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.
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!
