Looking for Bicycling info in EU
Aug 4th, 2015, 08:43 AM
#1
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Looking for Bicycling info in EU
Hi, I just now looking into bicycling in EU early fall, Sept - Oct. I've looked a bit at some rides in Italy and France but that's about as far as I got. We'd also consider other countries that are somewhat comfortable climate wise (don't want to be cold).
I see that a few publishers have some bike ride books but I'm not in the US and can't immediately get my hands on any of them in time for a trip.
Anyhow, my request is this - I'd like to hear from anyone who's done Inn to Inn or stayed at the same location and took rides each day.
My second request is that I'm looking for bicycle trips that aren't up the long side of a mountain. Rolling hills & flat = ok. Gasping for air and white knuckling is not.
3rd - We're thinking more about self guided trips. The few that I've seen make hotel arrangements, provide breakfast, give maps and route info, etc. They do not include riding with other people.
Thanks ahead
I see that a few publishers have some bike ride books but I'm not in the US and can't immediately get my hands on any of them in time for a trip.
Anyhow, my request is this - I'd like to hear from anyone who's done Inn to Inn or stayed at the same location and took rides each day.
My second request is that I'm looking for bicycle trips that aren't up the long side of a mountain. Rolling hills & flat = ok. Gasping for air and white knuckling is not.
3rd - We're thinking more about self guided trips. The few that I've seen make hotel arrangements, provide breakfast, give maps and route info, etc. They do not include riding with other people.
Thanks ahead
Aug 4th, 2015, 09:13 AM
#2
my website
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/ covers a lot of flat biking around Europe. All based on my travels, though I've done more than I've written up.
On occasion I've used Headwater to arrange selfguided trips and I'm aware thae InnTravel do a range.
http://www.headwater.com/
http://www.inntravel.co.uk/
FMT should be along to offer his greatideas too.
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/ covers a lot of flat biking around Europe. All based on my travels, though I've done more than I've written up.
On occasion I've used Headwater to arrange selfguided trips and I'm aware thae InnTravel do a range.
http://www.headwater.com/
http://www.inntravel.co.uk/
FMT should be along to offer his greatideas too.
Aug 5th, 2015, 06:45 AM
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<<I see that a few publishers have some bike ride books but I'm not in the US and can't immediately get my hands on any of them in time for a trip.>>
Huh?
Amazon.com - ships anywhere, kindle is readable anywhere.
Huh?
Amazon.com - ships anywhere, kindle is readable anywhere.
Aug 5th, 2015, 06:53 AM
#7
FMT is here http://www.fodors.com/community/prof...mystiquetours/ have a read up of his favorite tours.
Italy
http://www.trentobike.org/ these guys are good but I think they like hills (avoid anywhere with Monte or Colle in the name)
Italy
http://www.trentobike.org/ these guys are good but I think they like hills (avoid anywhere with Monte or Colle in the name)
Aug 5th, 2015, 07:31 AM
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Aug 5th, 2015, 09:21 AM
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Here is a good trip report on inn to inn cycling that starts in Italy and ends in Croatia and is described as an easy route.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-croatia.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-croatia.cfm
Aug 5th, 2015, 12:31 PM
#10
Aug 5th, 2015, 12:36 PM
#11
cybor, I don't know about cycling in Europe but I wanted to say hey. Just got back from Mexico yesterday. I looked for you, your hubs and your dog, but couldn't find you.
Have a great trip!
besos & abrazos,
The One and Only Leely
Have a great trip!
besos & abrazos,
The One and Only Leely
Aug 5th, 2015, 02:48 PM
#12
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Leely!
I thought that was you but the bus was going too fast. I'm in Merida. Stop by next time you're in the Yucatan.
Thanks all for your great info will check it all out - I'm half way through looking at bilbo's wonderfully detailed info. I have read a few blurbs by frenchmystique on TA. Exc info.
As for where we'll be riding I'm thinking of Italy or France. After looking a bit harder at the miles needed and the ease of flying from Mx those 2 countries (actually Paris & Rome) seem to be the best. Madrid is also in the running.
I thought that was you but the bus was going too fast. I'm in Merida. Stop by next time you're in the Yucatan.
Thanks all for your great info will check it all out - I'm half way through looking at bilbo's wonderfully detailed info. I have read a few blurbs by frenchmystique on TA. Exc info.
As for where we'll be riding I'm thinking of Italy or France. After looking a bit harder at the miles needed and the ease of flying from Mx those 2 countries (actually Paris & Rome) seem to be the best. Madrid is also in the running.
Aug 5th, 2015, 03:17 PM
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Cybor, please share what you decide, my husband and I are looking to do a self guided inn to inn bicycle trip either next spring or early fall. So I'm happy to see this thread & all the info it turned up.
And also, if you are a Yucatan expert maybe I could get you to bounce over to the Mexico Forum & let me know if you have an opinion on my question?
Sorry to be so forward here but there doesn't seem to be a lot of action over there.
And also, if you are a Yucatan expert maybe I could get you to bounce over to the Mexico Forum & let me know if you have an opinion on my question?
