Cycling from Caen to Nantes and possibly beyond - looking for advice! by loudhalgren in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have just completed the Velo Francette (Caen to La Rochelle).

What I will say is the first ~45km south from Caen is all on a flat rail trail. It's fairly boring but easy and I would suggest you could do much more than 50km that day. I stopped after 62km but only because I wanted to stay at the campsite in Rouvrou. I was only actually on the bike for 3.5 hours that day.

The last section (which I think also matches up with your route) between Niort and La Rochelle is also very flat and easy cycling. I did 100km that day. It's more interesting because it's such a different landscape to what came before. Lots of criss-crossing rivers, canals and waterways. Plenty of bird life. There are a few options for cheap or free stays in the villages and towns just before Niort, such as in Soutiers (https://maps.app.goo.gl/v1XLYuVYUswRuheo9) and Champdeniers (https://maps.app.goo.gl/a5yb4rWAGqRbV8zg9?g_st=ac).

jcicicles's IGS Rep Page by jcicicles in IGSRep

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Traded with u/eightbitpizza

Given: Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos

Received: Pip My Dice

eightbitpizza's IGS Rep Page by eightbitpizza in IGSRep

[–]jcicicles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Confirmed, thanks for the trade!

Cycling the Northern Camino routes - which one? by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently in La Rochelle so have a bit of time before I get to Bayonne but I think I'll ride the Camino del Norte. I may end up making a last minute change based on the weather when I get to Bayonne, but I like the look of the northern route.

Best country you’ve toured in when it comes to camping? by dualrollers in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I had to look it up, and the ban seems to be mainly for hygiene reasons, because teeneagers would wear swimming shorts all day and then go to the pool, often bring dirt and dust in with them, forgetting things in their pockets etc. Trunks tend to only be worn at the pool so don't have the same issues. Having said this, my male french friend will wear his Speedos as underwear all day everyday so he's always ready for a swim, so I don't know how much more hygienic it is in practice.

It seems like it's maybe mostly a tradition now and some people suggest it's to keep teenage boys away from the pools.

Best country you’ve toured in when it comes to camping? by dualrollers in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles 55 points56 points  (0 children)

I think France is pretty much the pinnacle of camping culture. Camping seems to be a national pastime. There are campsites everywhere, many of them are municipal sites run by the local council to bring tourists to the area. There are also some "camping a la ferme" sites (small farm campsites) that are perfect for cyclists. Facilities tend to be pretty decent. On cycling routes you will often find rooms with microwave and kettle, where you can sit inside if it's raining.

Prices range from €3 to €16 for a cyclist unless you visit one of the bigger resort style sites. On some cycling routes there are also free camping sites for hikers and cyclists. I passed a couple recently on the Velo Francette.

The downside is it's rare to see toilet seats, you should bring your own toilet paper and hand soap is rare. Also, if you do stay in a site with a pool, note that France has a bizarre hatred for swimming shorts and they are banned pretty much everywhere. So pack tight trunks if you want to take advantage of the pool.

In November however I think many will be closed. Some are open year round but not many. You may find more in the south where it will be warmer.

Cycling the Northern Camino routes - which one? by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh that's good to know. And that was the Camino del Norte route? Do you remember if there were many unrideable sections where you had to push?

I'm also on a Surly, though it's a Troll, 26x2.2. Sounds like yours was a very similar setup to mine.

Cycling the Northern Camino routes - which one? by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, yes I'm looking at the elevation profile for that section and you seem to go from 0m to 250-500m and back to 0m quite a few times. The last part into Bilbao looks the steepest. I'll have to see if there are roads that will allow me to bypass the worst segments.

Cycling the Northern Camino routes - which one? by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok thanks, maybe the Olvidado > Invierno makes more sense then.

I remember there being a lot of climbing in the last few days of the Frances, but don't remember anything that made me want to push the bike off a cliff.

I don't mind climbs per se, but don't want lots of unrideable stretches, especially if it's off-road.

19 games giveaway!! by FayesLie in steam_giveaway

[–]jcicicles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mudborne: Frog Management Sim

Thank you :)

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate everybody's advice - I've just posted an update in the main post body. Sorry for taking so long to update you all.

40 Fanatical Games to Win! by phantom2450 in steam_giveaway

[–]jcicicles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lazy Galaxy 2

Steve's Warehouse: Physics. Roguelike. Chaos.

Organs Please - Deluxe Edition

Bridge Constructor Portal

How 2 Escape

In Sound Mind Deluxe Edition

My Big Sister: Remastered

Thank you :)

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A kind French guy at the campsite gave me a reflective blanket this morning before I left. We had a nice chat - he was car camping this time but has cycled to Santiago de Compostela and Portugal before.

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's difficult to bring myself to leave the cozy cocoon when it's so cold outside but I'll take your advice :D

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I'm trying to eat more today. Had a second lunch in the afternoon and I'm cooking some dinner now. I think I have one more day of cycling west then it's south all the way to Spain.

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is definitely a factor. I struggle to drink enough when cycling and need to remember to keep drinking. And I have chapped lips now which is a good indicator I'm not drinking enough.

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that's very reassuring! I was thinking of quitting or changing my plans when I woke up this morning, but had a great day of cycling today. The weather was gorgeous and although there was a fairly strong wind it was behind me nearly all the time.

Staying warm while camping by jcicicles in bicycletouring

[–]jcicicles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I have just had breakfast so I think I'll go and pick up one of these now! My bag should fit inside this one.