Without too much thought because of budget, and what we already had, decent hard tail mountain bikes seem almost perfect. Although there are plenty of smooth tarmac trails there are enough rougher tracks to warrant fat tyres and a bit of suspension. The stability is also good with the extra weight being carried.
Julia's bike is running 3×9 gearing, whilst mine has 1×10, which is proving fine, rarely needing more gears for uphills, as there aren't many (yet) or for going faster as you never seem to hit fast stuff either.
Although we've already replaced a tyre from a split, (I think it could have been there before we left), amazingly no punctures yet!!
Regular maintenance has been spoke tension, chain lube and checking free play in wheel bearings, bottom bracket and headstock.
To try to charge the phone I fitted an old fashioned dynamo with a handlebar mounted USB charge adaptor, theory being to charge whilst cycling. After fitting a second dynamo because the first one seized up, I'm still not getting a charge. Tried everything so far so rather frustrating.
It's going to be interesting what sort of tyre wear we get, along with disc pads and chains. We've done about 500kms so far so too early to say. We're averaging about 50kms a day, which doesn't sound too much, but by the time you de-camp in the morning, fire up the old girl, cycle, lunch, cycle and start looking for a good place to camp, the day is done. With some better weather we may improve. I'll keep you posted...
An account of our cycle trip from the Atlantic Coast to the Black Sea. Find out, along with us, how we are getting on!
Showing posts with label cycle trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycle trip. Show all posts
Saturday, 6 May 2017
Sunday, 30 April 2017
Days 4-7
In the chateau at Amboise
(You may find this a surprise)
The body of famous artist
Leonardo Da Vinci lies.
It is impossible to list everything, so instead I will tell you about some important things...like our culinary delights.
We free-camped at an AIRE (site for camper van's to service their water systems), and it happened to be right next to a microbrewery. Their special "Tina" beer made our staple diet of couscous and hot vegetable stew, (AKA gruel), taste even more delicious.
Fritz was a circus elephant in the 19th century. On 11/6/1902, (which also happens to be my birthday - not the 1902 bit), on his way to the railway station in Tours, he became dangerous and his owners had to shoot him. He was 80 years old.
In 1977 the town made this lifesize model in his memory. Poor Fritz.
Outside Fritz's memorial stands the humongous Cedar of Lebanon tree. Now, man-made structures can be very impressive indeed, but what nature can create is truly amazing. This photo does not do it's size any justice.
Amboise is the resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. So here he is, in bronze...resting
(You may find this a surprise)
The body of famous artist
Leonardo Da Vinci lies.
Angers to Amboise: 165kms
We are averaging +/- 50 kms per day without getting too precise. The icy weather has continued, but so has the spectacular scenery en route. Stunning trails have passed through beautiful villages draped with wisteria, troglodyte cave houses, vineyards and landscapes peppered with châteaux.It is impossible to list everything, so instead I will tell you about some important things...like our culinary delights.
We free-camped at an AIRE (site for camper van's to service their water systems), and it happened to be right next to a microbrewery. Their special "Tina" beer made our staple diet of couscous and hot vegetable stew, (AKA gruel), taste even more delicious.
The sad tale of Fritz the elephant
Fritz was a circus elephant in the 19th century. On 11/6/1902, (which also happens to be my birthday - not the 1902 bit), on his way to the railway station in Tours, he became dangerous and his owners had to shoot him. He was 80 years old.
In 1977 the town made this lifesize model in his memory. Poor Fritz.
Outside Fritz's memorial stands the humongous Cedar of Lebanon tree. Now, man-made structures can be very impressive indeed, but what nature can create is truly amazing. This photo does not do it's size any justice.
Amboise is the resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. So here he is, in bronze...resting
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