The Fridays Tour 2012

[Aperitif]

also do we need to say anything more than French girls, except perhaps Itailian girls.

Dam I need to get another passport

Italian girls only have an 'i' for you, and you'll need an 'n+1' I have never cycled in Italy, or with Italian people. French people are great to meet and pass the time of day with - until the franglais runs out. Often, an aperitif is the last thing anyone wants.

 

[david1701]

I love Italy, its beautiful

oh and I'd rather be ignored by Italian girls than adored by Northern ones

 

[User10119]

Gunthorpe to York 75 miles. A lot on A-roads, but southerners will be surprised by the lack of traffic

York to Tow Law only 70 miles, but the last 15 miles is tough

Completely serious offer, by the way. 10 or so people can fit in our place, so long as they don't all want to sit down at the same time, so depending on how many nutters you recruit you could potentially have a free feed (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, any day from a Saturday to a Tuesday or whenever in school holidays, take your pick) in York.

We (just) managed to fit about 10 people and their bikes in and around here when we did our night ride to Whitby, and I hadn't even tidied up that day.

 

[frank9755]

Sounds like most people want to do LEJoG but, if people are wavering, here are a few reasons why heading south is attractive.
The weather is better and gets better each day
Food is better. Much better.
Hotels are cheaper
Roads are less busy
Drivers more considerate to cyclists
France is easier to get to than lands end.
Anywhere is easier to get back from than jog
Going abroad is more of an adventure
UK hills are ok but theres nothing like getting your teeth into a proper 1000m climb up an alpine col
There's as much history, and interesting geography in France / Italy as the UK - just we don't know it so well.
There are loads of LEJoG tours already so its hardly original or uniqe - the IBM of cycle tours :-)

I missed out a couple of important ones which I can speak on for experience about France but I believe would also apply to Italy:
- Scenery: while parts of the UK can look fine on a nice day, the French countryside is consistently prettier and, in the hilly bits, dramatically so.
- Small towns and villages. The French don't do cities very well (in my opinion) but the smaller places, that you tend to pass through when touring, are generally a joy. Britain is similar (most of our cities are not that great but there are many fine towns and villages) but the French ones are just that bit prettier and have the local shops/boulangeries plus the individual charm and character which we seem determined to stamp out of ours.

 

[coffeejo]

Depending on finances, fitness and so on (and the availability of a dog-sitter) I'm tentatively putting myself in the "I'm interested" camp.

Right now, the southern end of LEJoG sounds most appealing, but that's mainly my n00bie "you want to cycle HOW FAR?" legs speaking.

 

[User482]

Yes, I've only cycled in France a couple of times, but I was amazed by the courteousness routinely displayed by their drivers. Especially as it is at complete odds with their attitude to other motorists.

 

[Aperitif]

And the roads are like billiard tables for the most part. I'm not talking beardy - wandering lonely as a cloud stuff down cart tracks, I mean the D routes etc

 

[StuAff]

And the roads are like billiard tables for the most part. I'm not talking beardy - wandering lonely as a cloud stuff down cart tracks, I mean the D routes etc

Plenty of those aren't (at least between Calais and Paris).

 

[Ravenbait]

I can categorically say that if it went to France or Italy I wouldn't be able to come.

Finances wouldn't permit it. At least on a LEJOG option those of us who don't have the disposable income for jaunts to the continent could join at least sections of it for relatively little expense.

Sam

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm thinking LEJoG 2012, Italy 2013, SFNY 2014

 

[Aperitif]

Plenty of those aren't (at least between Calais and Paris).

Ride a decent bike and don't carry a dustbin on your back Stu - all roads are good then!

 

[StuAff]

Ride a decent bike and don't carry a dustbin on your back Stu - all roads are good then!

'A decent bike'? How very dare you!!

 

[frank9755]

And the roads are like billiard tables for the most part. I'm not talking beardy - wandering lonely as a cloud stuff down cart tracks, I mean the D routes etc

I can't believe I missed out that one!
Last year while riding through France I felt that we ought to put up a sign at Dover saying "Welcome to England - chaussee deformee"

 

[StuartG]

SFNY 2014

With new improved Tail End Charlie protection ...

 

[Shadow]

I'm thinking LEJoG 2012, Italy 2013, SFNY 2014

Scuse my hignorance of geography of england, or even europe, surely you don't mean san francisco to new york?!!