I spent 140 days doing a big loop around Europe. Starting in Lisbon I rode north and ended up on the West coast of Ireland and the Outer Hebrides before heading to Zurich for the Cycle Messenger World Championships, down to Barcelona and then back to Lisbon. I had to take quite a few trains, a bus and of course some ferries to make it all work.
A lot of the miles were paved but I rode gravel and dirt wherever possible. I camped when I could but also stayed in hostels and cheap hotels. Along the way I rode sections of these routes:
The Westcountry Way – so many wild ponies!
The Roman Road across the Brecon Beacons – rugged but beautiful
Wild Atlantic Way – so windy!
Hebridiean Way – all paved but beautiful and unique
Highland 550 – challenging! One 80km day before i crashed and sprained my wrist
John Muir Trail – very pleasant
Thames Trail – dystopian
Ronde Van Vlanderen – excellent
La Condruzienne – too muddy to ride
Ardennes Arblette – also very muddy
Traverse de Massif des Vosges – great trails
Jura Traverse – steep but glorious
Voie Bleue – beautiful canal paths
Pirinexus – a nice route, very well signed
I rode a Velo Orange Piolet built up like a drop bar mtb with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35s (no flats!) and 11 speed friction, 30t by 11-50t. Tumbleweed racks and bags from Shaka Packs, Wizard Works, Revelate, Rogue Panda and Randi Jo Fabrications.
I’ve found this sub really useful in planning, if anyone has questions about routes or gear I’d be happy to help if I can.
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I spent 140 days doing a big loop around Europe. Starting in Lisbon I rode north and ended up on the West coast of Ireland and the Outer Hebrides before heading to Zurich for the Cycle Messenger World Championships, down to Barcelona and then back to Lisbon. I had to take quite a few trains, a bus and of course some ferries to make it all work.
A lot of the miles were paved but I rode gravel and dirt wherever possible. I camped when I could but also stayed in hostels and cheap hotels. Along the way I rode sections of these routes:
The Westcountry Way – so many wild ponies!
The Roman Road across the Brecon Beacons – rugged but beautiful
Wild Atlantic Way – so windy!
Hebridiean Way – all paved but beautiful and unique
Highland 550 – challenging! One 80km day before i crashed and sprained my wrist
John Muir Trail – very pleasant
Thames Trail – dystopian
Ronde Van Vlanderen – excellent
La Condruzienne – too muddy to ride
Ardennes Arblette – also very muddy
Traverse de Massif des Vosges – great trails
Jura Traverse – steep but glorious
Voie Bleue – beautiful canal paths
Pirinexus – a nice route, very well signed
I rode a Velo Orange Piolet built up like a drop bar mtb with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35s (no flats!) and 11 speed friction, 30t by 11-50t. Tumbleweed racks and bags from Shaka Packs, Wizard Works, Revelate, Rogue Panda and Randi Jo Fabrications.
I’ve found this sub really useful in planning, if anyone has questions about routes or gear I’d be happy to help if I can.