Summer cycle tour 2022: From Caen in France 🇫🇷 to San Sebastián in Spain 🇪🇸

May 25th — June 5th, 2022: 6 days cycling, 900km covered 🚴‍♂️

Hello 👋

This was my first cycle tour. I did this to test my endurance, explore France, and sample the culinary delights of San Sebastián. I also needed some time alone, for my mental health — more on that in another post.

This post is:

• A record for me
• For friends and family to see what I got up to
• For anyone interested in doing a similar ride

All the places I stayed in are cycle-friendly with a safe place to store a bike.

Updates also posted on my Strava and Instagram.

Overview of the ride

• 🇫🇷 Start: Caen (northern France)
• 🇪🇸 Finish: San Sebastian (northern Spain)
• 🚴‍♂️ Cycling days: 6 days
• 🏖 Rest days: 3 days
• ⛴ Non-cycle travel: 2 days
• 📏 Distance cycled: 900km
• ⛰ Elevation: 5,500 meters

Each day of the trip

• Day 1: Train to Portsmouth 🚆, ferry from Portsmouth to Caen ⛴
• Day 2: Cycle from Caen to Moulay — 150km 🚴‍♂️
• Day 3: Cycle from Moulay to Angers — 108km 🚴‍♂️
• ️Day 4: Cycle from Angers to Niort — 165km 🚴‍♂️
• ️Day 5: Cycle from Niort to Lège-Cap-Ferret — 231km 🚴‍♂️
• Day 6: Rest day in Lège-Cap-Ferret 🏖
• Day 7: Rest day in Lège-Cap-Ferret 🏖
• ️Day 8: Cycle from Lège-Cap-Ferret to Soustons — 160km 🚴‍♂️
• Day 9: Cycle from Soustons to San Sebastián — 100km 🚴‍♂️
• Day 10: Rest day in San Sebastián 🏖
• Day 11: Bus from SS to Bilbao 🚌, ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth ⛴
• Day 12: Overnight ferry ⛴, train home to London! 🚆

Day 1: Train to Portsmouth, then boat to Caen

• Ferry: Portsmouth to Caen (Brittany Ferries)

Day 2: Caen to Moulay

• 150km 🚴‍♂️ / Day 1 Strava ride / Instagram post
• Hotel: Hotel La Marjolaine

Day 3: Moulay to Angers

• 108km 🚴‍♂️ / Day 2 Strava ride / Instagram post
• Hotel: Hôtel de l’Europe

Day 4: Angers to Niort

• 165km 🚴‍♂️ / Day 3 Strava ride / Instagram post
• Hotel: The Suite of L’horizon

Day 5: Niort to Lège-Cap-Ferret

• 231km 🚴‍♂️ / Day 4 Strava ride / Instagram post

Day 6 & 7: Rest days in Lège-Cap-Ferret

• Resting with the family 🏖
• Villa: Villa on Airbnb

Day 8: Lège-Cap-Ferret to Soustons

• 160km 🚴‍♂️ / Day 5 Strava ride / Instagram post
• Lodge: Salty Woods Lodge

Day 9: Soustons to San Sebastián

• 100km 🚴‍♂️ / Day 6 Strava ride / Instagram post
• Guesthouse: Guesthouse on Airbnb

Day 10: Rest day in San Sebastián

• Resting and feasting! 🏖

Day 11: Bus to Bilbao, ferry to Portsmouth

• Bus: San Sebastián to Bilbao (Alsa)
• Ferry: Bilbao to Portsmouth (Brittany Ferries)

Day 12: Overnight ferry, train home to London!