@jonwe

That section is always a bit wet, apart from in the middle of Summer. In addition they were doing some work on the river a while ago, so it got really churned up by vehicles.

Restricted byway perfectly legal on a bike.

@burko73. It’s usually perfectly rideable from Spring to Autumn. Although I haven’t ridden it lately as everywhere has been so wet.

@jonwe . Yes that’s where I saw her too. I had actually already stopped as she had so many dogs running everywhere.

I politely pointed out it was a PROW and offered to show her on my OS Map. But she declined my offer.

So I just went on my way.

Likewise, I’m normally out very early or late. So don’t see many other people.

If I do I always slow down and/or stop, especially if they have dogs, and find most people are pleasant and appreciative.

I’ve only had 2 or 3 negative encounters in 25 years.

@jonwe, out of interest where abouts was your encounter with the verderer?

Sounds like the same lady (with a lot of spaniels) I had a brief and similar conversation with last year. She tried to tell me I couldn’t cycle where I was. But I was on a restricted byway and clearly told her as much before riding off.

Do you mean Lynmouth?

Used Restrap recently for a frame bag. Very pleased with it. Great customer service too.

Discover France’s Massif Central — the Auvergne volcanoes loop | Bike Touring Collection by komoot

Thanks missed this one on Komoot. Bit longer than i was after but looks like it could be adapted by missing out the Eastern and Southern sections.

I’ve also bivied a few times in France previously without any issues, including a NP. Although that was in the Pyrenees far from any villages or towns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuP-OxosKFa/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Looks + sounds great.

Thanks for the link. It does look amazing.

Ah ok. Thanks for the clarification on the offroad tracks.

Why will bivying be difficult?

I read a blog on the GTMC where they bivvied the whole way.

Looks like plenty of forests where it might be possible to bivy, if they are not privately owned.

Ive walked and cycled a bit in the area. Finding bivvy spots will not be easy i would have thought. Lots of good trails in the area

Thanks. This is useful.

Keen to bivi. Plus sounds like mostly road.

May need a re-think.

Thanks for the replies.

We have a camper so flexible on where to stay.

Have looked at the GTMC but it’s point to point. But may use some of the start of that route and then improvise for the return to the start.

Thanks i’ll take a look at your suggestion

Thanks. That’s very helpful.

Another bell related tale.

We were about to set out for a ride from a car park, when we noticed that someone had left their keys in the door of a car. It looked like there was nothing valuable inside, but we locked the car and took the keys over the road to the pub and left them with the bar staff. Seemed like the best option rather than leaving them in the door.

About 15mins into our ride on a wide gravel track we saw a big group of walkers ahead, split into 3 sub groups. We approached the 1st group slowly and asked if any of them owned a certain make and model of car. They said they didn’t.

We slowly rode up behind the next group and my friend said politely “excuse me” at which point an elderly lady started shouting at us “where’s your bell, where’s your bell, you’re legally required to have a bell”. My friend replied that he didn’t need a bell as he had a voice. But she continued to rant on about not having a bell. Anyway in between her rants he asked if anyone owned a particular make and model of car. She rudely said no we don’t and so we road on. When we were about 50m up the track she started shouting at us again. Turns out she was the owner of the car!

I was tempted to ride back to the pub, get the keys and throw them in a bush.

Try TFTuned.

They just put me together a kit for my 2010 Lyriks.

We had the same dilemma when our son was younger, T5 with pop top or Ducato/Crafter size with bunks.

In the end we opted for the T5. The key benefits for us were; reasonable size vehicle for everyday use or short trips away, but still with two double sized beds, low overall height for getting into car parks with height restrictions. Able to put son to bed in the roof and still use downstairs.

Downsides; not really suitable for all year round without some kind of heater due to canvas roof. But we used external insulation to get around this. Not much storage space inside for bikes etc with a crashworthy rock and roll bed fitted, so less secure.

We ended up going T5 LWB (40cm longer) to give us some extra space. Doesn’t sound a lot but made a big difference.

Son was 3 when we got it. He’s now 15. So has served us well. But he’s now too tall/long for the roof bed!!

If you want to go for two full sized beds without a pop top you used to have to go for a fairly big base vehicle. However, there are some clever solutions now with beds that lower from the ceiling which are worth looking at.

Thanks also for the PSA.

