tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36596903946383997222024-03-13T19:00:56.818+00:00velovoiceRebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-4805140522035833562018-09-30T10:59:00.001+01:002018-09-30T10:59:53.321+01:00"Put Me Back On My Bike"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">... with apologies to the late great Tommy Simpson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But that sentiment is real. I ain't done with this whole cycling thing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_3TspIGbxg/W7CcLscqw2I/AAAAAAAAwmI/n2jcOiOr8KAigAAoD-OuC0ltnqc4GTz1ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180929_102133988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_3TspIGbxg/W7CcLscqw2I/AAAAAAAAwmI/n2jcOiOr8KAigAAoD-OuC0ltnqc4GTz1ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20180929_102133988.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been nearly 1 year since I was knocked off my bike on a morning commute </span>into<span style="font-family: inherit;"> London. A lot has changed and is still changing, including cycling -- the role it plays in my life and the role it plays in my own identity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've spent the past year internally screaming at motorists "but I'm not a CYCLIST, I'm just a person on a bike" in a desperate attempt to stop feeling 'othered', to stop feeling like a target for people who don't give a damn whether they hurt or kill another human being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, guess what, my internal campaign made no difference whatsoever to the attitudes or </span>behaviours<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of drivers. But the turmoil was having a negative impact on me, on my confidence, on my sense of self-determination and independence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(The actual cycling this past year? A few hundred miles in total -- if we're generous -- mostly local errands on my sit-up-and-beg vintage mixte, plus a few group pootles on the road mixte or Cross Check. No road cycling. No lycra. No clip-in pedals. Which also meant</span>....<span style="font-family: inherit;"> no Enigma.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adam tried tempting me back with a super wheels upgrade in the spring but nope, somehow it just wasn't happening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we went to the NEC Cycle Show last Thursday. Nothing revolutionary here.... but I found myself in conversation with a number of people where I presented myself and my point of view as a Cyclist with a Capital C. And it felt good, normal, natural... right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day, I asked Adam to dig the Enigma out from wherever it was behind a lot of other bikes in the garage. He pumped up the </span>tyres<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and adjusted the brakes, I donned proper road shoes and mounted up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Halfway down the driveway, I was assailed with that old-familiar but </span>completely<span style="font-family: inherit;"> unexpected sense of "Ahhhhhhh!" I love this bike so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I asked Adam to plot us a ride for Saturday. 'Keep it under an hour', I said. 'And flat', I said. He kinda sorta ignored the first but delivered on the second. 23 miles out to Goodwood Motor Circuit and back home via the Centurion Way. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of cyclists were also here -- and at least half are women, from the set up of the bikes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It happened to be a public Track Day so of course we had to watch for a while.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3Qt8iqq5uQ/W7CcSV_aukI/AAAAAAAAwmg/jXumUEW5q8kNE7Z5YpK3ixMQ3O8UMB1cgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180929_121500257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3Qt8iqq5uQ/W7CcSV_aukI/AAAAAAAAwmg/jXumUEW5q8kNE7Z5YpK3ixMQ3O8UMB1cgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20180929_121500257.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the Centurion Way</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqUml0Pmxi8/W7CcUAqxuzI/AAAAAAAAwms/LCWGMxYtqLk3dcdz-I-t0Rj8w7YOz2JygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180929_123841804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqUml0Pmxi8/W7CcUAqxuzI/AAAAAAAAwms/LCWGMxYtqLk3dcdz-I-t0Rj8w7YOz2JygCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20180929_123841804.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleased to see that a number of defects in the path that <br />Adam reported a month ago have all now been repaired.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My basic fitness turns out to be okay, but some of that conditioning that supports a static position on a bike needs to come back!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But... I am back! I am a cyclist, as well as a person on a bike. This is who I am. I love it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In other news, I am very excited and happy to be increasingly involved with local cycling campaigning and advocacy (under the banners of Sustrans, CTC/Cycling UK and Cycle Bognor plus mucking in to get stuff done with a consortium of all local groups, called the Bognor Regis Cycling Forum). I hadn't entirely stopped doing that, as road safety is something I'm passionate about -- for pedestrians as much as for cyclists -- but I am committed to bringing my years of experience as a London commuter and cycle tourer to bear here in this southwestern corner of West Sussex.</span></div>
</span>Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-74338954479630457872018-03-13T10:28:00.001+00:002018-03-13T10:28:08.663+00:00Scottish Borders - September 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
I d<span style="font-family: inherit;">on't know where the time goes... regular readers may recall a few posts in early 2017 about life changes and transitions? Well, we are in the middle of it all happening and it has been both tumultuous and the most rewarding process ever. I'll fill you all in soon but meanwhile it also occurs to me that I have not yet posted about our Scottish Borders mini-tour last September. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the basics, along with photos. I will flesh out the account later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Except for Day 6, we kept to the itinerary planned in advance, namely: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 1: take the train to Berwick-upon-Tweed; </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 2: cycle to Haddington (approximately 45 miles); </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 3: cycle to Edinburgh (approximately 25 miles) incorporating a visit to the Battle of Prestonpans site (because, well, Scottish history and Outlander and all that); </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Days 4 & 5: visiting and sightseeing in Edinburgh with my sister (along with a long-time friend who is flying into Edinburgh for these 2 days -- she and my sister haven't seen each other in over 20 years); </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 6: train to Lockerbie then cycle to Kirtlebridge (about 10 miles); </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 7: cycle to Penrith (about 60 miles); </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 8: visiting friends in the Lake District (who own a brewery!); then </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 9: train home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So without further ado - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 3 </span></div>
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Days 4 & 5</div>
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Day 6</div>
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Day 7 </div>
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Day 8 with friends</div>
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Day 9</div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-18528055877154910252017-09-26T19:00:00.000+01:002017-09-26T19:00:24.027+01:00Tandem Dreams Can Come True!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been <a href="https://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/tandem-dreaming.html" target="_blank">dreaming of a touring tandem for a few years now.</a> </div>
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We missed out on a lovely custom Swallow on Ebay last spring, so we pulled ourselves together and made sure we didn't miss out on <i>this</i>. </div>
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We have a few things to sort out before we can ride her much, as the original owners were quite different in height and proportions to us, but here she is in all her current glory. </div>
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She is 7 feet long, so we have christened her "Queen Mary" (as in, "<i>she's as long as ...</i>"). </div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-35436663129320118162017-09-20T10:00:00.000+01:002017-09-20T10:00:14.110+01:00FRIDAY NIGHT RIDE TO THE COAST - Southend edition (10/11 March 2017)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the train to London</td></tr>
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A belated mini-report on the first FNRttC of 2017, back in March! </div>
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I felt a bit like a prodigal daughter: my last "full value" (i.e. not partially train assisted) FNRttCs were the London-to-Whitstable run in August 2014 and the Cardiff-to-Swansea ride in September 2015. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathering at our new Starting Point on the Southbank © Adam Bell</td></tr>
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The Welsh ride was interesting from a fitness point of view, because we had just returned from the Lowlands Tour (8 days of riding the flats of France, Belgium and the Netherlands) and one thing any Welsh route is not going to be is "flat"! I lamented my overall lack of 'climbing fitness' but only had to walk one hill. </div>
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This year I hit the roads early on by commuting every day since the Christmas period, then starting physiotherapy in late January. </div>
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The result? While our March ride was much hillier (by design) than our long-standing, traditional Southend route, I enjoyed every single minute of it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I blinked while a donut and two halves of bacon sandwiches disappeared</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beach's Seaside Breakfast</td></tr>
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<br />Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-78542875679791835342017-09-07T07:00:00.000+01:002017-09-07T07:00:14.643+01:00Navigation On Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_z2Kyu-GUg/Wa_QNOqewQI/AAAAAAAAlnU/XkNwszdSyEQPSUH88TzGRNtv5yx4HDXPwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170906_111435012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_z2Kyu-GUg/Wa_QNOqewQI/AAAAAAAAlnU/XkNwszdSyEQPSUH88TzGRNtv5yx4HDXPwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170906_111435012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maps or GPS? Which do you use? Which do you prefer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On this next mini-tour, I am taking the plunge and attempting to use my Garmin Edge 810 for navigation*!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have used the GPS before (on our July tour in Europe) just to watch our position on Garmin's pre-loaded map and of course I use this device all the time to record ride data (where I've been, distance, speed, etc). And I've used my phone at times for navigation, which isn't too difficult (though I don't have a phone holder so always have to stop if I need to check the route).</span></div>
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I do use <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/" target="_blank">Ride With GPS</a> to plan our routes. (This is my responsibility and is my favourite part of pre-tour preparation.) Adam then checks the routes over, as he has a much better concept of elevation, gradient and sheer difficulty than I do. He is also much better at identifying sand or gravel segments! He loads the routes onto his SatMap device and uses that for navigation. As we go along, we stop and consult but generally he is in charge of on-the-road navigation. </div>
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But I have been wanting to get more involved in the navigation as we travel along, at least so that I know where we are, how far we have to go, where the nearest water/lunch/coffee/toilet stop may be, etc. without relying solely on Adam. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So it's about time I gave the Garmin a go at what it's designed for, eh?</span></div>
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Uploading the routes from Ride With GPS was a doddle, thanks to RWGPS's very useful how-to guide. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzh3hR2IXTs/Wa_Q4pwcChI/AAAAAAAAlng/2gpp3HTrhmEeXcVhhCVpXtFZilE8RC7YwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170906_111524698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzh3hR2IXTs/Wa_Q4pwcChI/AAAAAAAAlng/2gpp3HTrhmEeXcVhhCVpXtFZilE8RC7YwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170906_111524698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Opening the route up on my Garmin also went without a hitch. (I admit it, I was holding my breath.)</div>
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So far, so good!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">* Of course, I am also carrying paper maps. Lovely Ordinance Survey maps, carefully folded in my waterproof case on top of my bar bag. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which will be most useful? How frustrated will I get?!</span></div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-59363081432936731492017-09-04T17:33:00.000+01:002017-09-05T19:56:47.748+01:00A Story of Priorities And Compromises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4TGZiynL57U/Wa1-0u4WLjI/AAAAAAAAlks/d04H7E4h6VMJLUztKiDwYCpnepNlTTFcwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170726_074849160_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4TGZiynL57U/Wa1-0u4WLjI/AAAAAAAAlks/d04H7E4h6VMJLUztKiDwYCpnepNlTTFcwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170726_074849160_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We leave on Saturday for a short cycling jaunt in the Scottish Borders. It involves a few days of cycling, carrying our kit and staying in B&Bs -- so, by our personal definition and style, this qualifies as light touring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, the main point of our trip is to meet up with my youngest sister who will be touring Scotland (by car) for three weeks. Her itinerary begins with two days in Edinburgh. As we have never been to Edinburgh, we thought to ourselves, "<i>wouldn't it be fun to take the train north to a suitable point so that we can spend two days cycling to Edinburgh?</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our itinerary evolved into: </span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 1: take the train to Berwick-upon-Tweed; </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 2: cycle to Haddington (approximately 45 miles); </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 3: cycle to Edinburgh (approximately 25 miles) incorporating a visit to the Battle of Prestonpans site (because, well, Scottish history and <i>Outlander </i>and all that); </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Days 4 & 5: visiting and sightseeing in Edinburgh with my sister (along with a long-time friend who is flying into Edinburgh for these 2 days -- she and my sister haven't seen each other in over 20 years); </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 6: train to Lockerbie then cycle to Kirtlebridge (about 10 miles); </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 7: cycle to Penrith (about 60 miles); </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 8: visiting friends in the Lake District (who own a brewery!); then </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 9: train home. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The upshot of all this, it's hardly a full-on cycling tour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One key feature is that we have no idea what sort of overnight bike security we are going to have, especially right in Edinburgh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So we decided not to take our "good bikes" but rather our commuters: Adam's Pinnacle Arkrose and my Surly Cross Check. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is Compromise No. 1. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Depending on our priorities for this trip and how readily these two bikes can be adapted to meet those priorities, we hope we will not regret this! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, given the type of cycling we'll be doing (including a bit of Sustrans off-roading), the rather low mileage and the desire to not take expensive bikes, we think our priorities pointed in this direction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now. Using my daily commuter for touring duties prompted some questions about my current set up on this bike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My priorities definitely require being able to carry two water bottles and having access to a few things such as maps and camera without having to stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In commute mode, the Cross Check is fitted with one bottle cage and a small easy-on/off framebag that I use to stash my lights, computer and other sundries when I lock my bike up for the day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5Wa-f-zsjM/Wa1-tIDmazI/AAAAAAAAlko/4noHTQUpPAolecdWfZw5jgEYuGc_GfjWwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170826_072114275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5Wa-f-zsjM/Wa1-tIDmazI/AAAAAAAAlko/4noHTQUpPAolecdWfZw5jgEYuGc_GfjWwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170826_072114275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The obvious change is to use a handlebar bag, which would take over the carry role of the framebag while also freeing up space within the frame to mount a second bottle cage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fine in theory... there are my two key priorities met. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But.... the current front-end set up on the Cross Check involves: </span></div>
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<ol>
<li>Tiagra STI shifters dating from the days when the cables ran outside rather than under the bar tape, </li>
<li>secondary cross-top brake levers, and</li>
<li>fork-mounted dynamo light. </li>
</ol>
These factors all pose difficulties: can a handlebar bag be wedged in here somehow?</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has taken a little experimenting and trial and error but I think we may have found a solution: </span></div>
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<ol>
<li>a t-bar accessory bracket mounted on the steering tube under the stem, which projects the mounting area for </li>
<li>a Klick Fix unit sufficiently beyond the cross-top brake levers, on which can be mounted</li>
<li>a small Vaude handlebar bag. </li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXYw435AQHU/Wa17GEVFzjI/AAAAAAAAlkM/u-jFibqKNGIN029pESoV9MCbSPkG1tlDACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170904_154942583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXYw435AQHU/Wa17GEVFzjI/AAAAAAAAlkM/u-jFibqKNGIN029pESoV9MCbSPkG1tlDACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170904_154942583.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Clearances are tight but everything does fit quite neatly. I can reach the cross-top brake levers just fine. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fO68Jf711A/Wa17MBkiz6I/AAAAAAAAlkQ/YLZm8L6R33oE3pf1qa8JIvpia9SJvqE1ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170904_155703429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fO68Jf711A/Wa17MBkiz6I/AAAAAAAAlkQ/YLZm8L6R33oE3pf1qa8JIvpia9SJvqE1ACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170904_155703429.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Will post better photo later!)</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I won't be able to use the dynamo light but I can still use</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> my small (battery powered) Exposure light on the accessory bar that is fitted over the stem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fzn3dl0ImA/Wa17iKlFehI/AAAAAAAAlkU/le3_4ajoZv8cFEnVs8xLdkBWShTRdwBogCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170904_155729438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fzn3dl0ImA/Wa17iKlFehI/AAAAAAAAlkU/le3_4ajoZv8cFEnVs8xLdkBWShTRdwBogCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170904_155729438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There still remains the question as to how accessible the contents of the bar bag will be on the move, given the cable routing right around the zip opening of the main compartment. But even if it proves too tricky to unzip the main compartment of the bag and pull things out (and then put things back inside and re-zip), I should still be able to access the small top compartment (which has pockets just the right size for my compact camera, a packet of tissue, lip balm, small coin purse, etc.) and of course view the map. </div>