Sorry to be so forward here but there doesn't seem to be a lot of action over there.
Aug 5th, 2015, 11:19 PM
#15
Just thought you might not have seen this
http://www.eurovelo.org/routes/
obviously certain countries Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Germnay, Luxembourg, Switzerland. Austria have great detailed web based bike path maps, ribiera showed you one of these.
Italy's main bike routes are on a pretty ropey site but regionally there are good websites, they also have via bianchi which are chalk/gravel roads great for well suspensioned bikes but a bit of a pain for hands, France has the voies vert http://www.voiesvertes.com/ which are off road paths though it also has thousands of km of D roads where you will see a car every hour or so. Spain has a few while Portugal had the Ecovia system (websites change for that one given financial crisis), UK has Sustrans. Hungary has a few long distance routes etc.
Generally I'd avoid Poland on a bike while Romania is just about ok and Bulgaria well... nah
http://www.eurovelo.org/routes/
obviously certain countries Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Germnay, Luxembourg, Switzerland. Austria have great detailed web based bike path maps, ribiera showed you one of these.
Italy's main bike routes are on a pretty ropey site but regionally there are good websites, they also have via bianchi which are chalk/gravel roads great for well suspensioned bikes but a bit of a pain for hands, France has the voies vert http://www.voiesvertes.com/ which are off road paths though it also has thousands of km of D roads where you will see a car every hour or so. Spain has a few while Portugal had the Ecovia system (websites change for that one given financial crisis), UK has Sustrans. Hungary has a few long distance routes etc.
Generally I'd avoid Poland on a bike while Romania is just about ok and Bulgaria well... nah
Aug 6th, 2015, 12:38 AM
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Hi cybor,
Euro Bike is another company that will organize a trip for you, either guided in a group or on your own.
Here's a link to their site:
http://www.eurobike.at/en/tour?k=&ge...ay=0&dayto=365
I tried to select "individual tours," but don't know if it will properly link.
I haven't done it myself, but I've been soooo tempted!
Have fun as you plan!
s
Euro Bike is another company that will organize a trip for you, either guided in a group or on your own.
Here's a link to their site:
http://www.eurobike.at/en/tour?k=&ge...ay=0&dayto=365
I tried to select "individual tours," but don't know if it will properly link.
I haven't done it myself, but I've been soooo tempted!
Have fun as you plan!
s
Aug 6th, 2015, 12:55 AM
#17
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One of our favorite biking areas and one off the usual tourist radar is the castle/village/garden route through Muensterland in Germany. It's got only mild hills, much of it is flat. It's a very pretty area.
http://www.velociped.de/en/all-bike-...-beauties.html
This group does individual-assistance tours as well as group tours. IOW, you could have all your luggage taken care of, hotel reservations, tour route planning/guidance as needed, bike rental (you can even get an electric bike) etc. but you wouldn't be in a group.
http://www.velociped.de/en/about-vel...bike-tour.html
http://www.velociped.de/en/all-bike-...-beauties.html
This group does individual-assistance tours as well as group tours. IOW, you could have all your luggage taken care of, hotel reservations, tour route planning/guidance as needed, bike rental (you can even get an electric bike) etc. but you wouldn't be in a group.
http://www.velociped.de/en/about-vel...bike-tour.html
Aug 6th, 2015, 01:09 AM
#18
I was chatting to Timo at http://www.relaxbiketours.com/ nice Dutch guy with an American wife down on the Canal du Midi (think an ancient waterway between the Atlantic and the Med) lovely biking area, dead flat) and that company looks good. I've done it on my tod and the wine is excellent.
Aug 6th, 2015, 08:07 AM
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Bilbo,
The last area that you posted about sounds good. Tried without success to email the bike co to find out about the trains.
Any idea of the approx time involved to train down to their location?
I'm guessing that the flights that go into their airport don't fly out of CDG.
The last area that you posted about sounds good. Tried without success to email the bike co to find out about the trains.
Any idea of the approx time involved to train down to their location?
I'm guessing that the flights that go into their airport don't fly out of CDG.
Aug 6th, 2015, 09:21 AM
#20
You are going to laugh at this, I tend to use the German train bahn.de (note i cannot speak german) but that is showing 5 1/4 hours to 5 3/4 hours depending on TGV/RER/TER (diff types of train) chosen. (I've just seen 4 3/4hrs on google).
DCG flights to Montpellier might do. I'll let you dig into this site. Flight will be about an hour. Other end there will be trains or buses or taxi (I guess)
http://www.montpellier.aeroport.fr/e...guide-horaires but horaires is "timetable" and it will give you CDG Roissy info
If you get anything from Timo mention "My Bike Guide" and tell me how you get on.
DCG flights to Montpellier might do. I'll let you dig into this site. Flight will be about an hour. Other end there will be trains or buses or taxi (I guess)
http://www.montpellier.aeroport.fr/e...guide-horaires but horaires is "timetable" and it will give you CDG Roissy info
If you get anything from Timo mention "My Bike Guide" and tell me how you get on.
