Hi - I am in the early planning stages of a European cycle tour for 2014. Looking at something along the Mediterranean I think maybe through some of Greece, Italy, France and Spain, and so I have been looking at EURO VELO 8. I have a couple of questions if anyone is able to help:
* Best map source for this route.
* Earliest time of the year it would be reasonable to start - as having to fit in with teaching semester I will be on leave from February 2014 till mid July 2014 and this year I see has had a late long winter and I am worried about how cold it could be if say I started in mid March from Greece or Italy.
* Is it likely to be way too hot to cycle in July through here?
* How easy it is to find camp sites a days riding apart. I do not want to wild camp. At this stage I will be travelling solo and like the idea of a hot shower at the end of the day and the prospect of some fellow campers for company.
* Is it possible to stay to small roads for the majority of this route?
Anyway I am enjoying checking out various internet sites for information and getting a better idea of this route but all help from anyone who has done this route appreciated.
* Best map source for this route.
the official website shows that most of the Eurovelo 8 is "not realised"http://www.eurovelo.com/en/eurovelos/eurovelo-8 but
you will find maps on internet from cyclists who did the trip.
* I am worried about how cold it could be if say I started in mid March from Greece or Italy.
March is not too cold in Greece and south Italy; in the Balkans it is colder but as you will be following the sea cost, it should be fine. Check the rain though!
* Is it likely to be way too hot to cycle in July through here?
In southern Europe, july and august are hot, too hot to cycle during mid day. Cyclists usually start early, take a break from 12 to 3 and ride again after the nap :)
* How easy it is to find camp sites a days riding apart. I do not want to wild camp. At this stage I will be travelling solo and like the idea of a hot shower at the end of the day and the prospect of some fellow campers for company.
Campsites near the Mediterranean coast are expensive and packed with cars and campers during high season, they are closed during off season....
* Is it possible to stay to small roads for the majority of this route?
you will be able to find alternatives to major roads but in summer there will be cars everywhere...
Thanks for those quick comments. Much of what my research had found out to date. Sometimes tricky though doing this from Australia and getting the weather right. I have been cycling in Europe before but not in this exact area. Still keen to give Greece, Italy etc a go. Will probably look at trying to beat the crowds and head there in March April May early June - hopefully weather would be reasonable then. Thanks again for comments.
Hi Jude,
north of Italy is better to move from April, March is usually raining, July is very hot at mid of the day. A solution is bike plus train during hot or raining days.
If you'll pass at my town, 35Km East Milan, you'll be welcome!
Ciao
Fausto
Hi Fausto,
Thanks for your insight on this. I will certainly keep you in mind if i am near Milan. I had not at this stage thought of heading to northern Italy however you never know. As I said I am very much in the early stages of planning and so far lots of ideas but nothing set in concrete.
Happy cycling.
Jude
This is maybe not the best map but there is quite a good part of the EV8 on opencyclemap
http://www.opencyclemap.org/
On the map it appears in red with small signs EV8 (you have to reach a certain level of zoom before to see the signs)
I hope that it will help
I'm planning to take a part of this road this summer from Venezia in order to reach Istanbul.
I'll tell you how hot it was once arrived.
Hi,
I suggest you to see here:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=it%7Cen&u=http://www.piste-ciclabili.com/
the bike lanes in Italy.
Ciao,
Fausto
This is the GPS route I´ll follow in september, 2013: http://www.bikemap.net/pt/route/789123-eurovelo-8-did/#/z5/36.52729,14.0625/mapquest Just from Slovenia to Greece (Athens).
After my trip, I could tell you more about this route...
See you,
Hey Augusto, how was your trip? I'm thinking of doing a similar route next summer. Specifically, was it crowded/lots of traffic/too hot, or was it OK? Cheers! Beth
Hi Beth,
Actually, we had to change our plans. 1 month before the trip Andrea, my wife, became pregnant and the doctor recommended her to avoid intensive activities. That´s why we decided to travel by car, since the air tickets were bought 1 year before... It was a tradicional way of travelling, but it was very good, fantastic landscapes in Slovenia, amazing beaches in Croatia and Greece... and a stretch to the amazing and colorful Istanbul (by air). In Croatia we took a section of the Euro Velo 8, a small road close to the coast line (according to my garmim edge GPS), and we saw a lot of cyclists. Its a bit dangerous because the drivers on Croatia think they are in a F1 GP (sometimes) but they respect the distance between them and the cyclists. Unfortunatly, I have no more tips to you, sorry. I can´t wait for our next cycle touring with the baby... \o/
See you, cheers!
Hi. Did you find a good map , is there section to avoid or must cycle?
Thanks