Maybe I'm crazy but...

[TheBigPlan]

Hi Guys,

I'm new here, reason I joined is I have a plan but not sure how viable it is and need some expert advice!

The situation is, I live in Paignton in Devon and my girlfriend lives in De Lier, Netherlands and I want to visit her. I was thinking about how to get there and can't really afford to fly. I then thought about driving and worked out fuel would cost around £200 round trip so thats out the window.. then the masterplan struck....

CYCLE!!!

Problem is..

I google route'd it and got 667km, not sure if that includes ferry distance but it came out at 4 days 7 hours walking so I guessed cycling would be quicker but not sure how it works out the times? based on 24hrs walking?
Anywaaaaays, my question is, how viable is this? I don't expect it to be easy and I can hack sleeping in bad conditions.

Ingredients:

A faaairly fit 21 year old
667km (according to google)
Low funds but not no funds
A bike from the shed, possible of the horrible mountain variety
As much time as required as I'm not working etc at the moment

Hope you find this puzzle of an idea as interesting as I do and if theres any questions, please ask away!

Many thanks,

A crazy loved up guy in a long distance relationship

Edit: Sorry, fiancee, my bad! oops!

 

[Dayvo]

Fly one way either to/from Exeter - Amsterdam (think of it as having more time together).

By all means cycle; psychologically better to cycle to Holland, as you will have the incentive to get there asap.

Or why not just move there permanently?

 

[Dayvo]

Or you could try hitching1

You're bike sounds as though it might not be up for the journey!

I'd hitch: get yourself to the M5 with a sign for Essex/Harwich/Holland.

Good luck, and let us know how it went.

 

[RedBike]

200km a day is just about possible. Although realistically 100km is a safer bet. Therefore it will take you 6 nights.

If you had to pay for 6 nights accomidation, even at youth hostel rates it would probably work out cheaper to have just flown there.

While cyclo-touring I used the odd 'free' field instead of paying for a camp site. Although obviously this wouldn't be possible in built up areas.

Perhaps you could make something like this:
http://www.tonystrailers.com/nomad/

 

[wlc1]

Think lads think.

Get her to come to you.

Is that not possible ? ?

 

[wlc1]

Coach ?

 

[wlc1]

Don't cycle it mate. You'll need 2 days sleep to recover - she won't be impressed

 

[Baggy]

Don't cycle it mate. You'll need 2 days sleep to recover - she won't be impressed

He's 21 and fairly fit - am sure he'll stay awake

Sounds like a fun thing to do and you won't have to hire a bike when you get there.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

what a great reason to ride...go for it..she'll be impressed for sure! De Lier isnt far at all ..just next to the hook of holland so once you make harwich its game over..

I spent just 130 euros on camping and food etc riding across france last week...it can be done very cheaply, even cheaper if you wild camp...which can be hard in the uK ...only thing is if anything goes wrong on the bike..it could cost you dearly ...what about the bus? Train?...nah...bollox to that get the bike out and ride it...you'll be glad to did it when you've done it...but do it quick while it's summer...it wont be a lot of fun in the uk and holland in the bad winter weather. 100km a day is easy on the right bike if you are fit and know where you are going. An old MTB may not be the best choice of tour bike but it can be done....plan th eroute well in advance getting lost in a car isnt fun, but getting lost on a bike is harder to 'get out of' and if its pissing with rain and you get cold, nowhere to sleep and it's dark...hmm...like I said she'll be impressed!...and wot a tale to tell your future kids!

 

[snorri]

Seems quite straightforward, what do you see as being the difficulty in this trip? Pleased to help, but you will need to be a little more specific.

 

[Globalti]

Oooer... hope that saddle doesn't give you a "numb spot"!

 

[sloe]

You need a longer willy.

 

[got-to-get-fit]

How about getting a BBC camera crew to follow you?

Seriously, i would not underestimate this trip. It will be difficult and no amount of bullying up by forum members will make it any easier.

1. you will be alone and bored
2. the weather could be an absolute nightmare
3. If you had a tough time getting there think about how much you are not going to enjoy the cycle home.
4. you will need to carry everything...clothes, spares, tent, etc etc
5. Saying the old mountainbike in the shed implies that its fairly unloved and would quite possibly let you down at exactly the wrong minute
6. what happens if your stuck in the middle of no-where and something totaly screwed up happens to your bike
7 are you sure you know enough about bike repair/maintenance
8. are you friggin crazy???



try and get a cheap cancellation flight

 

[gavintc]

It would be cheaper and easier to find a girlfriend in Paignton.

 

[roadiewill]

...and then you have to cycle back :/