Morning all,
I'm currently sat by a lake, part way through a thoroughly lovely bike ride and I've been thinking about my spine and this years bikepacking trips (as you do).
I recently rebuggered my back and it's currently ok and in recovery but.....long climby days in the saddle put a lot more strain on my L3 disc than long, gentle and essentially flat days in the saddle.
So with that in mind I'm wondering what you lot would consider to be the best options for a nice mediumly lengthed bikepacking route within my desired criteria.
Which are:
- 800-1200km (7-8 days of 100-150km per day)
- mostly flat or flatesque
- a nice mix of non-tech off-road and quiet road
- warm (if not hot)
- beautiful scenery and not too civilised
- no more than a cheap 2ish hour flight away
- the more exotic the better
In my mind I'm thinking coastal routes in Morocco, Greece, southern Spain/Portugal etc...
So.....any ideas?
Any/all thoughts and ideas appreciated.
Cheers, Gairy.
Big flat route ideas?
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- gairym
- Posts: 3139
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Big flat route ideas?
Last edited by gairym on Fri May 04, 2018 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Big flat route ideas?
https://parischillracing.com/2017/07/no ... r-gravier/
https://issuu.com/pcrgravier/docs/nsngbookextraitissuu
Saw some big open plains and desert-like landscapes on this film / trip. No idea how much climbing there was, they started in the Pyrenees but a lot of what I saw of the middle/end of the ride appealed to me for that big sky country western feel. Did a 'road-trip' of sorts around Spain and Portugal a couple of years back and Mid Spain was fairly flat in places. some stunning cities like Salamanca to visit. Portugal was more rolling from what I saw/remember.
https://issuu.com/pcrgravier/docs/nsngbookextraitissuu
Saw some big open plains and desert-like landscapes on this film / trip. No idea how much climbing there was, they started in the Pyrenees but a lot of what I saw of the middle/end of the ride appealed to me for that big sky country western feel. Did a 'road-trip' of sorts around Spain and Portugal a couple of years back and Mid Spain was fairly flat in places. some stunning cities like Salamanca to visit. Portugal was more rolling from what I saw/remember.
- Blackhound
- Posts: 1477
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:32 pm
Re: Big flat route ideas?
I recently cycled from Irun to Rochefort and then Caen on flattish routes much on cycleways. Maybe a bit close to home and so not exotic. Have a look at the Eurovelo routes such as EV6 from the Black Sea to Atlantic. EV1 (which I did in part) goes along the Portugal coast. Or EV8 in Spain.
For Morocco look at Meraid's blog as she has been there a few times:
http://www.eurovelo.com/en/eurovelos
http://www.farawayvisions.com/
For Morocco look at Meraid's blog as she has been there a few times:
http://www.eurovelo.com/en/eurovelos
http://www.farawayvisions.com/
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Re: Big flat route ideas?
Ruta del Cid? https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking ... cid-688032 I've got the guide book, the Spanish C2C uses about 250 miles of it and it ticks most of your boxes. Lots of history, castles, canyons, medieval villages, you get the picture.
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- Location: Peoples Republic of Devon
Re: Big flat route ideas?
It's not usually very hot but Iceland has a ring road of about 1000km that is pretty flat over about 3/4 of it's length.
The flight is 2 hours.
Camping is unrestricted.
It's exotic (in the same way that Mordor is exotic) and has trolls ...
The flight is 2 hours.
Camping is unrestricted.
It's exotic (in the same way that Mordor is exotic) and has trolls ...
If you are going through hell, keep going.
WSC
WSC
Re: Big flat route ideas?
Is there anything like this in't blighty ? Shorter of course, but still flatish?
- johnnystorm
- Posts: 3954
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- Location: Eastern (Anglia) Front
Re: Big flat route ideas?
Welcome to East Anglia! I can't be on the WRT as I'm d of e assessing but it's glorious so I'm not too upset!ootini wrote:Is there anything like this in't blighty ? Shorter of course, but still flatish?
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- gairym
- Posts: 3139
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: Big flat route ideas?
Cheers all, much to think about.....
I frequently look at the eurovelo website for ideas but from the few bits I've tried to date (and from looking on the route map) so much of it is not yet actually in existence. Great on paper but arguably more of an exercise in securing EU funding that hasn't yet lead to a great deal of difference on the ground. Still, even if it is just a lot of general cycle friendly roads to ride on, it's still of use when route planning.
All, so far the idea of a dirt cheap return flight to Marrakesh and then exploring the coast of Morocco has me the most excited but we'll see.....
Cheers very much to all for the info and keep it coming if you've got anything else to add.....
Gairy.
James, thanks I'm looking into those links. Central Spain isn't a bad option, I'll do more research.jameso wrote:Did a 'road-trip' of sorts around Spain and Portugal a couple of years back and Mid Spain was fairly flat in places. some stunning cities like Salamanca to visit. Portugal was more rolling from what I saw/remember.
Kevin, your trip looked great but not sure France ticks the exotic box sufficiently (though there's still so much of the country I've not explored).Blackhound wrote:I recently cycled from Irun to Rochefort and then Caen on flattish routes much on cycleways. Maybe a bit close to home and so not exotic. Have a look at the Eurovelo routes such as EV6 from the Black Sea to Atlantic. EV1 (which I did in part) goes along the Portugal coast. Or EV8 in Spain.
I frequently look at the eurovelo website for ideas but from the few bits I've tried to date (and from looking on the route map) so much of it is not yet actually in existence. Great on paper but arguably more of an exercise in securing EU funding that hasn't yet lead to a great deal of difference on the ground. Still, even if it is just a lot of general cycle friendly roads to ride on, it's still of use when route planning.
Thanks Duncan but from what I've seen it's holier (edit: 'hillier' ) than I'd be up for taking on at this point. One day though.....pistonbroke wrote:Ruta del Cid? https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking ... cid-688032 I've got the guide book, the Spanish C2C uses about 250 miles of it and it ticks most of your boxes. Lots of history, castles, canyons, medieval villages, you get the picture.
Would totally be up for Iceland but I'm wary of anywhere snowy as this winter saw so much of it that there's likely still parts that are either closed or awaiting repair. I know around here it's going to be mid summer at least before everything is open for business as usual.lune ranger wrote:It's not usually very hot but Iceland has a ring road of about 1000km that is pretty flat over about 3/4 of it's length.
The flight is 2 hours.
Camping is unrestricted.
It's exotic (in the same way that Mordor is exotic) and has trolls ...
Yeah, I'd consider than but it's still a way to travel so I'm thinking that if I'm flying I might as well go somewhere warm :)ootini wrote:Is there anything like this in't blighty ? Shorter of course, but still flatish?
All, so far the idea of a dirt cheap return flight to Marrakesh and then exploring the coast of Morocco has me the most excited but we'll see.....
Cheers very much to all for the info and keep it coming if you've got anything else to add.....
Gairy.
Re: Big flat route ideas?
if you ever fancy heading to Norfolk, i'm more than happy to show you around!
Lots of great quiet roads and lots of flattish trails and bridleways, can easily out together 100 mile days where you'll be lucky to see 10 cars.
(Yes i am aware it is not very exotic!!)
Lots of great quiet roads and lots of flattish trails and bridleways, can easily out together 100 mile days where you'll be lucky to see 10 cars.
(Yes i am aware it is not very exotic!!)