This will be my first ever bikepacking trip (a bit ambitious I know) so any tips or cool things I should see or avoid from cyclists that have done a similar or parts of this route would be appreciated.
I am starting my trip this Saturday and am expecting it to take 4-5 months. I’m thinking I’ll mostly stick to the eurovelo routes and will try to wildcamp most nights but treat myself to a hotel room every now and then. Thanks!
by Kvbaa
4 Comments
I did Basel to Barcelona a couple years back. The climbs through the Pyrenees are awesome, but can definitely be unrelenting, also through France of course especially around the alps. There’s little water basins dotted around the eurovelo routes so you should be fine to top up on liquids most of the way. The humidity that gets trapped in the Pyrenees during the summer is wild; like cycling through a cloud.
There’s a cool stretch of gravel path around Narbonne. Sea to your left, freshwater to your right. Definitely worth it if you’re sticking to the coast.
Looks like 4000km? So in 4-5 months you have more than plenty of time to enjoy. I would definitely go inline somewhere. Spain offers a lot of graveling potential.
First and most important: you can get fresh drinking water at graveyards if you REALLY get into trouble and can‘t find a different source (at least in France). But be respectful and aware if you enter these places and look for an official fountain at the city hall first.
Secondly, be aware of huge winds at the south coast of France. Can be very annoying…. We skipped it but also missed out on some opportunities there
Do it the other way round and catch the end of the Tour de France around Nice in mid July