ride fast, see the world

I would leave the gearing. 40-42 is nice when you're riding with all your gear in the Pyrenees or so.

I'd even scale down to a 38t for touring... Defo better to be under geared than over geared.

.

1 Attachment

A million thanks to @Tijmen for the bag <3
Got a few parts to swap out then I'll get some nice photos...

1 Attachment

That's some quality work, looks amazing

dynamo should be running end of the week
if anyone has some used ultradynamico 650b tyres they want to sell me let me know!

.

1 Attachment

Looks great Sam. And I second needing stickers for my frame pump - it’s a process that needs to happen organically I feel? There’s something unholy about ordering lots of specific stickers at once. But then ya never come across good stickers when you want to.

Did you get the wheels built locally?

Wheels built by Martin/Arkane Wheelworks just over in Ladywell, can't recommend enough.
Totally agree about the stickers, I'm hoping some will find their way to me by a process of cosmic mysticism... or something.
Btw I have a spare topeak masterblaster size large kicking around if you need/want one, should fit your size bikes by the look of it.

Trying this out for a bit.
Frame is a Bernard Carre.
125mm stem plus track drops feels good, but I do need a 26.6mm inline post to get the fit right (I think).
Only just built it so haven't had time to get it to the track but on a test ride it feels fast and decently stiff.

2 Attachments

Fit changes, back on an inline and stem down to just 10mm of spacer.
Also moved to 36cm bars because this is now a road bike.
Feels (and looks) many times better.

1 Attachment

When do you plan on starting your journey?

.

Sounds good!
It's definitely possible as long if you have time, I always enjoyed traveling slowly so you have enough time to look around in places, but that's personal.
If you want to buy the camping gear second hand, now is a good time to buy it.

What's your route thru France?

.

Seriously though, I'm not entirely sure.
I'm thinking of taking a pretty direct route on the outgoing journey and then, depending on how much time I have left, do some actual travelling in France. I mostly want to see stuff in the south, like Roman sites and things like that.
So my inital thought for the outgoing trip is: Paris -> Dijon -> Lyon -> Switzerland by Geneva
Obviously that's a very macro plan.
Happy to take any recomendations!

Going through france, there are loads to see -obviously - I'd recommend thinking in terms of areas to cross, what vibe, level of remoteness, etc. you seek. My opinion but a straight path from paris to dijon isnt the most endearing.
Maybe the Vosges then some black forest, constanz lake ? or head to Jura via Morvan ? There are wasy to cross to switzerland in a different way than Lac Leman.

Or If you like architecture maybe plan around staying at La Tourette convent near Lyon ? Just random ideas.
It's also important to pick nice passes to cross the alps, car traffic varies dramatically

or head to Jura via Morvan

I have done this, there is a banging national cycle path that uses an old railway line

I cycled in a pretty much straight line from Paris to Lourdes and it was quite boring. Would really recommend to do some research and plan a nice route

The quality and number of cycle path and cycle friendly routes has increased dramatically. I think the Osmap layer in ridewithgps has them all, from local authority to wider networks (eurovelos).
Morvan is full of lakes, vosges are great, jura is amazing to catch a view of the alps before going there, also full of swimming lakes. But one could also cross more north, cycle from basel to zurich to liechtenstein, go up towards st-moritz or andermatt and approach italy from that side, where there is not so much of the heavy duty traffic found in the western passes.
Anyway @samrensho hit me up if you feel like it

andermatt and approach italy from that side

If you choose to go through the Swiss Rhone valley and cross to Italy, I would take the Nufenen pass, the descent into Airolo is one of the best I have done ever.

Simplon pass is shitty, lots of traffic including trucks. If you decide to go Furka from the Oberwald side and descend to Realp, be aware as that is the "shitty side" :)

Also from Andermatt is the Gottard Pass - old Tremola Road is an absolute stunner & cobbled most of the way! Probably best enjoyed towards Andermatt though (cobbled descent less fun).

Agreed. Have a spot for albula, but thats only the way up to st-moritz/Silvaplana, which btw is a great and famous place to camp, to witness the kitesurfing action.

Sinplon is a roadie pass, to cross fast from Leman through Valais, ie large roads and smooth gradients, especially italian side. but its functionnal, as described below, and not the most enjoyable.
St-bernard is a bit better in this genre, with the added bonus of the monastery.

Simplon pass is shitty, lots of traffic including trucks.

You used to be able to use the old road for 2/3 of the ascent. Which was great as there was virtually zero traffic. I don't know if it's still usable though.

The descent down into Italy is outstanding, great surface and good sight lines so you can really commit to it and it's very fast.