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I expect to discover some drawbacks once we're actually travelling but it's a short trip, so nothing here is a deal breaker. </div>
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Meanwhile, I think overall this is a solution that addresses my priorities while any compromises that may be required are still acceptable. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know in the comments!</div>
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It will be good to see how the Cross Check performs as a back-up touring bike for trips like this involving mixed-surface trails and some security concerns. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3V4wT5PDUU/Wa164QEUZ1I/AAAAAAAAlkI/oqTWTjI74g0nLmcYFg-GandehA2LjUleQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170904_155713857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3V4wT5PDUU/Wa164QEUZ1I/AAAAAAAAlkI/oqTWTjI74g0nLmcYFg-GandehA2LjUleQCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20170904_155713857.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Frame bag to come off, bottle cage to be fitted Then add panniers!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-7618568237924657982017-04-02T19:08:00.003+01:002017-09-04T19:36:42.310+01:00#Errandonnee 2017 Challenge: Starring Bridget the Surly Cross Check<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #1</b></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Monday, 20 March 2017</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get my bicycle repaired</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Bike) Store</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.brixtoncycles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brixton Cycles</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, 296-298 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6AG</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.13 km</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some cretin tried to steal my stem cap mounted bell by force but only succeeded in destroying the star nut. Cue impromptu trip to the bike shop first thing Monday morning. Must say, 6 miles on a bike with its headset not tensioned is something you can do... but I wouldn't want to repeat the experience!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA_S_CRKxZ8/WN-w6Kvcf7I/AAAAAAAAiAQ/sBLhOMiIyuoaTLuAB0BNDuXHk1KH9GWWQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170320_075752861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA_S_CRKxZ8/WN-w6Kvcf7I/AAAAAAAAiAQ/sBLhOMiIyuoaTLuAB0BNDuXHk1KH9GWWQCKgB/s640/IMG_20170320_075752861.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #2</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Tuesday, 21 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">physiotherapy appointment</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Non-Store Errand</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.octopusclinic.com/" target="_blank">Octopus Clinic</a>, Harmsworth House, Bouverie Street, London (in the old UK Patent Office building)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.04 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Will they let me bring my bike inside? Or will I need to lock up outside?</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">" The answer lies with the people (and their personal biases), not the place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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A blog post all about my knees is coming up soon. At the moment all I'll say is, <a href="http://www.pelotonphysiotherapy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nicole Oh</a> is an amazing physiotherapist. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7Y38vPOzC8/WN-ymOyuxCI/AAAAAAAAiAc/-LNn_gAf8AswIGxUQJ-Km_XWcb1tugBYgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170321_083609153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7Y38vPOzC8/WN-ymOyuxCI/AAAAAAAAiAc/-LNn_gAf8AswIGxUQJ-Km_XWcb1tugBYgCKgB/s640/IMG_20170321_083609153.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #3</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Tuesday, 22 March 2017</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photographing Cycle Superhighway Design Failures on my Commute Route</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Volunteering (Cycling Advocacy)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Office, Bury Street, London EC3A 5AR</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.10 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b><b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are a handful of places along Cycle Superhighway 7 -- where there is protected space, segregation, cycle-specific traffic lights, etc -- that nonetheless just don't work and in some cases are dangerous, either by accident or by design in creating conflict with motorised traffic that simply did not exist before. Today on my commute, I set out to record a few of these sites/situations. At one junction in particular, I feel very lucky to have captured the 'perfect storm' where the most dangerous vehicles are exactly positioned by the phasing of the traffic lights to pose the most risk. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The two junctions shown here should get their own blog posts. I do think I need supplemental video footage. At the moment, I have not got enough here, from these few photos, to explain in words exactly what is going on. Sorry!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1qcRVuxg4A/WOE2mwQklAI/AAAAAAAAiKM/fXPXikiabTcOfEzGRj97jrnSYechhllrwCLcB/s1600/P1000283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1qcRVuxg4A/WOE2mwQklAI/AAAAAAAAiKM/fXPXikiabTcOfEzGRj97jrnSYechhllrwCLcB/s640/P1000283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94EHLt2A5Tg/WOE25BnIkRI/AAAAAAAAiKY/0IbjXAXRpWQdGwfl4BlsdcVlVdK85894QCLcB/s1600/P1000288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94EHLt2A5Tg/WOE25BnIkRI/AAAAAAAAiKY/0IbjXAXRpWQdGwfl4BlsdcVlVdK85894QCLcB/s640/P1000288.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for my green light to go straight ahead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwtOQmdWszc/WOE2vDtDdqI/AAAAAAAAiKQ/AITyMEZyPR4C3Th29JSou0DgHfep169HgCLcB/s1600/P1000290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwtOQmdWszc/WOE2vDtDdqI/AAAAAAAAiKQ/AITyMEZyPR4C3Th29JSou0DgHfep169HgCLcB/s640/P1000290.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over in parallel, waiting for green light to go straight ahead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8crXU9zEGZI/WOE2zj_FeyI/AAAAAAAAiKU/2HEKPLjc62ctndv3OSMSMMYqqjHqGJk3gCLcB/s1600/P1000291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8crXU9zEGZI/WOE2zj_FeyI/AAAAAAAAiKU/2HEKPLjc62ctndv3OSMSMMYqqjHqGJk3gCLcB/s640/P1000291.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On simultaneous green light phases, northbound cyclists and traffic Go, Go, Go! <br />
But... see that turn signal? Immediately after the dotted diagonal line is a bus stop. <br />
Guess what that bus driver is trying to do? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #4</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Wednesday, 22 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">osteopathy appointment</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Personal Care</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The British School of Osteopathy</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.22 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While physiotherapy is an ongoing regime right now, the occasional "fix me up" of the reactive rather than proactive kind is sometimes also needed. Tonight, I went to the osteopath to work on a little problem that flared up two weeks ago just before the first Friday Night Ride to the Coast of the year, which I've been ignoring but of course only became worse. I really like the team at the British School of Osteopathy and there's never a problem getting a short notice appointment after work.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3tz0BUUtqY/WN-0rfN3DOI/AAAAAAAAiA0/JUgJTHgfsuQWUv_U3a1PV4d3uSi_wnaKwCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170322_184023074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3tz0BUUtqY/WN-0rfN3DOI/AAAAAAAAiA0/JUgJTHgfsuQWUv_U3a1PV4d3uSi_wnaKwCKgB/s640/IMG_20170322_184023074.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errandonnee #5</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Thursday, 23 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> glaucoma test (referral following high pressure readings and pain over several months)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wild Card</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Eye Clinic, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.3 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When the chips are down and you really really have to... you can run an errand with a blinding migraine. Especially if someone with a car can come get you afterwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, and I don't have glaucoma. Might be thyroid related. Back to square one (and back to my harried, part-time NHS GP to try and talk her into ordering gold standard blood and saliva tests that the NHS simply does not pay for). </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzeEzdG-rTc/WN-zu-1FIiI/AAAAAAAAiAs/ir-1qZGyDHM9Q2co5o1FIfTkWX3_FQGoQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170323_153513435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzeEzdG-rTc/WN-zu-1FIiI/AAAAAAAAiAs/ir-1qZGyDHM9Q2co5o1FIfTkWX3_FQGoQCKgB/s640/IMG_20170323_153513435.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more coffee please (in the hospital cafe waiting for Adam)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #6</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Saturday, 25 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">return my lock to work, after taking it with me on Thursday to go to the hospital</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> You Carried What On Your Bike?! - a 3 kg chain and padlock</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bury Street, London EC3A 5AR</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">(part of) 4.39 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLhql5Pps8o/WN-1i9fObqI/AAAAAAAAiA8/9SuFxxshpWsTf1FNFPHbzn_GkfuEj9paQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170325_093945794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLhql5Pps8o/WN-1i9fObqI/AAAAAAAAiA8/9SuFxxshpWsTf1FNFPHbzn_GkfuEj9paQCKgB/s640/IMG_20170325_093945794.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my bike's weekday home</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5vgy92cIkc/WN-1i3NKDWI/AAAAAAAAiA8/b-G2TlJgvYMh7gEYEoSF4-84r3pnaO8JgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170325_094220696_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5vgy92cIkc/WN-1i3NKDWI/AAAAAAAAiA8/b-G2TlJgvYMh7gEYEoSF4-84r3pnaO8JgCKgB/s640/IMG_20170325_094220696_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my office</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRFJtPG_QtA/WN-1i-W9X_I/AAAAAAAAiA8/W6IadAPo2I8EURon7gk1bPUdUCBtTsx8gCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170325_094337054_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRFJtPG_QtA/WN-1i-W9X_I/AAAAAAAAiA8/W6IadAPo2I8EURon7gk1bPUdUCBtTsx8gCKgB/s640/IMG_20170325_094337054_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Swiss Re Building aka 'The Gherkin', opposite my office</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #7</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Saturday, 25 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">bike shop to try on summer mitts</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Another Bike Store</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cycle Surgery, Southwark Bridge</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">(the other part of 4.39 km)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b></div>
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Weird thing. The shop guy didn't really know what they had in stock or how to check what was in their warehouse or how to order stuff in, couldn't work the til properly... and he made some incredibly sexist comments (out of presumptions not malice -- he truly didn't have any concept of being offensive). And yet... I can be a tricky customer. I tend to know exactly what I want and to spell out specific criteria I'm looking for. This guy went out of his way to help me, spent a lot of time trying to find out what stock might be available, was sincerely embarrassed and apologetic about his difficulties in ringing up the sale. In the end, my overall impression of Cycle Surgery staff (formed over 7 years since I bought my first bike there) is unchanged: friendly and helpful, passionate about cycling and helping people get the most of their ride.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbGFOeY_Oq4/WN-2YhJt_kI/AAAAAAAAiBE/E5odoBEdNR84bQCKyjEUiQrhlAREezE_ACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170325_102753643_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbGFOeY_Oq4/WN-2YhJt_kI/AAAAAAAAiBE/E5odoBEdNR84bQCKyjEUiQrhlAREezE_ACKgB/s640/IMG_20170325_102753643_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQEjoMg3uBk/WN-2Yq0stWI/AAAAAAAAiBE/LfDtJTlGqM0OVIXwnqx3QnPHcfBP31rpwCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170325_102245048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQEjoMg3uBk/WN-2Yq0stWI/AAAAAAAAiBE/LfDtJTlGqM0OVIXwnqx3QnPHcfBP31rpwCKgB/s640/IMG_20170325_102245048.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errandonnee #8</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Date:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wednesday, 29 March 2017</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">morning commute</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Work</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Office, Bury Street, London EC3A 5AR</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.09 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I cycle every day but chose today as an official control as I felt it might be, I don't know, "typical". Weather coolish, not much wind, skies grey but dry. Traffic a little lighter than usual but a cyclist riding about half a block ahead of me in a residential area called the French Quarter (Clapham) got doored by a guy in, of course, a white van. So stereotypes are alive and well! I didn't actually see the impact (so couldn't offer my 'services' as a witness) as I was distracted by creaky pedals. The guy was okay I think, though there was blood on his face (whether from nose or mouth/teeth, I don't know) so I hope he went to hospital to get checked over. He'll be sore tomorrow! The oddest thing (to me) about the incident was that his exclamation on being hit was not, as you'd expect these days, a four-letter expletive but an actual real-life shout of "OW"! Rather comic book style. Imagine a big lightning-bolt word bubble "KAPOW!" over his head. Sorry for the flippancy but it was incongruous. </span></div>
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Anyway, lessons for the day: It's called the Door Zone for a reason. Stay out of it. </div>
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And... I've been thinking about it for some time but have definitely decided to buy a video camera I can mount to my bike.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDj7Wsve2kM/WN-5VK8GhNI/AAAAAAAAiBY/Jw_V9xQuktcP5-WltUB0CTt7NFAtjzRZgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_074351234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDj7Wsve2kM/WN-5VK8GhNI/AAAAAAAAiBY/Jw_V9xQuktcP5-WltUB0CTt7NFAtjzRZgCKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_074351234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streatham Vale Park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4y-nhTsQyg/WN-5VMId1OI/AAAAAAAAiBY/bD00Ce8TBFo8tbi-Uswn-6qkZIMA5E80ACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_080226426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4y-nhTsQyg/WN-5VMId1OI/AAAAAAAAiBY/bD00Ce8TBFo8tbi-Uswn-6qkZIMA5E80ACKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_080226426.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tooting Bec Common</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QiG3BHw2kkQ/WN-5VM02b7I/AAAAAAAAiBY/WTiXevhS-MMH-mZnVDPWcf3-UqguRjlvACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_084627473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QiG3BHw2kkQ/WN-5VM02b7I/AAAAAAAAiBY/WTiXevhS-MMH-mZnVDPWcf3-UqguRjlvACKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_084627473.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northbound on Blackfriars Bridge (Cycle Superhighway 6)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dA-uxHOeP4/WN-5VOLjX2I/AAAAAAAAiBY/bbhwt3eYvII1rUl_lIE4hnpnBTbks_JFQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_090209723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dA-uxHOeP4/WN-5VOLjX2I/AAAAAAAAiBY/bbhwt3eYvII1rUl_lIE4hnpnBTbks_JFQCKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_090209723.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike + Office + Icon</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNVwwuwxTMI/WN-5VBLNMGI/AAAAAAAAiBY/VRExEyIK1o49oI3HrE3gLh2Ny6_D3tyxACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_090350763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNVwwuwxTMI/WN-5VBLNMGI/AAAAAAAAiBY/VRExEyIK1o49oI3HrE3gLh2Ny6_D3tyxACKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_090350763.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorting out my stuff</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-0RKchTBcw/WN-57SZFkwI/AAAAAAAAiBg/9_NLhZjXr_QBzH3Jk50VqDNhBcGrJlxBACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_090149318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-0RKchTBcw/WN-57SZFkwI/AAAAAAAAiBg/9_NLhZjXr_QBzH3Jk50VqDNhBcGrJlxBACKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_090149318.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrived early today, even if I was a little slower than usual</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #9</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wednesday, 29 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">osteopathy appointment</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Personal Care</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The British School of Osteopathy</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.22 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What a difference one week makes! (Well, and one hour, as we moved to British Summer Time last Sunday.) This photo was taken exactly one week after the one above, as my appointment was again at 18.45.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I Intended to get a photo of where they let me store my bike when I rock up here (i.e. in their back office) but when my appointment was finished, the staff on reception had already wheeled Bridget out ready and waiting for me. So no "in situ parking" shot. Full points for valet service though. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLEQV4q7qz0/WN-4_VdBKkI/AAAAAAAAiBU/5iEGU6qeuF4T4fQSAQ0OaZRk2Skd0GPzACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170329_183337250_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLEQV4q7qz0/WN-4_VdBKkI/AAAAAAAAiBU/5iEGU6qeuF4T4fQSAQ0OaZRk2Skd0GPzACKgB/s640/IMG_20170329_183337250_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errandonnee #10</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Friday, 31 March 2017</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">morning commute</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Work</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Office, Bury Street, London EC3A 5AR</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">17.72 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the day that Mike Hall died... no words. Here are some photos of London architecture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6V9E1CMPqCI/WN-6ZB0VaiI/AAAAAAAAiBk/wgACUVBu26Ubbut4LJN0NUJig2GgiRsmACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170331_084852861_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6V9E1CMPqCI/WN-6ZB0VaiI/AAAAAAAAiBk/wgACUVBu26Ubbut4LJN0NUJig2GgiRsmACKgB/s640/IMG_20170331_084852861_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxeLnaFigZs/WN-6ZBmmkdI/AAAAAAAAiBk/azE8TEs-9cAgcqX_WHqy32-YALQMnJCEgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170331_085047858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxeLnaFigZs/WN-6ZBmmkdI/AAAAAAAAiBk/azE8TEs-9cAgcqX_WHqy32-YALQMnJCEgCKgB/s640/IMG_20170331_085047858.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HJGrsqdUXs/WN-6ZGwK96I/AAAAAAAAiBk/og0PS5yLH30-pGTSeUpAxORZmgbywrXiACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170331_085538998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HJGrsqdUXs/WN-6ZGwK96I/AAAAAAAAiBk/og0PS5yLH30-pGTSeUpAxORZmgbywrXiACKgB/s640/IMG_20170331_085538998.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcUiWRlpNNc/WN-6ZBKgqvI/AAAAAAAAiBk/4mPDAC0pJjcDSWq9JDYZC_4WTlZ846NsgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170331_191019224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcUiWRlpNNc/WN-6ZBKgqvI/AAAAAAAAiBk/4mPDAC0pJjcDSWq9JDYZC_4WTlZ846NsgCKgB/s640/IMG_20170331_191019224.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #11</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Friday, 31 March 2017</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Intercept Adam as he drove through central London, so I could get a lift in the car to Bognor Regis </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wild Card</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">south entrance to Blackfriars station, traffic (for him) permitting!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.8 km</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget the Surly Cross Check</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought I had photos, I truly did. Bridget & I posed against a very picturesque raised concrete flower bed. My attire was even better colour-coordated with her than it usually is. I'm sure there's a photo lurking on my phone somewhere... hmmm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>[IMAGINE ME & BRIDGET <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5065761,-0.1024097,3a,75y,76.39h,92.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqUj6YuAKcLw0Dc___b9JNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=en-GB" target="_blank">HERE</a>]</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Errandonnee #12</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date:</b> Friday, 31 March 2017 (plus 1 day)</span></span></span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Errand: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">filling prescription and buying summer clothes</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Category:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Unexpected Arts & <u>Entertainment</u></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boots and M&Co., Bognor Regis town centre</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Distance: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.5 km</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Steed: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lucy the Brompton (because doesn't Bridget deserve a rest?)</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">What I learned/observations:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As many migraine sufferers will tell you, the worst part isn't so much the pain, it's the lost time. Days, weeks... over a lifetime it adds up to months lost from your life that you can never get back. Missed weddings, rescheduled exams, cancelled day trips... </span></div>
