The Fridays Tour de Normandie 2015

[wanda2010]

That would be the one email I've overlooked..........

Thanks.

 

[dellzeqq]

A last call to caution if you're taking the ferry to Caen - the off-ramp is a frightener. And a reminder that we'll be meeting you in Cherbourg if you're arriving on Friday. And check your tyres - we'll be putting new rears on for this trip and probably taking them off again afterwards. Check your tyre pressure - 45psi is just plain silly, and if your tyre pops off the rim when you inflate it properly you need a new tyre. If you've got car-type valves bring a pump or, at the very least, some kind of adaptor. And if I see one spare tube with a patch on it there will be hell to pay. Bring commuting lights. Check your brake blocks - there's a 17% descent on the second day and a 22% descent on the last day. Travel light. Remember that we leave Brix at nine on the dot, Bayeux at nine on the dot and Honfleur at eight on the dot. And remember.....this is the last cycle tour I'm ever going to organise, so you'd better enjoy yourselves - anybody who doesn't enjoy themselves is in for a real telling off.

You have an e-mail.....

 

[hatler]

I think all my spare tubes have patches on them.
Just as well I'm not coming.

 

[dellzeqq]

I think all my spare tubes have patches on them.

That;s fine and dandy when you're on your own. When a patched tube fails (as they do) with 30 people hanging around waiting for you, it's embarrassing.

 

[mmmmartin]

Well hurrah!

And tally-ho with a bing and a bong and a buzz buzz buzz!

Once again I have been proved to be A Wise Investor because, having paid @dellzeqq the "guaranteed no-rain" extra fee the (puts hand on heart and lowers voice to respectful level) Met Office now says we'll have a following wind and no rain for the entire trip.

 

[Aperitif]

A last call to caution if you're taking the ferry to Caen - the off-ramp is a frightener. And a reminder that we'll be meeting you in Cherbourg if you're arriving on Friday. And check your tyres - we'll be putting new rears on for this trip and probably taking them off again afterwards. Check your tyre pressure - 45psi is just plain silly, and if your tyre pops off the rim when you inflate it properly you need a new tyre. If you've got car-type valves bring a pump or, at the very least, some kind of adaptor. And if I see one spare tube with a patch on it there will be hell to pay. Bring commuting lights. Check your brake blocks - there's a 17% descent on the second day and a 22% descent on the last day. Travel light. Remember that we leave Brix at nine on the dot, Bayeux at nine on the dot and Honfleur at eight on the dot. And remember.....this is the last cycle tour I'm ever going to organise, so you'd better enjoy yourselves - anybody who doesn't enjoy themselves is in for a real telling off.

You have an e-mail.....

Have a splendid trip, everyone. Bonne route, bon chance et Bontrager. "Allez les mecs et tecs!" If any of you go to Café Gondrée, have a look for 'Pte. Frank Bourlet 6th Ox and Bucks Light Infantry'. There should be a pic or two on the wall. Please take a good photo or two, loads etc - if possible. (My son's Grandad, who was in the first glider into Caen on D Day...) Thanks in advance.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/01/d-day-first-heroes-pegasus-bridge-raid-70th-anniversary

 

[velovoice]

Met Office now says we'll have a following wind and no rain for the entire trip.

Good work, @mmmmartin
Your magic is taking a little longer to work on the Norwegians...

We still have a few days to go, though.

 

[StuAff]

Weather forecasts for The Flandrian Fridays Front is also looking OK- Norwegians being more positive than the BBC.

 

[wanda2010]

I'm struggling with this 'travelling light' objective. Aiming to take my Carradice longflap and a bar bag, but having doubts. It's not the amount of clothing that's the problem, it's the 'other stuff' that's bulking out the bag. Will repack a few more times tonight and do a test ride.

 

[StuAff]

I'm struggling with this 'travelling light' objective. Aiming to take my Carradice longflap and a bar bag, but having doubts. It's not the amount of clothing that's the problem, it's the 'other stuff' that's bulking out the bag. Will repack a few more times tonight and do a test ride.

No comment.

 

[wanda2010]

 

[mmmmartin]

It's not the amount of clothing that's the problem

Agreed, the tool kit is always the heaviest thing, but who wants to chance it? The multitool is probably the heaviest thing of the lot, add the two inner tubes and puncture kit, pump, spare battery for light, and it mounts up. My technique is to have only one set of riding clothes for a wet day then add a warm jacket for the cold and a shirt and trousers for the evening. Plus a bow tie to look smart, obvs.

 

[StuAff]

I won't be packing that light, partly because I don't have to and partly because my trip's a little longer than everyone else's, and it would have been anyway. And I'll be bringing a 15mm spanner this time!! Three short cycle hops between trains and the hotel, same again coming back- otherwise most of it will stay in the room for the duration. That said, I'd definitely get everything in 30 litres of pannier, plus bike bag on top of the rack (didn't bag at all coming back the other week, but...)). The real heaviness will be left to the six gentlemen at the AB on Wednesday and Thursday....

 

[User482]

I'm struggling with this 'travelling light' objective. Aiming to take my Carradice longflap and a bar bag, but having doubts. It's not the amount of clothing that's the problem, it's the 'other stuff' that's bulking out the bag. Will repack a few more times tonight and do a test ride.

Decant your drinks cabinet into bidons.

HTH.

 

[wanda2010]

@User482 - So not helping