Hi cycling friends🫶
I just toured from Paris to Valencia, following the RhĂ´ne river and Mediterranean coast, using EuroVelo Routes.
I ride a slow and heavy setup (Marin Four Corners equipped with tires Schwalbe 700x45C, with front/back racks, 4 pannier bags, camping gear and cookware). I feel comfortable on climbs up to 6%. On steeper hills I’m okay to walk and push the bike for about 5 kilometers.
The main downside on my way south was very steep climbs and dangerous descents in Spain (Euro Velo 8). I sometimes found myself using Komoot as a backup, which provided safer alternatives.
I’m now planning the way back to Paris, and am considering simply following the default Komoot route (see screenshot attached).
Has anyone done this diagonal route? How are the road conditions? I’m wondering if following the longer EuroVelo3 isn’t a better option.
Thanks a ton!
by frenchy_m
4 Comments
(Did a part of the eurovelo 3)
I don’t know the Spanish part, but french part has nice small roads that may suit to you. And you have some nice touristic point of interest (Bordeaux, Saint Émilion, Loire river …)
However, it will not be as flat as the RhĂ´ne river. Check the D+, you can expect many hill of 1~2km, that may be steep .
I would recommend following eurovelo for long tour, less planning to do, and usually a good compromise between road safety and touristic point of interest.
Does this route cross the French border at Dantxaria?Â
The climb from Spain up to there is long but I think the gradient was around 6-8% for the whole climb, maybe an hour up from Elizondo.
It was a brilliant ride and I really recommend. Views are beautiful, and the gradient isn’t too steep to stop you just spinning your way up. Descent was amazing but lots of corners.
The bigger the climb, the better the view!
I cycled from St Jean Du Port to Roncesvalles (looks like your route goes through there). I would not recommend doing the Route Napoleon. Brutal.
Take the road unless you’re on a gravel bike and have good thighs