Mine arrived earlier and are also C2 with 2.1 Damper according to Trailhead.

Fitting in place of some Fox 34 Rhythms.

I have one you can have. Complete with 3 tiny coil springs and pawls.

Bearings still seem ok.

The hub is shot. So it’s no use to me anymore.

Just a heads up that I recently ordered some forks from Bike-Discount and ParcelForce hit me with VAT, customs and handling fees, which I had to pay upfront before they would deliver.

Still worked out cheaper than buying in UK. And I couldn’t get the forks in the UK anyway.

But just thought I’d warn anyone who is now thinking of ordering from the EU.

I just sent a set of forks I sold on ebay by Parcelforce 48hr.

£12.

Delivered today without a hitch.

Thanks for replies.

So I have a GS which is a Long Cage according to Shimano documents.

There is no “medium” or “Short” cage is this model.

Bought some Fatbar Lites last week.

Advertised as 760mm but are actually 780mm.

Thanks that’s useful info.

I looked at that campsite but was unsure of the link to the other parts of La Plagne.

How bad was that traverse. I assume it’s a climb?

Thanks for all the info/advice.

Lots of options to think about by the looks of it.

I think there’s an official aire at La Plagne for Motorhomes. However, due to Covid this has changed from a Boys road trip to a family holiday. So campsites are preferable

Interesting to hear that Les Arcs has changed, as that doesn’t come across on the VTT map. Camping at Bourg and getting the funi was my initial thought. But didn’t look like there was much easy stuff. My last visit there was with White Room and as you say Steveomcd I remember it being steep and techy.

Thanks again.

The VTT map online for La Plagne has details of which lifts are open on which days and also times. So seems pretty well organised.

However, reality may be different.

The website is very good too. With details of all the trails. However as has been pointed out the 3 areas dont seem to be linked up without a lot of climbing. So we may just stick to the bike parkZ

Was planning on riding Tignes the day after. Before heading to Italy.

Thanks. But Meribel is a bit off track for us. But really useful to know for another trip.

I last rode Les Arcs about 10 years ago and looking at the VTT map it doesn’t seem to have changed/improved. Hence why we are looking at La Plagne.

I’m aware there is plenty of great singletrack at Les Arcs that is not marked/signed, as we had a guide bzck them and it was great. But looking for something easier to follow/ride for a day or two.

I ordered a bike a couple of weeks back. Ended up cancelling it. But they were very efficient at answering emails and refunding.

Schwalbe Land Cruisers

Rolls reasonably fast on the road on the central ridge.

Very cheap.

Good puncture resistance.

Good on gravel tracks too.

Kelvin

I cant see anything in the advice that says you cannot drive to get exercise.

It just states that you should minimise time doing the four activities.

In fact driving to walk, cycle or run may be preferable as it could minimise contact with other people, if there is not a suitable area where you live.

Was at CYB all last week.

Rained heavily on Sat and Tuesday. But no mud or standing water dispite the rain. Rode really well. Didnt even need to wash the bike.

Was dry as a bone by Thur. Cant believe how well CYB drains.

In contrast Llandegla was really muddy and wet.  Was a real sliog at times, especially the combined red/blue outward leg.

They have a FB page.

Search for Corrwg Cwtch.

We had a great night there last weekend. Drank them out of cider and then had a great snowy ride back to our accommodation.

Yes. Its open again.

There is a ride out and a chat with Charlie Kelly at midday on 25th July in Wendover.

Followed by a bbq, a few beers and a presentation in the evening at Otec Bikes.

https://www.facebook.com/events/143382202896896??ti=ia

Train to Lymington and then 15-20 min ride to Hurst View Campsite.

No min number of nights as fas as i am aware.

Plus you can ride most of the way to the campsite on the coast path, which has great views.

If you want a longer ride, you can get on/off at Brockenhurst.

I went for a hope pick n mix.

Still going strong after 5 years

Dont have a spoiler, but have a T5 with barn doors. Originally went for the Fiamma rack. But it rubbed badly and also there is a maximum weight limit for the door hinges, so maximum of two bikes only.

Changed to a Westfalia removable towbar with Strada rack. Takes 4 bikes and slides back so you can open the doors. Works really well.

Went with Sram NX 11-42t and 30T on my 10 year olds bike.

Great value. Works well