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Hey all. I'm looking at planning a few trips this summer, but I unfortunately don't really have anyone to do them with, and I'd rather not go on my own. I was looking for some organised group rides in Europe, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? I found a fair few here:
http://www.bikepacking.com/event/
I'd appreciate some advice and recommendations if anyone got's any!
Head over to the Bearbones forum. There’s Torino-Nice and, I think, a Spain coast to coast being organised plus other less organised stuff.
The Torino Nice Rally seems a good one (was going to say a nice one doh).
There is a thread on the TNR over on LFGSS in Rides and Races.
I run the Spanish C2C 1,000km in 9 days, Tarragona to Bilbao. You'll need to be quick though, we set off next Friday.
I looked at the Bearbones forum but it doesn't seem to be very active, and I can't seem to find the Torino-Nice, though I found it on Google and it looks fantastic, however, it's in September?
I did forget to mention the dates I was looking at, it was from the 24th of June onwards! I found one in Greece called the Bike Odyssey which looks amazing but it's just before then, which I won't be able to make unfortunately,.
I looked at the Bearbones forum but it doesn’t seem to be very active
The WRT was on this weekend so many of the more active users will have been on that and away from their phones/computers.
Thanks for the links all!
The Portugal ride looks fantastic, wow, as does the French Divide! They're very different rides, one is a group ride, the other is a race it seems, but they both look amazing. Curious question to the more experienced riders among us, on doing something like the French Divide, is it easy to find someone to ride with on the day?
The French Divide looks awe-inspiring, but it's 2100km, which is an insane amount of mileage, and it has to be completed in 15 days. I wonder is even achievable for someone who has such a lack of experience (me!). My biggest worry in riding for so long is comfort. I see drop bars seem to be the setup of choice for long distance rides?
Definitely adding those to my list, thanks!
You surely need to start with something shorter and closer to hand. What trips have you done on your bike so far?
For the likes of the French Divide, it'll be done as an ITT. That means no draughting, being self-sufficient etc. You may end up riding alongside someone else for a short while but everyone will be going at their own pace with their own strategy for stops, meal breaks and sleep.
You need to consider what you mean by a group ride. Most organised events that could be considered group rides merely involve everyone setting off at the same time. If you want to ride with a partner, at the same pace and stopping in the same places then you will have to organise this before the event, maybe entering with a mate who you know beforehand. The trip I organise from Tarragona to Bilbao aims to be a group ride whereby we start and finish each day together and stay in close contact. As such it is in the minority, particularly in Europe, but seems to work quite well.
Thanks for the response Scotroutes, while I do agree with you, I just want to find a ride to do and dive in head first. I think I mentioned before, I haven't done any overnighters, with the longest ride I've done being 100km. I don't really have anyone do it with, and I didn't really want to go on my own, so I was trying to find a group ride to do.
I wasn't planning on doing any drafting! But I think the French Divide is probably less of what I want to do. What I'd really like to do ideally, is to go and explore somewhere by bike. I don't just want to race past it, I want to really enjoy it, and experience the different culture where I go. I want to less go somewhere in the middle of nowhere, but more meet all kinds of people, travellers and backpackers especially and stay in hostels. So I really don't know how to go about that. Going by myself just leads to too many things that could go wrong, and I wouldn't feel comfortable enough to either. But I don't really know of anyone I could go with, which is frustrating.
Pistonbroke, what you said about wanting to ride with a partner is pretty much what I wanted to do. Your ride sounds really good, it's a shame I won't be able to make it.
Head on over to Chilkoot.
I do quite a few of them when time permits. Luc is a great guy.
Most of the chilkoot stuff is road ish with some gravel The Cuneo-Monaco is a TNR lite if you like...
TNR is absolutely fantastic though. I did it the 1st year.
have you thought about a company like Exodus? Trip to Morocco or the like with them, can be expensive compared to doing it yourself, but that way distances ridden each day aren't daft, you will meet like-minded people and get to sleep out some nights and hotels/tent others?
You tend to find that if you ride a popular route though and you are staying in hostels then you will meet similar people, so you may ride route for a few days with one, stay at a hostel and as long as you are up for a chat and a beer, you will meet others to ride with, don't be afraid to travel alone, you'll always meet others because it forces you to do so, sometimes when you ride in a group, you don't really meet others too much out side of that group.
Other thing is, why not start with a 2-3 dayer in this country that is not too tough, make sure you actually enjoy the bikepacking first and are happy with set up, then once you have a few short trips here under your belt, then spread wings a bit more for longer trips abroad. Loads of good routes of that length in UK to warm up on
As noted, the French Divide is a race and I think entries are closed for this year's ride. My wife and I are doing this year's edition but she's starting on the Saturday and I'm starting on the Sunday. I think there's someone else who posts on here doing it. With it being a race it's under French Federation rules and we have to get medical certificates!
