FNRttC The Fridays tour 2014
- Thread starter mmmmartin
- Start date
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Mice
Guru
Well Fabulous The Fridays peeps! Thank you for a great holiday.... As a child, sitting on a suitcase squeezing the contents to try and flatten it sufficiently to close it, I could hardly find the strength. The anticipation of spending the summer holidays sitting on the banks of the Dordogne, surrounded by the Chateaux and the Gateaux of the region, during hot hazy days and shooting starry, moonlit nights was always so exciting.....
http://www.the5milecyclist.com/apps/blog/show/42412798-the-fridays-go-to-bordeaux
http://www.the5milecyclist.com/apps/blog/show/42412798-the-fridays-go-to-bordeaux
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Laugh out loud nonsense buttho
U
User10571
Guest
There's more than a few toasted nez, in that photograph
redfalo
known as Olaf in real life
- Location
- Brexit Boomtown
This was just an epic week, and I'm still sad it's over.
In the past, I was always a bit sceptical if a a recce is really necessary, but I learned my lesson on the last day into Bordeaux, when we were taking a different route. Although we were a relatively small group (13 riders or so), the beauty of a well-recceed route became blindingly obvious to me.
For the most parts, the route itself wasn't the problem - I followed a track that I had plotted at home. But supplies were a big headache. At the lunch stop as well as at an afternoon-stop for refilling the waterbottles, we lost at least 10 minutes each time before finding a proper place (and in the afternoon, we were really lucky to find an open café at all - everything seemed to be closed).
Getting into Bordeaux wasn't too easy either, with me leading the group in one-way streets, and on to the worst cobble I've ever ridden on (at least we saw the Bordeaux U boot pens....) . Unnecessary detours entering Bordeaux cost us another 20 minutes, I reckon. Not to mention the 1.45hrs lunch stop... Van supported picnics are really the way forward, from my point of view. They not only save tremendous amounts of time, but are also much cheaper.
Thanks again @mmmmartin for your tremendous effort and the meticulous planning. I'm already looking forward to Les Vendredis 2015!
In the past, I was always a bit sceptical if a a recce is really necessary, but I learned my lesson on the last day into Bordeaux, when we were taking a different route. Although we were a relatively small group (13 riders or so), the beauty of a well-recceed route became blindingly obvious to me.
For the most parts, the route itself wasn't the problem - I followed a track that I had plotted at home. But supplies were a big headache. At the lunch stop as well as at an afternoon-stop for refilling the waterbottles, we lost at least 10 minutes each time before finding a proper place (and in the afternoon, we were really lucky to find an open café at all - everything seemed to be closed).
Getting into Bordeaux wasn't too easy either, with me leading the group in one-way streets, and on to the worst cobble I've ever ridden on (at least we saw the Bordeaux U boot pens....) . Unnecessary detours entering Bordeaux cost us another 20 minutes, I reckon. Not to mention the 1.45hrs lunch stop... Van supported picnics are really the way forward, from my point of view. They not only save tremendous amounts of time, but are also much cheaper.
Thanks again @mmmmartin for your tremendous effort and the meticulous planning. I'm already looking forward to Les Vendredis 2015!
OP
OP
mmmmartin
Random geezer
You are right (as always).
The recce rode a route we had previously decided to follow by sitting in England and looking at Google Streetview, IGN maps, Google Maps and OSMAnd. We also fretted about keeping 23 people fed and watered. But we couldn't bring stuff such as gas burners, etc, from home. Then @ianmac62 had the brilliant idea of buying those water containers and filling them in the hotels at night. This was a palaver for Mark and me, what with carting them up three flights of stairs, messing about in the shower, and down again to the van, but it made a huge difference in the heat: we had no one with bad dehydration but all were thirsty. The recce also looked for bars for coffee - often none were available, and we asked lots of locals. Alberto's was a gift from heaven: we were on our knees after a morning in remote countryside.
Also, with a big group you need to make firm decisions on the fly otherwise we all regroup in an unsafe place.
All this I learnt very quickly, but without @dellzeqq and the culture of the club he created, it would have been too much.
Finally, I think it is safe for me to say that for riders, next year's Tour will be easier. Or harder. Or both. Or neither.
The recce rode a route we had previously decided to follow by sitting in England and looking at Google Streetview, IGN maps, Google Maps and OSMAnd. We also fretted about keeping 23 people fed and watered. But we couldn't bring stuff such as gas burners, etc, from home. Then @ianmac62 had the brilliant idea of buying those water containers and filling them in the hotels at night. This was a palaver for Mark and me, what with carting them up three flights of stairs, messing about in the shower, and down again to the van, but it made a huge difference in the heat: we had no one with bad dehydration but all were thirsty. The recce also looked for bars for coffee - often none were available, and we asked lots of locals. Alberto's was a gift from heaven: we were on our knees after a morning in remote countryside.
Also, with a big group you need to make firm decisions on the fly otherwise we all regroup in an unsafe place.
