Trans-European mission

[hugh_]

I finish uni this summer, and want to spend some time travelling before I enter the big ole world of work. Nothing is set in stone yet, but our thoughts have been along these lines.

Ferry it to Northern france somewhere
Cycle down the west coast France, into Spain for a couple of days mountain biking in the Pyrenees
Across the Mediteranean coast of France to the Alps, into Switzerland and then Italy.
Train or plane it back.

At the moment the plan is for 2 of us to go, both will be 21 and fairly fit, obviously need to do lots of training before hand. Is 550 miles a week too ambitious (based on 100miles/day with 1 day off per week and some other slush time!)? We would want to do it relatively cheaply, so camping and cooking as we go with the odd meal out here and there.

Has anyone done similar and if so what obstacles did you come across

[Fixedwheelnut]

Not myself but friends have and used bike express;
[url]www.bike-express.co.uk/[/url]
worth looking into they can drop off and pick up at different locations

[outnumbered]

550 miles a week is possible. Work out what you can both keep up for an average speed on a long ride, and see how many hours in the saddle that gives you - then see how much spare time is left after sleeping. Your average speed in the high mountains will be much lower than on the flat, and you'll do better by estimating on vertical ascent per hour. If you're decently fit, 1000m vertical per hour might be a good place to start from.

I'd avoid riding through Northern France if I were you, there's an awful lot of it, and it's not that interesting. Get down the the Pyrenees quickly (e.g. on the bike express as mentioned in the last post), mountains are where it's at...

[hugh_]

Thanks for all the advice - im moderately fit already so I wont see any reason why I cant be decently fit by June! I must admit I was having second thought about the long slog through France so perhaps starting somewhere down the west Coast would be good. I'll get in touch with Bike Express and see what they can offer.