FNRttC The Fridays tour 2014

[mmmmartin]

A longer post while still fresh in the memory.
We needed a cleat bolt so missed the 07.50 ferry while waiting for the excellent bike shop to open and the 9.30 one while we sorted out the problem, they also fixed Gordon's handlebars with a lump hammer, for free. A good shop.
We were on the 11am ferry.
The ferry is beautiful, spotless and all sparkly sea, blue skies loveliness.
On the other side we followed the cycle path into the next town. The cycle path is new, good tarmac, through pine trees and smells great.
In the town we found a superb patisserie, then a Lidl for cheese and stuff so we had masses of food for picnics as we had 130k to do and the sun was beating down.
Now, you ride with people and you think they are your friends. Then they do something that shakes that whole relationship. That happened today. Someone, who shall remain nameless, but I'm looking at you @AlexB - bought a shirt for me from Lidl to prevent me wearing bright yellow cycling kit at dinner every evening. I ask you - the cheek! Not only is it from Lidl, so I'll never be able to hold my head up in Tunbridge Wells again, but it is EXTRA LARGE. Harrumph.
We had a fantastic ride on very quiet roads and were really motoring. Anyone watching by the roadside would have seen an old fat bloke sweating buckets and struggling to keep up as we powered along at 30kph, but inside I was Wiggo leading the British team to victory in the Olympics, cheered on by thousands.
We stopped for a breather at a small village and I proved my worth to the trip by going into a bar and asking for the water bottles to be filled. The young lady looked a bit askance at my request but it was all ok. For future reference, the correct phrase to use, as taught to me by Alex, is: "c'est possible remplir mes bidets?"
Then we made a horrid discovery: from deserted roads we were on very busy ones with masses of traffic, not safe for 24 riders in a group.
Here's the plan; those who want to do the final stretch on the busy roads to Bordeaux and then the slow and complicated ride on the cycle paths to the centre (think many roads crossing, traffic lights, dog walkers, complicated nav) can follow the GPX track I'll supply. Those who decide they have already ridden France Sea to Sea and have better things to do can take a later ferry and ride to a train station (we can decide which one) where we hope our Friendly White Van Man @ianmac62 can meet us and take the bikes: and riders can get the train for €17 into the station in Bordeaux next to the Ibis, and get an early meal ready for the 4am alarm.
There will, of course be some who want to do the whole thing, perhaps they can carry their own grub.
Food for thought anyway. Let's see what you decide.
There is a restaurant up the road from the hotel that could cope with us easily, it's ok and we tested it tonight.
It's been an utterly marvellous experience, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that without the others it would have been much more difficult for me. I have lost count of the times they put me right: not only on navigation issues, either. They've been fantastic. I, and you, owe them a very great deal.

 

[AlexB]

It's been a fantastic adventure and it seems strange to wake up and not get into cycling gear. I've had the most amazing time. Thanks so much to Martin and Gordon for taking the leap into the unknown and allowing two strangers to parasitize their ride. Those who are going....you will love this ride, but I endorse Martin's thoughts about the last day. Take the ferry over and then ride out to Soulac-sur-mer - it's a glorious bike path, explore the town, which is lovely, go swum in the sea. Pack a huge picnic and take the train into Bordeaux. It's going to be very scenic, passing through the vineyards, and you can doze, chat or whatever. The alternative is a very tough ride along narrow fast A roads with a lot of fast, close-passing traffic, which in June will be even busier. There's no scenery to speak of and you can't talk to each other. I just think that I'd rather party into town on the train after a nice day at the beach than worry about being rear-ended at 70kph by some clown fiddling with his radio.

