KennethToronto

I just had the crazy idea that next summer I'll fly to Europe and bike for a month. I'm thinking it'd be a great backpacking trip before I go to University (I'm 18...will be 19 by next summer).

I checked out some organized ones like "Student Hosteling Programs" but I find that their $4k+ usd price a bit pricy (convert that to CDN and it's a lot more than I'll have). What I'm thinking is that I plan out the whole trip myself beforehand through maps and research - places to stay, distances to bike each day etc - and then do the trip with a friend or two. Around how much would that cost?

Language wise, I'm not overly concerned about, since I've been studying french in school for the past 10 years , but I'm wondering if anyone here has done anything similar?

I have a ton of questions - I'm not too familiar with the whole concept of hostels since there really aren't that many around here in Ontario heh (are they safe? dirty? etc)

Bike wise, would a straight road/race bike do okay? This is probably what I'll be getting
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/03/c...del-3RR2D.html
or
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/03/c...del-3RR1D.html

I know it isn't your typical touring bike, but I'm a fan of road biking and there's no way I'd buy a touring bike just for a trip.

How much should I carry with me for something like this? A pannier? Would a backpack do?

Road conditions? Anyone been through there? Are there crazy motorists that try to run over cyclists? If the roads in the Paris countryside are anything like the ones up north in Ontario...then I'd have second thoughts

Brains

yeh - go with it - I can't see a single problem except you might run out of money - but there are always temp jobs you can get

As for planning - start in paris - head south, but no need to work out a route, just work out the first target, say Montpellier - should take you a couple of weeks, and then go where the fancy (and the budget) take you

As for crazy drivers - it's not like Canada, the drivers are really crazy - but France must be in the top 5 most bike friendly countries on the planet

Check out
https://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/th...at=&Start=bike

Guest

Hi Kenneth-

First of all, it's not a crazy idea to run off to Europe and tour- it's a great idea! I didn't go to France, but I did meet a couple of people travelling together in Italy that travelled by bike from France. From what they told me, they said that travelling France by bike is wonderful. There are so many cyclists out there, and of course, because of the Tour, people do not have a problem riding their bikes out there. It's definitely do-able.

I've been a hostel girl for many years now. In fact, I also volunteer at the Hostelling International out here too, and I know that any hostel that is part of the Hostelling International is extremely reputable. They have to keep higher standards than the typical hostel to maintain their affiliation with Hostelling International. A word of warning- if you are planning to go in the summer, realize that once June hits, the hostels will be constantly full. In Italy, if you are not a member of Hostelling International, you cannot even stay there for the summer. I found it extremely difficult to find accomodations as it got later in June. In May, finding accomodations wasn't much of a problem. Some places are better than others. If you want, you can plan your itiniary, then book your rooms in advance for the entire time you're travelling. However, since you never know what kind of adventures you'll have or how many miles you'll really be able to accomplish, it may be risky, as you have to pay for the rooms in advance, and you'd lose the money you put down if you ended up not getting from point A to point B.

I found it difficult to keep to any kind of agenda. As far as getting maps and charts and gps system and satellites, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are someone that likes to be organized, go ahead and get the maps and figure it out. But if you can afford to be flexible, I say just get some Michelin maps and a compass. Get in contact with a couple of people out there and just go! Then see your contacts along the way when you get there. They'll help you stay grounded, and they can give you insight into some of the places you want to go. Thanks kind of how I did it. I freaked out big time when it got to the night before I left- my bike was still in the shop, some of my equipment was still on its way via fed ex, and my language skills for Italian were poor. I was deconditioned and hadn't done much riding. I wasn't even sure if I would last the first day! And I didn't know how to do anything, even pump up my tire! But you learn as you go along.

Feel free to PM me if you want some recommendations for Italy. I am not a France person, but perhaps someone else can respond who toured in France? And for what it's worth, a great woman said "age ain't nuthin' but a number", so don't even think about the age thing. What matters is how you conduct yourself and how you treat the people around you.

Bottom line, I say just go with the flow and have some fun, meet people, and live life to the fullest! AND... go in May. It would really suck fighting tourists in that horrible heat in the middle to end of the summer.


Koffee

Guest

P.S.-

If you play your cards right and stay at hostels and campgrounds, it shouldn't cost you too much either!

Koffee

Brains

The solution to the accomodation problem in France (and most of the rest of Europe) during July and August is to camp - If you are cycling, even the most crowded camp site will find somewhere to put a cyclist with a small hike tent

There is a Lonley Planet book called something like Cycling in France - It's totally useless for routes, but its great for general info, bit's of the bike in French, how to pack a pike, rules (both written and unwritten) of the road, and general stuff on France

Read the book before you go and then leave it behind as it weighs about 1kg

KennethToronto

Koffee Brown - I just noticed there's a forum on your trip through Italy!

I'll make sure to read all of it..sounds interesting.

alexeicharkham

re staying in places each night, if you wanna go for the hostel or bed and breakfast approach, pick up a booklet from tourist information in towns along the way. I've just got back from france and there are tourist info offices in the smallest places - even where there's nothing to see - really weird, but very helpful.

you can then call ahead at lunch or tea-time to book a place. I think france gets busy about now (aug 5th, when school breaks up) so booking might be a good idea from then on

if going on yr own, camping alone does get a bit heavy I think - thoughts anyone??

oh - this is something you'll have to learn for yourself - in the countryside, EVERYTHING BUT EVERYTHING is closed on weekends. also, they don't want your business in any way - the shopkeepers just want to be left in peace. in one shop with penny sweets the guy counted them all out by hand....;-)

beowoulfe

I did France with 3 other friends in '95. We did 1200 miles using Michilen (sp?) maps. I forget the detail size, there are several. I wasn't the navigator. We sort of knew where we wanted to go, but we constantly re-routed ourselves as we discovered bad roads. The maps were invaluable. (BTW a "3" on the map is a very steep hill.)

The group mostly did hostels and 1 or 2 star hotels. I carried camping gear as I wanted to have camped in Europe. I had several opportunities when room rates went to outrageous. Those nights when they were paying $100 (US) I was in a $4 camp site and loving it. There was always room for me and my tent.

I can say firsthand that France is the BEST ! You'll have to get your lunch stuff before noon. Everything shuts down for a nooner. We found that $4 (US) buys a really nice bottle of wine and made the picnics even better.

alexeicharkham is absolutely on the money about tourist offices. They are everywhere and are immensely helpful. Someone usually speaks English there and they go to great lengths to help you.