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So, please lend me a little latitude if I choose to wrest just one day back from the 3 lost to migraine during the 12 days of this challenge. (That's 3 days in addition to the hospital trip documented above.)<br />
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Today, we cycled along the seafront in glorious sunshine, so that I could finally run errands of a (very nearly) <i>non-medical </i>nature: filling a prescription and buying a few properly spring/summer clothes suitable for lazy weekends at the coast. Each one of those errands could have qualified, except that I've already got two store controls. Maybe I could claim the chemist as non-store errand -- except I did buy stuff there. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7XkgF1ihhI/WN-9Y3E0YVI/AAAAAAAAiBw/vLOBH8mIhFkUCizN8yZGJBmWEVXVIXUpACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170401_111723987_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7XkgF1ihhI/WN-9Y3E0YVI/AAAAAAAAiBw/vLOBH8mIhFkUCizN8yZGJBmWEVXVIXUpACKgB/s640/IMG_20170401_111723987_BURST001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The other option is to claim a control for what we didn't expect but really did happen: <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't about to ask.</td></tr>
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Apparently something called "<a href="https://www.ucsu.org/ents/event/1233/" target="_blank">SU Rag</a>" is happening. University students in weird fancy dress doing a pub crawl all over town during the day? No idea. It was unexpectedly amusing, though.<br />
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Of all my errandonnee trips this year, THIS is the only one I felt was made in the "true spirit of errandonneuring".<br />
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TOTAL NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CONTROLS: 8</div>
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TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE CHALLENGE: 99.71 km (now where can I find another 0.28??!)</div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-78605335772725420502017-03-17T09:12:00.001+00:002017-04-02T19:17:49.162+01:00Are You Up To A Challenge? <div style="text-align: justify;">
Over on the righthand side of the blog is a link titled "Challenges", which takes you to a brief potted history of some of the "organised" schemes I've signed up over the years in an effort to get myself out on my bike a little bit more than maybe I normally would without some kind of "incentive" (if that's the right term). </div>
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I don't know about you, but I don't actually respond very well to the concept of a "challenge". I mean, I like to have goals, but as soon as I sign up to what someone else has defined as a "challenge", I swear my sub-conscious is quickly at work to invent ways not to do it! (I like how G.E. of EndlessVeloLove explored the whole idea of goals and resolutions in a <a href="http://endlessvelolove.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/goals-v-resolutions-2017-challenge.html" target="_blank">January 2017 post</a> -- my own experience feels very different from hers because she and I define the words "resolution" and "goals" in almost opposite ways -- but oddly enough, the end result is often the same!)</div>
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A classic example for me is the <a href="http://30daysofbiking.com/" target="_blank">#30daysofbiking</a> challenge that runs the full month of April. When I'm not riding my bike much, then, as much as I like the idea of "pledging" to cycle, even just a short distance, every single day, no way is that going to happen. And if I'm cycling quite a lot, then to be honest, I want a day off now and then! (And the various chronic physical difficulties I deal with often have my sports massage therapist and personal trainer reminding me that recovery is essential, that muscles can only grow stronger if they're given a chance to rest.)</div>
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<a name='more'></a>The exception for me has been <a href="https://chasingmailboxes.com/" target="_blank">Chasing Mailbox</a>'s spring and autumn challenges, Errandonneuring and Coffeeneuring respectively, which have at their heart the fundamental concept of, well, fun. Keeping it fun is what it's all about. I mean, if cycling didn't make me feel like a happy go-lucky kid again, I wouldn't be doing it. </div>
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So here it is, spring once again and today saw the announcement of <a href="https://chasingmailboxes.com/2017/03/16/the-errandonnee-2017-out-like-a-lion/" target="_blank">this year's Errandonnee Challenge</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© M.G. / Chasing Mailboxes 2017</td></tr>
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<i>Am I in? You bet!</i></div>
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But a few weeks ago, a Facebook friend also reminded me of the #30daysofbiking challenge and, you know what, I may actually have another go at that this year. </div>
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Why? What makes this year different? </div>
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Well, primarily I think it's the fact that I have been cycling very nearly every day since Christmas, more than I have ever cycled on a regular basis, and I'm significantly fitter and stronger than perhaps any other time in my life --- not to mention, for this time of the year!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wE5BkE8tyvs/WMumJeU6NnI/AAAAAAAAhsc/ERkWXsc-YOA2l6dXCyAwo-NwQi-1iYrxgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20161229_083141813_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wE5BkE8tyvs/WMumJeU6NnI/AAAAAAAAhsc/ERkWXsc-YOA2l6dXCyAwo-NwQi-1iYrxgCKgB/s640/IMG_20161229_083141813_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning commute, Xmas/New Year 2016</td></tr>
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And I actually think I can do it, without waking up very many mornings at all saying to my bike "<i>sorry, lovely friend, but I need a break from you today</i>". </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XT_QKi1fWlA/WMumApz7k8I/AAAAAAAAhsY/A_hyVll4DZswf6zy21cDtJ8JfoBBhQdQgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170226_102745553.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XT_QKi1fWlA/WMumApz7k8I/AAAAAAAAhsY/A_hyVll4DZswf6zy21cDtJ8JfoBBhQdQgCKgB/s640/IMG_20170226_102745553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you're thinking of giving Errandonneuring a go this year, check out the lively and fun <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/730530977068469/" target="_blank">Facebook group</a>. (And the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/coffeeneurs/" target="_blank">FB Coffeeneurs group</a> is just about my favourite place on the internet, year round.)</div>
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So how about you? Does the idea of a 'challenge' motivate you or bring out the rebel ("<i>you can't make me!</i>") in you? </div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-42070087098334502042017-03-05T17:32:00.001+00:002017-03-17T09:16:36.280+00:00A Year Of Transition<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Yes, things have been a little quiet on the blog lately and an update is overdue. This post will be of most interest to friends and family living far away, and not so much to those who primarily read this blog for its cycling content. </i></div>
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In the past 8 months, we somehow went from living in one family house to.... one house plus... my suddenly-empty-again London flat plus... a seaside flat that will, once probate is complete, belong to Adam. </div>
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Our medium-to-long term plan has been to sell the house once Adam's (now grown) children fledged and find a new home of a size more appropriate to just two adults (plus approximately a <<i>cough</i>> number of bicycles). But the unexpected loss of my tenant and Adam's inheritance prompted a lot of re-thinking. </div>
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The goal now is still to sell the house but, instead of buying something else, divide our time between the two flats. We can't do that immediately however because Adam still works in Harpenden, his son hasn't yet moved out (<i>a whole 'nother story</i>) and my flat really needs a lot of work before it can be a proper home again.</div>
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After mulling over a dizzying number of options (I can't even remember what they all were), we find ourselves nearly 3 months into a Transition Plan.<br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;">I "moved" (in a partial sense) into the south London flat over the Christmas holidays and now commute 12 miles to and from work in central London. I am keeping furnishings and possessions here to a minimum so I don't have too much stuff in the way of builders and decorators.</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Adam is in the Bedfordshire house during the week, commuting to and from his office in Harpenden -- but he has given notice to his partners and will be retiring (or leaving a long term career for a more entrepreneurial occupation yet to be decided) the first of June 2018. His evenings are spent sifting and culling and bagging things up to go to charity shops or the reuse & recycle centre. </li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Each week on Friday night, it's all change! One or both of us travels after work so that we can spend the weekend together, rotating between the house (as I still use my usual hairdresser and sports massage therapist in Bedfordshire), my flat (when we run errands, buy groceries, Adam tinkers with small repairs etc) and the Bognor Regis flat (where we try and relax a bit -- well, Adam continues to sift through his late father's things while I read or study or stare at the sea). </li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">We took the decision to purchase a vehicle, for the short term at least, to facilitate what Adam calls Operation Downsize. For various reasons, we settled on buying a 100% electric vehicle, an ex-demonstrator model Nissan e-ENV200. It's a strange thing to have access to a vehicle again -- and I am amazed to experience the roads as a driver again with so many cyclists on the road! </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Load #1 today © Adam Bell</td></tr>
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Besides ourselves, we have the future lifestyles of two furry creatures to consider. We embarked on our relationship with four cats between us. Sadly, we each lost our female cat and so we are now down to the two boys. Adam's daughter will likely take Mickey, now that she and her fiance are settled into their own home. And my lovely boy Bailey will move back to south London along with Adam, by which time we should have a new back door with a catflap and a cat-friendly rear garden. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> a quiet life in the sun, is all he wants</td></tr>
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What strikes me about this phase we are going through is: </div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">As ever, I tend to worry and fuss a bit while Adam is the problem-solver, and I prefer to focus on one thing at a time while he is the consummate multi-tasker! </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We value our face-to-face time together more than ever. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">While we spent the working week apart, we are very much a team and we remind ourselves and each other of our end goals, that the current juggling is temporary.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We have to be quite regimented in planning ahead and synchronising our diaries. We both have running lists of things that we need to remember to transport between each place. Sometimes it goes a bit pear-shaped, but never badly and never for too long. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We seem to be using and travelling with our commuter bikes, mostly. Our other bikes are feeling quite neglected -- although that's actually normal during the winter months anyway.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I have identical coffee makers in all 3 homes!</li>
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One thing we very much enjoy doing together is planning bike rides! Next week is the <a href="http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/march-10-2017.html" target="_blank">first Friday Night Ride to the Coast of the year</a>. We are also going on the <a href="http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/le-tour-2017.html" target="_blank">Fridays Tour</a> again this year, in July. </div>
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My youngest sister (who lives in the US) is planning a vacation in Scotland in the autumn, and Adam and I are mulling over how to combine spending a few days with her in Edinburgh with some time on our bicycles. We might take the train to Northumberland and then spend 3-4 days cycling to Edinburgh and/or cycle from Edinburgh to the Lake District to see friends. </div>
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But before all that, there is my last degree course to complete by the end of May, so that next autumn I may finally lay my hands on that law degree that I started in 2005! (<a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/leidenlaw/things-to-do-with-law-books/" target="_blank"><i>What to do with all these books?!</i></a>)</div>
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Meanwhile -- in case anyone wondered about the Grumpy Knee(s) -- I have been working with a cycling-specialist physiotherapist for the past 6 weeks and am starting to see tangible improvements. With 50-60 miles per week cycle commuting and a knee rehab specific home exercise regime, I am, fo<span style="text-align: justify;">r the first time ever for this time of the year, cycling fit and have no doubts whatsoever about my ability to enjoy and complete next weekend's 60 mile night ride, whatever the weather. (<i>Okay, if the forecast is for strong winds, I'm out. But so far, it's looking promising</i>.)</span></div>
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In any case, it's all a bit of whirlwind at the moment but it's all good. And I hope a more regular blogging schedule will resume soon. I certainly have a few trip reports to finish and a few product reviews to share. </div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-66636568557399552572017-01-12T13:30:00.000+00:002017-01-12T13:30:07.406+00:00In The Wild: REM Special Peugeot Swoopy Mixte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, London -- Summer 2015</div>
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<br />Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-53894920773456012062016-12-29T13:30:00.000+00:002017-03-05T17:37:44.428+00:00In The Wild: Freddie Grubb Ravensbourne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
St Mary Axe, The City of London -- December 2016</div>
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(Not built by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Grubb" target="_blank"><i>THE </i>Freddie Grubb</a> but by a <a href="http://www.freddiegrubb.com/" target="_blank">new start-up</a> who, rightly or wrongly, have adopted the name.)</div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-31703721128059030982016-12-19T13:24:00.001+00:002017-03-05T17:38:15.905+00:00In The Wild: BSP Oma Confort<div style="text-align: justify;">
If there's ever a bicycle guaranteed to make even a confirmed bicycle junkie do a double take, it may well be this: a Dutch bicycle in Pepto-Bismol Pink.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bsp-fietsen.nl/home/">http://www.bsp-fietsen.nl/home/</a></div>
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Gresse Street, Fitzrovia, London -- July 2016</div>
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<br />Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-51306808108814081132016-11-25T20:07:00.005+00:002016-12-20T17:01:23.240+00:00#Coffeeneuring Challenge: The 2016 Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="https://chasingmailboxes.com/2016/09/17/6th-annual-coffeeneuring-challenge-the-spirit-of-coffeeneuring/" target="_blank">6th Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge</a>: Yay, I finished! Autumn of last year is a complete blank for me so presumably I didn't even attempt this wonderfully traditional challenge, and I know I did not complete in 2014. So I am quite surprised and pleased that I did succeed, on 7 separate occasions, in riding my bicycle at least 2 miles for the pleasure of a hot beverage. </div>
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I have finally figured out why this is such a tough thing to do if I'm riding with Adam. It's all down to the "spirit" of the challenge. See, Adam does not drink hot drinks. But the problem is more than that. We are both "tourists" and love nothing more than spending the day together out on our bikes peering at everything. However, Adam is not a coffeeneur at heart. He does not see the point of stopping -- or 'interrupting' -- a perfectly good bike ride for something as trivial as having a drink. Drinking is for hydration and drinking from his bottle on the bike while on the move is perfectly adequate and sound good sense to him. Stopping is inefficient. He does it for me but I have to pointedly and directly request it. Hints go right over his head. Yet, how many times have we ended a ride only for him to say "Oh no! You didn't get to log this as a coffeeneuring ride!" If I didn't know him (and his honest heart) so well, I'd suspect <i>Coffeeneuring Sabotage</i>. </div>
