Cycling UK Forum

Hi S&S

PM sent

Regards

Doodah

Hi S&S

PM sent

Regards

Doodah

I cycled the Compostell in 2005 from Le Puy En Velay to Santiago and thence to Finniestrre.

I used this book for my planning and found it to spot on for the mapping and the hostel / campsite / shops/ bar info.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-James-Cycl ... 1852844418

I would imagine it is up to date. I used hostels, gites, albergues etc and found them to very very reasonable as well as having the interaction with other pilgrims.

I met an Italian in Pamplona who was camping and he tried the hostels. He reckoned they were cheaper and better than the campsites he had been using. Admittedly,. he had been previously camping in France and Italy and may have found the Spanish sites cheaper after all?

Use the book as a basis and tear apart a French and Spanish road atlas if that helps. I bought the maps of the region and photocopied my route accordingly.

If you are blessed with wall to wall sunshine like I was for 7 weeks, it will be a most memorable trip.

The European Bike Express can drop you off at Valence in the Rone valley and collect you at Pau or Bayonne once you have returned from Santiago.

Whatever you do, enjoy it.

Well hello to one and all - especially Bike Buddha,

I cannot describe how much I resonate with the clarity of thinking of the posts from 'slowster'. I do believe he has nailed it, 10/10

If it will help you Bike Buddha, I will be relocating to the Dumfries & Galloway region in late May /early June. I will be happy to cycle up to you and discuss the pro's and con's of my limited cycling experience and my total faith in a Thorn expedition bike.

I cannot ever guarantee the weather, the country, the eco - socio conditions of those countries that I have cycled through... but I can guarantee the reliability of a Thorn bike. Biased?...Yes, based on total reliability.

I will give you a nod when I relocate and see if I can be of assistance - providing there is a pub nearby.

All the best to you.

Doodah

Slow down BB, just slow right down.

No need to rush and take ALL the enjoyment out of the selection process.

Let this dream of yours float in and out of your mind. Don’t stress yourself with an unnecessary and unrealistic deadline - you will only create more stress for yourself.

Re the pannier racks. I have had the Thorn Expedition and found they were without doubt, heavy duty and arguably, stronger than the Tubus - both front and rear. Not as aesthetically attractive, admitted, but more than fit for purpose. Rest assured on that.

Wished I and the rest of the forum could make you rest assured on your purchase but I think we may be out of our depth here?

All the best

Doodah

Go with your gut instinct. It is primal and there for a reason.
You will need to listen to it and know when to use it if a round the world tour is really for you....

There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
"I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong."
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What's right for you--just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.” 
― Shel Silverstein

There is also an old Chinese saying
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Whilst you prevaricate and procrastinate, you will never take that first step - especially if you are thinking about brakes

Good luck and best wishes from us all

Doodah

Hi BikeBuddha,

I will make this offer to you and post it openly and not privately. The reason for this is that other members will see it and hopefully agree with the sentiments before you part with your £4k.

I have a Raven Tour that is ‘fully loaded’ - excuse the pun. You are welcome to stay here in Derbyshire, free of charge, and use my bike for as long as you like. You can take it camping and use ALL my equipment - free of charge and without pressure and without any conditions. This will go some way in helping you to decide if :-
* you like cycling
* you like touring cycling
* you like ‘lugging’ cooking and camping gear around with you
* you like cycling up hills
* you like having to plan ahead etc

The list could go on but these first few questions are important BEFORE you invest £4k on a bike and then decide you don’t like it. It may also help you in the selection of cooking and camping equipment - depending upon season, terrain and location. Some wise and meaningful words have been spoken on this thread and the other that you originally started. Trying to disseminate between facts and opinions is difficult eg. rim brakes or discs. It doesn’t really matter if you do not like cycling does it? Your envisaged tour is a few years away yet, so what is the hurry to spend £4k?

Unfortunately for you, your location minimises the ease to see and feel a a broad selection of bikes. You know where my loyalty lies as regards a particular brand of bike and the service and knowledge of SJS Cycles is 2nd to none - especially if you are on t’other side of the world.

Think about it, the offer is there unconditionally - save that time is not on my side. This is a great forum with a hell of a lot of expertise at your fingertips - as is the Thorn forum. See through the opinionated anoraks and ‘listen’ to all the wisdom and knowledge offered to you. They have certainly helped me through the years. Final words - do not part with £4k before you are ready to commit to cycling - unless of course, you have money to waste.

