Km – how very continental of you. I made a wrong assumption. On that point I need to set my garmin to Km to get my head thinking about cycling distances and speeds in a more European manner!
I’d say those distances are very achievable and comfortable. That is without doubt a more leisurely pace than 80 miles a day!
A nicely detailed and structured itenary, just the way I like it.
One piece of info missing is the heights covered everyday. This can change the feel of a two days with comparable mileage quite a bit, especially when getting into the higher mileage days. I know you will not have ignored this factor and will be no doubt trying to route some sections around rather than over some obstacles. I’d recommend the use of a mapping system on the internet just to check out some days or sections of days just to have it maybe clearer in your mind what the day will be asking of you. You could grade how hilly it is likely to be in simple terms.
I see you’re as in love with the Swiss cycle website as I am, glad I pointed you in the direction of it. You are right that every country should have a similar resouce to its own population and to entice cycle tourisim. I printed off on A3 the gradient guides of the routes I’ll be taking and have used them to help plan where potential stop overs might be with the campsites available on the Swiss website and those I’ve found via some harder slog via google. It makes it quite easy to break up the days and envisage where your stops during the day might fall.
As I think I told you I’m following the Rhine cycle route on part of my Rome to UK trip after crossing over the St Bernard Pass and picking it up at Andermatt. I know this will not be much use to you now but if you are interested I’d recommend the following map series for cycle touring this route: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/stock/rhine-cycle-route-part-1-andermatt-basle-380km-201842/
It comes in three parts and I think Part 2 will cover a little of your route from Strasbourg to Basel. They are in German so it takes a little patience from someone like me with little language skills to get to the point of what is being said. If you have a spare few quid and are interested I’d recommend the purchase.
88 miles average over the first 8 days is a tough physical challenge and you don’t seem to let up much after that. Expect it to actually be a few more miles than planned, I’ve found it depends on the day and the way it has been planned but a few extra miles can get added on over what you might have planned. You better get out clocking up the miles in training! I’ll be upping my effort with some detours on my commute home from now on.
Thanks for all that Iain – very useful stuff.
The reason why I was so delighted to find the Swiss profiles was because it gives me exactly the information that you refer to; how much height I will have to cover, especially in the area where that will be the biggest factor – Switzerland. I have adjusted the distances I plan to cover accordingly and tried to make sure that I start the day with the climb rather than having it to do at the end.
I’ve checked out the map series you refer to but as I will only be following the Rhine Cycle route between Strasbourg and Basel, probably nor worth investing in.
I agree; 88 miles a day would be a bit beyond me, especially for 8 days without a break. Fortunetly I’m working in kilometres so the average over the first 8 days (actually just under 80 kms, not 88) is “only” 50 miles. The average over the cycling days between home and the Italian border is just over 70kms or around 45 miles. The lower distances in Switzerland take account of the terrain.
Thanks for the comments – keep them coming!
Andrew
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Excellent – thanks for that Massimo – I’ll make sure that I have a rest day in Benevento!
Cheers
Andrew
Km – how very continental of you. I made a wrong assumption. On that point I need to set my garmin to Km to get my head thinking about cycling distances and speeds in a more European manner!
I’d say those distances are very achievable and comfortable. That is without doubt a more leisurely pace than 80 miles a day!
A nicely detailed and structured itenary, just the way I like it.
One piece of info missing is the heights covered everyday. This can change the feel of a two days with comparable mileage quite a bit, especially when getting into the higher mileage days. I know you will not have ignored this factor and will be no doubt trying to route some sections around rather than over some obstacles. I’d recommend the use of a mapping system on the internet just to check out some days or sections of days just to have it maybe clearer in your mind what the day will be asking of you. You could grade how hilly it is likely to be in simple terms.
I see you’re as in love with the Swiss cycle website as I am, glad I pointed you in the direction of it. You are right that every country should have a similar resouce to its own population and to entice cycle tourisim. I printed off on A3 the gradient guides of the routes I’ll be taking and have used them to help plan where potential stop overs might be with the campsites available on the Swiss website and those I’ve found via some harder slog via google. It makes it quite easy to break up the days and envisage where your stops during the day might fall.
As I think I told you I’m following the Rhine cycle route on part of my Rome to UK trip after crossing over the St Bernard Pass and picking it up at Andermatt. I know this will not be much use to you now but if you are interested I’d recommend the following map series for cycle touring this route:
http://www.stanfords.co.uk/stock/rhine-cycle-route-part-1-andermatt-basle-380km-201842/
It comes in three parts and I think Part 2 will cover a little of your route from Strasbourg to Basel. They are in German so it takes a little patience from someone like me with little language skills to get to the point of what is being said. If you have a spare few quid and are interested I’d recommend the purchase.
88 miles average over the first 8 days is a tough physical challenge and you don’t seem to let up much after that. Expect it to actually be a few more miles than planned, I’ve found it depends on the day and the way it has been planned but a few extra miles can get added on over what you might have planned. You better get out clocking up the miles in training! I’ll be upping my effort with some detours on my commute home from now on.
Thanks for all that Iain – very useful stuff.
The reason why I was so delighted to find the Swiss profiles was because it gives me exactly the information that you refer to; how much height I will have to cover, especially in the area where that will be the biggest factor – Switzerland. I have adjusted the distances I plan to cover accordingly and tried to make sure that I start the day with the climb rather than having it to do at the end.
I’ve checked out the map series you refer to but as I will only be following the Rhine Cycle route between Strasbourg and Basel, probably nor worth investing in.
I agree; 88 miles a day would be a bit beyond me, especially for 8 days without a break. Fortunetly I’m working in kilometres so the average over the first 8 days (actually just under 80 kms, not 88) is “only” 50 miles. The average over the cycling days between home and the Italian border is just over 70kms or around 45 miles. The lower distances in Switzerland take account of the terrain.
Thanks for the comments – keep them coming!
Andrew