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So this year, knowing that one week of the 7-week challenge would see us in the Netherlands where we would be cycling together every day, I devised a strategy: get him <i>cold enough</i> and/or present our plans each day as <i>ambitious enough</i> that some kind of proper sit-down stop would be not only (1) <i>welcome</i>, (2) <i>sensible</i>, (3) <i>enjoyable</i> (even for him), and/or, if push came to shove, in some way (4) <u style="font-style: italic;">absolutely necessary</u>.</div>
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Fortunately, the weather during our Amsterdam sojourn was fully co-operative! </div>
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But I am jumping ahead to the second part of my 2016 Coffeeneuring Challenge. </div>
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Without further ado, here are my 7 rides in chronological order. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>RIDE #1</i></span></b><br />
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<b>Destination: </b> <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstable-downs-chilterns-gateway-and-whipsnade-estate/">Chilterns Gateway Centre (National Trust)</a>, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2GY, UK</div>
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<b>Date:</b> Sunday, 9th October 2016</div>
<b>Hot drink of choice: </b>Plain Black Tea with Milk (score: average, say 3/5)<br />
<b>Total mileage:</b> 23.8km<br />
<b>Bicycle:</b> Riley the Enigma</div>
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<b>Bike Friendliness: </b><br />
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Quite good. There are bike racks but it is perfectly okay to keep your bike with you and lean it against a table or wall within your line of sight. This is a popular stop for cycling clubs.<br />
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<b>Other Observations:</b><br />
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This was a beautiful morning and it was nice to see so many families out early to enjoy the great outdoors. Lots of dog walkers and kite flyers. After enjoying my hot beverage, I freewheeled into Dunstable to visit Adam's daughter and her fiance in their new, first home.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">RIDE #2</span></i></b></div>
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<b>Destination:</b> <a href="http://www.harpersfood.co.uk/">Harpers</a>, Half Moon Lane, Pepperstock, Slip End, Bedfordshire LU1 4LL, UK</div>
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<b>Date:</b> Saturday, 15th October 2016</div>
<b>Hot drink of choice: </b>Cappuccino (score: again, only average - 3/5)<br />
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<b>Total mileage:</b> 7.1km</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Bicycle:</b><b> </b>Petra the Puch Princess Road Bike</div>
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<b>Bike Friendliness: </b><br />
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What you make of it. The proprietors made an effort at the beginning, without considering what cyclists might want or need. This was discussed with them and they have made no move to improve the situation. More detailed comments below!</div>
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<b>Other Observations:</b><br />
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Two years ago, I visited Harpers for the first time on a bicycle and noted the less-than-perfect parking arrangements. I have since spoken to the owners and explained that it would be far better to have a solid structure to which a bicycle can be secured with locks through both the frame and wheels. They understood the logic of that. But... nothing has changed. </div>
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As noted during my <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/coffeeneuring-2014-ride-3.html#more" target="_blank">2014 coffeeneuring visit</a>, I felt the venue could still work as a mid-ride stop for our local group rides, as bikes could be kept within sight nearer the building if we were prepared to not lock them at all. </div>
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Nonetheless, I have never been 100% happy with this shop as a ride stop and on this visit I finally figured out why. It is trying to appeal to an upmarket clientele and I don't feel they've got it right for anyone. The food and produce available in the shop is wonderful: high quality, small production badges, most of it quite local. A shop like this is a good distribution outlet for small artisanal-type producers. But. But. Most of the clientele for the shop visit by car. The proprietors assume that will be the case. The entire premises are arranged to maximise access by car. The cafe is geared to being a quick pitstop after you shop and before you get in your car to go home. It looks and feels like a cafeteria, with counter-service. The decor is cold and sparse. </div>
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Nothing here is welcoming. It's cold, not cosy. Nothing fosters a coffeeneuring spirit. Nothing encourages you to 'sit a spell', visit with a friend, read a book over your coffee. The moment I arrive, I can't wait to leave. So, no more coffeeneuring here. </div>
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On the other hand... it was another beautiful autumnal day and on the way home I pulled over to take some 'beauty shots' of my bicycle and my badged-up Carradice saddlebag. And then two girls on horseback I had overtaken earlier came by and stopped for a chat. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><i>RIDE #3</i></span><br />
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Destination: <a href="http://www.hubcoffeebikes.com/" target="_blank">The Hub (Coffee Bar & Cyclist's Refuge)</a>, 22 High Street, Redbourn AL3 7LL, UK</div>
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<b>Date:</b> Saturday, 22nd October 2016</div>
<b>Hot drink of choice:</b> Flat white (score: 4.5/5)<br />
<b>Total mileage: </b>19.8km<br />
<b>Bicycle:</b> Bridget the Cross Check</div>
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<b>Bike Friendliness:</b><br />
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Bike parking stands (of the kind we call 'Sheffield' and Americans seem to call "staple") right out front. Lots of space. </div>
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<b>Other Observations:</b><br />
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The Hub is -- surprise, surprise -- doggone perfect. It can get terribly busy and cramped inside but I don't think I'd want it to grow any bigger!<br />
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This ride was a Facebook group meet up with Joaquin. I'd really like to meet more coffeeneurs in the UK! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>RIDE #4</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Destination: </b><a href="https://www.camdenmarket.com/">Camden Market</a>, Camden Market, Camden Lock Place, London </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">NW1 8AF, UK</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Date: </b>Saturday, 29th October 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hot drink of choice: </b>Flat White (score: 3/5)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Total mileage: </b>18.6km</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bicycle: </b>Petra the Puch Princess</span></div>
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<b>Bike Friendliness: </b></div>
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Not much to say. The cafe was inside the market and we used normal street parking stands to lock up our bikes. </div>
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<b>Other Observations: </b></div>
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I had my brand new Panasonic digital camera with me and to be honest wasn't too impressed with what I was seeing in review mode after each shot. Thankfully, the photos look a lot better uploaded on the Internet! </div>
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As for Camden Market itself, I am glad we arrived before it got insanely busy -- which it did. I am amazed <span style="font-family: inherit;">by how many out-of-towners visit here. In fact, the whole market complex is a much bigger deal than I ever imagined. According to the http://londontopia.net/ website: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Camden Market has been ranked as London’s fourth-largest attraction with approximately 100,000 people visiting the stalls and shops each weekend. The market has approximately 280 stalls and 54 shops. The Camden area generates £1.2 billion from visitor spending and has 24,400 businesses, which is the second largest in London after Westminster. These businesses are responsible for about 275,000 jobs, providing almost two jobs for every resident in the borough."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow! We only saw the tip of the iceberg.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>RIDE #5</i></span><br />Destination: </b><a href="https://www.amsterdammuseum.nl/en" target="_blank">Amsterdam Museum</a>, Kalverstraat 92, Amsterdam, Netherlands<b><br /></b><b>Date:</b> Sunday, 13th November 2016<br />
<b>Hot drink of choice: </b>Cappuccino (score: 4/5)<b><br />Total mileage:</b>5.9km<br />
<b>Bicycle: </b>Lucy the Brompton<br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Bike Friendliness: </b><br />
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This was our first occasion to need to lock up a bike somewhere in Amsterdam and was a real eye opener: there is very little parking infrastructure here (other than at train stations). Everyone just cruises up to their destination and leaves their bikes right where they stop. I suddenly learned the solution to that mystery "<i>Why do Dutch bikes have 'cafe locks'?</i>", followed almost immediately by the answer to that other perennial Dutch question "<i>Why are so many bikes stolen in Holland?</i>"</div>
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<i>Oh...!</i></div>
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<b>Other Observations:</b> </div>
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Researching average temperatures and rainfall stats for your chosen travel dates -- and developing OCD tendencies regarding checking weather forecasts -- may not help you much. Average temps for November run about 10C (50F) with rainfall not too far off London's. Don't get complacent! It was bl**dy cold the first few days. Just above freezing with persistent mist. We aimed to pack light but pack smart and I am pleased to say that, for the most part, it worked. But there were times that we were wearing everything we'd brought.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>RIDE #6</i></span><br />Destination:</b> <a href="http://hethert.com/restaurant/">Het HERT</a>, Cattenhagestraat 12, 1411 CT Naarden, Netherlands<br />
<b>Date: </b>Monday, 14th November 2016<br />
<b>Hot drink of choice: </b>Cappuccino (score: 5/5)<br />
<b>Total mileage: </b>52.5km<br />
<b>Bicycle: </b>Lucy the Brompton</div>
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<b>Bike Friendliness: </b><br />
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See Ride #5 about parking! However, the cycling infrastructure for actually cycling places is amazing! Time and space constraints prevent me from going into detail but our trips to The Netherlands have, so far, been the only sources of personal experience of cycling without <i>fear of being hit from behind</i>. </div>
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<b>Other Observations:</b><br />
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I've posted my 'ride report' for the day <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/notes-from-amsterdam-part-i.html" target="_blank">here</a>. My #coffeeneuring specific observations were my realisation (as we pedaled across a fairly monotonous stretch of flatland on the shoulder of an admittedly-not-very-busy road) that my glasses were so raindrop-splattered I could barely see and I could hardly feel my toes, which meant... Adam would be quite receptive to the idea of stopping and getting indoors for a totally coffeeneuring-friendly stop! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>RIDE #7</i></span></b><br />
<b>Destination:</b> <a href="http://www.desmuiger.com/">Brasserie De </a><a href="http://www.desmuiger.com/">Smuiger</a>, Lagedijk 7-9, 1544BA Zaandijk, Netherlands<br />
<b>Date: </b>Wednesday, 16th November 2016<br />
<b>Hot drink of choice:</b> Cappuccino (score: 4.5/5)<br />
<b>Total mileage:</b> 62.5km<br />
<b>Bicycle: </b>Lucy the Brompton</div>
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<b>Bike Friendliness: </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know I am repeating myself here, but... there simply are no parking stands other than at train stations. I've stood outside supermarkets and hotels watching people on bicycles arrive and depart. I've yet to see anything provided (solid or otherwise) to lock up to. Metal railings are good, when you can get them. A lamp post will do in a pinch. But otherwise... it's that whole 'roll up and drop' approach. Cafe lock if you have a working one. </span></div>
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<b>Other Observations:</b></div>
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The sun came out! You have no idea how happy this made me. </div>
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Also... <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/notes-from-amsterdam-part-ii.html" target="_blank">I love polders</a>. </div>
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Windmills are pretty cool, too. </div>
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<b>Summary</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am very pleased to have successfully completed this year's challenge. More satisfying, however, is a feeling that I have finally figured out what this is all about for me personally and how to go out and ride my bike in the true </span>coffeeneuring<span style="font-family: inherit;"> spirit. It's very difficult to do all 7 without Adam, so I'm also quite relieved to have worked out a strategy that lets me combine </span>coffeeneuring<span style="font-family: inherit;"> with our usual touring-style of riding without putting unnatural pressure on him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am struck by how the first 3 rides (all rural) were definitely "autumnal", then no. 4 in London was transitional, then the final 3 in the Netherlands were definitely "wintry"! All 7 days had a beauty of their own and I am grateful that I got on my bike and went for a ride on all of these days.</span></div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-11131574533615299912016-11-20T07:00:00.000+00:002016-11-25T20:54:00.222+00:00Notes From Amsterdam (Part II)<b><i>Wednesday, 16 November 2016</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are told it will rain off and on (</span><i style="font-family: inherit;">mostly on</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">) all day today. Oh, and windy. Gusts of wind. Those isobars are packed tight today, weaving and waving their lines towards us from the west. It's November though -- what else can you expect? We cycle north through the city, through Chinatown, pausing in </span>Niewmarkt<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to remember our </span><a href="https://goo.gl/photos/bo3ToQBCeQCKLFNQ8" style="font-family: inherit;">first visit here one extremely clement March</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Then we roll straight onto a ferry over the River IJ and roll straight off the other side into pleasant suburbia (<i>mostly land reclaimed in last 50 years to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding Amsterdam</i>) and hence onto a wild natural Polder Oostzaan. Why this wilderness? Water management. (<i>Everything is all about the water. Always.</i>) Headwinds. Marshland birds. More </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">herons</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> than you can shake a stick at. (<i>And at one point, somehow, we inadvertently literally did. Nerves of steel, those herons. </i></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JidpLyjDU8Y" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Be still now</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>, indeed.</i>) I love </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">polders</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Musings on wide open skies... <i>my mother spent her childhood in south Texas, loved wide open spaces... my father grew up homesteading in the Bitterroot ranges of northern Idaho and hated them... the two years in the 1970s we lived on the prairies, my father yearned for mountains. My sister-in-law from the prairies felt claustrophobic for years in western Oregon. Me, I'm comfortable with either. Both.</i> I love the drama of Big Sky Country. And the Netherlands definitely qualifies. Look down at your feet, below sea level. Look up. The sky is the limit. Anyway. I like wild, empty </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">polders</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">! And the sun is peeking through. Lunchtime brings us to </span><a href="https://www.dezaanseschans.nl/" style="font-family: inherit;">Zaanse Schans</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, a residential area of Zaandam that looks like a theme park but is the real deal and oddly enough not a 'protected' site (although it is listed on the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Route_of_Industrial_Heritage" style="font-family: inherit;">European Route of Industrial Heritage</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">). Tasty salads and coffee in a </span><a href="http://www.desmuiger.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">bistro </a><span style="font-family: inherit;">run by a family with very American accents. The bikes sit unsecured outside the window. (Adam has left the key to his chain in the pocket of his other trousers!) Then back through Zaanse Schans and across the Wijdewormer to Neck then through the sprawling town of </span>Purmerand<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and down long straight avenues to Edam. Edam is a "protected townscape" and very pretty, verging on twee. They really ought to pedestrianise the village </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">centre</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> though. A brief sit down and then... it's dark. Magic along the unlit Purmerdijk -- a night ride! Our little blinkies are next to useless. But there's no traffic, just the sound of the wind in the reeds and dry grasses bordering the canal. A few wiggles through industrial estates to make you think you're back in the UK (<i>cycle here? inconceivable!</i>) and then we are on a southbound train... Approximately 40 miles in total.</span></span></div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-66944866177112534432016-11-19T06:40:00.001+00:002016-11-25T20:53:33.387+00:00Notes From Amsterdam (Part I)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Preface</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wish I could have a video cam strapped to my head every time we leave the apartment. So many amazing everyday stories here. I have in fact taken very few photos. I'm just gobbling it all up with my eyes and (hopefully) brain. Not to mention, it's hard to take many photos when you have to take gloves off to do it. After a while, cold hands get faster and more efficient at slapping down the photo bug impulse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh and.... autumn is so beautiful here. The backdrop to every scene is a blurry watercolour in every shade of grey, with great splashes of fallen leaves in vivid yellow, orange and gold. Add reflections from rivers, canals, lakes, marshes and puddles and it's like moving through a liquid painting.</span></span></div>
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</i></b> <b><i>Monday, 14 November 2016</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today it was just above freezing and pervasively damp. But there's no such as bad weather, just bad clothing... and some days that's even true. We cycled to the Novagraaf offices (<i>a reccie for tomorrow</i>) then through a beautiful forest, over the Amsterdam shipping canal, round Weesp (<i>pretty but, well, nothing special as Dutch villages go - I can't believe I am saying that</i>), then through a wonderful nature reserve where some kind of native but rare deer has recently been re-introduced, around through Naarden (<i>which is beautiful and charming and unusual with its forts and starflake-shaped canal system</i>), had a wonderful lunch at Het Hert (<i>I walked in thinking "I want an omelette and a bowl of really hot soup" and that's exactly what I got</i>), where we warmed up and dried off (<i>or steamed gently by the radiator, if truth be told</i>), then ventured out again only to find it was raining in earnest. Heigh ho, off we went to Muiden (<i>or Muider, I'm not quite sure</i>) where there is a huge, moody impressive castle dating back to 12?? called Muiderslot (<i>I do have that part right</i>) that is not open November-April but the village (whatever it's called) is the prettiest, most postcard-perfect place you'll ever see. We cycled along a pretty canal on a road closed to cars, then alongside a motorway, then along the Amsterdam shipping canal for a very long way (<i>which brought back lovely memories of the Fridays' Lowlands Tour just over a year ago</i>) and then a superb commute-hour route across the eastern part of the city to the Amstel. Which meant home. 33 miles in total. Hot shower, feet up, drink to hand... Life is good.</span></div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-40088115368520408952016-08-20T18:52:00.001+01:002016-11-19T09:20:23.879+00:00An Oldie But Goodie: Raleigh RSW 16<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's another Luton & Dunstable Cycling Forum <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Recycle%20Project" target="_blank">Recycle Project</a> story...</div>
