Comprehensive cycling information at sites
areived yesterday at St Jean de Monts in the Vendee, in France, and many site write ups mentioned the wonderful cycling in this area.
i enquired at reception about bike info and was given two documents....one, a map of the Vendee showing the routes over the whole area, with the other side of the map in a larger scale, detailing those paths closer ( 40 km radius) to St Jean de Monts.....incl the roure we did yesterday to the island of Noirmoutier.....66km return and ALL off road on pirpose built dedicated cycle tracks.
the second document was in fact a 50page glossy book of all the routes in the area, compiled into 30+ circular routes with various starting points...a truly comprehensive guide.
now, im not expecting huge off roads paths to be constructed over night, but it would be nice to see more comprehensive and relevant Sustrans maps available at site offices.
we like to cycle to explore where possible yet, even at sites that are close to proper routes, there is little decent documentation (rarely a proper map) and the staff generally dont have much personal info as most dont know where the routes are....
i wish the Club could get together more with Sustrans and get us some decent info designed to het more of us out of our cars and getting into the 'fresh' air....
ill consider discussing this with the club but.......
just interested in other cyclists views.....
Comments
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It would be great if it happens as so many take our bikes along with us on our trips away, and not only for sites but CLs, rallies and holiday meets.
I did prepare sheets for a holiday meet run through this August, outlining routes of various levels of challenge. In return I got a lot of satisfaction from the thanks I received and fully intend to build on this for the future.
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I'm having difficulty tracking posts this morning. The duplicate posts are causing real problems.
BB just to say that the club does link up with Sustrans, you should be able to see the links further down in each site details. Recently I noticed some links seemed to be missing but they can usually be found hidden away. This takes you to a local route.
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There in itself lies the rub Brue, BB had info given to Him as part of the positive ongoing customer relations. Whereas here an online search is offered. In itself not a problem-accepted. To have your cycle with you then to be given info is far superior(& inclusive) to be given a link to info.
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I guess the main dif is that if you want a printed Sustrans map you have to buy it, whereas in France as you say such things are freely distributed.
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You can look at Sustrans cycle maps on your phone, downloaded by place or postcode. I think some club sites might have the maps in the information rooms, I know Baltic Wharf usually has them. the club has been doing this for a while.
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Copyright could be an issue. It certainly is with copies of OS maps, 1x4 A4 of a map is the maximum. Having said that a C&CC site we went to handed out A4 sheet including site, can't remember the scale but was enough to follow footpaths.
Whilst we can't expect site wardens to add tourist guide to their remit I'm sometimes surprised how little they know the area outside the site. (Having to work too many hours 😉😉? Or moved from sites? No interest?)
Maybe there is more of a push to get people cycling and walking and not just words so the info is at your finger tips rather than searching? Perhaps their visitors aren't independent thinkers? I agree more joined up thinking with others like sustains would be great and offering it proactively would be much appreciated.
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Even just posting and liking on this thread at each update posts arrive and disappear. As I type there are 7 replies - mine previous reply along with blue's is/are missing.
This site certainly doesn't improve in any way 😤. I strongly suspect that they'd like it to die. It's already lost lots of very knowledgeable posters 😢. I've seen nothing that would disabuse me of this opinion.
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Good post BB. If I was you, I would repost something similar in the UK thread, and then we can follow it and contribute easily without the duplicate post issues. I had a heck of a job trying to post this, the thread is jumping about all over! Definitely needs to go in UK section, but interesting about what sites are providing overseas.
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So am I, this morning a day later. Both threads are showing as locked when you click on them, with no posts showing. Only by clicking on the date and time of Bakers2's post (the last one) did I get to this one. But when going to page 2 I got the initial OP with 0 replies. Oh dear.
Meanwhile, the info BB tells us about was sent to me last year by post when emailing the TI in that area. It is indeed a very comprehensive book with cycletrips detailed in it.
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If I wanted a cycle route from Sustrans I'd print off before going on holiday. As I said some sites have a printed copy available.