two week tour with the love of your life, anywhere in the world july august 2012+
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two week tour with the love of your life, anywhere in the world july august 2012+
some specifics: it's a honeymoon, prefer non-supported, both in good shape minus his occasionally touchy knees. He's toured, I have not, we can both complete centuries with little drama but would probably prefer 30 or 40 miles a day so we can spend lots of time relaxing. His suggestion was Berlin to Copenhagen, which I agree would be great but some part of me also wants to don a swimsuit and be someplace a little warmer. Then again, if it's August in DC maybe I'll appreciate not broiling in 90 degree heat. We're willing to spend a little money since it will be a last hurrah before trying for kids.
Thanks for any recs!
Thanks for any recs!
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You could go to the northern part of Australia at that time of year and find some reasonably warm temps, beaches, etc. I might suggest trying a tour up the east coast starting from Brisbane, or even further north like Cairns.
If you flew into Cairns, it is about a 170 km up to Cape Trib, via Port Douglas and Daintree.
Stop at beaches along the way, book a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, take in the rainforest near Daintree, and spend an afternoon on a river looking for crocs. You could also do a loop south of Cairns if you felt so inclined.
One of the many beaches in that part of the world ...
If you flew into Cairns, it is about a 170 km up to Cape Trib, via Port Douglas and Daintree.
Stop at beaches along the way, book a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, take in the rainforest near Daintree, and spend an afternoon on a river looking for crocs. You could also do a loop south of Cairns if you felt so inclined.
One of the many beaches in that part of the world ...

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Last edited by Machka; 03-22-12 at 01:29 AM.
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I'll second the vote for the Aquitaine region of France! We're headed there for 3 weeks in September, and I'm in the throes of planning the details. Check out Lonely Planet Cycling France for ideas. Actually, ANY part of France would get my vote - we've ridden in Burgundy (lovely),Provence (too warm that time of year?), Alsace and the Jura, the Dordogne, Lot and Tarn River Valleys (maybe my favorite trip of all time). The French are so welcoming to cyclists, the food and wine can't be beat, and the scenery is nearly always picture perfect. Have a wonderful trip, wherever you go!
#7
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Bordeaux is nice. It does get really warm and humid there in August (I spent a year living there.) The area of "Le Périgord" (AKA La Dordogne) just east of Bordeaux is, however, MUCH more interesting with amazing cuisine and beautiful countryside. There are also neat quaint towns to explore: Sarlat, Rocamadour and more. I remember it being a little cooler (actually, dryer.) Having said this, I would vote for the region northeast of Lucca (i.e., Bagni di Lucca, Coreglia, Barga, etc.) in Tuscany. The views are too die for, great cuisine, spas, small quaint hotels and B&Bs, really nice weather for cycling and overall friendly people. You'll meet lots of cyclists on these roads, especially on the weekends. In two weeks you could ride from Lucca to Aulla and then over to Cinque Terre for a spectacular ending at some of the most amazing coastal areas in the world.
Last edited by Chris Pringle; 03-21-12 at 06:29 PM.
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What do you love? Wine? History? Beach? Mountains? That's the real question because you can bike tour anywhere. Answer that one and you'll know where to go.
My wife and I did our honeymoon from York to the Lake District and up to Edinburgh over 2 weeks. Took our time, saw the sights and enjoyed the scenery. Art is a big draw for my wife so we saw the sculpture in Grizedale Forest and there's plenty in Edinburgh.
My wife and I did our honeymoon from York to the Lake District and up to Edinburgh over 2 weeks. Took our time, saw the sights and enjoyed the scenery. Art is a big draw for my wife so we saw the sculpture in Grizedale Forest and there's plenty in Edinburgh.
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After reading scores of journals on Crazy Guy On A Bike, France has my vote but it will also be very hot in July/Aug. I happen to like Brits a lot and the beer there is very good. Lots of beautiful terrain and picturesque villages to visit - maybe in the Lake District.
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Corsica, just about everything you want, great weather, mountains, beaches, friendly locals, good food and just big enough for a two week tour.
We rode through there in 2010 and are definitely going back.
We rode through there in 2010 and are definitely going back.
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#16
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Just a scheduling note:
Lots of EU companies have their paid Worker's holidays all in August..
so there is that to consider.. lots of people..seeking services..
Oregon Coast is nice, high pressure ridge settles in,
to dry the place out, about then.
Lots of EU companies have their paid Worker's holidays all in August..
so there is that to consider.. lots of people..seeking services..
Oregon Coast is nice, high pressure ridge settles in,
to dry the place out, about then.
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-23-12 at 12:28 PM.
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some specifics: it's a honeymoon, prefer non-supported, both in good shape minus his occasionally touchy knees. He's toured, I have not, we can both complete centuries with little drama but would probably prefer 30 or 40 miles a day so we can spend lots of time relaxing. His suggestion was Berlin to Copenhagen, which I agree would be great but some part of me also wants to don a swimsuit and be someplace a little warmer. Then again, if it's August in DC maybe I'll appreciate not broiling in 90 degree heat. We're willing to spend a little money since it will be a last hurrah before trying for kids.
Thanks for any recs!
Thanks for any recs!
Cycling with loaded bikes in midday summer hot spots is even less pleasant in person than it sounds in words. I would definitely consider finding a route with pleasant July-August temperatures.
It would probably be good to focus on what you both enjoy. If love is in bloom, might as well spend a lot of time enjoying each other's company, and choose a route and a touring style that will be in harmony with that.
Last edited by Niles H.; 03-22-12 at 07:32 PM.
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Stateside or overseas? How epic do you want to get? At the stateside beginning with easier, (and since you mentioned DC), GAP+C&O (plenty of B&B, hostel, and easy camping options), or pick a few B&B on the Maryland Eastern Shore and do day-long loops or b&b-to-b&b. (and yes, I know it's August, DC humidity, bugs on the GAP/C&O and beach-goers on the Eastern shore). Or a Skyline Drive + Blue Ridge trip if you're OK with hills. Further north - a Lake Champlain circumnavigation, or Finger Lakes region, or Vermont / NH (check the Bike Vermont catalog for ideas), or downeast Maine/Acadia National Park (although there's a reason the unofficial state birds are the mosquito and <various_names>-fly!).
But make sure the plans are flexible and you are both into it. Where ever you go, I'd pick a few B&B's or quaint hotels/inns and do day-long loop trips, that way you have flexibility if you don't have to get from A to B each day.
But make sure the plans are flexible and you are both into it. Where ever you go, I'd pick a few B&B's or quaint hotels/inns and do day-long loop trips, that way you have flexibility if you don't have to get from A to B each day.
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I'd suggest Alpine France or Italy. Yes, there'd be a fair bit of climbing, but gaining a bit of height moderates the heat at that time of year and the scenery, hospitality and food are all absolutely stunning. And who wouldn't want to ride the Zoncolan or the Alpe de Huez on their honeymoon?
#20
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Your title made me think the "love of your life" was your bike. Honeymoon, got it. I'd look at Scandanavia for the cooler weather and long days/short nights. Beautiful part of the world and wonderful people.
#21
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My wife and I will be spending two weeks this July riding part of the Great Divide, from Banff to Whitefish, plus a side trip to Glacier National Park. If you prefer to get away from it all, this could be a winner.