EuroVelo: cycling to eastern europe

sciencegeek

Planning to cycle to bucharest (and maybe further), loosely basing it on some of the eurovelo routes. Basically, I have done a fair bit of cycling but mostly shorter distances, triathlons and three day events, pretty much a novice.
I've been trying to look through the forum but couldn't get much detail, so said i'd start up a new thread.
What i'm after is advice! I'm planning on going May/April next year. I have a decent racer at the minute but ill prob have to invest in a road bike and some gear. I kind of like the idea of buying a cheap 2nd hand and doing it on that! Also planning on doing it as cheap as possible, minimalist approach, which is all part of the attraction! Would really appreciate any input from all the experts out there?? and Anyone else feel free to give a bit of input too??
Links, books, gear, friends of a friend who done it, anything really...
THANKS!!

alfalad

Where are you starting from? Cheapest way would be to camp. I've done Regensburg in Germany to Budapest and there is a series of map books on it. Can't remember the name now but they were pretty useful.

penexpers

This might help

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=7459&v=MK

(this was written by blorg).

Plenty of good touring advice on that site in general.

sciencegeek

Thanks for the prompt replies, apologies was out of the country for christmas and had no access to internet :mad:
I'm planning to go from dublin, Ferry to France and take it from there, some loose plans but very much in the early stages of planning. reading a few books on it at present is all im doing training wise due to a dodgy knee!
It's going to be a definite now though as I';ve told too many people so theres no backing out!
In the market for a touring bike, contemplating buying parts and building my own? Any ideas-is this more hassle than its worth
Sincere thanks again for your input!

happygoose

I've gone the build route with a tourer, with 2nd hand parts, with something similar in mind, its a lot of hassle and its doesn't save any money.

Tonyandthewhale

I've gone the build route with a tourer, with 2nd hand parts. It worked fine and saved a lot of money but to build something up you have to have a lot of time/and or luck to get all the parts you need in decent condition for a decent price. You'd really want to have a lot of the necessary spare parts lying around already.

If you want to buy a second hand bike for this, find one in good condition which is already close to how you'd want it to be for the tour. Buying a bike where you have to replace everything but the frame can be fun but it can also be very frustrating.

As regards being as cheap as possible. Municipal campsites in France are dirt cheap but don't feel you need always camp in campsites. There are plenty of woods and fields and friendly gardens etc out there. My tent of choice is a one man gelert. Mine's green, only cost about 40e, weighs only 1.5kg, can be erected in a matter of seconds and needs only a tiny footprint of land which is handy when you've got a non-official campsite complete with rocks and obstacles and all that.

silver campaign

Some guide books available here

http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/index.cfm?filter=73

sciencegeek

Guys thanks for info, really appreciate advice.
Cherbourg to paris and paris south to eurovelo 6 at orleans end of may/start of june. Any nice on routes getting to paris or anything anyone could recommend? planning on just following eurovelo after that

alexanderomahon

This guy sends out free info on touring. He also responds very well to questions on his facebook page regarding equipment etc.

https://www.facebook.com/bicycletouring

http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/

Fatbiker

sciencegeek wrote: »

Guys thanks for info, really appreciate advice.
Cherbourg to paris and paris south to eurovelo 6 at orleans end of may/start of june. Any nice on routes getting to paris or anything anyone could recommend? planning on just following eurovelo after that

I am very interested in your trip as I am thinkin about a similar one. I would be thinking Autumn of 2013 as far as the Black Sea and perhaps into Turkey. Will you set up a blog or at least post your account on your return? This thread has already provided me with useful links. Good luck. FB

sciencegeek

Thanks for the interest- made it to paris and hoping to cycle south to Orleans and link up with eurovelo six for a while- another question: Cycling though Romania, thinking of going across the North through Carpathian Mountains and on to Moldova as oppossed to following eurovelo and going through bucharest. People I've talked to have only said about Wolves, Beers and wild dogs but to be honest it kind of makes it more appealing- wondering if there is anyone who has biked through this area? And if there is any semi established routes? Hard to find anything on net so far

Planet X

Don't forget the Garlic!

Fatbiker

sciencegeek wrote: »

Thanks for the interest- made it to paris and hoping to cycle south to Orleans and link up with eurovelo six for a while- another question: Cycling though Romania, thinking of going across the North through Carpathian Mountains and on to Moldova as oppossed to following eurovelo and going through bucharest. People I've talked to have only said about Wolves, Beers and wild dogs but to be honest it kind of makes it more appealing- wondering if there is anyone who has biked through this area? And if there is any semi established routes? Hard to find anything on net so far

Well done on your progress. Have a look on www.crazyguyonabike.Com . Lots of blogs on cycle touring. You may find the info you are seeking.

Schnell

Hi, I've gone along most of the route you mentioned just last year. We passed through the southern bit of Romania, close to the Danube/eurovelo most of the way. The iron gates national park bit was spectacular. No bears but loads of wild dogs and homemade spirits.

Anyway we came across an American and Serbian who'd done a pretty extensive 'tour de carpathia' and detailed it on their blog: http://bikingaroundagain.com/2011/11/. It should have some helpful stuff in there.

sciencegeek

Hi, along time coming but always meant to reply to this thread. Thanks for all the input. Cycled to Moldova in the end. Have to say, Romania was the highlight, parts of it were what Ireland must have been like 50 years ago...people still getting there water from wells, horses and carts, farming by hand, amazing to see really in a European country. People were lovely, and the scenery, particularly around carpatians was spectacular. Loads of nice hill climbs, and accommodation was extremely cheap (look for Dutch campsites!). Only thing was maniac drivers and poor roads so could be dangerous at times.
So anyways, onward and upwards, anyone got any experience of cycing in Turkey or Iran?? Political situation seems to be hairy at the moment, so as always advice appreciated....

happygoose

I'd be interested in reading more about this, I think a lot would...your route, kit, bike, costs etc....sound v interesting.