Which Bike/Kit shoud I buy? What do I need to take?

[Darkesy]

My cousin's crazy idea is to cycle from Birmingham to West France (approx. 500 miles on the road) where he has a house there. We're all complete newbies not ridden since we were kids but what bikes are gonna do the job for us?

We're looking at going next easter so we've got time to train (get fit) but need to purchase a bike to start the training and get bedded in on it (my poor buttock). We've loosely talked about taking 2 days to get to Portsmouth, and 3 days to get to his house.

I know there's an infinite amount of variables but what makes/models of bike and kit would be a good starting point? Is there any must have kit? And is it wiser to take spare inner tubes rather than puncture repair kits?

It's a lot to ask but the more detail the better and I can share the info with the lads!

I know if we do this it won't end there, we'll probably want to do LEJOG and then who knows.

Thanks in advance.

[vernon]

My cousin's crazy idea is to cycle from Birmingham to West France (approx. 500 miles on the road) where he has a house there. We're all complete newbies not ridden since we were kids but what bikes are gonna do the job for us?

We're looking at going next easter so we've got time to train (get fit) but need to purchase a bike to start the training and get bedded in on it (my poor <i>[rude word removed]</i>). We've loosely talked about taking 2 days to get to Portsmouth, and 3 days to get to his house.

I know there's an infinite amount of variables but what makes/models of bike and kit would be a good starting point? Is there any must have kit? And is it wiser to take spare inner tubes rather than puncture repair kits?

It's a lot to ask but the more detail the better and I can share the info with the lads!

I know if we do this it won't end there, we'll probably want to do LEJOG and then who knows.

Thanks in advance.

You need to think about/declare how much you are willing to spend on your kit before deciding/asking about what you are going to buy.

Some folk would suggest some seriously expensive exotica while others of more modest means would suggest reasonably priced kit.

It's unclear whether you intend camping or using B & B accommodation. This too will influence the advice that is proffered.

Hvae you considered what you want to do with the bikes after your adventure? Sell them or continue using them?

West France - do you mean Brittany? It can be seriously hilly - your proposed schedule of 100 miles per day might be a tad ambitious.

Inner tubes vc puncture repair outfit. You need both. You might puncture your spare tubes too.

[Darkesy]

I intend to spend around £600 all in. My cousin has been told a Giant CRS 2.5 is a good entry level bike around £300 and the rest of the kit for £300 seemed feasible. That said i'm pretty open and if I could get a much better bike for £100 or so more then i'd probably go for it. Same with the rest of the required kit i would go more expensive if it was worth it!

His house is in Thire which I think is not far from La Rochelle. My cousin has driven in many times and he said it's as flat as a pancake but in car everything seems flat. As for distance I thought 100 miles a day was ambitious i was thinking more 60 a day.

We were gonna 'B&B it' so we could get a decent night's rest and get a good bath and some decent food and possibly dry our kit out if it had rained.

After the adventure we would keep our bikes for return visits or future adventures. I'm sure they'll get more than a single use.

[emergency_pants]

I'm looking too and someone mentioned, in my thread, the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative Revolution Country Traveller. I'm seriously considering it though I'm looking for something which can handle a bit more rough stuff. But for you, on the roads, it looks ideal and it appears to be quite highly regarded.

Simon.

[vernon]

My cousin has driven in many times and he said it's as flat as a pancake but in car everything seems flat. As for distance I thought 100 miles a day was ambitious i was thinking more 60 a day.

I'm not up to speed with the current offerings of bikes but your thoughts on the ride itself are very sensible ones. It can come as a nasty surprise to find that the flat or flattish undulating roads are energy sapping challenges when ridden on as opposed to being driven on. It's far easier to maintain 60 miles per day than 100 miles per day. You'll also have more hours to rest and recouperate in.

There's a detailed article about bike types here:
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=12334
Hope that helps

[Darkesy]

ok... so you can see my plans but what kit do I need - like I said i'm a complete newcomer to this I haven't got anything!

Are you supposed to have clothing for the job and if so what?
Do you need those special shoes or not?
Drink bottles/nutrition on the bike?
A gel seat, gloves, helmet?
Different grips/hand positions on the bike?
What Bike?

I know you can't have everything but are the must have items that can make or break your tour or make it that little less gruelling or just more enjoyable?

[julk]

For long distance cycling in comfort - think touring bike. The edinburgh country traveller is used and well liked by a friend of mine for his touring and general riding. Try and get a test ride before buying a bike.

For extra comfort - think contact points, saddle, pedals and handlebar/grips.
• The saddle should be wide enough to support your sit bones. If you need extra padding then padded underwear and shorts are available. Avoid any clothing with seams which you would sit on, especially jeans.
• Pedals are made more comfortable by a restraint which holds your feet in place. Special cycling shoes are stiffer and can be fitted with cleats which match the pedals. If you don't like the thought of cleats then toeclips and straps can be used on the traditional style pedals.
• Handlebar/grips - whatever shape bars you choose it is important that the most used riding position has good support for your hands in the form of thick padding or flat bar/grip sections. Mitts or gloves are also useful for extra comfort. A variety of hand positions on the bars can be obtained with drop handlebars, straight bars with bar ends or butterfly bars and using these multiple hand positions will delay the onset of any pains over a long day cycling.

