des Landes - Was hoping to stick on the sea front and take it slow for that stretch but it may actually be wise for us to get some distance behind us on that stretch and spend the bulk of the time lazing on Spanish beaches with Pinchos.
I've got to stop thinking about this, it's distracting me from the piles of work I've still got to do tonight.
Though I can't get this out of my mind:
Wine, bread, cheese, pastries, melon, orangina, beaches, car-free A-roads, pro-cycling locals...
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Have a great time
Soul
T_Unit
Peter_Carter
TM
jonlubi
Dugtheslug
Alex_Stevens
jaw
Bulletman-
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Saint-Malo to Pamplona
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@CYOA
Don't underestimate the ability to have a hot shower and a comfortable bed.
You're welcome to borrow my Garmin as well if you like Ed. Let me know.