FNRttC The Fridays tour 2014

[mmmmartin]

Lee
Google Translate is your helpful and briiliant friend.
In Domfront, hotel de france can be booked through logis de france website,
http://www.logishotels.com/en/hotel-Hotel-De-France-11343.html

and the B&B Bellevue has a website
http://www.ot-domfront.com/hebergement/Chambres_hotes/bellevue_domfront.htm
.

 

[lilolee]

All OK now as booked into Numero CINQ B&B on the 14th

However I know that LA BOISBRIE B&B CHAMBRE D'HOTE has a twin room http://www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/257068

 

[mmmmartin]

True, but tricky for Ian to get to drop off luggage: it's a bit of a way from Domfront.

 

[Michael Adu]

All Accommodation cost so far.
I have booked a cabin for the outward ferry, if anyone wants to share ?

 

[rvw]

The only outstanding one is for Wednesday night (La Rochelle).
About 3km from the Ibis is an apartment hotel where some of the rooms have washing machines (plus it's cheaper than the Ibis).
We're going to discuss tonight and decide whether being further out is compensated for by the opportunity to do laundry properly.
I think it probably is ........
.

Any further news on this? The plan is for me to start sorting out our bookings later this week: if you did go for the apartment, it might work well for us to be there too (sharing taxis/more efficient for dropping off luggage...)

 

[Andrew Br]

After reading the reviews, we decided to go for the hotel option so we've ended up in the same place as mmmmartin and Ian.
We're going to take 3 lots of cycling gear; one set to wear, one set that's drying and, hopefully, one set that's clean and dry.
I know that Michael A gets around this particular dilemna by having a separate outfit (cycling and civvies) for each day .

.

 

[mmmmartin]

I shall take a set of thin layers to wear on the bike, and rinse the sweaty clothes in some washing powder I'll take (£2 for 2 kilos - Sainsbury Basics is your friend.), and hang them up to dry overnight. I'll also have one set of clothes to wear in the evening, for the few hours between arrival and sleep. I always found the third set was always either damp in the panniers or dry but not being worn: useless in either case. And when it got really cold (think Pyrenees+rainstorm), I wore the lot.

 

[StuAff]

After reading the reviews, we decided to go for the hotel option so we've ended up in the same place as mmmmartin and Ian.
We're going to take 3 lots of cycling gear; one set to wear, one set that's drying and, hopefully, one set that's clean and dry.
I know that Michael A gets around this particular dilemna by having a separate outfit (cycling and civvies) for each day .

.

Michael has his roomie sorted already.


The Luggage

 

[mmmmartin]

big michael is a man of many talents as any fule kno. he is certainly aware that he needs to carry his own luggage on the journey back to the north. not only that but he he is surely also a man of great sensitivity, and strength. So while he can pick up a 30 kilo bag with no trouble, he will also be aware that Ian, our Cheerful And Efficient White Van Man, will need to pick up everybody's luggage in the morning and the evening. So Michael will, no doubt, keep the weight of his luggage down. As will we all. 12 kilos max for each bag?
Thoughts?

 

[StuAff]

No idea how much my bag weighed for LonJOG or Normandy. Probably about that, though. But as I'm in the same place as you fine chaps every night, I'll be there to move it back and forth anyway.

 

[StuartG]

12 kilos max for each bag? Thoughts?

Well, if we are really serious about travelling light ...

 

[srw]

big michael is a man of many talents as any fule kno. he is certainly aware that he needs to carry his own luggage on the journey back to the north. not only that but he he is surely also a man of great sensitivity, and strength. So while he can pick up a 30 kilo bag with no trouble, he will also be aware that Ian, our Cheerful And Efficient White Van Man, will need to pick up everybody's luggage in the morning and the evening. So Michael will, no doubt, keep the weight of his luggage down. As will we all. 12 kilos max for each bag?
Thoughts?

I wouldn't presume to speak for IoCAEWVM, but I do work out regularly in a gym A dozen stepups with a 12kg weight in each hand is enough for anyone - and that's the exercise we're asking him to do. 12kg is very nearly 2 stone. Sounds plenty. It's also, coincidentally, what my suitcase usually weighs for my longer business trips (several days duration).

Also worth bearing in mind that there may be places where it's going to be more efficient to take our own luggage from central hotel A to slightly more distant hotel B rather than wait for Mr M to finish his rounds - and that that is easier if luggage can be transported on our own bikes. And that the journey from ferry terminal to ferry is definitely one to cycle (it's half a mile at Portsmouth and a little more at Caen) - and that there will be No Van at that stage.

 

[dellzeqq]

Well, if we are really serious about travelling light ...

ha! who needs mudguards?

 

[Aperitif]

ha! who needs mudguards?

Hopefully none of the participants would poo-pooh the idea if an emergency arose. On your tour, the one with the feathery derriere would be AKA Bob...'Titus a duck's arse'

 

[Andrew Br]

Yes I am coming round to the idea of 28mm tyres, racks, and panniers rather than nicest bike and have to struggle with bike and luggage at some point

I'm also beginning to think that it might be a good idea to take my new bike (did I mention that I had a new bike ? ) since I can put a rack on it to carry panniers.
I'll probably take the rack off for the tour and leave it in the van since we're staying at the same hotels as Ian.
If she asks nicely, I might even allow Helen the use of one pannier.

FWIW, my bikes (including the new one) have either 28mm or 35mm tyres.
Comfy.

.