Not sure how you couldn't find stuff about Torino-Nice on BB, I put "torino" into the search box and got over 1000 hits! As Scotroutes said, most of us were in Wales for the WRT last weekend. There's a few of us who inhabit both BB and here.
From your last post it sounds like a guided trip might be better for you. We've used Karakorum Experience in the past (ten years ago) but don't know what they are like now. The list you link to is mostly races, well ITTs, which have their own set of rules/guiding principles, seehttp://selfsupporteduk.net /"> selfsupported.net for these. They aren't the sort of event to hang around on and look at the scenery, culture and the like but of course you can tour them.
It might be a bit late but this weekend's JennRide is probably the best introduction to multi-day riding in the UK. Plenty of pubs and cafes and the "route" has lots of loops that you can short-cut if you are running late or simply don't fancy it. Last weekend's WRT (Welsh Ride Thing) would also have been ideal as there's no fixed route and there's a Lonely Hearts Club for those who don't know anyone or are new to it all.
I wouldn't say drop bars are the de-facto choice for long distance but the usual MTB straight/riser bar will be in the minority as they don't give you multiple hand positions which are a big help in reducing fatigue over longer distances.
It takes a while to build up to big distances day after day, a bit like a runner looking at their first marathon having only ever done a 5km Park Run I suppose. It seems impossible at first but you do one and the pain recedes and the second one isn't too bad and once you've got a few under your belt you hardly give it a thought.
Edit: As @scud says, doing a few shorter trips locally will be good training. If anything goes wrong with your setup you can escape home!
I realise it's not post 24th June but what about
as a tryout / test ride.
Fits your requirement of a social, organised, group ride with some support if it all goes wrong. I believe it's the team behind the Dirty Reiver so I'm sure it'll be well organised.
Whitestone: Mrs Mugsy is doing the French Divide this year. Look out for a french loony girl on a camo green Surly Ogre. I know she is at least not in the 1st depart ( I know another girl starting ahead of her), but can't remember what day etc.
Med certs are not required due to it being a race. They are part of everyday life here in France...my daughter needs one to go to dance classes....
And the french divide is not run as a race under the french federation (FFC) or indeed any other of the numerous cycling organisations that licence racing in France.....it's kind of the ethos of the event!
Tuscany trail, Tuscany road, Normandicat, Gravel 2 Breizh, Italian Divide...
@mugsys_m8 - my mistake, didn't realise the addiction to medical certificates!
There's just two departs, Sat and Sun as far as I know - the current start list only shows those two anyway.
Probably the same depart as you then!
I want to less go somewhere in the middle of nowhere, but more meet all kinds of people, travellers and backpackers especially and stay in hostels. So I really don’t know how to go about that. Going by myself just leads to too many things that could go wrong, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to either. But I don’t really know of anyone I could go with, which is frustrating.
Try it alone, you might love it. You'll meet more people that way and you'll most probably find you're better at handling it all than you expect.
If that doesn't appeal you could try biking some of the Camino Santiago in Spain - you won't be alone for long there. It'll be busy with walkers early am to mid-day so take a bell, and you may not get somewhere to stay every time (walkers get priority at the refuges and gites) but you'll meet loads of interesting people, loads of eccentric people and it's a great route for a first-time bikepacker. Really interesting route I thought. There's a cyclist's route alternative and a couple of forums for people travelling on it by foot or by bike.
La Barodeuse
Hamster classique
La Barodeuse is another
Most of the chilkoot stuff is road ish with some gravel The Cuneo-Monaco is a TNR lite if you like…
TNR is absolutely fantastic though. I did it the 1st year.
Thanks for the heads up, I was definitely looking to do something off-road though. The Torino Nice rally looks amazing, I have to agree. It does look a bit dangerous, but definitely very fun. I'm going to find a few then pick from between them. They're all at different dates too. The TNR, La Bouraroudeuse and the Portugal Ride all look like fantastic rides.
Have you thought about a company like Exodus? Trip to Morocco or the like with them, can be expensive compared to doing it yourself, but that way distances ridden each day aren’t daft, you will meet like-minded people and get to sleep out some nights and hotels/tent others?
You tend to find that if you ride a popular route though and you are staying in hostels then you will meet similar people, so you may ride route for a few days with one, stay at a hostel and as long as you are up for a chat and a beer, you will meet others to ride with, don’t be afraid to travel alone, you’ll always meet others because it forces you to do so, sometimes when you ride in a group, you don’t really meet others too much out side of that group.
I definitely see what you mean about going with a company or going on a cycling holiday, but that was less so what I was looking for. And given my context, I'm a 20 year old student, I was looking more to experience the world a bit than pay for a guided tour or something. And riding alone does lend you that freedom, but I guess it being one of my first trips, I am quite nervous about that. What if something happens to me and nobody knows? Something I really would love to do is just tour hostels. I think doing one of the routes like the Camino De Santiago in Spain sounds like exactly what I was looking for.
