N
Nigel Cliffe
Guest
Just back from a week's holiday with my other half. During the week we
travelled over 300 miles by bike - not a long way by many people's
standards, but a lot for my other half who was concerned about doing more
than 2 days on a bike without a day off. We rode all 6 days.
I recall only one close overtake - a couple of young lads in a small red
hatchback with loud exhaust. And even that wasn't particularly close, just a
lot nearer than anyone else had been. Everyone else gave us lots of space,
waited patiently behind for gaps, etc.
And there was 20+ mile long superb cycle facility*; an old railway line
which has a 12ft wide tarmac strip down the centre. Smooth enough for roller
blades, let alone bikes. Each side then had 6ft of mown grass for horses.
OK, there were some level crossings with the roads where one needed to slow
down and give way, but no more freqently than on a normal road. Useful as
the cycling equivalent of a motorway - no traffic, no steep hills, good
surface, just roll along.
On the whole, hills whilst longer than East Anglia were easier grades. A few
exceptions, particularly on very minor local roads and in forests which
needed grinding up in bottom gear.
Road surfaces varied, though recently re-done roads were smooth and quick.
So, that was France. Now back to re-adjusting to UK traffic.
Cycle hat recommendation: a Tilly T5. Keeps sun off face and neck. Works in
modest rain, keeping glasses clear. Use supplied lace under chin to prevent
it blowing off. Stable to at least 30mph (downhill in my case). Costs about
the same as a lump of polystyrene and is a lot more comfortable to wear.
* Avenue Verte, just SE of Dieppe.
- Nigel
--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/
travelled over 300 miles by bike - not a long way by many people's
standards, but a lot for my other half who was concerned about doing more
than 2 days on a bike without a day off. We rode all 6 days.
I recall only one close overtake - a couple of young lads in a small red
hatchback with loud exhaust. And even that wasn't particularly close, just a
lot nearer than anyone else had been. Everyone else gave us lots of space,
waited patiently behind for gaps, etc.
And there was 20+ mile long superb cycle facility*; an old railway line
which has a 12ft wide tarmac strip down the centre. Smooth enough for roller
blades, let alone bikes. Each side then had 6ft of mown grass for horses.
OK, there were some level crossings with the roads where one needed to slow
down and give way, but no more freqently than on a normal road. Useful as
the cycling equivalent of a motorway - no traffic, no steep hills, good
surface, just roll along.
On the whole, hills whilst longer than East Anglia were easier grades. A few
exceptions, particularly on very minor local roads and in forests which
needed grinding up in bottom gear.
Road surfaces varied, though recently re-done roads were smooth and quick.
So, that was France. Now back to re-adjusting to UK traffic.
Cycle hat recommendation: a Tilly T5. Keeps sun off face and neck. Works in
modest rain, keeping glasses clear. Use supplied lace under chin to prevent
it blowing off. Stable to at least 30mph (downhill in my case). Costs about
the same as a lump of polystyrene and is a lot more comfortable to wear.
* Avenue Verte, just SE of Dieppe.
- Nigel
--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/
