Touring Equipment

Boo hand though.

Glad you're making the most of it, despite your hand and carrying ALL OF THE THINGS on your bike.

My advice to anyone going touring is to pack light, I didn't need half the stuff I dragged around the Netherlands. I would also advise not buying loads of stuff - I bought a front rack (for a different bike...) and had to do the final 4 days of my tour with a front rack bungeed to the top of my panniers. At least it made a flat surface for me to balance all the cheese I bought on...

Had some gorgeous ewes milk cheese yesterday in my post arrival panini... mmm

The cheesery near the top of the Agnel has brandy. One of us who suffered on the climb was helped very much by this he later told us. Forget the Finestre, you will always able to get there on a later trip. But if you do from Pinerolo not cross into France over the Agnel and write up here we are no longer friends. I did it without luggage but a broken rib. Heal up soon.

Parma seems to be the Holland of Italy (if you like geographically confusef superlatives...) bicycles EVERYWHERE. just saw an old dude cruising on a pinarello with mahoosive t-rex / moustache bar set up.

Finistere is happening no matter what-going to plan in a bag free day especially and do that loop from Susa you mentioned. Agnel will happen, even if with luggage and fingers crossed no broken ribs by that point.

Hand easing off helped by macchiato drinking too. tomorrow will be getting up early and hitting the road for a 150K day.

The padrone of Hotel Stazione in Susa will be happy to know that the coach driver of the German party made it over the Agnel. So please tell him.

In Pinerolo.

Having another rest day and making plans-intended to do the Fenestrelle today but my ride from Parma-Salice Terme was into a constant freezing headwind and rain, and the two days since have been the same, so needless to say I'm now feeling a bit sick and coughing up all kinds of horrible stuff. Been riding through some gorgeous farm land and hills on deserted roads though and despite being sick it's been enjoyed.

Legs are still holding up well too, which is surprising. I've not been going too hard but I've also never ridden 600 odd km in 4 days before either.

Took the bike to get the wheels trued today and going to do some maintenance on the brakes and gears before tomorrow... got a 140km loop from Pinerolo to Susa and back over the Fenestrelle so fucking excited and hope a days rest and some good food will do what's needed. Scary moment yesterday with the chain jumping into the spokes on a climb again... Really need to sort that out-I was amazed the mech didn't fold or any spokes snap-everything is adjusted ok so maybe the hanger got knocked in transit.

Also looked at the route for getting into France... Col d'Agnel is not happening with the amount of luggage I've got and the time it will take v.s distance/daylight to get to Briancon. Sorry fussballclub, I hope you can forgive me-but the final 10k at over 10%, then another climb to get into Briancon that is just as bad kind of put the nail in that coffin. With my preparation and the weight I'm carrying it would just be stupid.

Think it'll be much better to do Sestriere via Cesana Torinese and save the Agnel for another time; the Fenestrelle was the main goal of my ride anyway and I'm happy to be able to do it without bags tomorrow and savour the experience without it being complete calvary (it probably will be even without the luggage mind you...)

Brilliant. The Agnel is probably closed with the weather? Hope the Finestre is open.

Weather here is looking ok-I think there's been some snow but the daytime temp over the Agnel is still +6 for Thurs/Fri... I think Fenestrelle is clear too. I should really find a decent website to check though!

#jealous

Sunny day. Looks like weather tomorrow is ideal.

07:00   

WNW
8 / 17 mph 2 / -2°C 93% 1018 mb
54%
0.0 mm

10:00

NW
5 / 8 mph 7 / 5°C 73% 1018 mb
7%
0.0 mm

13:00

NNW
3 / 4 mph 10 / 9°C 65% 1018 mb
5%
0.0 mm

16:00

NNW
3 / 5 mph 8 / 8°C 72% 1017 mb
7%
0.0 mm

19:00

NW
4 / 9 mph 2 / 0°C 85% 1018 mb
7%
0.0 mm

22:00

NW
5 / 11 mph 2 / -1°C 66% 1019 mb
1%
0.0 mm

Not sure if this is the right thread, you guys have been great help so far and though I'd try here first.

I've just found out I'm going to Switzerland for 10 days in mid-November for university. We'll be travelling from London to the Val Misox (Val Mesolcina) valley by coach over a three day period.

It's a study trip so I will be busy most of the time with drawing and surveying. But after looking at the Pyrenees right next to our site on the map, I'm kind of thinking I could bring my bike. It won't cost me extra on the coach, there should be plenty of space for the bike (in box).

I'm thinking I could get a a 3-4 hour spin out of the way by 10am, I have two concerns though;

A. Will the weather at this time of year be exceptionally inclement, if so, I'll have to buy full winter riding gear. I think £100 of gear from Planet-X should cover it.

B. Will there be any visibility up there at this time of year in the mornings with mist/low lying cloud?

I understand you are not meteorologist experts but there might be a weather pattern that someone could shed some light on.

My memories of living in Switz are of freezing temperatures (esp. in the valleys if they are in the shade), snow, and limited daylight. Towards Lake Geneva/Lucerne it will be very overcast under the cloud base, which is quite low so you could get above it, but when you do... very sunny and bright, but also higher so more snow.

Basically, for that time of year you'd be better packing some skiis.

^This,

Also wrong mountain range - Pyrenees are France/Spain border.
You will be in the Alps

Pic of Alpe d'Huez last week:

just a smattering... : /

I'm bloody lucky with the weather this weekend.

......wrong mountain range - Pyrenees are France/Spain border.
You will be in the Alps

Shit.

My memories of living in Switz are of freezing temperatures (esp. in the valleys if they are in the shade), snow, and limited daylight. Towards Lake Geneva/Lucerne it will be very overcast under the cloud base, which is quite low so you could get above it, but when you do... very sunny and bright, but also higher so more snow.

Basically, for that time of year you'd be better packing some skiis.

Double shit.

Thanks for the info guys, I think I'm going to leave the bike at home.

I will dream about it for next summer.

I lived in Switzerland and autumns tend to be damp and chilly. The proper cold comes in December, January and February. I used to ride all year round, living in Zurich, and only missed the odd ride due to the weather. (I did venture out once when it was -10 but sense got the better of me after half an hour).

You're going to be in Ticino, which has a very mild climate where it rarely gets below freezing throughout most of the winter (in the valley bottoms, clearly higher up it's very different).

I think it might be worth a punt myself.

Some spam, sorry chaps: http://www.lfgss.com/thread115269.html

If anyone is an xl and after one of those uniqlo thin down jackets the tkmaxx at fenchurch st. has a couple with the same down/feather content for £40.

At the back downstairs.

Ouch. Fucking. Brutal. But amazing. In all kinds of pain atm but equally, very blissed out. Will write up properly another time. Need to eat. More.

Brilliant. Can not wait. Bon appetit.

Such views! Must have been amazing (getting) up there :D