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One Saturday afternoon last month, Adam disappeared into the depths of our shed looking for a longer seat post for Petra. He began removing various bicycles and boxes of parts from the shed and laying them out on the lawn. My mind on Petra, I took little notice. I am so accustomed to seeing lots of 'junk' from the shed -- all of it donated, all of it received without inspection -- that it was several minutes before my eyes focused in any meaningful way, only for them to land on something that made me dash for my phone. </div>
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I know <i>nothing</i> about Raleigh's RSW range but I knew instantly this was not another run-of-the-mill "<i>let's see if we can transform a sow's ear into a silken purse</i>" sort of refurbishment project. </div>
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A few minutes later, I had uploaded a handful of photos to the Vintage Bicycles UK group on Facebook. And within 24 hours, this little beauty had a new home. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>Between Lewis's first expression of interest via Facebook and his arrival on our doorstep on Sunday evening, just about the only thing I had gleaned from the Internet about the possible value (historical or otherwise) or small-wheeled Raleighs was that, apparently, cream balloon tyres were that little bit more desirable. </div>
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I can offer nothing more than photos. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only really 'bad' thing on this bicycle was the heavily corroded kickstand mount.<br />
The kickstand itself was completely seized.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUHR7rSo6oI/V7iVYlcNMmI/AAAAAAAAfew/Z6_lM2yJVbgw5J_LStAu0umr13z__iAMQCLcB/s1600/P1080157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUHR7rSo6oI/V7iVYlcNMmI/AAAAAAAAfew/Z6_lM2yJVbgw5J_LStAu0umr13z__iAMQCLcB/s640/P1080157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new owner Lewis very pleased with his new Raleigh</td></tr>
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In immaculate condition, this bicycle might have fetched £100 from a knowledgeable, savvy collector. But "<i>immaculate</i>" this example most certainly was not! We left it entirely to Lewis' discretion to offer a donation to the Project. </div>
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If any readers are interested in Raleigh RSWs, there is a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/raleighrswoc/">Facebook group</a> that seems to be an excellent all-round resource for owners and enthusiasts.</div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-16410466160010049942016-08-13T12:18:00.004+01:002017-03-05T14:18:25.918+00:00(Not So Much) Cycling in Provence: Relaxing in Vaison-la-Romaine (Part 2)<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the aspects of cyclo-touring that can make or break your enjoyment is getting your clothes washed and dried so you have the right kit at the right time. </div>
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In case we thought we were the only cyclists staying in <a href="http://www.le-beffroi.com/en/page/le-beffroi-hostellerie-charming-hotel-in-provence.1.html">le Beffroi</a>, spotting this from the street swiftly proved otherwise: </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKTcCKPMFWI/V6Hm3Ys-u4I/AAAAAAAAe-o/WPHTduiO5fcahjqldJT99iv1oI5_5m7ugCEw/s1600/IMG_20160605_184319511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKTcCKPMFWI/V6Hm3Ys-u4I/AAAAAAAAe-o/WPHTduiO5fcahjqldJT99iv1oI5_5m7ugCEw/s640/IMG_20160605_184319511.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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Our own system was rather more discreet: </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 2 dawned hot and sunny yet again. Time to find out what this town is really famous for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Personally, it's the Upper Town that grabbed my heart. But it's very few towns that can boast the Gallo-Roman ruins that Vaison-la-Romaine has, much less to this extent and with this degree of preservation. </span></div>
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In the first century, a semi-rural community was sited on the plains alongside the river, below the fortified oppidum. Barely a century later, this had evolved into the City of Vasio, a thriving Gallo-Roman town, on which the modern Lower Town now rests.<br />
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From the same source as in my last post (about the Upper Town with its history from the Bronze Age through the Celtic Iron Age right through fortifications built by the medieval Counts of Provence), the main identified/excavated features of Vasio are:<br />
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<i><b>The gallo-roman bridge</b></i><br />
<i><i><br /></i></i> <i><i>The semi circular arch (9 m. wide, with a span of 17 m. ) is made up of five arcades. It was built in large course masonry, resting directly upon the rock. Until a footbridge was built in 1858, the Roman bridge was the only link between the two banks. We can have a good idea of what the traffic was on the bridge because when the causeway had to be repaired, after the 2nd World War (the bridge was hit by a German bomb but resisted it and was only superficially damaged), grooves meant to guide carts and chariots in narrow and dangerous passages appeared. In the ancient days, the bridge spanned over wharves on piles now no longer visible. The river was well kept, which allowed a dense commercial traffic held by guilds of watermen : these utricularii carried goods on rafts borne up by air-filled goatskins, whereas the nautae used barges hauled by towing. Thus commodities travelled downstream to the Rhône.</i></i></div>
<i><b><i><b><br /></b></i></b></i> <i><b><i><b>Great families and their houses</b></i></b></i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Rich dwellings endowed with reception rooms and private apartments are also to be found in Vasio: </i></div>
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<i><i>* </i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré (<i>House of the Laurelled Apollo) (partially excavated) covers 2000 square metres;</i></i></div>
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<i style="font-style: italic;">* </i><i>La Maison à la Tonnelle (House of the Arbour) covers 3000 square metres);</i></div>
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<i><i>* </i></i><i>La Maison du Buste en Argent (</i><i><i>House of the Silver Bust) covers 5000 square metres;</i></i></div>
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<i>* </i><i>La Maison au Dauphin (</i><i>Dolphin House) covers 2700 square metres after numerous extensions;</i></div>
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<i><i>* Villa du Paon (Peacock villa) covers about 1000 square metres.</i></i></div>
<i><i><br /></i></i> <i><i>These houses belonged to families of great wealth from the Voconce aristocracy whose income was the product of their lands. The elite local noblemen used to share the cost of public buildings (theatre, public baths, temple …) or their upkeeping and to organize entertainment games. This contributed to improve and enlarge the town.</i></i><br />
<i><b><i><b><br /></b></i></b></i> <i><b><i><b>The theatre</b></i></b></i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>The discovery of the monument began in 1907 when the young student Joseph Sautel started to work on a thesis about Vasio and started to dig. A holy dedication to Claudius and his head prove that in the middle of the 1st. c. A. D. the theatre was already built.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>The theatre was located at the North part of the gallo-roman town. Today, some remains of a Temple podium, a craftsmen's district and the Peacock Villa are to be found close to it (Eastern side), as well as the traces of the aqueduct that came down from the north, ran under the theatre, and joined the water-tower situated on the South-East of the hill.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>The cavea, the part of the theatre reserved for the audience, was built against the hill (the diameter measured 96 m), a circulating gallery and a surrounding wall. To enter the cavea, spectators could use stairways, “vomitories”, and side-passages. The lower tiers were separated from the orchestra (diameter of 30 m) by a circular gang-way and the balteus: a small stone barrier.</i><br />
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My favourite of these is the bridge spanning L'Ouvèze, linking the modern city (which is both the newest and the oldest in the city's history, as you'll soon see) with the mostly-16th century Upper Town. It's amazing to think this bridge is 1,000 years old and had been in more or less continuous use right up to the present day, surviving sieges and WWII bombings.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span> We spent the morning absorbed in the details of the <span id="goog_1210737931"></span>Puymin Roman Site<span id="goog_1210737932"></span>, with its paved streets, shopping district, irrigation system, large colonnade garden, artisan quarter and several large houses including the House of the Laurelled Apollo (which stretches across much of the whole western half of the Puymin site) and the Arbour House (further up the hill to the east in trees closer to the theatre).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of the kitchens, <i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of the kitchens, <i>La Maison à l’Apollon Lauré</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Colonnaded Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the Colonnaded Garden</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the Colonnaded Garden</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a wreathed Apollo in the Colonnaded Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the Artisans Quarter</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Artisans Quarter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the restored Roman Theatre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry view of the Count's Castle (in the Upper Town) from the Puymin site</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i>La Maison à la Tonnelle</i> (House of the Arbour)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEe_4vyoLXw/V6iIGpIEaCI/AAAAAAAAfBM/Py2YOk-lr3UGzH05gTyGIdhuG0e2C7iZQCLcB/s1600/P1050307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEe_4vyoLXw/V6iIGpIEaCI/AAAAAAAAfBM/Py2YOk-lr3UGzH05gTyGIdhuG0e2C7iZQCLcB/s640/P1050307.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>La Maison à la Tonnelle</i> (House of the Arbour)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>La Maison à la Tonnelle</i> (House of the Arbour)</td></tr>
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Wandering around an archeological site is a very hot business. Of course, this is the south of France so hot weather is to be expected, but sightseeing amongst the ruins necessarily means moving amongst hot stones, dust and gravel with very little in the way of shade from trees or structures more than waist high!<br />
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We spent the morning at Puymin, then our thoughts turned to finding shade and cold drinks, perhaps lunch.</div>
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We returned to our bicycles, to find they had made lots of new friends, including two old shoppers.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The central square of Vaison-la-Romaine is </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">La Place Montfort</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, a huge plaza with nothing but restaurants down the eastern side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We perused all the menus and decided to go a little more 'downmarket' than we had been so far, partly as we were more hot and thirsty than truly hungry, partly to give our budget a break and mostly because, well, we were feeling a little overwhelmed with just how delicious the local food was (and how different from English fare) and actually wanted food a little more "normal"! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Even so, the ingredients were fresh and local and not a "compromise" of any kind!</span><br />
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Each of the restaurants had its own awning arrangement to control the sun and shade. It became obvious as we enjoyed our lunch that the ability to also shield diners from the wind very much depended on the quality (and presumably the expense) of the awning system!<br />
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And every restaurant had to plan around the trees that lined the plaza, around which all the outdoor seating was arranged.<br />
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After lunch, we headed to the north side of the town centre, to <i>La Villasse</i> excavations. Here, there was a colonnaded street lined with shops, public baths and a number of exceptionally large houses owned by very rich people -- not much changes, eh?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drains around the baths</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">public baths</td></tr>
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We took our time, moving slowly and steadily and sipping water regularly. Fortunately, the site is not enormous so after an hour or so, we left <i>La Villasse </i>for the shady streets of the main town. Eventually, we made our way back to our hotel to freshen up and then returned to the town centre for dinner.<br />
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I have to say, Vaison la Romaine is very photogenic!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mount Ventoux from the Gallo-Roman bridge</td></tr>
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Two huge areas of Vaison-la-Romaine have been excavated (the <i>Puymin </i>and <i>La Villasse</i> sites) and there are a number of individual buildings dating back to Gallo-Roman times that still stand elsewhere in the town. But pursuing excavations means carving out land from the town. Renovations to the town centre in 2010 revealed more of Vasio lying beneath Place Montfort, the main town square/plaza. But so far no decision has been taken to excavate this area. When one considers that to pursue explorations into the whole ancient history of this area would effectively mean the destruction of the entire modern town of Vaison-la-Romaine, the implications are obviously enormous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Place Montfort</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place Montfort<br />
Note the way the awnings are designed around the trees.</td></tr>
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Again, we choose a 'simple' dinner in what turned out to be the most popular restaurant on the plaza. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner</td></tr>
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After dinner, we strolled through the town centre, very quiet on a Monday evening -- a contrast we would mark well in our minds when we re-visited the next morning on market day!<br />
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Have I said how beautiful this place is? One of the most remarkable places I've ever visited in my life.<br />
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Day 2 had been a most satisfying day in every way. I felt sad to know our time here was coming to an end, thinking that -- if only I had known something of Vaison-la-Romaine history and geography beforehand -- I should have arranged our itinerary differently, to spend at least 4 days here.<br />
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But we had not quite seen everything Vaison-la-Romaine has to offer the 21st-century visitor. The next morning would reveal what this historically rich city is famous for in modern times!</div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-7957340380101762342016-08-02T14:35:00.001+01:002017-03-05T14:17:30.462+00:00(Not So Much) Cycling in Provence: Relaxing in Vaison-la-Romaine (Part 1)<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a slight departure from normal service, this post doesn't cover much in the way of cycling -- except for Adam's epic Sunday morning!</div>
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I awoke when I heard Adam's voice. What was this he was saying? </div>
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"<i>I'm going to do it.</i>"</div>
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Instantly, I knew what "<i>it</i>" was. We hadn't discussed it at all but, really, realistically, how can "<i>it</i>" not be on the mind of any cyclist visiting Provence? </div>
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"<i>It</i>" being riding up Mount Ventoux. </div>
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I was still living in a migraine fog. Adam, on the other hand, was pumped up and raring to go. He intended to ride over to the mountain, do the ascent and come back before the heat of midday. So we had an early breakfast -- one that, technically speaking, meant he was actually going to do this epic thing in a fasted state. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>We undertook some drastic rearrangements as to bags and supplies, with a shift in focus to fuel, hydration and essential repairs. </div>
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Once I'd seen him safely negotiate the blind 90 degree bend below the hotel, I went back to bed!</div>
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After a restless hour or two of not-quite-sleep in a stuffy room (it's a tricky thing to have the windows open to get some air while having the curtains closed to keep both light and bugs out), I gave up, got dressed, gathered my camera, postcards and address book and decamped for the restaurant garden, detouring past reception to borrow a pen. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Belfry through the trees at the end of the garden</td></tr>
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Around 1pm, I began wondering if I should go ahead and order lunch in expectation of Adam's return. Fortunately, news came through on Facebook that he had indeed made it to the top of Mount Ventoux and was on his way back, although the return journey might not be much faster than the climb up, as the Bickerton was a bit terrifying at speed! </div>
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A few photos by Adam of his exploits -- </div>
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We enjoyed lunch in La Fontaine again, for its convenience given the uncertainties as to when Adam might get back. I went for the poached egg starter and then the rabbit main course again (as it was definitely worth a repeat) and we finished with a rather gorgeous strawberry cheesecake -- very summery. </div>
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And we had a small visitor!<br />
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After lunch, Adam showered and changed and we de-camped to the hotel's annexe up the hill, to spend a few hours by the pool. As I still wasn't 100% recovered from my migraine, I kept my head in the shade and enjoyed reading an old novel by Anne Jarvis McGraw, a childhood favourite. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the pool terrace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Views from the pool terrace. The tower is the top of the Belfry.</span></td></tr>
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We felt quite refreshed after that and up for some exploring. So we changed into street clothes and comfortable shoes and girded ourselves to <i>CLIMB. </i></div>
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<i>I have read a lot about the town since returning home -- apparently, it's a favourite with <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/9064268/Alastair-Campbells-Vaison-la-Romaine-France.html" target="_blank">Alastair Campbell's family</a> -- I do hope we don't bump into them there sometime! </i></div>
