Somerset to Switzerland by Bike!
Discussion
A few weeks ago on this forum, I questioned my sanity as to whether it was a good idea to bike it to the land of cuckoo clocks.
Well, I've just returned from the holiday of a lifetime. Fantastic touring cycling, averaging over 70 miles per day for 11 days. Average speed for the trip was 11.8mph, with rear panniers loaded with a total of 30+ lbs. V-max was 48.8mph. I covered just over 770 miles to the western Swiss border before returning to a favourite French village where I based myself for my recovery (not needed), so I added a further 260 miles to crack the 1000.
Everything exceeded expectations - riding conditions (mostly on back roads, cycle paths), hotels (I stopped in cycle-friendly 2* & 3* for about 50 euros/night), food, weather etc etc. My only regret is not taking on further distance in western France in the early days - as my longest ride previously had been an unladen 61, I was unsure whether I could maintain my early pace/distance of 90 miles on my first day; my last was quite strenuous 95 miles from Beaune into the Jura mountains.
I lost about 1 stone in weight over 3 weeks, and about 3 inches from the beer belly.
It may seem a little immodest, but my preparation (buying a decent bike, kit and research of the intended route) and training (trying to knock in at least 3 hours per day, 5/6 days per week since Feb) paid dividends.
In brief, totally recommended and I'm now thinking of the challenge for next summer.
Well, I've just returned from the holiday of a lifetime. Fantastic touring cycling, averaging over 70 miles per day for 11 days. Average speed for the trip was 11.8mph, with rear panniers loaded with a total of 30+ lbs. V-max was 48.8mph. I covered just over 770 miles to the western Swiss border before returning to a favourite French village where I based myself for my recovery (not needed), so I added a further 260 miles to crack the 1000.
Everything exceeded expectations - riding conditions (mostly on back roads, cycle paths), hotels (I stopped in cycle-friendly 2* & 3* for about 50 euros/night), food, weather etc etc. My only regret is not taking on further distance in western France in the early days - as my longest ride previously had been an unladen 61, I was unsure whether I could maintain my early pace/distance of 90 miles on my first day; my last was quite strenuous 95 miles from Beaune into the Jura mountains.
I lost about 1 stone in weight over 3 weeks, and about 3 inches from the beer belly.
It may seem a little immodest, but my preparation (buying a decent bike, kit and research of the intended route) and training (trying to knock in at least 3 hours per day, 5/6 days per week since Feb) paid dividends.
In brief, totally recommended and I'm now thinking of the challenge for next summer.
Congrats - its a great trip - I just got back from a year long cycle from London to Sydney via SWitzerland too! Loved it, apart from the Swiss drivers, definitely some of the worse I have ever encountered!
Nic
www.nutsonbents.com
Nic
www.nutsonbents.com
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff