Search found 331 matches

by braz
18 Sep 2013, 9:07pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Campsite Reviews (index)
Replies: 111
Views: 38201

Re: Campsite Reviews (index)

French campsites, anyone?

I've now got over 1000 catalogued, mainly on the route that follows the Nantes-Brest canal, Loire a Velo route, Saone, Rhone, Med, Canal du Midi, Garonne canal, and then back up through Charente, Vendee, and Bretagne again, stating and finishing the ride at Roscoff. (Took me a month to get round the route earlier this year, on my first long ride after a couple of years in hospital - a sort of 'do the ride or die trying' stupid bloody minded thing to do. Still here and typing after over 2,500 miles, which I've now doubled in day rides - so when I do go, I'll go out in a blaze of tyre smoke!).

A mixture of municipal and private camp sites, costing from E3 pppn to over E25 pppn - depends if you want to play crazy golf or not.

I started the task whilst unwell last year, but have now managed to visit over 200 sites this summer - some good, some bad, and some absolutely awful (and those are usually the most expensive, private sites!.)

PM me for further information - replies within a week or so.

regards to all, Braz
by braz
17 Sep 2013, 8:54pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Ten Miles a Day
Replies: 400
Views: 112200

Re: Ten Miles a Day

Yes Mick, tis I.

I doubt if 'mend' applies - in my state, so drinking plenty of cheap French wine whilst I still can. No.1 best class rose, 2 bottles for 3 Euros.

Good to be back on a bike, even if it is a 35 year old Holdsworth - one that is, unlike me, still going strong.

Must be time for another 'End to End' soon - I need one more to reach my 'coming of age'. Next spring or summer, surgeons willing. Now which way should I think of going ..........? Oh yes, I remember, turn left at Longrock.

kind regards, Braz.
by braz
17 Sep 2013, 6:26pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Ten Miles a Day
Replies: 400
Views: 112200

Re: Ten Miles a Day

Having been out of commission and in hospital for a few years (more bits dropping off) I've finally been back on the bike again this summer.

Helps being in France where it's a bit warmer, and I started off trying to ride 50s each day (miles, that is - 80k), half of what I used to think was acceptable when I was younger.

Struggled at first, but after a month things came a bit easier and I found that I was stopping earlier and earlier - seven weeks now for 2448 miles (3916k).

The weather is getting cold and damp so I'll go on as long as I can.

70 this year, so not too bad for an 'old un'!

regards to all, Braz.
by braz
21 Jan 2010, 2:26pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycle Campers
Replies: 8
Views: 1136

Re: Cycle Campers

Hello all, another alternative for your enjoyment!

regards, Braz.
by braz
12 Dec 2009, 10:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Surface Nantes Brest Canal Towpath
Replies: 14
Views: 4436

Re: What Surface Nantes Brest Canal Towpath

Hello again, just found a picture for you!

regards, Braz.
by braz
10 Dec 2009, 4:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Surface Nantes Brest Canal Towpath
Replies: 14
Views: 4436

Re: What Surface Nantes Brest Canal Towpath

Hello, I hope this helps. I've ridden the canal towpath twice this year, once on a road bike whilst heading down towards Nantes and points south, and once on a hardtail semi-tourer with panniers and a tent.

The surface from Carhaix southwards is a little bumpy as far as Rostrenen, but after that good until Mon Repos abbey. You get a choice there, as you cannot cycle past Lake Guerdelan - either join VV6 for a couple of miles (which means crossing the main road twice) or stay on the towpath for 1km (small unmarked path that obviously follows the canal on the N side - left off the towpath (or right into the cafe!) at Mon Repos, over the bridge, and the path is on the R). You soon have to leave the towpath on the L and head up a steep zig zag. When you get to the top keep straight on - the VV6 joins from the L - and it's then all downhill past Caurel until you get to Mur de Bretagne. The surface is small stones, but decent riding. Be careful when you get to M de B - watch out for the old station on your L as you arrive and turn sharp R, almost back on yourself, and this will take you down to the towpath again. Bear L for Pontive.

This section is often old tarmac, and it's bumpy whatever you are riding - grit your teeth! As you get into Pontivy the towpath swings L and heads for Rohan - it's a bit rough and lumpy in places but quite ridable. Look out for the flight of 12 locks - downwards! - enjoy the ride! As you approach Rohan the path improves considerably, and from here until you get to Josellin it's about as good as it gets. After Josselin you will head for Malestroit and the riding is still good, but after that! - it gets a bit more difficult as the gravel gets a bit bigger. Still ridable on a road bike, but slow down a bit! Watch out for crossways drainage chanels across the towpath, or you will be in orbit! It's like this for a lot of the way to Redon, after which it gets a bit easier until you go past Pont Mini, where it gets a bit rough again. Stick with it - not far to go now - slow down and enjoy the solitude!

