Cycling to the Etape

kilns

Hey All,

Myself and a few others are doing the etape in July. However, myself and another guy have decided to go over a bit earlier and cycle down to it, taking about 7 days to complete it. We are going on the 7th, arriving in Roscoff then hopefully down to my family's house in Argeles Gazost on the 14th and then hopefully get some climbs in before the 18th, ideally Hautacam and Luz Ardiden.

Just have a few questions for you guys out there.

Has anybody cycle down this way before, or is anybody else planning this kind of trip, if so any tips?

Also what would be people recommend with regard to accomodation, we would like to keep the excess baggage to a minimum so would camping it be worth it.

Also, pannier or rucksack? My bike is a carbon road bike so I would have to purchase a seat post clamped pannier.

blorg

If using a carbon road bike I would consider keeping it light but I wouldn't use a rucksack actually on your back for any distance. For shorter tours (up to 5 days, doing the Raid Pyrenean) I have used an in-Sy backpack that attaches to my saddle, along with a bar bag:



If you can afford it stay in B&Bs etc. It seriously reduces the amount you have to carry.

It is a good idea to leave a period for recovery between this ride and doing the Etape, so getting there 4 days before sounds sensible.

IM0

bear in mind that B&B and bikes dont usually go, there are some bike friendly ones, and the majority that are not you will have to lock your bike outside and all that hassle. A campsite is worth it definately, not least for the other touring cyclists you will bump into along the way and share stories and pick up tips on route ect, but also they are set up for touring, and will almost always find a spot for cycletourists in the evening if its 'full'

much better experience to camp. different experience to a B&B.

blorg

I've done a lot of touring in Europe and never had a problem getting my bike put inside a B&B or hotel.

I've camped as well and as me@ucd says there is a great vibe to camping but I don't think it is ideal if you are trying to go light on a carbon road bike. France is a great country for camping.

Obviously there is a financial impact in that camping will be cheaper but if you can afford B&B/Hotel for 7 nights I think that is a better bet here.

kilns

yeah I would love to camp, having gone to France for 10 years with the family and camping, their campsites are second to none and most have a pool, so would be nice to have a dip after a day on the road!

However, as you said the extra weight of carrying a tent is a problem (although the weight I am at at the moment, a extra couple of kgs wouldnt make a difference!!).

I was hoping if anyone had cycled down this route before and had B&B's or hotels they could recommend