Too Far?

[iaing]

I'm catching the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, then heading for Chamonix, Grenoble, Route Napoleon then across to Milleau and back to Amsterdam.

We've got 7 nights away plus the ferry at each end. Does this seem reasonable? I don't want to be on the bike all day every day, so would probably prefer a couple of big days to make up some distance.

I went to Venice a couple of years ago and that was hard work in a week, but it was on a naked bike which didn't help.

 

[Wapping]

How long is a piece of string?

You could do it all, without a problem in seven days (or five) even not using motorways.

But if you want to leave at 10:00 am dawdle, take pictures, stop for buns and ice creams, not ride more than 250 miles in a day and do it all on D roads (minor roads) riding 125 before lunch, then a two hour stop to get your head down in the trough, followed by a leisurely 125 miles afterwards....then find a campsite, put up tent (you don't say where you plan to sleep) - or be in the pool with a beer - all by 16:30 then you may be in for a disappointment.

Only you know what you want to do. What mileage, speed, roads, pee and picture stops you need to take. I think you may have made the common mistake of making a list of 'must does' without looking at where they are or thinking too hard.

Look at a map.

Plot out the miles, work out the time.

It's easy and it's your holiday.

200 miles is the same in France as it is in Scotland but it may take you longer as you are in a foreign country on holiday.

I lapped the outside of France, largely avoiding motorways in less time. We did Calais to Gibraltar in a day and a half (but it's not a holiday). Other members post up that 300 miles in a day is definitely too far.... sometimes we are all right and all wrong.

 

[John Armstrong]

It sounds feasable as long as you hit the motorways on the first and last days at least. So IIWY I'd "do" motorway to Chamonix, then Route National down the RDGA, back up the RDGA to Sisteron, cut across country via Mont Ventoux to the Gorges Du Tarn, along it to the bridge, the RN up to Chateroux, then motorway to Hamster Jam.

Echoing Wappings comments, work on about 5 hours a day in the saddle and it won't become too much of a slog, unless that's your sort of thing.

Best work out timings from AA / RAC / vaMichelin to see if it hits the spot. Also, I'd recommend a rest day in the middle, somewhere nice and warm and scenic. Orange is nice.

 

[High-Tower]

It sounds feasable as long as you hit the motorways on the first and last days at least. So IIWY I'd "do" motorway to Chamonix, then Route National down the RDGA, back up the RDGA to Sisteron, cut across country via Mont Ventoux to the Gorges Du Tarn, along it to the bridge, the RN up to Chateroux, then motorway to Hamster Jam.

Wot he says is good, its almost the exact trip to one I did a couple of years ago in the opposite direction. No worries in a week, you'll still have time to enjoy the scenic bits. Enjoy.

 

[iaing]

Look at a map.

I have; and spent hours on Autoroute, but it's easy to get carried away. Although I've done trips for the last 6 years, I've not been to the South of France, but from the comments it's do-able without feeling like torture.

Cheers

 

[Wapping]

I have; and spent hours on Autoroute, but it's easy to get carried away. Although I've done trips for the last 6 years, I've not been to the South of France, but from the comments it's do-able without feeling like torture.

Cheers

Excellent.

Then you are all set to go.

Have fun, it's a great bit of Europe and a super bit of France. The simple mistake many people make is not realising how big France is. I think it's because on a UK map of Europe, France is often pictured as being the same size (or smaller) than the UK, when in reality it is twice the size.

The Michelin 726 map with its Bis routes will show you the simple way down and up if you want to avoid many of the motorways. When you get to Dijon you are roughly halfway between Calais and the Mediterranean coast.

I would think about going, roughly: Holland, Dijon, Grenoble, Route Nap, coast or maybe just to about Castellane.

Castellane, Apt, Avignon, Arles, Millau.

Mende, Le Puy, St Etienne, Roanne, Paray, Montceau, Autun, Saulieu, Montbard, Chatillon, Troyes, Sezanne, Montmirail, Chateau Thierry, Soissons, St Quentin, motorway, Holland.

 

[iaing]

Great

Out of the places you've listed for the route back, are there any in particular you'd suggest for an overnight stay?

 

[Wapping]

I would think about going, roughly: Holland, Dijon, Grenoble, Route Nap, coast or maybe just to about Castellane or Grasse.

Correction.

 

[Wapping]

Great

Out of the places you've listed for the route back, are there any in particular you'd suggest for an overnight stay?

YUP.

Saulieu is OK, definitely Autun

.

Chatillon-s-S is, too.


Le Creusot is not!

I'm not much taken by Le Puy, either, irrespective of its lentil fame.

 

[Riders Rest]

Why not go from the Miilau up to Aurillac, Puy Mary Volccano, cut accross to Bort-Less Orgues and over on the D940 up to Limoges take in Oradour-Sur-Glane and then North through Chateraux some routes in the Central Massif can be found here...

 

[John Armstrong]

Out of the places you've listed for the route back, are there any in particular you'd suggest for an overnight stay?

Autun and Troyes very nice old towns with a few sights to see as well. Beaune close by but very touristy.

 

[iaing]

Thanks for all the suggestions, should be a good trip