 

[mmmmartin]

we have just been for a wander through the delightful streets of bordeaux and what an eye-opener that was. the place is the most beautiful city i have seen and full of amazing atmosphere. for a start it has an excellent brand new tram system and the motorcar is at the bottom of the pecking order, below pedestrians, cyclists and the trams.
alongside the river there are literally thousands of people in the sunshine having picnics, couples dancing to their own music, playing instruments, riding bikes, travelling on rollerblades at great speed, it is just like a massive party and there is the most incredibly friendly atmosphere.
i do not think i have ever seen anything like it in the south east of england. perhaps it is like a glorious version of glastonbury without the mud.
so i think it makes an entirely appropriate destination for what, for many on this ride, will be the trip of a lifetime. i have some videos and many photographs and will put them up when i get home.
When we arrived exhausted yesterday after a long day Alex said all I had to do was ride it all again. It's going to be brilliant.

 

[mmmmartin]

PS. There will be consultations on this, but unless you are a Special Person With A Particularly Special Reason to come on this, the ride is closed.
The Recce has shown that a larger group would be tricky, both on the roads and in shops and restaurants.
Attempts at Special Pleading can be by PM or email to me, but expect no mercy. I think who have already signed up would not want the trip spoiled by having too large a group.

 

[srw]

we have just been for a wander through the delightful streets of bordeaux and what an eye-opener that was. the place is the most beautiful city i have seen and full of amazing atmosphere. for a start it has an excellent brand new tram system and the motorcar is at the bottom of the pecking order, below pedestrians, cyclists and the trams.
alongside the river there are literally thousands of people in the sunshine having picnics, couples dancing to their own music, playing instruments, riding bikes, travelling on rollerblades at great speed, it is just like a massive party and there is the most incredibly friendly atmosphere.
i do not think i have ever seen anything like it in the south east of england. perhaps it is like a glorious version of glastonbury without the mud.
so i think it makes an entirely appropriate destination for what, for many on this ride, will be the trip of a lifetime. i have some videos and many photographs and will put them up when i get home.
When we arrived exhausted yesterday after a long day Alex said all I had to do was ride it all again. It's going to be brilliant.

And you lot are spending one evening there before leaving at stupid o'clock in the morning.

*Smug little yellow face thing*

 

[mmmmartin]

Ahem, more like an afternoon and evening. Those who, having already ridden "Sea to Sea", and wish to, can cross from Royan and spend a morning having a taste of riding on the other side of the water, but then put bikes in the van and avoid the horrid narrow fast roads (see posts passim) and the nightmare entry into Bordeaux by taking the train. That gives them an afternoon and evening of leisure before the early morning start. The hotel is less than 10 minutes from the station - I've just walked there to test it.
Some will want to ride every last goddammed inch of the way and good luck to them, obvs.

 

[mmmmartin]

of course one disadvantage of taking the train is that there will be absolutely no opportunity to go to the european naturist centre, which is on a beach to the south of Soulac sur mer.
we passed the signs to it and did think about going.
but we decided that the effects of 7 days with badly fitting bib shorts, many days in the saddle and too much Sudocrem would render us ineligible for membership.

 

[AlexB]

The last road section is genuinely sphincter clenchingly bad. The traffic was light-ish, so cars were able to pass us in the opposite lane, but with heavierctraffic that won't be possible, so you will be passed by cars, caravans, lorries etc. at close proximity, or cause a massive angry traffic jam. There are loads of parts of this ride where you can combine fast paced riding and still talk.

 

[srw]

(Works out a way of smuggling the tandem into a train or the van...)

 

[ianmac62]

The White Van Man is happy to do what the group wants!

 

[StuartG]

The White Van Man is happy to do what the group wants!

Convert to capitalism?

 

[AlexB]

I think there'll be a series of recommendations from Martin soon to maximise reliability and comfort. I'll write up my thoughts as well when I get back. We should also produce a combined photo album for your delectation.

 

[mmmmartin]

PS
No budgie smugglers were worn in this recce.

 

[theclaud]

PS
No budgie smugglers were worn in this recce.

I "liked" that before I realised that it was ambiguous.

 

[ianmac62]

Convert to capitalism?

I think that The Fridays ride in the spirit of the old Clarion Clubs.