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Welcome to Medieval Vaison-la-Romaine, often called "The Upper Town".<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This area was occupied during the Bronze Age. According to Wikipedia (the source being the French archealogist, historian and writer Christian Goudineau), the upper town was occupied for several hundred years before the Romans arrived by a Celtic tribe, the </span>Vocontii<span style="font-family: inherit;"> or Voconces. The Vocontii were extraordinarily successful in reaching accommodations with the invading Romans; they were not conquered or subjugated and their ancient capital city (a classic Iron Age fort called an 'oppidum') was not re-structured by Roman city planners into a typical Roman city. Throughout the Upper Town can still be seen fundamental traces of the Celtic oppidum settlement. </span></span></div>
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Here is one of the <a href="http://www.vaison-la-romaine.com/spip.php?page=history-heritage" target="_blank">best summaries</a> (both brief and accurate) I've found of its main features.<br />
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The belfry</b></i><br />
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></i> <i style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Belfry (classified historical monument in 1914), was protected by a barbican, a moat with a drawbridge, a portcullis and a gate. The base of the tower dates from the 14th century and the campanile from the 18th century. The town council occupied the first floor until the 18th century.</i></i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><i><b style="font-family: inherit;">The castle</b></i></b><br />
<i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></i> <i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Around 1180, the men of the Count of Toulouse built a wooden tower strengthened by palissages, on the top of the hill, in order to impose the image of the Count’s lay power. This was pulled down on the bishop’s order and replaced in 1193-1195 by a stone keep (turris). Later, two buildings were added. The whole was modified along the centuries. Nowadays, the castle appears as a vast parallelogram of 22m. on 19 m. with buildings on three sides of a courtyard limited on the south side by a bluff 22 m. deep. On the other sides, moats dug into the rock completed the defensive system. On the eastern side stood a double bartizan with loopholes (16th</i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">century).</i><br />
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i> <i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The keep has a ground floor, a mezzanine floor and a first floor. The central wing includes three rooms on the ground floor (one of them a water tank) and a large hall on the first floor; on the second floor, a platform is accessible thanks to a covered way. The western wing includes two rooms on the ground floor, one on the first floor. Under the buildings are the dungeons and bottle-dungeons, the water tank and, in the middle of the courtyard, a very deep well.</span></i><br />
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The smaller squares and fountains</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>In the old city there are numerous little squares. One of them is situated outside the walls: there were the weights (pez) marked and checked. There also rose the indoors tennis court (in the game of close tennis, players sent the balls with rackets or bats). People met to play at skittles on the “planet” (a level area use for the skittle-allay).</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i> <i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The market was held on the main square of the Upper Town. To have a market, a city had to be allowed by its local lord. In Vaison this privilege had been granted by Pope Sixte IV in 1483.</span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i> <i>In the 18th century, most of the ”comtadines” (belonging to the Comtat Venaissin) fountains were erected. They are composed of a central column from which water springs, their top is rounded and decorated with a sculptured pine cone.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As to order of play, the Belfry is immediately next to and below the hotel. Turning up the hill on Sunday afternoon, we walked through a series of small squares, past many fountains, finally coming out at the Count's Castle on top of the hill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We liked the look of the hotel with green shutters (above), in this square just up from our own hotel, so we popped in and made dinner reservations, <span style="text-align: justify;">timed to coincide with our likely return from the highest point.</span></span></div>
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Eventually, as you climb, you "run out of town" (!) The only thing on top of the hill is the Count's Castle. To get there, I had to think more like a goat than a human.<br />
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The views were worth it!<br />
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Before we head back down, I'll throw in a photo taken of the Castle from the "Lower Town" the following day, because up close, it's difficult to appreciate its scale, position and beauty -- </div>
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And then of course we had to go <i>down... down... down...</i><br />
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Back to the hotel with green shutters.<br />
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The restaurant was down half a flight of stairs through the arch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amuse-bouche" target="_blank">amuse-bouche</a> - I was very taken with the whole concept!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lamb - gorgeous but fiddly to extract meat from the bones<br />
and somewhat 'unrewarding' in terms of quantity!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoyable selection of cheeses</td></tr>
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Every evening in France should end with cheese!</div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-58996246977801532712016-07-29T15:41:00.001+01:002017-03-05T14:16:57.956+00:00Cycling In Provence: The Rhône Valley Outbound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Saturday -- the first 'proper' day of our holiday - dawned a little on the grey side. This was a blessing somewhat, as I had a migraine (triggered by a phone call that jolted me out of a deep sleep the previous evening). On my personal scale of 1 - 10 (with 10 being "<i>shoot me now</i>" and 5 being the threshold for "<i>no longer able to pretend to function, must lie down in dark room</i>"), this was running only about 3-4, so "bearable" but it certainly was casting a pall over my morning. </div>
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Breakfast was disappointing in its lack of protein but the coffee ("<i>American</i>", our host said proudly) was strong and I drank two cups. </div>
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Our bicycles had been stored in the garage overnight. It didn't take long to pack up and be on our way, with the plan being to find a grocery store on the way out of Avignon to supplement our meagre breakfast and buy provisions for a picnic lunch. </div>
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First stop, however, was the chemists (pharmacy) around the corner from our B&B, where I bought extra-strength paracetamol + caffeine tablets to try and keep me going. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a docking station for Avignon's city bike-share scheme</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This chap scooted at speed ahead of us for much of the time we spent on this main road out of town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the very edge of town, we found a shop actually open that was selling food.<br />
Turned out to be a Halal shop. Meat!</td></tr>
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After a few miles cycling on the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway (not at all the ordeal this would be in the UK), we turned off onto quiet farm roads. Farm roads being farm roads, well, you never know who or what you might meet!</div>
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An hour or so later, struggling a little in the unaccustomed heat and with my head still pounding, we spotted a small municipal park, which looked perfect for a late morning break.</div>
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I loved seeing lavender just starting to bloom. It would be another 4-6 weeks (just about now, in fact) before <a href="http://www.provenceguide.co.uk/explore/lavender-38-1.html" target="_blank">lavender would reach its peak</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLyOLZoPRXI/V5YN-9ogYEI/AAAAAAAAeos/xfeGc9JB1t0xqELMjtjW4nDBgATrJfyygCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_120842953_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLyOLZoPRXI/V5YN-9ogYEI/AAAAAAAAeos/xfeGc9JB1t0xqELMjtjW4nDBgATrJfyygCLcB/s640/IMG_20160604_120842953_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing how refreshing it can be to just take your shoes off!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river did look very inviting...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiBamuDxRNI/V5eTS6SDQPI/AAAAAAAAepc/ZQoUXPl9dW4OkdsmvgigXQHRxTuDORedgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiBamuDxRNI/V5eTS6SDQPI/AAAAAAAAepc/ZQoUXPl9dW4OkdsmvgigXQHRxTuDORedgCLcB/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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On preparing to leave, we consulted the map, calculated our water supplies and plotted distances and timings to try and hit a suitable town with cafes open during the quite strict French serving hours of 12pm-2pm. We decided to aim for Jonquières for lunch. </div>
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The Rhône River is one of the major rivers of Europe. It starts in Switzerland and passes through Lake Geneva before running through southeastern France. Near its mouth, it splits into two branches (the Great Rhône and the Little Rhône), with the delta in between constituting the Camargue region (which I only know about from my horse-mad youth, reading about the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camargue_horse" target="_blank">semi-wild Camargue ponies</a>).<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uBxSKM-4IwI/V5YPYpGzpfI/AAAAAAAAeo4/nEwjtcM5Byk0gIWZLiMvkKY7R3U-7qzjQCLcB/s1600/Rhone_drainage_basin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uBxSKM-4IwI/V5YPYpGzpfI/AAAAAAAAeo4/nEwjtcM5Byk0gIWZLiMvkKY7R3U-7qzjQCLcB/s640/Rhone_drainage_basin.png" width="456" /></a></div>
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The Rhône Valley is wide, flat and incredibly fertile. I fully expected to see vineyards. What I did not expect was wheat, potatoes and every imaginable form of fruit in orchards covering vast farms. </div>
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Oh yes, and my very favourite flower of all: poppies!<br />
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We arrived in Jonquières about 12.30pm. We were not actually hungry for lunch, which is just as well because a full circuit of the town revealed nothing open but a pizza parlour. Adam was prepared to simply carry on but the increasing heat and my pounding head leveraged my request to seek refuge under the awning of a tabac shop for cold Diet Cokes. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold Drink Face Compress</td></tr>
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It was also an opportunity to scope out the rest of our route for the day. Adam made further tweaks to avoid busy main roads while ensuring we could visit the two exceptionally scenic hilltop towns of <a href="http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse/sablet/sablet.htm" target="_blank">Sablet </a>and <a href="http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse/seguret/seguret.htm" target="_blank">Séguret </a>on the western slopes of a small mountain range called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentelles_de_Montmirail" target="_blank">Dentelles de Montmirail</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq56oe9RrCs/V5i7MmF3NLI/AAAAAAAAexg/cGBJhHeyXVULFnIIaCupStbnDBKQ5aYrQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_141546245%2Bamend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq56oe9RrCs/V5i7MmF3NLI/AAAAAAAAexg/cGBJhHeyXVULFnIIaCupStbnDBKQ5aYrQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160604_141546245%2Bamend.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was aware all along of the ranges of mountains ahead and off to our right (as we very gradually approached it at an angle from the southwest). Very soon after leaving Avignon, however, I realised that one mountain in the range seemed set apart. It quite simply <i>looms </i>over the valley. Every which way you turn, you can feel its silent, watchful presence. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g-D3Srs9gA/V5i60zGEZwI/AAAAAAAAexc/0IkHdXYSqSIk_2co4uNpamyEln528gXkgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_144514678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g-D3Srs9gA/V5i60zGEZwI/AAAAAAAAexc/0IkHdXYSqSIk_2co4uNpamyEln528gXkgCLcB/s640/IMG_20160604_144514678.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is of course Mount Ventoux, the legendary <i>Giant of Provence</i>.<br />
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It would be another day before the clouds drifted away to reveal the distinctive white peak, and we would cycle much closer to it later in the week. (Adam would, in fact, get up close and personal with the mountain the very next morning.)<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdwTXoGUWs4/V5eUXAsU2QI/AAAAAAAAepo/qbyFCp9heLwuMDfVNUZ0CPyCxbiPtPE0QCLcB/s1600/DSCF5204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdwTXoGUWs4/V5eUXAsU2QI/AAAAAAAAepo/qbyFCp9heLwuMDfVNUZ0CPyCxbiPtPE0QCLcB/s640/DSCF5204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We cycled on quiet roads running parallel to th<span style="font-family: inherit;">e west of the D977 as far as <span style="text-align: center;">Violès (where we cycled on a brief stretch of cycling lane, just for fun). </span></span></div>
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Soon after Violès, we crossed over the <span style="text-align: center;">Ouvèze River. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WifUI6VQnec/V5eUXbydHTI/AAAAAAAAeps/ne3JdykXC2s2pr5T4CZNUsz66oNNZrxKgCLcB/s1600/DSCF5210.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WifUI6VQnec/V5eUXbydHTI/AAAAAAAAeps/ne3JdykXC2s2pr5T4CZNUsz66oNNZrxKgCLcB/s640/DSCF5210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House in a Hillside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cypress trees</td></tr>
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Approaching Sablet, the ground beneath us took a definite turn upwards. Then we had the climb up into Sablet itself. The gradient was about 10% with a couple hairpin bends but I made it all the way up without stopping! My head pounded more than usual with the increased heart rate but a brief stop to catch my breath and drink some water soon restored me to the (mercifully bearable) baseline of my migraine attack. (We did not actually go to the very highest point as it would have meant negotiating a one-way system going the 'wrong way' from where we wanted to go.)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2yJfd107vA/V5n3ESDSzMI/AAAAAAAAex4/krf7VE8T3E0CTsAfQR5_3Z9sy8NlytZUgCLcB/s1600/P1050098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2yJfd107vA/V5n3ESDSzMI/AAAAAAAAex4/krf7VE8T3E0CTsAfQR5_3Z9sy8NlytZUgCLcB/s640/P1050098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtVwHIoiQ7M/V5n3Ekr4f9I/AAAAAAAAex8/SyfBRGviw4csyblHwE_4jdU3_D0bpHK-QCLcB/s1600/P1050100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtVwHIoiQ7M/V5n3Ekr4f9I/AAAAAAAAex8/SyfBRGviw4csyblHwE_4jdU3_D0bpHK-QCLcB/s640/P1050100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking further up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3AIl7hSm-E/V5n3FGrjmHI/AAAAAAAAeyA/zwjp0hK2lTss5zZgWzs3sNlV_paJjanNwCLcB/s1600/P1050108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3AIl7hSm-E/V5n3FGrjmHI/AAAAAAAAeyA/zwjp0hK2lTss5zZgWzs3sNlV_paJjanNwCLcB/s640/P1050108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of Sablet, looking back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the clock tower in Sablet</td></tr>
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No sooner were we leaving Sablet than we were looking ahead at Séguret. This hilltop village can be seen from the valley floor for miles around. The warm yellow stone from which it is built makes it look like a golden fairytale village. </div>
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Approaching Séguret was all uphill. By the time we reached the first of several turnings toward the village, I was wholly concentrated on the rhythm of my pedalling. I had been struggling a little, following Adam, as the gearing on the two bicycles are very different and it was tricky for him to find a pace that I could follow at an even distance. I was either gaining on him... quickly! Or falling behind... quickly! So I went in front and he adapted his pace to mine behind me. </div>
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It was taking strong determination to keep the loaded Brompton going uphill in the lowest of its three gears at a speed that made it worth staying on and not walking! And we were back on main roads (D23/D88), which were well-surfaced and wide but were of course a little busier with faster traffic. When we reached the roundabout where the D23 and D88 join, the right hand turn is the last chance to go into Séguret. Adam shouted the question, I shouted back "Nope!" and kept on pedalling. I powered through the roundabout, bearing ten o'clock onto the D88 and Whee! A long downhill! </div>
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A long, swoopy descent running along the edge of the slopes of the mountains with beautiful views out over the Rhône Valley. It was a shame the skies had clouded over again, but coasting along being cooled by the breeze was an appropriate reward for toiling up a couple of tough-for-a-Brompton hills without walking. </div>
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The descent was interrupted when I hit a slight bump at speed and my camera bounced right out of the end pocket of my handlebar bag! Adam went back for it. Whether it was that crash or something else, I noticed a few days later that the camera would not focus when the zoom was in use. (I didn't notice the blurry photos until I had a chance to scroll through my photos on a larger screen out of bright sunlight! After that, nearly half my photos were taken with my phone.) </div>
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We enjoyed a few more miles of rolling terrain before crossing over the busy D97 dual carriageway and then picking up a backdoor route along the river into Vaison-la-Romaine. </div>
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On crossing the river once again, from north to south, we had a long incline with fairly unremarkable (for Provence) houses and small businesses to our right. </div>
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And then Adam indicated he was pulling over and dismounting, and I looked up out of my reverie to find that everything had changed. </div>
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My state of mind all day had been a bit more about turning the pedals and enduring my headache rather than glorying in the scenery. Of course, I had enjoyed the views and our surroundings but somehow, I had been lured into a kind of complacency by the consistently lovely countryside through which we had cycled all day. I was therefore simply not prepared for the dramatic "out of place and time" setting of Vaison-la-Romaine. </div>
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I must resort to Google StreetView again to give you a flavour for the sequence here, because I was travelling unsuspectingly into something quite extraordinary and didn't see it coming and so of course was not taking photos. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suburban outskirts of the modern city of Vaison-la-Romaine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing L'Ouvèze yet again today, unaware that it separates<br />
modern Vaison-la-Romaine from medieval Vaison-la-Romaine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My, that is very pretty indeed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oh. My. God."</td></tr>
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I posted on Facebook that night that I was suffering from some kind of sensory overload. It is hard to describe. Maybe the effect can only be achieved by cycling all day through idyllic countryside in the heat of a Provençal sun with a pounding headache. </div>
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Whatever the explanation, I could barely take it in. The next day I realised the carving in the cliff was a memorial to those who lost their lives in a very recent (relatively speaking) conflict, but at the moment, in the moment, I felt as if I had tumbled down a rabbit hole into a very ancient place, surrounded by the hot stone of living history. </div>