For a book on the canal try http://www.bicyclebooks.co.uk where they have a book about walking the canal - decent maps, just reverse the direction. If you do get fed up with the towpath there are many 'detours' where you can hop off and on again - and be prepared to be a bit frustrated at times as you find yourself heading in completely the opposite direction to he one that you want to go in - it does bend and twist about a lot. By following the canal towpath from Carhaix to Nantes you will do an extra 100km over the direct road milage!

Accommodation at Carhaix, Rostrenen, Gouarec, M de B, Pontivy, Redon, Josselin, Malestroit, Redon, Pont Mini, Blain, Nantes. Really make sure that you have food and water with you - it gets a bit isolated at times, and there are few facilites along the way, apart from the larger towns. Supermarkets at Carhaix, Rostrenen, Pontivy, Rohan (Proxi right next to the bridge), Josselin (although it's a long way out), Malestroit, Redon, Blain, Nantes. Camping everywhere - Carhaix, Rostrenen, Gouarec, M de B, Pontivy, Rohan (good site on the RHS as you enter), Le Roc st Andre (just past the bridge), Malestroit, Redon, Pont Mini, Blain, Nantes - or fly camp wherever you like!

If you are heading for Carhaix from the north coast the VV7 from Morlaix to Carhaix is also quite a decent ride, whatever you are on. (http://www.randobreizh.org)(http://www.af3v.org). A bit hillier than the towpath (Monts d'Arree 235m) but well graded as it's an old railway line.

How's that? - there are some other links to accomodation on the bicyclebooks.co.uk site, or PM me if you need any further help. I'm off in 10 days to ride from Roscoff down to Limoges, and the first part of the ride will be - on VV6 and the towpath!

kind regards, Braz.
by braz
8 Dec 2009, 6:28pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Just to put all your planned rides into perspective...
Replies: 11
Views: 1366

Re: Just to put all your planned rides into perspective...

...........five stone overweight, on 30 fags a day and hadn't done a smidge of exercise (let alone cycle training) for the thirty years.....................

That should cut down the attendance at A & E - if you are suggesting that this is a role model for End to Enders!

Si, don't be so serious! - my original post was very light-hearted - and has focussed a few minds, as the resulting responses have shown! As one who also holds an End to End record (it took us a year and a day to complete the ride last time, because I had to return to a crisis at work half way through our ride) I know about these things!

regards to all, Braz.
by braz
7 Dec 2009, 2:56pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Just to put all your planned rides into perspective...
Replies: 11
Views: 1366

Re: Just to put all your planned rides into perspective...

Hello again,

I was always taught that it awfully bad form to ask a gel if she enjoyed it.....

regards to all, Braz.
by braz
5 Dec 2009, 5:41pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Just to put all your planned rides into perspective...
Replies: 11
Views: 1366

Just to put all your planned rides into perspective...

...........I found myself talking to Lynne Taylor yesterday - nice lady - who holds the LE - JOG record for a gel.

Ready for this? 2 days, 4 hours, 11 seconds. And after that she went on to beat the previous best time for 1000 miles. Hardly broke sweat, aparently.

So come on all you chaps who are planning to do the ride next year, you now have something to aim at - get some training in over Christmas!

regards to all, Braz
by braz
17 Nov 2009, 4:25pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How to ride a tandem in a wedding dress?
Replies: 45
Views: 3313

Re: How to ride a tandem in a wedding dress?

More congrats - you back-seat driver, you!

Try one of these - then you can look back on your past life and fondly remember, before getting down to polishing his sprockets for the rest of your life!

kind regards, Braz.
by braz
16 Nov 2009, 10:19pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Longest down hill in the UK?
Replies: 48
Views: 6540

Re: Longest down hill in the UK?

The ten-plus years since Labour came to power.

regards to all, Braz.
by braz
13 Nov 2009, 5:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Deter Tailgating Drivers With this Subtle Device...
Replies: 14
Views: 1557

Re: Deter Tailgating Drivers With this Subtle Device...

............even with the rocket facing the other way Gordon Brown would not show any emotion.

Technologically and intellectually inert.

regards to all, Braz.
by braz
13 Nov 2009, 4:49pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: bike song
Replies: 12
Views: 1107

Re: bike song

"A charming young daughter of the vicar's (steady - wait for it!)
Was experiencing trouble with her clickers
She pulled and she pushed
Til she was completly bushed
But kept getting grease on her - and this is where I'm completely stuck for the rhyme!"

regards to all, Braz
by braz
13 Nov 2009, 4:43pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What should I do with my bike when camping?
Replies: 25
Views: 2332

Re: What should I do with my bike when camping?

Blimy, Helen - where did you get that 'at?

I've never not seen one like it - not as smart as that!

kind regards, Braz.
by braz
13 Nov 2009, 4:37pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Deter Tailgating Drivers With this Subtle Device...
Replies: 14
Views: 1557

Re: Deter Tailgating Drivers With this Subtle Device...

Dear XAP - you only have to ask.................