Avant le Depart

I think I’m nearly ready…or will those become my personal famous last words?

Bike has been gone over, chain and brake pads replaced, new tail light fitted, other moving and structural parts checked, cleaned and tested.

Wonderful new Ortlieb panniers received as an early birthday present – not only are they waterproof (as I have learnt to my dampness my previous Topeak ones were not) they are also 33% more capacious than the Topeak rack bag with drop down panniers. I found on the DMX-EDX ride that really the previous ones were a bit small.

The Ortliebs are not as easy on and off as the old one which slid onto the rack, but they do leave the top of the rack free so I can carry my lock there rather than inside a bag.

Aside from that the route is researched and planned at least as far as Clare & Fiona’s – for my first rest day on Tues 26th (should arrive mid afternoon on Monday). The toughest days in terms of climbing look like the first three days, but that’s Brittany for you – comme Cornouailles 🙂

Will  the aftermath of Harvey and Irma reach Europe next weekend…or will I enjoy an Indian Summer ride to the sun?…

Only three more days at work and then a manic couple of days visiting grandchildren and having a last sail before le grand depart.

In other news the On2Bonn ride that follows this one is shaping up nicely. Brittany Ferries have responded munificently to Luci’s prompting – more on that on the On2Bonn site.