Santander or Bilbao to Cherbourg or St. Malo

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HertsWheels 13 Aug 11:07  

Joined: 13 Aug 2011

Posts: 1

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We are planning to cycle from Santander or Bilbao to Cherbourg or St Malo. We would like to follow a coastal route as far as possible. Any advice very welcome.

lindakeelan 25 Dec 21:25  

Joined: 25 Dec 2011

Posts: 2

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Hi
We are planning the same ride for next June, also keeping the route coastal, and were wondering whether you've done the cycle yet,and any advice too.


txbnet 25 Dec 23:57  

Joined: 29 Jun 2010

Posts: 129

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My Profile 		Hi, I'm doing this in April. I've started working on my route, I'm going South to North but find it easier working out a route North to South, just to ensure a couple of shorter days at the end to catch up if necessary!

I've got the journey plotted down as far at La Rochelle, main problem appears to be crossing the bridge at St Nazaire which doesn't provide any cycle lane or path for cyclists. I read a couple of blogs so the recommended route there appears to be to come inland slightly and take a free ferry over the river at Couence.

I'd be interested to hearing of other peoples routes, and am happy to share my work so far if needed.

Planning is by far the most important part!


My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham

Smudgie 03 Jan 19:05  

Joined: 03 Jan 2012

Posts: 1

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Hi, Great idea but why not head towards the sun and then have a well deserved few days break at the end. You might even feel like adding a few mountain routes at the end. This is our plan for June 2012.
Whichever.....have a great ride!


txbnet 03 Jan 20:47  

Joined: 29 Jun 2010

Posts: 129

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My Profile 		The sun is going to shine all the way up! Last time I did a long distance ride it was sunny for 10.5 days out of 11 consecutive days and in the UK in April!

But seriously, the reason I'm heading North is to maximise my cycling time and get back to the UK within the fortnight's holiday I have from work. I'm 400 miles away from the South coast ferry ports so it takes me at least a day each side of the ride to get to/from home.

But enjoy the mountains and then the sunny Mediterranean.

My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham

lindakeelan 05 Feb 16:29  

Joined: 25 Dec 2011

Posts: 2

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Hi
We are looking to come inland a little before St Nazaire, and will be getting a ferry (we hope!) from le Pellerin to Couerran

I think the ferries are every 20 mins, until 8 30 in the evening





skiad1 05 Feb 19:49  

Joined: 09 Dec 2011

Posts: 70

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My Profile 		you'll have no problem with the ferry, other than it may be busy. When I crossed(north-south) it was quiet. It is a small ferry(think smaller calmac hebridean type) so should it be busy you might have a wait, though probably not too long. A german chap I met in that area seemed to think there's a 'path'(similar to uk bridge crossings e.g. forth/humber) cyclists can take, though he told me that getting onto it was tricky. Plan B(done this myself more than once when bridge is closed to cyclists) would be to ride up to the control centre & get 'ferried' over in a van/flat-bed. Had I not got lost(crap maps, my own fault) due east of st nazaire, which eventually saw me at said ferry, I'd have had a crack at it, esp. since the unplanned detour added many miles/time. Again, with hindsight, I'd have headed to the ferry so there wouldn't have been a detour! A part of me still wonders about the bridge though.......Next time, perhaps....