Cycling The Francigena

[Jopoke]

Has anyone cycled from Canterbury to Bridisi? Myself and my partner are going to do it in late August, and as much research I've done, it would be nice to hear from someone who has done it.
I'd like to know things like.. .. is accomadation easy to come by? How are the rd's? How hard is it? How hard is it going up St Bernard's Pass. Are there sign posts.
I've downloaded maps on Kamoot and I have a list of accommodation, but I don't know if you can turn up without booking. Sorry I have so many questions.

 

[Skinnybiker]

Search crazyguyonabike.com for relevant journals

 

[timr]

@Jopoke Welcome to this bit of the Forum!

You might try contacting Paulo Seth. He is experienced and committed to helping others.

EyeCycled

EyeCycled. 962 likes · 15 talking about this. Seeing the world one pedal stroke at a time.

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Via Francigena, Day 9/29: From Arc-en-Barrois to Langres - EyeCycled

"A...

eyecycled.com

And see this

I have not cycled, but I have walked from Canterbury to Santa Maria de Leuca.

A general comment - particularly in France and Switzerland there IS accommodation but you should contact places the day before. Pilgrims are few and they will. not be waiting for you! They may see pilgrims once a week or less.

Once you get into Italy there is much more accomodation, in parishes etc, but again worth contacting the day before.

After Rome the volume of pilgrims diminishes drastically and so again, worth contacting the day before.

I walked from Canterbury to Thessaloniki, rarely booking more than one day ahead, NEVER camping, though stayed occasionally at a campsite, and I never failed to find a roof. I didn't always find a physical bed!

People on this forum will be happy to answer any more specific questions, as best they can.
Tim

 

[timr]

@Jopoke Welcome to this bit of the Forum!

You might try contacting Paulo Seth. He is experienced and committed to helping others.

EyeCycled

EyeCycled. 962 likes · 15 talking about this. Seeing the world one pedal stroke at a time.

www.facebook.com

Via Francigena, Day 9/29: From Arc-en-Barrois to Langres - EyeCycled

"A...

eyecycled.com

I have not cycled, but I have walked from Canterbury to Santa Maria de Leuca.

A general comment - particularly in France and Switzerland there IS accommodation but you should contact places the day before. Pilgrims are few and they will. not be waiting for you! They may see pilgrims once a week or less.

Once you get into Italy there is much more accomodation, in parishes etc, but again worth contacting the day before.

After Rome the volume of pilgrims diminishes drastically and so again, worth contacting the day before.

I walked from Canterbury to Thessaloniki, rarely booking more than one day ahead, NEVER camping, though stayed occasionally at a campsite, and I never failed to find a roof. I didn't always find a physical bed!

People on this forum will be happy to answer any more specific questions, as best they can.
Tim

Oh and see this also @Jopoke - done by Paulo

Cycling the Via Francigena – Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome

This section has been revised and updated by CPR member and experienced distance cyclist, Paulo Seth, who wrote a blog on cycling the Via Francigena http://eyecycled.com/en_GB/index-pages/via-francigena/ Introduction: This section covers the main issues for those pilgrims wanting to cycle the...

pilgrimstorome.org.uk

 

[roving_rufus]

I have walked the VF as far as northern Italy. I did camp a fair amount in France and Switzerland as it gave more options and reduced cost - but on a bike there is generally more ease in going an extra 10km than on foot to find suitable accommodation at a reasonable price. I only wild camped once after Reims in the champagne vineyards as it was nearly vendage and everywhere was full - otherwise I found somewhere.
Tourism offices often have lists too if you are getting stuck finding rooms available - eg at Dampirerre the place that offered pilgrim accommodation was unavailable but the tourist office found me somewhere in next village for €30 including dinner and breakfast that wasn't on any list I had at the time. And having just finished a little walked camino route in Western France, I truly love the folks in tourist offices, they were so helpful!
But being creative, flexible and willing to go off piste is helpful to find accommodation.

 

[timr]

I have walked the VF as far as northern Italy. I did camp a fair amount in France and Switzerland as it gave more options and reduced cost - but on a bike there is generally more ease in going an extra 10km than on foot to find suitable accommodation at a reasonable price. I only wild camped once after Reims in the champagne vineyards as it was nearly vendage and everywhere was full - otherwise I found somewhere.
Tourism offices often have lists too if you are getting stuck finding rooms available - eg at Dampirerre the place that offered pilgrim accommodation was unavailable but the tourist office found me somewhere in next village for €30 including dinner and breakfast that wasn't on any list I had at the time. And having just finished a little walked camino route in Western France, I truly love the folks in tourist offices, they were so helpful!
But being creative, flexible and willing to go off piste is helpful to find accommodation.

Yes in France the tourist office and or the mairie never failed when I had occasion to enquire of them. And I found them universally friendly.

 

[Harington]

Has anyone cycled from Canterbury to Bridisi? Myself and my partner are going to do it in late August, and as much research I've done, it would be nice to hear from someone who has done it.
I'd like to know things like.. .. is accomadation easy to come by? How are the rd's? How hard is it? How hard is it going up St Bernard's Pass. Are there sign posts.
I've downloaded maps on Kamoot and I have a list of accommodation, but I don't know if you can turn up without booking. Sorry I have so many questions.

Check this out. There is a whole section on cycling the VF (though mainly the northern part Canterbury to Rome) . There is also an accommodation list for the VF del Sud. https://pilgrimstorome.org.uk/planning/

 

[Jopoke]

@Jopoke Welcome to this bit of the Forum!

You might try contacting Paulo Seth. He is experienced and committed to helping others.

EyeCycled

EyeCycled. 962 likes · 15 talking about this. Seeing the world one pedal stroke at a time.

www.facebook.com

Via Francigena, Day 9/29: From Arc-en-Barrois to Langres - EyeCycled

"A...

eyecycled.com

And see this

I have not cycled, but I have walked from Canterbury to Santa Maria de Leuca.

A general comment - particularly in France and Switzerland there IS accommodation but you should contact places the day before. Pilgrims are few and they will. not be waiting for you! They may see pilgrims once a week or less.

Once you get into Italy there is much more accomodation, in parishes etc, but again worth contacting the day before.

After Rome the volume of pilgrims diminishes drastically and so again, worth contacting the day before.

I walked from Canterbury to Thessaloniki, rarely booking more than one day ahead, NEVER camping, though stayed occasionally at a campsite, and I never failed to find a roof. I didn't always find a physical bed!

People on this forum will be happy to answer any more specific questions, as best they can.
Tim

Thank you

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Hi,
I am currently walking the VF and I have seen and spoken to numerous cyclists along the way.
The one common thread in conversations was/is that some accommodations have no room for storage of bicycles.
Just food for thought...