Bike Trips on your own

[embee]

All good advice given above.

The Michelin maps are about the best IMO for France (surprise), I like the spiral bound A4 ones (W.H.Smith have them), you get all of France for around £15 or so. The towns with campsites have a "tent" sign against them so you get a good idea of choices, a good few sites aren't shown on the maps so more choice in reality. Municipal sites are generally good and cheap. Watch out in very touristy areas there can be a "forfait" or minimum charge for a camping place on private campsites, can be steep. Municipal ones don't do this.

The Tourist Information offices are your friend, very many towns will have one ( an "i" sign), they are extremely helpful, it's what they are there for. If weather is rubbish or you're getting pushed for time, the cheap motel chains are a good fallback (Formule1 etc, check out their website, you can book online and get prices etc). I've used truckstop transport motels too, they'll very often find a safe place (garage etc) for the bike.

Be flexible, have a good idea where you want to get to but don't be too ambitious on mileage.

The laws do apply to you even if you are British , and the French police don't have a sense of humour. Be polite and dead straight, they do quite a lot of routine traffic checks so it's quite on the cards you might get stopped. Stop signs mean stop, not just slow down a bit, they'll do you for it, put a foot down to be sure.
Make absolutely sure you have all the correct original documents (but carry a spare set of copies too, just in case). Get your EHIC card for emergency medical cover (National Health equivalent).
Personal travel insurance is strongly recommended especially for travelling solo, I use the Post Office, make sure biking is not excluded (check the exclusions list, most policies are available online to check out first).

Petrol stations usually close Sunday afternoons except on big main roads and motorways, don't get caught out.

Camping gear - the most important aspect for bike touring is packed size, not weight.

Autoroutes can be useful if you want to cover ground but you'll get all the enjoyment from the A-roads (or "D" roads in France). Stretches of autoroute acting as by-passes for major towns are usually free (i.e not "peage" or toll), tolls for bikes aren't that horrendous but can add up. Example Calais to Reims, around 160mls, something like Euro12 IIRC. The Michelin maps show which autoroute stretches are toll-free, the numbering is colour coded, there are quite a lot of toll-free sections.

If you need to cross a large town, avoid 12 noon and 2pm, start and finish of lunch-time. 1pm is a good time, everyone is eating/sleeping.

You'll be treated very well as a biker, not like in the UK. Cross country road traffic is pretty light and road condition is generally excellent. Just be respectful, take care, and enjoy the experience.

[DarrenSV650S]

Nothing compares to being away on your bike on your own abroad. Sounds sad but it's not, it's brilliant. It's such a great feeling. Can't wait to go on another holiday

[Stu]

Bike mag this month - Loop of Scotland in a weekend - Very tempting

Take a phone and charger (make sure it will roam) - It will get you out of any problems. Always watch the fuel situation. Take breakdown cover. Dont bother booking accommodation as the weather and roads will dictate the pace. I prefer camping as you can sleep next to your bike and it is cheaper. Get the smallest, lightest tent you can find/afford, and a comfy mattress.

Originally Posted by Stu

Bike mag this month - Loop of Scotland in a weekend - Very tempting

I've seen that and am thinking exactly the same thing!! Start off small and work my way upto going into the mainland by myself!

It's great by yourself. I use a similar set up as LP.

Tent + sleeping bag in waterproof duffle bag on the back.
Valuables in Tankbag
Rest it in panniers



Never had any issues with space at all. Even two-up there's loads of space.

Advice Id give about choosing a tent , is DON'T get the smallest one you can. You're not hiking, or carrying it on your back. a 4 man tent is only about 25% bigger than a 2 man... and having to have all of your bike gear in your sleeping compartment will just **** you off over time. There are loads of tents with large 'porch' sections which are brilliant for storing luggage/cooking/swigging beer in. I have a vango omega 250 tent that fits the bill perfectly. I bought it for two of us to stay in, but to be honest I'm going to ditch my one-man tent as this one takes up very little extra space, and it makes the whole trip more pleasurable being able to shelter from the elements in comfort.



For roadmaps i use these: http://www.mapsman.com/
They're waterproof, rip proof, have speed cameras on, and mark out the road well worth riding. Overall very impressed with them

[yorkie_chris]

Lol. We have same tent for same reason.

It's ace! I barely ever find a tent I can lie flat out in; and this ones roomier than my bed This is my one man ... not the red 2/3 person tent. The brown glorified sleeping bag

[yorkie_chris]

Though my scabby SV looks far more at home in a field than your striple lol.

[yorkie_chris]

Loadsa room for kit.