Most bikes will have provision for a couple of drink bottles. It is worth taking bottles with water or an energy drink and drinking small amounts frequently. Food and other items can be carried in a rack pack or pannier which is mounted on a rear carrier. It is important to eat and drink during the day to avoid suddenly running out of energy.

Clothing which is comfortable, warm and windproof will probably be needed at Easter time. Two or three thin layers are more adaptable than one thick layer. Waterproofs are most useful in cold rain, but you will probably still sweat inside them. Eye protection is useful, a peak on a helmet or cycling glasses will help to keep rain and insects out of your eyes.

These are my own personal observations. There are many other views.
You will probably do best by adopting the minimum possible and getting out on some rides to find what suits you best.

I hope this helps and have a good time riding.

[Darkesy]

Thanks for the above post, definately some useful pointers.

I think I need to visit a reputable bike shop and try certain things out (bars, grips, saddles) and also get measured for the right sized frame.

Initially when the idea was put forward it sounded like a glory-fied bike ride, but there is so much more to take into consideration. My cousin was certainly not thinking seriously enough, so now I have some useful info to share with him and the others.

I think there is six of us doing this and if someone has got to take the more methodical approach which inevitably will be the safer and more comfortable approach then I don't mind stepping forward.

As I say any info is greatly appreciated so keep the posts coming and I will let you know what I have purchased in due time (the bike being the first purchase).

[thirdcrank]

Remember that the most important part of any bike ride is the rider.

You mention buying the bike in good time to get bedded in. Stacks of bikes are bought, used once and end up slung at the back of the garage.

You might easily do this x 6.

Try and borrow a bike from a neighbour or work colleague who has one lying unused. Give it a try and get a few miles in. Then, you will know if you really want to do ir and, you will have some ideas of your own about what type of bike you want.

[Slowroad]

Another variety of advice - might be worth checking out when Easter is next year and so what the weather might be like. I travelled through France one late April and though the weather was fine, it was still pretty nippy. Frost on my tent one morning! I know you're not camping but you might need to assess wet/cold weather kit. A coastal route might be warmer, you could get the ferry to Brittany and head south from there. But wetter? Worth checking out...
Also check what might be shut during Easter (I've no idea but I have been caught out by religious festival days before).
France has excellent road maps and a super network of back-roads ('D's). I'd avoid the long straight 'N' roads - they have lots of lorries. This might be a useful website; http://www.randobreizh.org/zonedifferen ... eVoie6.php
Enjoy the planning as much as the trip!

[vernon]

Another variety of advice - might be worth checking out when Easter is next year and so what the weather might be like. I travelled through France one late April and though the weather was fine, it was still pretty nippy. Frost on my tent one morning! I know you're not camping but you might need to assess wet/cold weather kit. A coastal route might be warmer, you could get the ferry to Brittany and head south from there. But wetter? Worth checking out...
Also check what might be shut during Easter (I've no idea but I have been caught out by religious festival days before).
France has excellent road maps and a super network of back-roads ('D's). I'd avoid the long straight 'N' roads - they have lots of lorries. This might be a useful website; http://www.randobreizh.org/zonedifferen ... eVoie6.php
Enjoy the planning as much as the trip!

I forgot about the variability of Easter weather in France. I used to attend the Le Mans 24 hr bike race at Easter and have experienced frost on the tent every night one year and another year picked up one hell of a tan and was able to wear t-shirts well into the night for the entire weekend.

Mondays are bad days for shopping as a lot of shops are closed I imagine Easter Monday will be worse.

On the clothing front, it might be worthwhile getting to Aldi this Thursday and getting some of the winter jackets and shirts. Don't leave it until Friday - folk clear the shelves and have the stuff on Ebay before the day's out. It will be no fun riding through France if you are cold and the Aldi stuff although lacking in style is incredible value for money.

Make sure that the bikes that you buy can have rackes easily fitted. Bike with disk brakes need special types of pannier racks which are more expensive than standard racks.

[emergency_pants]

I had a thought that maybe you could hire the bikes? I have no idea whether this is an option or how it compares to simply BUYING your bike and equipment, but maybe it's worth considering.

Maybe even hiring a touring bike for a weekend and going on a little mini-test-trip. the at least you'll have some experience to help you decide what you're after.

I googled and found a rental rate of 200 euros for a 7-day, 27-speed touring bike hire. Veloloco. Not bad at all.

EDIT: That company also hires out some of the equipment you'll need too!

[Lio]

Darkesey, you've had some useful advice so far. For distance, my view is to think comfort over speed so bike type, set up, saddle etc are imoportant. If you're carrying your own gear, I would suggest don't even think about rucksacks, I only say this because on a recent cycle to Italy I had to convince a friend of the advantages of panniers over a rucksack. he fitted a rack to his bike and didn't regret it. There are some on here who would recommend a trailer.
On the clothing front, travel as light as possible, you're more likely to need clothes to put on to keep you warm when you stop cycling. You will warm up easily on the bike, so think about how you might layer up. For my trip - in June - I took 2 pairs of cycling shorts, pertex over trousers - a merino t-shirt (fantastic) , 1 cycling t-shirt, 1 microfleece, 1 montane windshirt, 1 v small waterproof jacket, 2 pairs sox, 2 pairs pants, 1 very lightweight packable trousers. I was never cold, I used every item and didn't wish that I brought anything else. This list includes my 'civvies' for the flight home.
good luck
Lio