All this I learnt very quickly, but without @dellzeqq and the culture of the club he created, it would have been too much.
Finally, I think it is safe for me to say that for riders, next year's Tour will be easier. Or harder. Or both. Or neither.
Here are a few of our pictures - the whole lot are on Facebook.
The Wondrous Machine, reassembled after crossing the Channel in its massive box:
Random geezer at some odd place:
Group pic in Angers:
On the transporter bridge:
A fairly rare snap of the two of us - thanks to some random tourist or other.
That random geezer again:
A bunch of tired cyclists enjoying a well earned meal!
And I couldn't resist snapping one of the announcements above the casino in Royan:
Vive les Vendredis!
The Wondrous Machine, reassembled after crossing the Channel in its massive box:
Random geezer at some odd place:
Group pic in Angers:
On the transporter bridge:
A fairly rare snap of the two of us - thanks to some random tourist or other.
That random geezer again:
A bunch of tired cyclists enjoying a well earned meal!
And I couldn't resist snapping one of the announcements above the casino in Royan:
Vive les Vendredis!
Last edited:
Andrew Br
Still part of the team !
- Location
- Chorlton Cum Hardy
Our pics are here:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/31668252@N05/sets/72157644987841100/
If there's a good photo, Helen probably took it.
.
If there's a good photo, Helen probably took it.
.
Have just spent a fraction over an hour reassembling the tandem - we are getting better at this. Admittedly, we haven't bothered putting the rack back on, nor the bottle cages (posh carbon fibre, as chosen by the bike's previous owner, they both broke on the tour!) so it's not quite comparable, but it's still the fastest that we've achieved an approximately road-worthy machine.
@srw , bless him, is now out getting the Chinese takeaway as our reward.
@srw , bless him, is now out getting the Chinese takeaway as our reward.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
No, as I like bottle cages that don't break.
Mice
Guru
One week later, 455 miles on a brand new bicycle are the holidays that I can usually only dream about.
To think that................. http://www.the5milecyclist.com/apps/blog/show/42431583-reflective-post-script-on-a-post-card
Am still grinning from ear to ear.
Thank you, peeps.
Mice
To think that................. http://www.the5milecyclist.com/apps/blog/show/42431583-reflective-post-script-on-a-post-card
Am still grinning from ear to ear.
Thank you, peeps.
Mice
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Ian at fleet
Active Member
- Location
- Selling Near Faversham
I wish to thank you all for your company over the week we spent in France. I have just had my bike delivered back to me, as it went excess baggage to St Pancras. I could have gone and got it myself but for £40 I had it couried to work at Gravesend and I didn't have to face the horrors of driving into London.
I would be keen to attend another such trip, everything went well, no punctures or mechanicals. I won't bore you with the horrendous tale of dragging a suitcase and bike through Paris on a hot saturday afternoon but I am certain I burnt as many calories during that epic 2.45 hour search for Gare Du Nord as I did on the 74 mile final cycle day.I got to my seat on Eurostar minutes before it left for Ashford.
I am very grateful to Martin and Mark for doing all the daily admin and making the week possible. The wednesday ride to La Rochelle, well the first 20 miles I was convinced I wouldn't be able to complete the remaining 50 plus miles, then you remind yourself that many others of the group probably feel the same. Then the sun came out the roads flattened out speeds increase and suddenly you know its doable.
Best day for me was the friday into Bordeaux. I had planned to cycle it alone for the added mental as well as physical challenge and I got another hour or so in bed. In the event I was with 6 fine people for the first half then I made my own way after that. My Garmin seemed to send me all around the outskirts following cycle paths, when I should have followed the traffic direct into the city. However it worked out OK.
So thank you all.
Ian
P.S Adrian I have one of your caps, can I post it back to you or can I buy it off you. It has been washed!
I would be keen to attend another such trip, everything went well, no punctures or mechanicals. I won't bore you with the horrendous tale of dragging a suitcase and bike through Paris on a hot saturday afternoon but I am certain I burnt as many calories during that epic 2.45 hour search for Gare Du Nord as I did on the 74 mile final cycle day.I got to my seat on Eurostar minutes before it left for Ashford.
I am very grateful to Martin and Mark for doing all the daily admin and making the week possible. The wednesday ride to La Rochelle, well the first 20 miles I was convinced I wouldn't be able to complete the remaining 50 plus miles, then you remind yourself that many others of the group probably feel the same. Then the sun came out the roads flattened out speeds increase and suddenly you know its doable.
Best day for me was the friday into Bordeaux. I had planned to cycle it alone for the added mental as well as physical challenge and I got another hour or so in bed. In the event I was with 6 fine people for the first half then I made my own way after that. My Garmin seemed to send me all around the outskirts following cycle paths, when I should have followed the traffic direct into the city. However it worked out OK.
So thank you all.
Ian
P.S Adrian I have one of your caps, can I post it back to you or can I buy it off you. It has been washed!
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