Velodyssee by tandem
Off to Bayonne and then Cycling north to Roscoff and hopefully, then Plymouth and across Devon.
Thursday 26 July 2012
Photos
I have added photos to the Blog. Not so many, and hopefully on the right dates.
For those with a stronger constitution here is a link to the bulk of the photos, remember we were away for nearly a month and Ann had the camera!!
http://photos.orange.co.uk/slideshow?album_id=1373648311
For those with a stronger constitution here is a link to the bulk of the photos, remember we were away for nearly a month and Ann had the camera!!
http://photos.orange.co.uk/slideshow?album_id=1373648311
Thursday 19 July 2012
Trip Home
We had arranged a van hire as this seemed to be the best way to get home. I requested a van, to carry a tandem and bags. The saloon arrived at 9.30am. I had already split the tandem so decided to try it in the saloon which luckily had split folding seats. The tandem, our luggage, Ann, myself and driver all fitted in and off to Barnstaple to do the paperwork. Enterprise, the hire co., then said we could have the van outside that had just been returned, but as we had everything in the car we said we will stick with that. They then got a call to say a car had not been delivered, so they offered to waive the one way fee, £100, if we took the van, they also knocked off a few other charges so we paid £40.70 for the one way hire, and diesel. The train fare would have been £241.
We stopped off at Bridgwater to drop the wheel off for rebuilding, SJS took it immediately, rebuilt it while we were having lunch in town, and then we were ready to carry on.
All in all a great trip, coastal paths, canal paths, old rail lines across country and almost crossing two countries. Mainly staying off the beaten track and always quiet.
Apart from the problem with the spokes, some noticed 'spokes' were not mentioned after we received the spares from SJS, and true to form, having 36 spares, we did not have another breakage. No punctures this trip and we did have a few rougher sections, and in many areas fresh path clearance was evident with brambles etc on the path but no problems. We probably carried about 80lbs in weight, including camping gear etc. This should be well within the carrying capacity of the bike, but I would like to cut the weight a bit. The mix of camping and hotels worked well, but we did miss the warmer weather we hoped for. Another time I think we would go north to south.
The route was well signed most of the way, although not always with the Velodessee sign. As long as you were aware what route the area or department were using for their section of the whole route that was fine. For example the Devon section use national Route 7, which is very well signed and with very clear alternatives. But at no point in Devon did we see a sign referring to La Velodessee. It would have been good to have at least something at the start or end. At Ilfracombe the final sign sent us into a car park at the harbour's edge, yes we could 'wet the wheel', but a sign or board showing the start/finish of the route would have been nice. A problem with good signage is that it easy to rely on it totally until it vanishes, then you have to find out where you are and where to go.
I will hopefully put on some photos and provide a link to them.
Thanks for the comments, now where next??
We stopped off at Bridgwater to drop the wheel off for rebuilding, SJS took it immediately, rebuilt it while we were having lunch in town, and then we were ready to carry on.
All in all a great trip, coastal paths, canal paths, old rail lines across country and almost crossing two countries. Mainly staying off the beaten track and always quiet.
Apart from the problem with the spokes, some noticed 'spokes' were not mentioned after we received the spares from SJS, and true to form, having 36 spares, we did not have another breakage. No punctures this trip and we did have a few rougher sections, and in many areas fresh path clearance was evident with brambles etc on the path but no problems. We probably carried about 80lbs in weight, including camping gear etc. This should be well within the carrying capacity of the bike, but I would like to cut the weight a bit. The mix of camping and hotels worked well, but we did miss the warmer weather we hoped for. Another time I think we would go north to south.
The route was well signed most of the way, although not always with the Velodessee sign. As long as you were aware what route the area or department were using for their section of the whole route that was fine. For example the Devon section use national Route 7, which is very well signed and with very clear alternatives. But at no point in Devon did we see a sign referring to La Velodessee. It would have been good to have at least something at the start or end. At Ilfracombe the final sign sent us into a car park at the harbour's edge, yes we could 'wet the wheel', but a sign or board showing the start/finish of the route would have been nice. A problem with good signage is that it easy to rely on it totally until it vanishes, then you have to find out where you are and where to go.
I will hopefully put on some photos and provide a link to them.
Thanks for the comments, now where next??
Tuesday 17 July 2012
Day 27
End of the road. |
Just to prove we were both there. |
Monday 16 July 2012
Day 26
Did I say it was wet? |
Sunday 15 July 2012
Day 25
Breakfast. 6.50 Plymouth |
Day 24
Mileage 45 miles. 72 km
Total miles 811 ( 1297km)
Poullaouen to Roscoff
Pouring down when we woke up, but stopped by the time we set off. The path to Morlaix was an old railway track. It was much better than yesterday's start. Gradients were fine and we were soon on the highest point in Brittany. We reached Morlaix for lunch, the sun was shining, but still cool. We were then guided onto roads along to Roscoff. Although the signage was good, we failed to see any Velodessee signs.
A good meal and relax for a few hours in Roscoff before we got on the ferry.
Lunch stop. |
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