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Exhaustion, that's what it was. But at the same time, as we turned to the right and began picking our way up the steep mountain street, it was also a kind of exhilaration. My jaw had permanently dropped and I barely knew how to put one foot in front of the other, such was my sense of overwhelming amazement at this place. </div>
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We met an American couple who took photos of us just before we reached our hotel. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then we had arrived at <a href="http://www.le-beffroi.com/en/page/le-beffroi-hostellerie-charming-hotel-in-provence.1.html" target="_blank">Hostellerie le Beffroi</a>, our home away from home for the next three nights. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This hotel (consisting of two mansions dating back to 1556 A.D.) only deepened my sensation of having stepped back in time. The friendly manageress was very real as she efficiently directed us to put our bicycles in "the garage" but in reality the unremarkable wooden door in faded red was a modern concession to security, disguising a medieval entrance into one of the hotel's courtyards. </span></div>
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Some who have stayed at Le Belfroi say the rooms are small and the decor dated. I do not disagree! They are however clean and, I thought, rather charming. There is also no air conditioning! Thank goodness for 3-foot-thick walls, then. </div>
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The views from our window, however, entirely made up for any 'deficiencies' in the accommodation.<br />
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Overheard references to Roman ruins in this richly textured city were finally penetrating my consciousness. Maybe not tomorrow but soon (migraine permitting) we would be off to explore everything we could see. </div>
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First, though, there was the matter of dinner. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my view from our table in the garden of <i>La Fontaine</i> restaurant,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have forgotten the French name but this was rabbit wrapped in bacon, in a vegetable soup. Sublime!<br />
So good, I had it again the next day - the list of vegetables in the soup varied<br />
but the herbs and seasonings were unbelievably good. I could eat this every day. </td></tr>
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The food was rich and rewarding, as had been the day.</div>
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Tired and content, it was time to sleep. </div>
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Maps to follow.</div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-19973880045386713062016-07-26T13:51:00.001+01:002017-03-05T14:15:07.420+00:00Cycling In Provence: Getting There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The alarm went off at 4:15am on Friday, 3rd June. Having prepared the bikes well in advance and then packed up everything but our toothbrushes the night before, we were out the door in time to catch the 05:13 train to London St. Pancras. Admittedly, I did not feel awake yet, even though I had downed a cup of coffee and then experienced the thrill of freewheeling a loaded Brompton down the 'black run' of Cutenhoe Road. </div>
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Brompton? Yes, we were off to France for a week's cycling holiday on folding bicycles: me on Lucy my 3-speed Brompton and Adam on his heavily-modified early-1980s era <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bickerton_(bicycle)" target="_blank">Bickerton</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All packed up ready to board the Eurostar service from London to Avignon.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>We arrived in Avignon around 2.30pm local time. The temperature was 26C (82F) with a light breeze. The heat of the sun on my skin felt wonderful. </div>
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We re-assembled our bicycles and luggage on the platform without incident. </div>
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Setting off from the train station, we were a little confused, not helped by the fact that Adam had plotted a route on his GPS in advance... from Avignon Sud station rather than Avignor TGV! We circled the entire station and car parking areas before getting our bearings north towards the town centre. </div>
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Our route took us through fairly industrial areas. We could have been 'anywhere', really.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google StreetView</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8qeeWMRNCA/V5NkxZ6iQuI/AAAAAAAAeh8/GmpIKDM8pzYIqWbf2bLholrWZHz_RKUOgCEw/s1600/Avignon%2Bfinding%2Bbike%2Bpath.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8qeeWMRNCA/V5NkxZ6iQuI/AAAAAAAAeh8/GmpIKDM8pzYIqWbf2bLholrWZHz_RKUOgCEw/s640/Avignon%2Bfinding%2Bbike%2Bpath.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Approaching a main road - but look! There's a cycle path. <br />Photo: Google StreetView</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cycle path is that, yep you guessed it, footpath on the right. <br />
The quality was right up there with crappy UK-style "cycling infrastructure".<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Google StreetView</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIbyA-T-sXs/V5NkwzFVJoI/AAAAAAAAehs/MnrCfU58f_Y8rLiFz_DuDo7OMLN1ZFykwCEw/s1600/Avignon%2Bbike%2Bpath%2Bnice%2Bbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIbyA-T-sXs/V5NkwzFVJoI/AAAAAAAAehs/MnrCfU58f_Y8rLiFz_DuDo7OMLN1ZFykwCEw/s640/Avignon%2Bbike%2Bpath%2Bnice%2Bbit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay - there were some nice bits. <br />
Except that the channel of water on the right was full of litter.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Google StreetView</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyUqNDbM1pk/V5Nkw-sBtII/AAAAAAAAeh0/LI1OpXoBiSIMTv2Duaihqxrh4wHqZJ9dQCEw/s1600/Avignon%2Bbike%2Blane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyUqNDbM1pk/V5Nkw-sBtII/AAAAAAAAeh0/LI1OpXoBiSIMTv2Duaihqxrh4wHqZJ9dQCEw/s640/Avignon%2Bbike%2Blane.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More "cycling infrastructure": the narrow lane on the right, <br />
where I've positioned the Google" directional arrow.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Google StreetView</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight ahead through the gate to enter the old city<br />
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The route into town was not at all picturesque. But then we passed through an arch in an expense of old stone wall (as shown in the Google screen shot above) and found the inner city. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eastbound on Boulevard Raspail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our accommodation was right in the centre of the old city, in a charming rustic pensione-style house dating from 1526. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maison d'Hôtes Avignon La Banasterie</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The rooms were arranged over 3 storeys around a tiny central courtyard, with access via a network of stairs and balconies.</span><br />
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Our room was beautifully furnished -- and, crucially, wonderfully cool. The secret to 'climate control' in this kind of climate is to build with walls at least 3 feet thick!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only room with a bath (rather than a shower), the whole of our travels.<br />
I'm glad I enjoyed this one!</td></tr>
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We quickly unpacked and freshened up and set off to explore the old city of Avignon. </div>
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Here, I have a confession. I did not do any research or advance reading for this trip. We decided in February that our summer holiday would be in Provence. At that time, I quickly selected two cities that would, along with Avignon (our Eurostar terminus), form the points of a triangle. We would have three days of cycling from one point to the next, with two or three days based in each point to be able to sightsee and cycle around without luggage. I booked accommodation in those three points, then my attention and time was wrapped up in preparing for my final law exam on 1st June. I gave the trip very little further thought until virtually the day of departure (other than making sure my bike set up looked feasible). </div>
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Meanwhile, Adam had fun researching places of interest and refining our route. Occasionally he showed me something he had found and asked if I wanted to do it/go there. My input each time was made on the basis of gut instinct (influenced on my mood at the time!), each decision taking about the amount of time it takes to flip a coin. </div>
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So.... the trip revealed how ignorant I was about the region. Yes, of course I've "heard of" Avignon, but I knew very little. And yet... with so few expectations or pre-conceived ideas and -- after months of being chained to books -- I was in the mood not only for reset and relaxation (more about that later) but also discoveries and surprises. Of which there are many. </div>
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Setting the scene for Avignon -- with apologies to readers already familiar with this rather famous city! -- it's ancient! It is an UNESCO World Heritage site and was the seat of Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1309 to 1377 and remained under the rule of Rome for another 400 years, not becoming part of France until 1791 (after the French Revolution). I have only been to Italy once but I have traveled throughout France a fair bit and my impression of Avignon, which I cannot pinpoint as being due to any particular thing such as architecture, is that the city does not <i>feel </i>100% French. Its situation in a sweeping huge curve of the Rhone River goes someway to creating that separate, cut-off, independent feel. </div>
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Our walking tour on the evening of our arrival was not extensive. The only site really on our "Must See" list was the <a href="http://www.avignon-pont.com/fr" target="_blank">Pont (Bridge) d'Avignon</a>. But there were of course lots of lovely things to notice on our wanderings to and from the Pont. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Pont d'Avignon, also known as le pont Saint Bénezet</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1u9fgPpGbwg/V2k6nR9kcAI/AAAAAAAAeOI/2NnclIwzhW4w-asiDS2-32r-XTX2Yc_QACLcB/s1600/P1050011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1u9fgPpGbwg/V2k6nR9kcAI/AAAAAAAAeOI/2NnclIwzhW4w-asiDS2-32r-XTX2Yc_QACLcB/s640/P1050011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BY1OvloKvYQ/V2k6nZ-pWUI/AAAAAAAAeOE/xlpXrN17yEASdAqEd9fchPoZVs55QXOTwCLcB/s1600/P1050013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BY1OvloKvYQ/V2k6nZ-pWUI/AAAAAAAAeOE/xlpXrN17yEASdAqEd9fchPoZVs55QXOTwCLcB/s640/P1050013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of the <a href="http://www.palais-des-papes.com/en" target="_blank">Palais des Papes</a> (Pope's Palace) from the bridge</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vTFahbF4WIM/V4OWIySfmsI/AAAAAAAAeZk/eSnRh7rIqusgS0PD-hFioIq6whZre_ocQCLcB/s1600/DSCF5187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vTFahbF4WIM/V4OWIySfmsI/AAAAAAAAeZk/eSnRh7rIqusgS0PD-hFioIq6whZre_ocQCLcB/s640/DSCF5187.JPG" width="436" /></a></div>
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In search of dinner, we detoured through the main square of the old city en route back to our B&B.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lczXGqJTfdI/V27iksD1q9I/AAAAAAAAeRY/Ng7vKBePagA23ebwL655_FsVKtazy11ugCLcB/s1600/P1050017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lczXGqJTfdI/V27iksD1q9I/AAAAAAAAeRY/Ng7vKBePagA23ebwL655_FsVKtazy11ugCLcB/s640/P1050017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pGOH9eD3VE/V27isTYBLOI/AAAAAAAAeRs/cDBUlkhjtkY0glGKvlFdcFH__laU9HVzwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160603_174224399_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pGOH9eD3VE/V27isTYBLOI/AAAAAAAAeRs/cDBUlkhjtkY0glGKvlFdcFH__laU9HVzwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160603_174224399_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I couldn't resist a brief twirl on the carousel.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVBjgRlcQbA/V27iyqqEcUI/AAAAAAAAeR0/LYArLAPvsIMQXxHKSwruEmbqpVQPxdqwACLcB/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVBjgRlcQbA/V27iyqqEcUI/AAAAAAAAeR0/LYArLAPvsIMQXxHKSwruEmbqpVQPxdqwACLcB/s640/DSC_0023.JPG" width="358" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QD5J1vQ--w/V27ikLo8MBI/AAAAAAAAeRU/JSRi424h1kwwOgiaQMWyeKw-E8Ox3P4FwCLcB/s1600/P1050019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QD5J1vQ--w/V27ikLo8MBI/AAAAAAAAeRU/JSRi424h1kwwOgiaQMWyeKw-E8Ox3P4FwCLcB/s640/P1050019.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the spire of <a href="http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/Monuments-et-Patrimoine-culturel/AVIGNON/fiche-PCUPAC084CDT0000367-2.html" target="_blank">Curch of St. Pierre</a>, on Rue Corderie around the corner from our B&B</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPuiA61MyFI/V4OV-7ZRLWI/AAAAAAAAeZc/B2_FdZqle6cLMhHSb3qjXVFZRSak-GBswCLcB/s1600/P1050020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPuiA61MyFI/V4OV-7ZRLWI/AAAAAAAAeZc/B2_FdZqle6cLMhHSb3qjXVFZRSak-GBswCLcB/s640/P1050020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the small delightful square behind the Curch of St. Pierre, at the bottom of Rue Banesterie</td></tr>
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We were back in our room by 8pm. After perusing my new Michelin map and making a plan for our meals the next day, it was lights out by 8.30pm. </div>
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Given my weeks of revision and having been up since 4.15am, it was no surprise that I was out like a light immediately. A good night's sleep would set me up beautifully for this lovely holiday. </div>
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But it was not to be (the good night's sleep, that is). </div>
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My mobile phone rang at 9.45pm. It was one of the B&B's co-owners -- not the one who had greeted us on arrival. She asked where we were and what time we expected to arrive! </div>
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The misunderstanding was soon sorted but unfortunately being awoken from a deep sleep so sharply triggered an instant migraine.... which resulted in a lost night's sleep and lasted for two full days. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqU9Mpqqjwo/V5NmTHDyrNI/AAAAAAAAeiU/lqwyJCvuX_wuiHIg_FOKbbXtYIwOLRYogCLcB/s1600/Avignon%2Broute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqU9Mpqqjwo/V5NmTHDyrNI/AAAAAAAAeiU/lqwyJCvuX_wuiHIg_FOKbbXtYIwOLRYogCLcB/s640/Avignon%2Broute.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route from Avignon TGV station into the town centre (as actually travelled, not planned!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JxMWtU2Vrg/V5NmTCWfF-I/AAAAAAAAeiQ/3ilflIplB0I7N__hW9bDjogoFK62TwkVgCLcB/s1600/Avignon%2Bwalking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JxMWtU2Vrg/V5NmTCWfF-I/AAAAAAAAeiQ/3ilflIplB0I7N__hW9bDjogoFK62TwkVgCLcB/s640/Avignon%2Bwalking.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening walk</td></tr>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-47414609365141866422016-06-15T13:52:00.000+01:002017-03-05T14:17:52.106+00:00Cycling In Provence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GrEfNx8OaNU/V2FNKI47YrI/AAAAAAAAeKg/Zh388bXRXKwiKNQ4uhD8z7-9Kp0SokLXwCLcB/s1600/13419064_10154335276568933_864222783241707927_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GrEfNx8OaNU/V2FNKI47YrI/AAAAAAAAeKg/Zh388bXRXKwiKNQ4uhD8z7-9Kp0SokLXwCLcB/s640/13419064_10154335276568933_864222783241707927_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have just returned from 8 days in Provence. We took our folding bicycles (Brompton for me, Bickerton for Adam) since Eurostar is still imposing prohibitive restrictions on travelling with full-size bicycles. As it happens, though, touring with small-wheeled bicycles worked out very well for us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will do fuller write-ups on our travels each day as I sort through 1,500+ (!!) photographs, but here are a few highlights: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is of course a stereotype that French food is wonderful, but that reputation is well earned. We ate like kings every day. After the first 4-5 days, we began telling ourselves "must not eat so much today" but it was really hard to resist when the menus were so enticing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm0YO-RrF3M/V2FO4tpjSlI/AAAAAAAAeK4/9NhNDrlVU8w3oyQPTc9QghJUwT3pPu1ogCLcB/s1600/13310466_10154329862623933_4698978077748355194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm0YO-RrF3M/V2FO4tpjSlI/AAAAAAAAeK4/9NhNDrlVU8w3oyQPTc9QghJUwT3pPu1ogCLcB/s640/13310466_10154329862623933_4698978077748355194_n.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Roads</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Surfaces were all sorts. The experience however is whatever you make of it. Cycling alongside quite busy highways was nowhere near as fraught as it is in the UK, because French drivers are generally much more aware of cyclists and how much space we need. And they don't seem to hate us! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adam excelled himself however in choosing routes on very quiet -- virtually deserted, in fact -- roads that ran parallel to busier through routes. Often we were on single-lane paved tracks with nothing but farms alongside. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g8iVGjcLIQM/V2FO0tvbMwI/AAAAAAAAeKw/qiiRnLoGe_cNpeKIGuoZbTycYKNPhRerACLcB/s1600/13327343_10154327807798933_3780101137016214622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g8iVGjcLIQM/V2FO0tvbMwI/AAAAAAAAeKw/qiiRnLoGe_cNpeKIGuoZbTycYKNPhRerACLcB/s640/13327343_10154327807798933_3780101137016214622_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Weather</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Apart from thunderstorms forecast for the Tuesday afternoon/evening, the weather was a settled, quite warm for the time of year, 27-28 degrees Celsius. Skies were partly cloudy. Humidity is low, which made for very comfortable cycling conditions. I noticed the very first day that muscles in my whole body appreciated the warmth -- but particularly my legs and hence my grumpy knees. I did have a lot of knee pain but that was self-inflicted -- more on which later. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHt-eiC2IQQ/V2FPFkh-nHI/AAAAAAAAeLA/7XsAEfL5EkUvh5A-xKZf-IHu3hPSR0l0ACLcB/s1600/13343105_10154339934658933_7323135696182309527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHt-eiC2IQQ/V2FPFkh-nHI/AAAAAAAAeLA/7XsAEfL5EkUvh5A-xKZf-IHu3hPSR0l0ACLcB/s640/13343105_10154339934658933_7323135696182309527_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Accommodation</b></div>
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Our first night (in Avignon), we stayed in a medieval house built in 1526 right in the heart of the old city. Then we were in Vaison-la-Romaine for 3 nights, in a hotel build in 1556, again right in the old city within the hilltop fortress. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUQaEgZ5JBs/V2FNJ2ZM73I/AAAAAAAAeKU/aHvsIRnPZgwyJwVAAZBCW_LLmSEWPvNdwCKgB/s1600/13319892_10154327807473933_3846376743096954088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUQaEgZ5JBs/V2FNJ2ZM73I/AAAAAAAAeKU/aHvsIRnPZgwyJwVAAZBCW_LLmSEWPvNdwCKgB/s640/13319892_10154327807473933_3846376743096954088_n.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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Finally, we spent 4 nights in Gordes, staying in a self-contained 'granny flat' on a B&B basis, enjoying breakfast on our hosts' terrace each morning. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jma_dQNGmok/V2FNJyzq2fI/AAAAAAAAeKY/A0YHnmRjA1ACSFWHn9HKxoZhP0LwqdiSACKgB/s1600/13406836_10154339526703933_6648155226983771647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jma_dQNGmok/V2FNJyzq2fI/AAAAAAAAeKY/A0YHnmRjA1ACSFWHn9HKxoZhP0LwqdiSACKgB/s640/13406836_10154339526703933_6648155226983771647_n.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Brief thoughts on what I'd do differently next time</i></b></div>
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On balance, I prefer staying in small hotels. I love the privacy, the 24/7 front-desk service and the fuller range of options than what a B&B can offer. But our B&B hosts in Gordes were just lovely and we would definitely recommend them. </div>
