Cycling: Packing and Planning

We initially conceived the idea of a week of riding along the Loire back in 2006 when we whizzed through on a tour of Europe. The idea has grown into a monster.

Route
The trip has been designed as an enjoyable tour of cycle friendly Europe. We had no interest in blitzing through the countryside without taking time to smell the roses and sample the wine. We settled on 50km/day as a manageable average distance.
The route itself we selected to avoid the cold of the north and the steep roads and crazy drivers of the med. We spent hours pouring over books at Stanfords [a great travel bookstore in London] and settled on loosely following the Eurovelo 6 route. The Eurovelo routes are a network of proposed cycle routes which span Europe. Most are incomplete but give some great ideas for itineraries.
The Eurovelo 6 runs from the French Atlantic Coast up the Loire, down the Danube, and out to the Black sea. The last section is a 1,200km slog through post communist Hungary/Romania with no real tourist facilities i.e. no campsites and dubious other accommodation. We decided to swap nights sleeping rough in gypsy country for some extra time in France [Brittany] and the alps.
The route mostly follows lightly trafficked roads and vehicle free cycle ways. There is a fair component of gravel in the mix so road bikes don't suit.

Maps and Books
- In Brittany 100,000 scale maps were to be purchase locally. Information on their Voie Verte cycleways was gathered on the web.
- The trip across France is covered in a 6 map set covering the first 3rd of the Eurovelo 6.
- Local maps again to get us to the source of the Danube.
- Cycline brand books 1, 2 and 3 to cover the Danube from source to Vienna and maybe Budapest.
- A map set of the Innradweg covering the route from Passau into the Austrian alps to Innsbruck.

Timing
Timing of the trip was dependant on good camping weather [over 10 Celsius at night]. We held off until early May to start the trip, this gives us spring weather and avoids peak season for the most part.

Gear
Bikes
A good touring bike can cost upwards of 1,000 pounds, which started to sound a bit serious for us. A sensible all-rounder can be purchased for less than half the price. Our lack of bikes in the UK, and difficulties in carrying bikes to France on most budget airlines lead us to the decision to pick up bikes locally. This also gives us the after-sale support of a big European sports chain and a useable warranty.
Bags
-We bought 2 sets of 2X20l Altura pannier bags in England from Evans cycles for about 50 quid a set. These looked fairly waterproof and were about half the price of Orleib brand bags.
- A 50l dry bag each [intended for use inside hiking packs] would be fastened by bungees to the top of the panniers and dramatically increase our carrying capacity, taking sleeping bag, tent etc. We hadnt heard of this approach but it seemed logical.
-An Altura 6l waterproof top box with map holder was also acquired to carry valuables.
Clothes
-Bike clothes from Decathlon including bike shirts costing only 8 pounds each.
Sleeping
- A 3-man tent [to fit us and gear] from Decathlon. This isnt an ultra-compact cycling version so its cheap, bulky and comfy.
- A ribbed airbed and 3l foot-pump was purchased from Argos. The airbed is bulky and weighs a tonne but that's the price of a good nights sleep. Being ribbed like a pool lilo it is relatively low volume making it quick to inflate.
- One puffy down sleeping bag and a cotton double sleeping bag liner (just like a super-compact duvet cover).
Eating
- Gas cooker etc to be purchased locally.