Cycling UK Forum

Thanks very much to Richard and all of the others for your patient assistance. Very much appreciated.

Bob

I am grateful for the suggestions but I am looking at a cycle route in France, not Germany. VPD shows up as well on a route from Arrowmanches Les Bains going to Bayeux, Villiers Bocge and then La Ferriere Harang. I am using RWGPS with the OSM Cycle overlay. It does not appear using any of the other overlays.

Thanks for all the kind efforts with this question.

Bob

Can someone please tell me what 'VHB' mean on a route. I presume it means a route set up for cycling. But does it imply any particular type of surface. amount of traffic or anything else?

Many thanks

Bob

Thanks

Cheers

Thanks Hamster. Good advice.

Cheers

I am thinking of a short tour later this year from Cherbourg to Saint Malo and back. I have toured quite a bit in this area in the past, but have always stayed on paved roads. I am now wondering if the EV4 might offer something better but I am restricted to my 700 X 23 tyres. Would anyone have any thoughts about these tyres on the EV4 route?

Many thanks

Bob

In response to your earlier question (and with apologies for getting back so late), Arkel has a choice in its pannier range of waterproof or water resistant as they have a demand for both. It may seem a no brainer, but there are drawbacks to waterproof and for some, like me, water resistant is a better option. Mind you, in all the years of using my Arkel T28s, I have never had water in a pannier. Their website has a really interesting discussion about this. As well, one of their senior people told me that while they sell more waterproof than water resistant, it tends to be the more experienced tourists who buy the water resistant.

But, either way, I would recommend Arkel. Their fastening system has never failed me and allows easy one-handed loading or unloading. And their front loading makes locating items in the bag both easier and less messy. Stitching has never come undone and nothing has broken. All of this after thousands of kilometres of touring.

Cheers

Bob

I have used a set of Arkel T28s since 2007 and they have been brilliant. They are front loading which makes packing and unpacking easier and keeps the contents much neater. But more importantly, the mounting system with aluminium tracks has meant that they have never been less than fully secure. I bought them after a year or so of first class experience with an Arkel 'bar bag. Expensive yes, but excellent value.

Regards

Bob

Many thanks to all for the advice. OI am most grateful.

Cheers

I have gone through all the info that I can find about about Schmidt hub generators, but I can't seem to locate information about looking after my Schmidt hub generator (Naben 6V 3W). It has worked flawlessly for me since 2007 powering front and rear lights even though I leave it on all the time. It has never been serviced. Tens of thousands of miles, in fact. I worry that it will fail finally sometime when I am on tour and unable to arrange a repair. But when I checked with a dealer, I was told that as long as the wheel spins without complications, I need not worry.

Will it ever fail? Is there any sort of standard usage before maintenance is needed?

Many thanks in advance.

Again, many thanks to all. I'll get back after I get back in May.

Cheers

Bob

Thanks, all very helpful information.

Cheers

Bob

There is a great deal of info regarding using the French rail system (and much ore, in fact) here: https://www.freewheelingfrance.com/blog ... rance.html.

Cheers

Bob

Thanks for the advice. I imagine I will stick with the RWGPS route which uses, in places, parts of the EV6 route. I'll get back after we get back with comments.

Cheers

I wonder if anyone has done Euro Velo 6 recently. I am planning to do the western part, perhaps Blois to Nantes in May. I am wondering about the surface. Is there much that isn't tarmacked? My bike has 23 tyres and that's the widest possible. A few years ago, I did the Vélodyssey and at first it was fine while on the hardpacked parts, but then two days of rain made my life miserable. RWGPS suggests a route that doesn't stick to the official route in places. Has anyone used that one?

Most grateful for any advice or suggestions.

Cheers

Bob