Alps and Low Countries tour

Discussion about any other rides & touring

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Neil Compton
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Alps and Low Countries tour

Post by Neil Compton » 06 Jun 2014 16:28

Just thought i'd post some details of my upcoming trip. I set off next weekend using Bike Express again and get dropped off in Valence.

From Valence i am going to cycle to Alp D'huez. Then up to Martigny and through Switzerland to Basel. Then i follow the Rhine for a bit before heading across to Luxemburg and up to Maastricht. From there i head to the Hook of Holland to get the ferry back to Harwich. Can't wait. :)

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Post by slogfester » 06 Jun 2014 18:07

Sounds great Neil. Look fwd to some pics and stories.

Bon route

p.s. my mate Will's blog is a gold mine for info on Rhone and Swiss Alps:

http://www.cycling-challenge.com/
Belt up, we're going for a ride

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Post by Philip Whiteman » 06 Jun 2014 19:33

Neil, will you be posting you blog site again?

All the best for a wonderful trip.

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Post by Philmondo » 06 Jun 2014 20:03

Have a great trip Neil. Looking forward to reading your write up.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.

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Post by George » 06 Jun 2014 22:21

Have a great time, Neil. What route are you taking from Maastricht to Hook of Holland, and how many stops are you planning? Is it camping all the way?

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 06 Jun 2014 23:18

slogfester wrote:Sounds great Neil. Look fwd to some pics and stories.

Bon route

p.s. my mate Will's blog is a gold mine for info on Rhone and Swiss Alps:

http://www.cycling-challenge.com/
I will have a good look at that site over the weekend. Thanks Barry.

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Post by Neil Compton » 06 Jun 2014 23:20

Philip Whiteman wrote:Neil, will you be posting you blog site again?

All the best for a wonderful trip.
Thanks Phil. I will do a little write up and post some pics after trip on my site yes. :)

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 06 Jun 2014 23:46

Thanks Phil F and George.

I arrive in Valence Sunday morning (15th June) i hope it's the morning and my ferry back from Hook is booked for 26th June so i don't think i'll have any rest days but i'll see how i go.

Will be camping mostly but i'll probably stay in a hotel or B&B on a couple of occasions. From Maastricht i think i'll follow the canal that heads towards Antwerp but then head off towards Roosendaal as i'd like to do the islands to the NW. Depends on how i'm doing for time.

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Post by CakeStop » 09 Jun 2014 21:04

Have a great time Neil.
Eat cake before you're hungry

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 02 Jul 2014 23:37

Well i made it back all in one piece. For those interested i have uploaded some photos and written a short blog on my website. This link will take you to it.

http://neilsjogle.weebly.com/the-alps-a ... hotos.html

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Post by George » 02 Jul 2014 23:38

Welcome back, Neil!

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Post by Philmondo » 03 Jul 2014 09:08

Glad you made it back Neil! I'm about to head up to Yorkshire for the weekend, and will look forward to reading your blog when I get back!
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.

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Post by slogfester » 03 Jul 2014 10:52

Welcome back Neil. Good work. Was your trip sponsored by Pizza companies ;)
Belt up, we're going for a ride

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 03 Jul 2014 11:39

I did have a Pizza for 3 consecutive nights but then that was it. :)

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 03 Jul 2014 13:25

Tell a lie, i had a pizza in Fribourg as well.

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Post by chris ankcorn » 03 Jul 2014 18:07

Welcome back Neil.

Great photos

Great Blogg

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Post by Dave Cox » 13 Jul 2014 23:14

Looks like a great trip Neil, I've just got around to reading your blog. I remember Cols de Glandon and Saisie from trips with Derek Reynolds to see the Tour. Great tartiflette on Saisie - all the Tour motorbike riders were having it.
You will have go back for the Col de Madelaine my favourite climb.

Where are you going next???

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Post by slogfester » 16 Jul 2014 18:08

Madeleine is one of my favourite climbs too. The tartes on top are awesome and there is a (school boy) trophy photo-op small detour about 1/3 the way up the north side!

http://www.cycling-challenge.com/col-de ... tographer/

Fun times :)
Belt up, we're going for a ride

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 17 Jul 2014 10:04

I regret not doing it a little bit. Looks like it would have been a long slog though. 20 years to complete the route, blimey !.

Next. I think i'll just do the trip to Scotland that Phil is planning and maybe extend the trip by cycling home. Fancy doing Northern France and Holland again sometime and maybe see what Denmark is like !.

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Post by Andy Terry » 17 Jul 2014 10:44

One of the stupidest things I have done on a bike: Col de la Madeleine, from both sides, on the same day, alone, in the rain.
Last edited by Andy Terry on 17 Jul 2014 11:40, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by Philip Whiteman » 17 Jul 2014 10:51

Just caught up with this thread.

Nice pictures Neil. It must have been fantastic.

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Post by Philmondo » 17 Jul 2014 17:06

I've only just caught up too Neil. Looks like you had a great trip. I really enjoyed your photos and write-up.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.

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Neil Compton
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Post by Neil Compton » 17 Jul 2014 17:22

Cheers.

How was Le Tour up in Yorkshire?

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