FNRttC The Fridays tour 2014

[mmmmartin]

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

This a shame. The point of the van carrying luggage is to allow you to use your nice light bike.....

 

[mmmmartin]

Yebbut ian and I meet you with the van as you come off the ferry, it's a tiny distance, maybe 200 yards. I'm sure he'll be along in a while to explain.
You do need to get back from Caen railway station to the ferry (cos we have to hand back the van at the railway station, where we hand you your bikes) but that is about 5k on pie flat tarmac separated cycle path. Current plan is to ride out of Ouistreham along that cycle path and past the point where you get off the train, so you are familiarised with the route and the return bit is easy.
So it should be doable with a large rucksack on your back. Perhaps not with two large panniers, a ManBag and a large coffin (naming no names, obvs). But doable.
The English side is a different prob, obvs. But a taxi carrying your luggage to Pompey docks while you ride? Gordon rode it with a large rucksack last year.
(Mind you, he is SuperHuman.)
Am meeting Gordon tomorrow to fine tune the route for the recce btw.

 

[wanda2010]

All booked except the Saturday night. Have emailed Hotel Belle-Vue Domfront and am keeping fingers crossed.

Edit: Have now booked (via www.booking.com) a room at Chambres d'Hotes Belle Vallee, Domfront 61700. Booking can be cancelled, without penalty, which may be useful if Ian/mmmMartin say this place is way too far for luggage delivery.

 

[rvw]

Right. We are now booked everywhere apart from Bordeaux (need to check with srw how long we intend to stay - we have a few extra days). Our plan is as follows:

Ferry over on Thursday 12th, with bike packed up and luggage, as foot passengers
Stay Thursday and Friday in Le Normandie. On Friday, connect with van and reconstruct bike.
Saturday: NumeroCINQ (NB we appear to have got the last room there!)
Sunday: Campanile Laval Ouest
Monday: Ibis Angers Centre
Tuesday: Campanile Cholet
Wednesday: Ibis La Rochelle Vieux Port
Thursday: Hotel Belle Vue Royan
Friday - Sunday/Monday: somewhere in Bordeaux. Train & Eurostar back home.

On the Friday, we'll reclaim the bike case from the van.

Looking forward to it all!

 

[mmmmartin]

For the return you might like to look at the schedule for the european bike express. it leaves bordeaux late on sunday night and will drop you at Gravesend, the Dartford crossing or Thurrock Services at mid day on monday. Most significantly, it takes tandems, in the huge trailer behind the coach. Hence you would not need the box for the tandem on the return, so would not need it to carry it on the crossing to Caen and could ride the tandem on to the boat as Proper Cyclists, as t'were......

 

[rvw]

I really don't think that's an option for us - to be honest, we'll have fewer difficulties* with the tandem packed than unpacked. And Gravesend/Thurrock is utterly wrong for us. But thanks for the suggestion!

* = jobsworths stopping us getting on trains

 

[srw]

What my wife is far too polite to say is that I'd rather extract my own liver with a teaspoon than spend a night on a bus on the Autoroute and be dumped at the arse end of England. I'm thinking 4* hotel in Bordeaux, sample some of the Medoc grand crus we'll have cycled through, first class in the TGV to Paris, dinner in the Terminus Nord and fall asleep on Eurostar. Followed by a round of accusations of champagne socialism in P&Lite.

 

[AKA Bob]

I am sure it has already been mention somewhere but to save any confusion the ferry arrives in a small town called Ouistreham and not Caen which s actually about 7 miles further up the canel. Martin mentioned starting at Pegasus Bridge which is about half way between the two places. It shouldn't be a problem on the way out as most of us are catching the overnight ferry but maybe worth noting on the return journey when booking hotels.

 

[mmmmartin]

Good point.
On the way there Ian and I and the van will meet you off the ferry.
On the return, I think ppl will get off the train and instantly pick up their bikes from Ian - which is why the van is being hired from the Europcar office at the railway station - and ride - along the segregated cycle path - the absolutely flat 9k to the 3:30 check in for the 4:30 ferry. Ian has pledged he will be there on time to hand over the bikes - and in fact we may even drive overnight to ensure we are there on time.
The ride starts by using the aforesaid cycle path so ppl not only get a taste of Caen but also know where it goes and thus at the end of the trip they have a stress free return to the ferry.

Also, I have had a long chat today with Gordon in a very nice pub in Sevenoaks. We have firm ideas on possible roads to take as well as to avoid, and several queries to answer and the recce may have to do some areas twice. For instance, I will have to get the routes through large towns to the hotels at the end of each day absolutely nailed. End of a day riding = faffage interdit.
But we have one day extra to do the recce so should be OK.
We are currently undecided on whether you might prefer a long ride next to a beach with the sparkling Atlantic on your right, with a lunch stop near crashing breakers in the sunshine, or a shaded ride on perfect tarmac.
We think we have found a traffic free route into Bordeaux - a bit longer but it goes along the river and delivers us straight to the hotel next to the railway station.
And in other, more exciting news, we think there will be scenic opportunities for picnics on a couple of days as well as a riverside lunch stop as we gaze at posh yachts.
AND

You might want to pack some swimming trunks. On at least two days you may want to splash about in the sea. Near Royan we may ride through pine forests next to the sea on a route that goes past a south-facing sandy beach sheltered from strong currents. It looks ideal for a cooling splash at the end of the day. (If it is cold when the recce gets there, Gordon will have to test the waters......)
Er, that's all for now.

 

[theclaud]

You might want to pack some swimming trunks.

Quite!

 

[redfalo]

You might want to pack some swimming trunks.

Another incentive to lose weight!

 

[BalkanExpress]

Good point.


You might want to pack some swimming trunks. On at least two days you may want to splash about in the sea. Near Royan we may ride through pine forests next to the sea on a route that goes past a south-facing sandy beach sheltered from strong currents. It looks ideal for a cooling splash at the end of the day. (If it is cold when the recce gets there, Gordon will have to test the waters......)
Er, that's all for now.

If the beach near Royan is the one I am thinking of, swimming trunks will NOT be necessary

 

[dellzeqq]

If the beach near Royan is the one I am thinking of, swimming trunks will NOT be necessary

terrifying thought!

 

[mmmmartin]

Appareil dehors interdit this time I'm afraid.

A great relief to all concerned, I'm sure.

 

[mmmmartin]

a room at Chambres d'Hotes Belle Vallee, Domfront 61700. Booking can be cancelled, without penalty, which may be useful if Ian/mmmMartin say this place is way too far for luggage delivery.

It's 4k from where Ian and I are, no problem. I have to say, it does look a really nice place to stay.