Paj's Home: About Me: Cycling Europe

Cycling Europe

The idea was conceived by two long-time friends of mine, Steve Futcher and Ben Baxter. Their plan was to start the summer by flying to Amsterdam, cycle across Europe to Barcelona, take the ferry to Ibiza and spend the summer working there. In 2001 they attempted the journey and completed about three-quarters of the distance by bike. Problems with one the bikes and a shortage of money forced them to take the train for a section. In 2002, Steve and I completed the journey in 17 days, 1250 miles in total. Another long-time friend, Robin Jones (we're all Manchester Grammar lads) completed the first five days, but a knee problem forced him to retire. Not content with doing it once, in 2003, Ben and I did the journey again. Having had a practice run, we were unstoppable this time, completing in 14 days.

2002 Photos

Steve, somewhere in France

Me cycling

Canal du Midi

We made it - San Antonio square, Ibiza

2003 Photos

A familiar sight - reading the map

Camped up for the night

We ran into the Tour de France in Carcassonne

Nearly there now

Distance Chart

2002				2003
Day	Campsite	Distance	Total	Day	Campsite	Distance	Total
1	Ameida	41	41
2	Gierle	74	115	1	Breda	87	87
3	Donkmeer	62	177
4	St Saveur les Hautes	42	219	2	France border	108	196
5	Serpignan	71	290
6	Bertangles	15	305	3	La Fere	90	286
7	St Paul	62	367
8	Rambouillet	74	441	4	Rambouillet	133	419
9	Vendome	84	525	5	Bonneval	50	470
10	Loches	62	587	6	Loches	99	569
11	St Savin	50	637	7	Confolens	102	672
12	St Savin	0	637
13	Mareuil	102	739	8	Brantome	62	734
				9	Brantome	5	740
14	Ste Foy la Grande	58	797	10	Tonneins	95	835
15	Mosaic	101	898
16	Venerque	64	962	11	Toulouse	110	946
17	Sigean	112	1074	12	Sigean	97	1044
18	Fornells	109	1183	13	Fornells	108	1153
19	Barcelona	67	1250	14	Barcelona	66	1219

Approximate route, from Google Maps

The distances are in miles, and the campsite is the one that we reached at the end of the day.