1st time tourer seeks urgent advice!

[bob12345]

My plan is very simple, indeed perhaps too simple... I'm gonna go on 7th July to Calais in France, and then South, hopefully into Spain, and get a ferry back.

Anyone have any tips regarding where to stay (youth hostel/tent...), any essential items to take, and, due to extreme apathy amongst friends, touring organisations to meet like minded people????????????

thanks

[Tony R]

"bob12345" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message news:3ea535d9_1@news.chariot.net.au...
> My plan is very simple, indeed perhaps too simple... I'm gonna go on 7th July to Calais in France,
> and then South, hopefully into Spain, and get a ferry back.
>
> Anyone have any tips regarding where to stay (youth hostel/tent...), any essential items to take,
> and, due to extreme apathy amongst friends, touring organisations to meet like minded
> people????????????
>
> thanks

Sounds like my first proper tour in reverse (Bilbao - London). If you're geared up for camping
French campsites are great and plentiful. If not look out for gites d'etapes which are
comparatively cheap and cheerful. Keep it simple I'd say, it's more fun. OTOH I'd maybe think about
booking somewhere to stay around the 13th./14th. July in advance, have a rest day and enjoy the
fireworks. tony R.

[bob12345]

cheers v much

[bob12345]

cheers v much. how far can you cycle per day on average, just to work out where i'll be -ish on the 14th july

[Peter]

"bob12345" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message news:3ea535d9_1@news.chariot.net.au...
> My plan is very simple, indeed perhaps too simple... I'm gonna go on 7th July to Calais in France,
> and then South, hopefully into Spain, and get a ferry back.
>
> Anyone have any tips regarding where to stay (youth hostel/tent...), any essential items to take,
> and, due to extreme apathy amongst friends, touring organisations to meet like minded
> people????????????
>
> thanks

http://www.fastload.net (http://www.fastload.net/) Intended for pilgrims riding to Santiago has accommodation, camping and
other pages for France plus photos and comments on riding through France twice and links to other
useful sites.

Bilbao city is biking heaven if you want to get the ferry back from there. (Bike paths and bridges,
free no fuss take your bike on the local trains and underground through special wide gates, drivers
who follow you patiently until they can pass giving you a wide margn of safety, etc.) peter
webworker@btinternet.com