LiT and I are off cycling and camping around Normandy

Coriander
Coriander Posts: 1,326
edited September 2009 in Commuting chat
for the next five days.

Neither of us has done this before (though my best friend who's done holidays like this several times is also coming along), what do we need that neither of us will have thought of...????

Oh, we leave in about 3 hours.
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Comments

  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    A bike, a tent, a sleeping bag and a map.
    Euro's.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Passports and phrasebooks - everything else can be bought over there. Actually, you can probably get the passports too if you have the right contacts but English - French phrasebooks are a non starter!

    Guess what I forgot when I last went to France...........

    Have a great time!
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    You should call in here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y-IHpLV2SM

    I did this on my 30th :D

    more info at: http://france4families.com/Normandy/Reg ... leuvre.htm
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    You need to stop by and have a cup of tea/coffee at mine ;) Any advice you need on getting into/what to do in/escaping from my home town, feel free to ask.........Particularly if you fancy a pootle!
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
    LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck2011
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Look out Normandy I say! Lock up your sons!

    Chapeau!

    I am very jealous!
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    It's OK on the phrasebooks, to blow my own trumpet I really do parler bien francais...

    I've got the garmin...

    but I'm really rather nervous about this! :?
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Mr P
    Mr P Posts: 548
    Don't forget a torch!
    Enjoy yourselves Ladies....
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Don't talk to slack-jawed yokels with banjos.
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    It's OK on the phrasebooks, to blow my own trumpet I really do parler bien francais...

    I've got the garmin...

    but I'm really rather nervous about this! :?

    You will be fine
    You will be fine
    You will be fine......

    I'd be way more nervous than you, honest.
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
    LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck2011
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    Bar bag - great for stuff that you just want to have easily at hand, like snacks or perhaps lipstick (I'd imagine).

    Backup paper map in case the Garmin runs out of batteries.

    :)

    Have fun girls!
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • Wallace1492
    Wallace1492 Posts: 3,707
    I recomend Municipal Campsite in Arromanches, its pretty good, and you can see the remains of the Mulberry WW2 harbour. Go also see the Bayaux Tapestry, its really great, and amazing for somthing done 1,000 years ago.

    One thing to remember apart from cycle on the right, when you get to a Stop sign, you MUST put your foot on the ground. I was stopped by the Fuzz for not stopping and putting foot down.

    Oh, and if you happen to find a set of 3 keys around Arromanches, they are mine....
    "Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    It's OK on the phrasebooks, to blow my own trumpet I really do parler bien francais...

    I've got the garmin...

    but I'm really rather nervous about this! :?

    What's to be nervous about? Aside from remembering which side of the road to stick to (not as much of a problem if you get it wrong than if you are in a car!) there isn't much to worry about - traffic will be much quieter than here as well.

    Mon francais ist ganz merde and tends to revert to German :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Feltup
    Feltup Posts: 1,340
    Sun cream, Assos cream, Creme Brulee

    :wink:
    Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.

    Felt F55 - 2007
    Specialized Singlecross - 2008
    Marin Rift Zone - 1998
    Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali
  • Coriander
    Coriander Posts: 1,326
    No one has yet adressed the most serious issue of the day - how do I transport my toiletries :shock: Honestly panniers wern't made to carry at least three different types of cleanser and moisturiser for morning, noon and night :wink:
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    Stuff I bring (although it's been a few years, I need to go again) tends to include:

    Tent
    Stove
    Sleeping gear
    Clothes (including a decent set of waterproofs)
    Tough plastic bags (to keep things dry, separate wet clothes, sit on, all kinds of uses).
    Map/Compass (GPS units aplenty now, but I still wouldn't rely soley on them)
    Food (both real and snacks. Enough to go a day or two without shopping).
    Tools
    Spares (over and above the norm: brake pads, cables, a couple of spokes)
    A lock

    As above, bar bags are ace. Put all your valuables/documents in them and take it off whenever you stop.
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    Mr P wrote:
    Don't forget a torch!
    Enjoy yourselves Ladies....

    I always used bike lights as torches :)
    But a headtorch is useful for mapreading/camping/everything.

    And yes, have fun. I'm a bit jealous.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    edited August 2009
    Coriander wrote:
    No one has yet adressed the most serious issue of the day - how do I transport my toiletries :shock: Honestly panniers wern't made to carry at least three different types of cleanser and moisturiser for morning, noon and night :wink:

    old 35mm film canisters - you don't need a whole bottle of goo for a week

    Or you could do without and rely on your undoubted natural beauty 8)

    EDIT: PS: some wire ties (like you get on plastic food bags) will come in handy. and blister kits. plastic cups pour un peau du vin. can opener (use one of the little army ones they sell in camping shops). Bottle opener. Any other openers you can think of.
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    SecretSam wrote:
    old 35mm film canisters - you don't need a whole bottle of goo for a week

    Oh, that reminds me. Matches. I always packed matches in film canisters.
  • Wallace1492
    Wallace1492 Posts: 3,707
    Aidy wrote:
    Mr P wrote:
    Don't forget a torch!
    Enjoy yourselves Ladies....

    I always used bike lights as torches :)
    But a headtorch is useful for mapreading/camping/everything.

    And yes, have fun. I'm a bit jealous.

    They do have street lights in France, and the campsites are pretty well lit.
    Go easy on the vino, its a lot cheaper....... and lovelier!!

    Bayeux Tapestry - honestly its great.
    "Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    SecretSam wrote:
    plastic cups pour un peau du vin.

    Are you suggesting they'll be having a skinful?
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Definitely try the Cider over there too. It's not like the Somerset fighting cider, it's almost civilised. :D
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    Waterproof stuff bags, panniers leak - have a great time :)
  • Coriander
    Coriander Posts: 1,326
    OK, I have my toiletries down to an absolute minimum and it's still a conventional sized wash bag. :roll:

    Still, I guess it'll get lighter as the trip goes on...
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I'm convinced I've forgotten something... I just can't think what.

    I've even managed to put the twitter number into my phone so I can update the world with stories of our travels. How technomological of me!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I'm convinced I've forgotten something... I just can't think what.

    I get this whenever I go anywhere!
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Aidy wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I'm convinced I've forgotten something... I just can't think what.

    I get this whenever I go anywhere!

    I had it when I went to Wales. I'd forgotten my phone. :shock:
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    It's OK on the phrasebooks, to blow my own trumpet I really do parler bien francais...

    Not necessary. Everyone speaks English these days. And if they don't understand first time round, saying it louder and mouthing it gets through.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    Whatever you've forgotten you can buy as and when.

    Lippy, lipsalve and mascara for those 'social' occasions :wink:

    We'll expect a daily blog so don't forget :)
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I had it when I went to Wales. I'd forgotten my phone. :shock:

    When I went to Wales a couple of weekends back, I'd managed to forget my sleeping bag and thermarest. Whoops.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Cafewanda wrote:
    Whatever you've forgotten you can buy as and when.

    Lippy, lipsalve and mascara for those 'social' occasions :wink:

    We'll expect a daily blog so don't forget :)

    My username thingy on twitter is... wait for it... lost_in_thought...
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.

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