Good luck with your decisions.

Doodah

Hi Nick,

PM sent.

BikeBuddha wrote: ↑12 Dec 2021, 4:16pm I've never toured, don't much like traffic, and get anxious at the drop of a hat. IT feels very scary. Going to purchase bike next week. Feels surreal.

Out of curiosity, what bike did you finally choose to buy?

Doodah

Hi,
Just read your post again.
You would not go wrong in buying a book written by John Higginson called 'The cyclists route for the Compostelle' - I think.

It is in 2 x stages starting at Le Puy and finishing at St Jean Pied de Port.
The 2nd stage is from St Jean Pied dePort to Santiago .
It is very informative (and sometimes over descriptive of the 'hidden jewel' churches) but nonetheless I can recommend it.
It has detailed routes and road numbers, info on hostels, refuges, cafes and shops etc.

If I can place my hands on it whilst it is in storage I will fish it out and give you a price for it delivered.

Whatever the outcome, you will not regret doing the Compostella - just supremely humbling and stunning - well it was for me.

Cheers

Dodah

Hi humankeith,

I have 7 x Michelin Regional Espana maps in mint condition as follows:-

571 Galicia 1 cm = 4 km
572. Asturias, Cantabria. 1 cm = 2:5 km
573. Pais Vasco / Euskadi, Navjarra, La Rioja. 1 cm = 2.5 km
574. Cataluna, Aragon, Andorra 1 cm = 4 km
575. Castilla y Leon, Madrid. 1 cm = 4 km
577. Communidad Valenciana, Murcia. 1 cm = 4 km
578. Andalucia. 1 cm = 4 km
£3.50 each plus p&p

Also 3 x Michelin Regional Portugal maps in mint condition as follows:-

591. Portugal Norte. 1 cm = 3 km
592. Portugal Centro. 1 cm = 3 km
593. Portugal Sul. 1 cm = 3 km
£3.50 each plus p&p

Also 10 x IGN French Carte de Promenade maps in excellent condition within plastic wallets as follows:-

50. ST-Etienne, Le Puy-En-Velay. 1 cm = 1 km
52 Grenoble Valence. 1 cm = 1 km
57. Cahors Montauban. 1 cm = 1 km
58. Rodez Mende. 1 cm = 1 km
62. Bayonne Mont-De-Marsan. 1 cm = 1km
63 Tarbes Auch. 1 cm = 1 km
64. Toulouse Albi. 1 cm = 1 km
66. Avignon Montpellier 1 cm = 1 km
69. Pau Bayonne. 1 cm = 1 km
72. Beziers Perpignan. 1 cm = 1 km
£4.00 each plus p&p

Also 3 x IGN French Carte Regionale maps in mint condition as follows:-

R14. Rhones-Alpes. 1 cm = 2.5 km
R16. Midi Pyrenees. 1 cm = 2.5 km
R17. Languedoc Rousillon. 1 cm = 1 km
£3.00 each plus p&p

344 Local Michelin Aude Pyrenees - Orientales. 1 cm = 1 km
£4.00 plus p&p

Will also put this under items for sale. I hope you fnd what you are looking for.

Cheers

Doodah

Hi BikeBuddha,

Don't know if you are still interested in your round the world tour but maybe I can help out?

My situation has drastically and dramatically changed since our last exchanges and I will be selling all of my touring equipment, including bike - obviously - camping and cooking equipment and gps etc.

You can PM me for more info before I split it all up. There will be a bargain to be had for you if the bike is the right size.

To be eloquent, there is no crap amongst it and it will virtually be a one stop shop.

Regards

Doodah

Thanks for the info.

The frame it came off was a round (nearly oval) top and down tubes but the rear part of the frame holding the rear wheel was square tubing. The rear wheel was spoked as normal. The frame had a stylish look to it and would have been a head turner when new, I think.

I think it would have been a good project for some one to rebuild completely but has found a resting place in the recycling skip. Amen.

Doodah

Bonefishblues wrote: ↑20 Jul 2021, 9:28am Isn't that known as 'snowflake'?

No idea whatsoever - but I think it is a work of art. It looked better 'in the flesh' than the photo suggests.
Do you think it makes the spokes stronger?

Doodah

Anyone seen or recognise a wheel being built like this before?

Goodness knows how to replace a broken spoke whilst out cycling.

Doodah