cycling from uk to cyprus

[frugal90]

we have a dream on retirement to cycle from the uk to trnc -we are regular cycle tourists in france/spain -has anyone done this -if so what route did you use -any hints/advice? thanks

[sophie]

Frugal90, my legs and back hurt just thinking about it, however there are some very intrepid people living here and I wouldn't be surprised if someone hasn't already done it if not you could be the trail blazer!

[waddo]

Depends how you want to do it! We trained for a year to do this - ended up taking too much kit - 75Kgs in panniers on both bikes plus a 75Kg trailer behind mine! Dropped stuff off along the way, gave it away, swopped it for bottles of wine etc. The plan was fly to Holland, cycle through Germany to Erfut then fly from there to Antalya and cycle to Alanya to catch the ferry. The plan was good, it was the middle of June - perfect weather for the last 30 years - it rained, it rained, it rained some more then it rained, the cycle paths in Germany that followed the rail lines were under 1.5 mtrs of water - we gave it up after 10 days and gave away the bikes as well. Still managed to fly into Antalya and catch the ferry across - a Must Do journey - and got here with just our spuds and cycle hats left but had so much fun.

I was 60 when we left and 10 days later I felt like 95 but would do it again, just take a lot longer, buy better (German) touring type bikes, not carry so much junk that we did not need anyway, not book flights till we arrived and make it a 2 to 3 month holiday. Bikes on planes is a lot easier now by the way and not so many airlines require the heavy transit bags we were forced to buy and carry.

I don't have the route/maps anymore but could give you an idea if you drop me an email - the trick with Germany was to avoid as many hills as possible!!! Have fun.

[Jonnie]

I knew someone who used to tour the UK with just 1 change of clothes and a toothbrush!

Frugal, good luck but it is a heck of a way to be frugal on a flight!

[davedee]

Got to go for lay down now after reading Waddo post!

[kbasat]

Depends how you want to do it! We trained for a year to do this - ended up taking too much kit - 75Kgs in panniers on both bikes plus a 75Kg trailer behind mine! Dropped stuff off along the way, gave it away, swopped it for bottles of wine etc. The plan was fly to Holland, cycle through Germany to Erfut then fly from there to Antalya and cycle to Alanya to catch the ferry. The plan was good, it was the middle of June - perfect weather for the last 30 years - it rained, it rained, it rained some more then it rained, the cycle paths in Germany that followed the rail lines were under 1.5 mtrs of water - we gave it up after 10 days and gave away the bikes as well. Still managed to fly into Antalya and catch the ferry across - a Must Do journey - and got here with just our spuds and cycle hats left but had so much fun.

I was 60 when we left and 10 days later I felt like 95 but would do it again, just take a lot longer, buy better (German) touring type bikes, not carry so much junk that we did not need anyway, not book flights till we arrived and make it a 2 to 3 month holiday. Bikes on planes is a lot easier now by the way and not so many airlines require the heavy transit bags we were forced to buy and carry.

I don't have the route/maps anymore but could give you an idea if you drop me an email - the trick with Germany was to avoid as many hills as possible!!! Have fun.

I can do that, somebody hold my beer...

[stellasstar1]

Kemal you would be cheating as would have 2 dogs to pull you along.!:)

[waddo]

Kemal, the killer was cycling 80Kms only to find the place we were booked into for the night had closed down - another 13Kms further on we found a new place and stayed two nights, oh the relief from may parts!!!!!!!

[frugal90]

thanks for all of the replies

we are still a few years away from retirement but have started dreaming of what our route might be
want to get touring bikes down to TRNC then we can head off in Spring/Autumn to do some touring in Turkey
we have walked about half of the Lycian way and the coastline is beautiful -nice to also explore by bike