It's one of those rarely enforced things but if you are involved in a collision then it's one of those situations where not being compliant makes you presumed liable.

Whilst I've no doubt you're correct about the above rules for riding in France, I've never heard of either of them.

I ride at night wearing regular clothes (and with headphones on during the day) very regularly and have never had a problem (and have never heard of anyone having a problem) and I've been living/riding in France for the last 8 years.

I know that the vest rule is true for Italy (but I ignore that rule there too!).

That being said I'll likely take a tiny vest with me and pop it on if asked (and play the ignorant tourist card if they get arsey - usually works if accompanied by an apology and compliance).

Can confirm the reflective hi-vis requirement having been through various discussions with guys riding the Transcontinental. Also worth noting that two abreast is only permitted in daylight hours too.

So.....life has decided that my 'training' was going too well and that I needed a light kicking to keep me on my toes.

Recent comedy events include: Mrs Gairy going to England so I've had the kids 24/7, work suddenly piling up so that I'm constantly busy and knackered, my back being strained from both of the above and then to top it all off there was a (quite nasty) car crash on Friday from which I'm only just recovering (initial concussion, whiplash and my knee is a bit buggered).

Not the best couple of weeks of my life!

Going to head out today for a tentative ride but realistically I think I need a bit more rest (ha!) before I get back on it.

So much for being prepared for this trip.

Still, it could be worse in every department and I'll just have to take a little longer and enjoy the scenery more.

Vent over, as you were.....

Cheers, Gairy.

I'm sure there'll be plenty of room towards the back with the other mountainbikers Gairy

Gairy, maybe put your feet up and have some some craft beers?
Something like this??

http://www.beautifulbeers.co.uk/blackba ... n-blackbar

Thanks but there is no need to worry about my craft beer consumption since the accident (through the roof!), though the name of that one is particularly appropriate!

I'm still trying to get a pass to go...

I'm thinking maybe I'll just book the tickets working on the theory it's easier to seek forgiveness than gain permission

Do it!!! I would if I could but no chance of the time off and my body seems to have set itself to self destruct mode at present.

Oooh and talking of Italy - did you manage to put your pics into a sharable album? :)

Funny in't it ... if I said I wasn't going, I'd be in sooooo much trouble.

I've a few pics but can't remember if I dropped them in.

Yes your pics are in the folder on Google Taylor :)

Minor spoiler alert for those not wanting too much imagery of the route.

A group of French riders are riding the route at the moment and I'm following their ride on Instagram.
http://torino-nice.weebly.com/updates.html for links and a couple of images. It's not quite blue-dot racing but knowing the route it's been good to see the images that show which route or option they've taken along the way. Great weather, much clearer views than we had last summer. I hope my idea of 'gravel' isn't too far from theirs : )

(edit to add, sorry to hear of the crash Gairy.. hope all's well enough)

Borrowed the tyres from the commuter (40c) for a spin and in prep



Initial thoughts are positive (although it does look a bit odd)
Very fast rolling
Tyres are a smaller diameter so that will give me more easy gears, although I may end up spinning out on anything downwards

Downsides theres a lot of vibration on the front on anything rough (think Calderdale cobbles), but i'm hoping playing around with tyre pressures will help.


Bigger, loaded trip planned for later in the week for a bit more testing.

To be honest, I don't think they look that odd in the photo (I'm sure they do in real life)

Chew the only thing looking odd in ya pic is ur saddle man....the nose is so low is that comfy on ya ass it don't look it

Wish I could go along also on this one maybe next yr! Although I do fancy taking the better half on the French divide route

Mike wrote:Chew the only thing looking odd in ya pic is ur saddle man....the nose is so low is that comfy on ya ass it don't look it

Keeps the weight off my sausage

rufus748 wrote:I'm still trying to get a pass to go...

I'm thinking maybe I'll just book the tickets working on the theory it's easier to seek forgiveness than gain permission

Do it!

See you there.

CTC bag arrived

Lets say its robust, but fairly heavy. Unsure if i'd want to carry up over all those climbs.

James - Do we know the options of picking up another one up in Nice?

Chew, you can get boxes at the airport but they need pre-booking and they're thin and a bit flimsy. We've used them before but only as a last resport. There's 3 bikes shops all close enough to the airport to go there, make the mechanics a brew / share biscuits (croissants?) and box your bike in the carpark there, then call a cab. Worked for us last time, I'll do the same this time.

Alternative is I can put you in touch with riders in Nice who you could post the CTC bag to?

james how do you pre-book? This may be worth it if time pressed at the end and no bike shops open

Dave, they were 20 Euros I think from the Service Centre (From the site - "Your Service Centre is available in Terminal 2, Arrivals level, ground floor") - brief info here under 'making travel easy' http://en.nice.aeroport.fr/Passengers/S ... ice-Centre
Andy booked them via email so I guess it was this one service.nice1@fsbservice.fr

I think we had our own tape, not sure so worth asking.

I'm thinking about 'converting' my CTC bag into a tarp to ease the pain of carrying it.

I saw something about 'rinko' bike travel a while back on the BQ / Jan Haine blog. Wonder if those bag-wrapping machine services would take on a dismantled and zip-tied up bike ..
might try it : )

jameso wrote:Alternative is I can put you in touch with riders in Nice who you could post the CTC bag to?

Would be a good option.

I'm thinking about 'converting' my CTC bag into a tarp to ease the pain of carrying it.

Interested to see what you come up with. The opening is on the side rather than the top, if that makes sense.