Other thing is, why not start with a 2-3 dayer in this country that is not too tough, make sure you actually enjoy the bikepacking first and are happy with set up, then once you have a few short trips here under your belt, then spread wings a bit more for longer trips abroad. Loads of good routes of that length in UK to warm up on.
I think that's a really good idea, especially regarding the endurance aspect of it, and getting my bike setup right. I was looking at doing the Ridgeway double, and maybe following the South Downs to the sea? Any particular suggestions of routes to do in the UK? I saw a fair few on selfsupported.net!
As noted, the French Divide is a race and I think entries are closed for this year’s ride. My wife and I are doing this year’s edition but she’s starting on the Saturday and I’m starting on the Sunday. I think there’s someone else who posts on here doing it. With it being a race it’s under French Federation rules and we have to get medical certificates!
Not sure how you couldn’t find stuff about Torino-Nice on BB, I put “torino” into the search box and got over 1000 hits! As Scotroutes said, most of us were in Wales for the WRT last weekend. There’s a few of us who inhabit both BB and here.
From your last post it sounds like a guided trip might be better for you. We’ve used Karakorum Experience in the past (ten years ago) but don’t know what they are like now. The list you link to is mostly races, well ITTs, which have their own set of rules/guiding principles, seehttp://selfsupporteduk.net /" rel="nofollow"> selfsupported.net for these. They aren’t the sort of event to hang around on and look at the scenery, culture and the like but of course you can tour them.
It might be a bit late but this weekend’s JennRide is probably the best introduction to multi-day riding in the UK. Plenty of pubs and cafes and the “route” has lots of loops that you can short-cut if you are running late or simply don’t fancy it. Last weekend’s WRT (Welsh Ride Thing) would also have been ideal as there’s no fixed route and there’s a Lonely Hearts Club for those who don’t know anyone or are new to it all.
I wouldn’t say drop bars are the de-facto choice for long distance but the usual MTB straight/riser bar will be in the minority as they don’t give you multiple hand positions which are a big help in reducing fatigue over longer distances.
It takes a while to build up to big distances day after day, a bit like a runner looking at their first marathon having only ever done a 5km Park Run I suppose. It seems impossible at first but you do one and the pain recedes and the second one isn’t too bad and once you’ve got a few under your belt you hardly give it a thought.
I agree, I don't think the French Divide is what I was looking for, and to expect to able to do it out of nowhere is perhaps being a bit silly. Best of luck to you and your wife, hope it goes well!
I'm not sure myself either, I think I looked on the recent posts and after going through a few pages gave up.
I think I explained why a guided tour is probably not what I'm looking for. I mean ideally I'd just be able to find someone similar to go with. I definitely see what you mean about the routes not being the best to experience the culture with. That's something I didn't want to do, just ride through fields in the middle of nowhere. Like I said, I really want to meet people and have an experience.
Jenn Ride and the WRT sound fantastic! Unfortunately, I really can't make anything before the June date, I have my final exams very, very soon.
I have a drop bar touring bike - a Spesh AWOL, but posted on here a few times about not getting along with it. Unfortunately I haven't even had time recently to mess around with it or even take it anywhere to try and get the fit all sorted out. I do think trying my setup over a long distance is something really necessary. When riding my Surly Moonlander over long distances, my body tends to naturally fall down, and putting my elbows on the grips seems to relax my back a lot, and makes it far far more comfortable than sitting up.
I realise it’s not post 24th June but what about
as a tryout / test ride.
Fits your requirement of a social, organised, group ride with some support if it all goes wrong. I believe it’s the team behind the Dirty Reiver so I’m sure it’ll be well organised.
Thanks for the link, it looks fantastic but unfortunately I really can't do anything before, which a lot of rides seem to be!
Tuscany trail, Tuscany road, Normandicat, Gravel 2 Breizh, Italian Divide…
Thanks for the links! But they seem to all be before my dates or road-oriented.
Try it alone, you might love it. You’ll meet more people that way and you’ll most probably find you’re better at handling it all than you expect.
If that doesn’t appeal you could try biking some of the Camino Santiago in Spain – you won’t be alone for long there. It’ll be busy with walkers early am to mid-day so take a bell, and you may not get somewhere to stay every time (walkers get priority at the refuges and gites) but you’ll meet loads of interesting people, loads of eccentric people and it’s a great route for a first-time bikepacker. Really interesting route I thought. There’s a cyclist’s route alternative and a couple of forums for people travelling on it by foot or by bike.
Being a bit younger, I really don't feel confident on my own just yet. I also like I said, worry about if something happens to me, and nobody knows.
The Camino de Santiago looks fantastic, I saw it ages ago but forgot about it! A long trail like that was exactly something I was looking for! I think that's what I want to do, thank you for the link!
Thanks the for the responses everyone!