hondated
Guru
- Location
- Eastbourne East Sussex
Unfortunately it was not me doing the touring as I was on my motorbike but I met a nice German guy who was. He had intended to cycle from his home in Germany over to Norway but literally a few days before he was due to set off he developed a problem in his back and so instead decided to cycle to Paris and then down to CT where I met him. It was great to talk to him because he was telling me how dangerous it was cycling along the N roads with all the heavy transport travelling past him too close for comfort.So much so that he had to deviate from his planned rouite several times. Its dangerous enough on a motorbike let alone a bicycle. Still it has made me realise that when I do eventually set off I will plan to cycle on the D roads as much as possible.
He was riding a nice looking bike made by Musing with a Rohlof hub and he loved it. Given he looked so comfortable on it and it had straight bars I was wondering whether comfort wise that is a better option than the racing bars. Any views on that anyone.It just seems to me that climbing hills with straight bars would be harder than with drops.
He also had some terrific panniers on it that have the two side panniers combined with the top one. To make it that bit more enjoyable for him he was using hotels rather than camping. I can understand the appeal of doing that but given for my 6 nights away I used Ibis hotels and the prices ranged from 68 - 75 euros a night it must be an expensive trip for him.On the subject of Ibis hotels I had not used them for several years and I had not realised how costly they are now. The majority of them that I stayed in this time cost 13 euros for a continental breakfast. Thats more or less £13 for a lump of bread ham cheese etc etc. Its camping for me next time.
Aferchattying to each other for a good while my new German friend said our goodbyes and even though I had the knowledge that to travel just by twisting a throttle I could get wherever I was going to easily I could not help envying my new friend and wishing I too was on a cycle.I really do have to get this first tour under my belt very quickly.
He was riding a nice looking bike made by Musing with a Rohlof hub and he loved it. Given he looked so comfortable on it and it had straight bars I was wondering whether comfort wise that is a better option than the racing bars. Any views on that anyone.It just seems to me that climbing hills with straight bars would be harder than with drops.
He also had some terrific panniers on it that have the two side panniers combined with the top one. To make it that bit more enjoyable for him he was using hotels rather than camping. I can understand the appeal of doing that but given for my 6 nights away I used Ibis hotels and the prices ranged from 68 - 75 euros a night it must be an expensive trip for him.On the subject of Ibis hotels I had not used them for several years and I had not realised how costly they are now. The majority of them that I stayed in this time cost 13 euros for a continental breakfast. Thats more or less £13 for a lump of bread ham cheese etc etc. Its camping for me next time.
Aferchattying to each other for a good while my new German friend said our goodbyes and even though I had the knowledge that to travel just by twisting a throttle I could get wherever I was going to easily I could not help envying my new friend and wishing I too was on a cycle.I really do have to get this first tour under my belt very quickly.