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Three questions for Falconvitesse:
Which ferry port did you start from?
Your saddle bag looks heavy, do you know what it weighed ?
Last week I did a modest four day YHA trip (London to Cirencester and back) about 200 miles in four days, so nothing like your effort. I had getting on for 20 lbs of luggage (including the necessary rack) in two panniers and found this quite enough to pull up the climbs, but at least with the weight fairly low on the bike it was possible to get out of the saddle (I also had low gears). I think I would find that difficult with your Carridice.
Did your bike arouse much interest from the French?
My experience is they are generally sympathetic and interested in any kind of cycling (especially in Brittany), but they don't have much of a tradition of non derailleur bikes.
I hear that they think that anyone who rides a trike must be handicapped ...... or mad.
clubman-
Ha.. nice questions
Dieppe to Dreux.
Duex to Blois.
blois to chateaureax.
The roads were superb, quiet well maintained and the vilages and towns were picturesque. But lacking supplies so i carried food for the day with me like a baguette, ham and cheese.I was carrying one change of clothes, food, some tools and a spare tyre, all kept in the carridice.
Incidentally i was wearing most of my clothes as it was biterly cold.
I stayed in Airbnb's each night where it was possible to hand wash clothing for the next day.
The Airbnb's were very cheap (£25) as i guess it was out of season. I ate out in the evening which again wasnt expensive.You are spot on about fixed wheel it garnered very little interest. A couple of years ago i rode from Paris to london on a Gillott with simplex gears and the french were very appreciative.
Ive just weighed everything now and it came in at 8 pounds.
The route was fairly flat to be honest especially as i am used to cycling in the North downs so the weight wasnt much of an issue.
What was your route to Cirencester and do you have any photos of the bike fully laden.
falconvitesse
Ive just returned from a trip to Chateaureax in France. 270 miles over three days.
Note the Continental tubs which did a fine job throughout.