LiT and I are off cycling and camping around Normandy
Coriander
Posts: 1,326
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.
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
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A bike, a tent, a sleeping bag and a map.
Euro's.0 -
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.......0 -
You should call in here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y-IHpLV2SM
I did this on my 30th
more info at: http://france4families.com/Normandy/Reg ... leuvre.htmChunky 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 commuter0 -
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/stuaffleck20110 -
Look out Normandy I say! Lock up your sons!
Chapeau!
I am very jealous!0 -
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! :?0 -
Don't forget a torch!
Enjoy yourselves Ladies....0 -
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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/stuaffleck20110 -
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 Bicycles0 -
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"0 -
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 GermanFaster than a tent.......0 -
Sun cream, Assos cream, Creme Brulee
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 Ali0 -
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 night0
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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.0 -
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
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.0 -
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"0 -
SecretSam wrote:plastic cups pour un peau du vin.
Are you suggesting they'll be having a skinful?0 -
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Waterproof stuff bags, panniers leak - have a great time0
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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...0 -
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!0 -
lost_in_thought wrote:I'm convinced I've forgotten something... I just can't think what.
I get this whenever I go anywhere!0 -
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:0 -
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."0 -
Whatever you've forgotten you can buy as and when.
Lippy, lipsalve and mascara for those 'social' occasions
We'll expect a daily blog so don't forget0 -
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.0 -
Cafewanda wrote:Whatever you've forgotten you can buy as and when.
Lippy, lipsalve and mascara for those 'social' occasions
We'll expect a daily blog so don't forget
My username thingy on twitter is... wait for it... lost_in_thought...0