Cycling UK Forum

Anniesboy - that's a trip we'd quite like to do too. From Med to Kent. What route are you going - or is that open?

Gill

Pete Jack wrote:The 2014 problem. I had a tour in the Canadian Rockies penciled in. Then they announced the Tour route in Yorkshire. It goes within 300ft of a mate's house.

No contest really - the Tour that close to mate's house has got to win. Canadian Rockies the next year.

Mind you, having said that - I took my (then) small children to see the Tour when it passed through Canterbury years ago. Having cajoled, persuaded, bribed and physically pushed them on their bikes the 20 odd miles to a country road en route that headed towards Canterbury, we waited for an hour or so, then the commercial caravan train came past - that took about an hour, followed by a long lull, then French ( I think) police outriders who rode very fast along the gutter, presumably to put one off from stepping off the grass into the road. And then it happened, there was a big swoosh - we just had time to shout "Come on Chris" to our hero Chris Boardman, and they were gone. Ah well! We did come away with a model bike that cost £4 and the kids rode farther than they had ever done before.

Have fun!

Gill

We've never done an organised holiday of any sort, so I don't really intend to start now - way too costly. We also like the freedom of being able to change plan if we feel like it, stop-over a bit longer somewhere etc etc. We both loved being self contained on our trip to France last year - it's something that really appeals to me and I wouldn't want to do a trip with a sag waggon now.

Didn't realise you were a Brit Pete. We live in Kent now, but originate from N Wales, near to Chester. It's good here, really close to the ferries - miss the mountains though.

I can't remember where I saw it, but someone on this forum said they put their panniers in another big bag, these large sturdy carriers with webbing straps you get when you buy something big in a shop - then you only have one bag to fly with. Are all airlines doing this - only one checked bag?? When you say you have a problem in 2014 - I assume you mean a baggage problem??

Many thanks for the very interesting info Pete - very amusing about the fire station. I already am a member of the Adventure Cycling Association and look with longing at their rides, although I haven't bought any of their maps - yet. I would have to do it on my own though, i.e. not an organised ride as the cost is too prohibitive now - I recently took early retirement. I just need to get my b/side in gear and get over there and do it. I'd really like to bring my own bike, but flying with it is one of the things I find offputting, so its nice to hear that bikes are reasonbly priced over there. I can feel myself going into planning mode - I will do it.

I will be genuinely interested to hear how your trip pans out. Once again - many thanks and good luck.

Tonupgilly

Wow! That's quite a trip Pete (Jack). I'm jealous as I'm itching to tour in USA (I live in UK), especially Montana, Wyoming and Oregon. Have fun and keep us posted.

Tonupgilly

Hi Hillspecial,

Nice piccies - thanks for posting them. Nice to be reminded of the Pyreanees and the Alps. Have spent many years holidaying (camping) in Switzerland and southern France with the kids when they were small and more recently toured extensively with motor bikes. Great to see the gorges again. Will hopefully be doing it all by bicycle now.

The Dordogne and Lot were brilliant. When we left Bordeaux we made an effort to keep right next to the river, so ended up cycling along small farm roads with no traffic, passing through lovely villages and gorgeous scenery. The passage between the Dordogne and the Lot was quite undulating, but apart from this and the odd climb above the Dordogne, our ride was pretty flat - by design as we are new to this game. Hope you enjoy your trip over there.

Regards,

Tonupgilly

bikepacker wrote:The Helinox One Chair was a better solution for me. http://www.helinox.com.au/pages/helinox-chair-one.asp Very similar idea but with four legs.

Thank you for that "bikepacker" It looks brill. Got to try one now.

Very interesting and inspirational thread. My hubby (in his 70's) and I did our first fully loaded camping tour last year and loved it. As I have a slightly dodgy back and would be unable to sit cross legged for any length of time, I researched camping chairs. Most of them were bigger or heavier than we wanted to carry, but I did find a brilliant one. It is the Alite Monarch Butterfly chair - an absolute godsend. As far as I am aware it can only be purchased in USA - I sent for two (had to pay import tax). They have their own small bag and fold and pack down small enough to fit in a pannier - a bit like a folding umbrella. They only have two legs, but are superbly balanced and very comfortable. We ate our dinners whilst sitting in them and I was able to sit and read all evening without discomfort. It takes a moment the first time to get your position right - I went buttock over wotsit the first time, but quickly sussed it afterwards. It only weighs about half a kilo

Actually, just Googled it - it appears it is now available on Amazon and Ebay. There are lots of videos demonstrating it, In our opinion - well worth getting one.

Loved reading of everyones exploits - very inspiring and impressive. I love the 100,000 idea - brilliant - well done. I now have many ideas for future tours.

Hubby and I are off to Germany at the end of April. We drive to Zeltingen Rachtig and will stay one night in the "River Valley Guest House" - English run and excellent value. Leaving the car there, we will do a circular tour (camping) of the Mosel, Hunsruck and part of the Rhine, returning to Zeltingen Rachtig in time for the "Winehoffest" (the reason for the car really - can't carry cases of wine on the bikes). We will also do several day trips once the main tour is finished. Incidentally, I can highly recommend the aforesaid guest house. Mike and Lynne, who run it, are brilliant, very helpful and can't do enough for you.
http://www.river-valley-guest-house.co.uk/

Last year we took the European Bike Bus to Bordeaux and cycled (and camped) the Dordogne, dropped "down" to the Lot, headed back West, then joined the Garonne and Canal du Midi to Toulouse, visited a friend and then took the bike bus home. It was our first trip and my hubby, at 73, was quite apprehensive before we went, hence the reason for the relatively flat ride. It was a hard day travelling between the Dordogne and Lot rivers, but the whole trip was awesome and hubby loved it. Later this year, we intend going back to Toulouse to finish the Canal du Midi and cycle to the Carmargue.

Happy cycling everyone.

Thank you everyone for your comments. I take the point about whether it is worthwhile putting a Nomad in a hard box. Yes it is an expensive bike, nearly 2.5K with add-ons, but hopefully rugged enough not to get damaged easily - also heavy of course - which is a significant factor if bike boxes are heavy too. Perhaps cardboard is the way to go.

Thanks for the info tatanab. It will be for a Thorn Nomad, so mudguards, racks, the lot. I've got plenty of time to think on it - probably won't be until the end of the year, but I do like to have time to weigh up the pros and cons. Will only be going to Europe via ferry this summer. Did you have somewhere to leave the box at the other end?

Has anyone used a hard bike box for airline travel? I'd like to hear some of your experiences with them please especially with regard to ease of use, airline check in, cost and value for money and anything else you could comment on. Thanks.

Just a quick update. We went to the Mosel valley and stayed with Mike and Lynne at the River Valley Guest House. Brilliant!!!
They are so helpful and friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay with them. We will definitely be returning.
Gill & John

Thanks for that "Third Crank" - I'll take a look tomorrow

Lol -- I'll be taking all three