Training session

Sunday morning, 38kms to red shed and back. Cool winters morning, so we are well wrapped up. 

 The training is not going that well with only about 2 weeks before our France tour. Our 5 day tour from Marmande to Toulouse is self-supporting so we are carrying our own gear. The first job is to keep it light but with conferences at both ends it could be difficult.
The maximum distance is on day 3 with 53kms from Serignac-sur-Garonne to Moissac. With all day to do it hopefully shouldn't be too bad. 

Electronics

What electronics to take is important, particularly when the aim is to travel as light as possible. I dont have a netbook or very light computer. It is clear though that the modern cellphones and tablets can do everything a PC could do and in some cases more, such as taking photos.
I have been using a Galaxy Tab Note which I believe is the best Phone/Tablet combination invented. Not only is it a phone, but it is large enough to comfortably browse the net, read my e-books and has a great camera. The GPS options will allow me to navigate and record our trip.

Traveling with the Brompton and the Chubby

The bikes

 

We have ordered two different versions of the Brompton bikes. Sue has gone for the straight handle bars. Less of a sit-up-and-beg position for the smaller stature.  I have gone for the "M" type. jerry

 Gearing

6-speed (BWR Hub standard ratio) 
The combination of the highly-efficient BWR [Brompton Wide Range] hub with our own derailleur system gives six evenly-spaced gears. Control with the two triggers is easy and, with its low transmission losses and wide range, this multi-gear system is the right choice for touring and for riding in hilly areas.

Saddles

The Brooks hopefully will be a comfortable option!

 Quote "This version of the B17 is made with our extra tough, organic leather for high mileage cyclists. It also features our hand hammered copper rivets.

The B17 is our flagship model, ideal for long distance sports touring, trekking and ATB use. It has been on the market for over 100 years, being featured in as early as the 1898 catalogue ."

Luggage

For the France tour which is self-supported I have done quite a bit of research regarding luggage. The age-old question is panniers or a trailer. With Bromptons being our bikes large panniers are not that practical especially as Sue has gone for the S-type handle bars. The S-type cannot carry the large touring front pannier.
   So we have gone for a trailer to share.

 

The CycloneIV trailer is the fourth generation of the multiple award-winning Cyclone bike trailer. The Cyclones have been used all over the world for cycling holidays, long bike rides and even expeditions. Due to its robustness, very low rolling resistance and quick conversion to a duffle bag, the Cyclone IV Trekking is the perfect trailer for any bike trip with luggage.

The radical design trailer is made in the Netherlands.
One of the common critisms of trailers is the problem of another set of spare tyres and inner tubes that you have to carry. Luckily the Brompton bikes and the trailer have the same sized tyres and inners.

Brompton with Cyclone Bicycle Trailer

FRANCE JUNE 2012

We have chosen our bikes. Bromptons.
 Sue has gone for a light blue "S" type bike with straight handlebars and I have chosen a racing green "M" type. We have gone for 6 gears with low gearing option. We have purchased them through Dorchester Cycles. Hopefully it all works out and they arrive on time.The reason we have gone for 'foldables' is purely to make flying and travelling more easy. Although many airlines will tolerate full sized bikes often there are extra charges. Not sure whether we will bring them back to NZ, so we will see at the end of the trip.