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For cycling, I think I'd wear bib shorts (with some kind of SPF protection or Coolmax type fabric) rather than non-bibs. Cycling in the heat, I was aware of the constriction of a waistband more than I ever have at home. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TZQPQU1Tfg/V2FNJ0mDSQI/AAAAAAAAeKc/BndB5tBXwikhBok7n67W5Te5i68DnemEwCLcB/s1600/13342896_10154335276123933_1870051992386825362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TZQPQU1Tfg/V2FNJ0mDSQI/AAAAAAAAeKc/BndB5tBXwikhBok7n67W5Te5i68DnemEwCLcB/s640/13342896_10154335276123933_1870051992386825362_n.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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I also learned a few lessons about sunscreen but mainly was successful in avoiding sunburn. I used a physical block and must remember to cleanse my face more often to avoid minor break-outs. </div>
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Just musings at the moment... </div>
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It was a wonderful trip and I am looking forward to sharing our experiences in more detail. </div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-55805012636891411892016-05-22T17:26:00.006+01:002017-03-04T14:45:47.680+00:00Brompton Touring Mods - Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRhZ89jQjQ/V0HIKxqbcFI/AAAAAAAAeH0/3RwnbKkMtDsT6D2NprmKerA3XgAMxnScQCKgB/s1600/P1040932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRhZ89jQjQ/V0HIKxqbcFI/AAAAAAAAeH0/3RwnbKkMtDsT6D2NprmKerA3XgAMxnScQCKgB/s640/P1040932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/summer-taste-and-test.html">A few weeks ago, I set up Lucy the Brompton with everything I believed would be needed</a> to transform her from a multi-modal commuter into a "Short(ish) Distance Touring Bicycle That Folds". </div>
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Trying out the kit revealed a few further changes were necessary, notably a support for the Carradice saddlebag. I have an <a href="http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&url=bagman-sport-original">original Bagman Sport support frame</a> but for convenience for the kind of trip we are making (including being required to take all the luggage off, fold the bike and put it into a bag while on the EuroStar trains), I decided to try the <span id="goog_1596310264"></span>SQR system<span id="goog_1596310265"></span> which fits to the seat post rather than to metal loops on the back of the saddle -- which isn't an option for me anyway having ditched my VeloOrange leather saddle in favour of the Selle SMP Dynamic I prefer for distances longer than a commute. </div>
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I fitted the <a href="http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&url=SQR-Seatpost-Quick-Release-System">Carradice SQR</a> today and I think it's a winner. The system was easy to fit and will keep my Carradice Barley saddlebag away from the backs of my legs as I pedal. The metal frame also has a nylon web handle attached to the top, which will come in handy when the bag is off the bike. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI7R1paaw_Q/V0HIMVYfTBI/AAAAAAAAeHg/iNCUexrzPWUdwA7HOX67KEApc2YzGsKegCLcB/s1600/P1040935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI7R1paaw_Q/V0HIMVYfTBI/AAAAAAAAeHg/iNCUexrzPWUdwA7HOX67KEApc2YzGsKegCLcB/s640/P1040935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A water bottle mount for the main frame has still not been sorted to my satisfaction. I got <a href="http://www.klickfix.com/index.php?mod=13&lang=en">this Rixen Kaul Bottle Klick system</a>. It was a bit fiddly to fit (with incomplete instructions in English), as I needed to disassemble the adapter block to rotate the orientation 90 degrees, and I found a lot of torque was needed to screw it back together tight enough not to rattle. In fact, the red buttons that depress to release the block still have a bit of play but I think I can live with it. The big problem, however, is that, with the adapter block fitted, Rixen Kaul claim that any standard bottle cage can be fitted. Not so. Because the holes for the bolts to hold a cage are drilled out for screws provided by Rixen Kaul -- and these are not threaded the same as standard bolts used for bottle cages (and rack mounts etc). I am so annoyed when I discovered this, I was very nearly speechless for all of two seconds! (Adam thinks he can devise a workaround. We shall see.)</div>
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Meanwhile, however, I am very pleased with my cockpit arrangements, with a <a href="http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/shop/cycle-products/monkii-cage-bicycle-bottle-cage/#.V0HWqJErKhc">Monkii Cage</a> that I will use for a smaller water bottle. A standard bottle cage would be very tricky to position so as not to interfere with the fold. I have been using the Monkii Cage (into which you can strap any size bottle) and the <a href="http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/shop/brompton-gifts/monkii-clip/#.V0HapJErKhc">Monkii Clip</a> (onto which the Cage fits by way of a slotted shape that slides over "cleats") for several months and have found it quite easy to use, even to drink while on the move, so it seems a good solution. The Monkii Clip comes with a clamp-on mount but I found it too bulky and awkward to fit anywhere on the Brompton other than on the stem. That location isn't possible because I want my handlebar bag fitted to face me, so I've opted instead for a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013OYYLSU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">simple (and very cheap) alternative I found on Amazon</a>. This works beautifully with the Monkie Clip without taking up much space. </div>
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I have had a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CP0Y31K/ref=twister_B00CP0Y310?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1">cheap and cheerful Roswheel handlebar bag</a> for years -- which saw good service on my Surly Pacer -- and am pleased it works well to give me "glove box" capacity in a convenient location. </div>
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I plan to remove all bags before folding the Brompton up for transport on the EuroStar, but out of curiosity I folded the bike today with the bar and rear bags still attached. The only real downside I see is the fact that the Carradice SQR mount prevents the seat post from going down to its lowest point. I will need to pop the bike in its travel bag to see if the bag will still close!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, I have decided to use my trusty, comfortable Speedplay Light Action pedals for this trip, so today I fitted the pair that is normally on the Enigma (as they have slightly shorter pedal spindles than the pair on the Cross Check). My second attempt at SPDs in recent weeks have convinced me I will never be able to make due with just 6 degrees of float, so I guess I will be selling those pedals and cleats -- or, more likely, giving them away, as they are very cheap to buy new and really aren't worth trying to sell in secondhand condition, even if only used a handful of times as mine are. </span></div>
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The common thread across all these mods is the ability to carry various accessories using mounts that take up very little space when the accessories are removed. In other words, the bulk of the mounting system needs to come away, when I remove the accessory. Hence, the Bagman frame comes away with the saddle bag and the Monkii "bottle cage" comes away with the water bottle still strapped inside it. The same 'take it with you' principle informed my selection of the Rixen Kaul Bottle Klick adapter to be able to carry a much larger water bottle on the main frame -- and I think this is still the best solution. So -- once we've resolved the screw/bolt issue -- I think we're ready to go!</div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-58285892907267375742016-05-14T12:17:00.002+01:002016-05-16T12:45:10.965+01:00REPORT: Bespoked The UK Handmade Bike Show 2016 (Bristol)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really enjoyed attending the Bespoked show in <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/report-bespoked-uk-handmade-bike-show.html">2014 when it was held in London</a>. When I heard it was returning to Bristol in 2015, I pretty much assumed I wouldn't ever be able to attend again, or at least not easily. But at some point late last year, I made the decision to try to go this year so I put a reminder into my calendar for January to book tickets and a hotel, then another reminder 12 weeks before the event to buy advance train tickets. </div>
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And so Adam and I made a 3-day weekend out of it and attended the show on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. </div>
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I apologise for the quality of these photos. I made the monumental mistake of not double-checking that I had a memory card in my camera before leaving home and then discovered the battery was dead and of course I'd not checked whether the spares were in its case. All these photos were taken on Adam's and my mobile phones, which were not always up to the job.<br />
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Links to exhibitors' websites are included where possible - just click on their names. </div>
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<b>THE VENUE</b></div>
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The event was held this year in the Engine Shed next to Bristol Temple Mead train station. This venue could not be more of a contrast from the Lee Valley Velodrome where the 2014 show was held! The Engine Shed is beautiful and historic... and a much more intimate space. </div>
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<b>THE EXHIBITORS</b></div>
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Yes, the venue was small (by comparison with the velodrome) but it was, as the saying goes, perfectly formed... and jam packed with stunning bicycles everywhere you looked. So let's dive right in and have a look. </div>
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<b><u>BICYCLES</u></b></div>
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Even with over 6 hours on the showroom floor, I did not see everything and I did not get photos of everything I did see. I will focus on what I can show you with photos, taking the exhibitors in alphabetic order -- partly to keep myself organised and take care to not miss anyone out, but also to control any temptation to play favourites!</div>
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One point I will make is that in 2014 I was very much enthralled with titanium. Two years later, I realised while writing up this report that my choice of stands to visit and things to photograph were (whether consciously or subconsciously) influenced by my renewed interest in steel. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.aoicycle.com/" target="_blank">AOI.Cycle</a></i></b></div>
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Ken Aoi was back again this year with a bicycle that I believe is the same one from the 2014 show. Adam hadn't seen it before, however, so it was 'new' to him if not to me. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell 2016</td></tr>
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<b><i><a href="https://baumcycles.com/" target="_blank">Baum</a></i></b></div>
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Darren Baum is an award-winning frame builder with a keen interest in biomechanics. He is based in Australia and the selection of bicycles he brought with him certainly lived up to his reputation. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.beaumontbicycle.com/" target="_blank">Beaumont Bicycle</a> (Liz Colebrook)</i></b></div>
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This year was Liz Colebrook's debut at Bespoked. Liz is based in Shropshire. I had read quite a lot about her before attending Bespoked and was keen to see what bicycles she would exhibit to demonstrate her special interest in step-through frames (whether for women or for those with reduced mobility). This unusual MTB-inspired city bike is a beautiful example of the close collaboration Liz seeks with her clients: the poem on the frame was written by the owner. </div>
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We enjoyed a brief chat with Liz about how exciting it is that more women are getting involved with framebuilding and exchanged notes on the effectiveness (or otherwise) of flat-profile wooden fenders! (The ride from home to Luton train station on the Friday was the very first time I had ridden Lucy in heavy drizzle on roads with standing water, since having her lovely <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/lucy-meets-yossi-nisnas-partnership.html" target="_blank">Nisnas mudguards installed at Bespoked in 2014</a>!) </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.beforecarbon.com/">Before Carbon</a></i></b></div>
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Before Carbon is a quite new venture, harking back to the heyday of Italian steel bicycles. To be honest, I do not see the inspirational 'link' -- these bikes look very modern to me! Lovely and no doubt very capable but a far cry from the likes of Bianchi, Cinelli or Colnago both in terms of aesthetics and structure.</div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.cloud9cycles.com/">Cloud 9 Cycles</a></i></b><br />
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Cloud 9 is a London bike shop and workshop. It's quite close to my office and where I bought a replacement fork for my Surly Cross Check and, just this week, a set of blinky commuter lights. As it happens, bike fitter, Tom Corke, and the Cloud 9 team offer a full custom service from bike fitting to complete bike, including handbuilt wheels and advice on components. They specialise in TIG welded and fillet brazed steel frames. </div>
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<b><i><a href="https://www.condorcycles.com/">Condor Cycles</a></i></b></div>
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Condor hardly need any introduction! London based, founded in 1948, from time to time a sponsor of professional racing teams, Condor are still making handbuilt frames across several types/styles of road bike, including racing, audax/touring, fixies and cyclocross, as well as being a dealer for other brands of bicycles (such as Brompton) and a wide range of quality accessories (from Apidura to Vaude). </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.craddockcycles/">Craddock Cycles</a> </i></b></div>
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Richard Craddock is one of the few people in the UK making made-to-measure custom carbon fibre frames. They are all made in Worcestershire, where every stage in carbon fabrication is done in-house from machining, fixturing, moulding, laminating and curing. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.daccordicicli.com/">Daccordi</a></i></b></div>
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Founded in 1937 in Tuscany, Daccordi build frames in steel, aluminium, titanium and (as they claim) "every sort of composite fibre". The results are certainly eye-catching and quite stylish. </div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://demonframeworks.com/">Demon Frameworks</a></i></b><br />
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Framebuilder Tom Warmerdam is based in Southampton, producing custom steel frames. Tom won the "Best Road Bike" award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in 2012. The detailing is quite stunning - have a look at photos posted on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/demonframeworks/">Facebook page</a>. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://engineeredbikes.co.uk/">Engineered Bicycles</a></i></b></div>
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This company was founded by two chaps, one an engineer the other a designer, offering a range of 'stock' models but also what they call "E.S.P." or Engineered Special Projects -- a fancy way of saying custom and bespoke!</div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.enigmabikes.com/" target="_blank">Enigma Bicycle Works</a></i></b></div>
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I am always going to spent time at the Enigma stand! Oddly enough, I rarely look at their bikes when I visit them at shows -- I'm too busy chatting with the guys! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enigma founder Jim Walker discussing lugs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The limited edition <a href="http://www.enigmabikes.com/bikes/limited-edition/exemplar/" target="_blank">Exemplar</a>, built to mark Enigma's 10th anniversary.</td></tr>
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One of Enigma's latest ventures is its <a href="http://www.enigmabikes.com/services/frame-building-academy/" target="_blank">frame building academy</a>. There are a number of businesses now offering courses (usually a week in length, with a meals + accommodation option). Enigma's is taught by <a href="http://www.geoffrobertsframes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Geoff Roberts</a>, a legendary framebuilder of the <a href="http://lcc.org.uk/articles/roberts-cycles" target="_blank">renowned Roberts family</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AfMXairvzRU/VxO8nwkSfaI/AAAAAAAAdEY/LoigyEE5o1IMUdlY_AgUGe73uVCfR1IiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_120432541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AfMXairvzRU/VxO8nwkSfaI/AAAAAAAAdEY/LoigyEE5o1IMUdlY_AgUGe73uVCfR1IiQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_120432541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the more unusual developments to come out of the frame building academy is a kind of sub-brand called "Skinny". This name is used on frames built by students, which are sold on a frame-only basis. (These have been listed on Enigma's web shop, which is at the time of writing offline, presumably for updates!) These frames are well-made and completely road-worthy, built under the watchful eye of Enigma staff. They simply aren't quite "good enough" to be sold under the Enigma brand, the disqualifying features usually having to do with the neatness of the welds or the finish. As they say, practice makes perfect and there are obviously some talented fledgling frame builders out there! </div>
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I came to the show with an N+1 idea and was very pleased to have an opportunity to discuss this with Greg, who called in Sam for a discussion about its feasibility, given the geometry needed in view of my fit requirements and the limitations that using lugs would impose on tube angles. (Mixte gravel bike, anyone?) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">© Adam Bell 2016</span></td></tr>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.gregoryframes.blogspot.se/" target="_blank">Gregory</a></i></b></div>
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The "New Builder Room" is often the scene where new ventures first meet the public -- usually hobby frame builders who've taken a deep breath and decided to try to make a go of it as a business (though I don't know how many have definitely given up the day jobs by the time they launch at Bespoked). </div>
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Some of the new businesses focus on innovation; others go for the 'tried and tested'. Nick Gregory is one of the latter, building practical, lightweight steel frames for racing, touring and daily transport. Nick describes his aesthetic as "inspired by the past with modern revisions". The one bike he displayed is a good example of that. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.hartleycycles.com/" target="_blank">Hartley Cycles</a></i></b></div>
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Caryn Hartley was the other/second woman frame builder at Bespoked. Caryn's background is in fine metalworks but her love of bicycles led her into building steel and stainless steel bicycles frames. She is based on South London and has recently taken on an apprentice -- a young lady by the name of Verity. </div>
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This red tourer was one of my favourites at the show this year. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://holdsworth-bikes.com/" target="_blank">Holdsworth</a></i></b></div>
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Holdsworth as a brand has been around more than 80 years. These days, the marque is in the hands of PlanetX, who seem to be showing enormous respect for its heritage and reputation. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6jumqt0JtM/VxO8uje86wI/AAAAAAAAdF8/EDYjjCEwq0wQXbH-oUyW_5azLhxZEA-HgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_145404705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6jumqt0JtM/VxO8uje86wI/AAAAAAAAdF8/EDYjjCEwq0wQXbH-oUyW_5azLhxZEA-HgCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_145404705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.keim-cycles.com/" target="_blank">Keim</a></i></b></div>
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I loved seeing Woodelo's ash-framed bicycles at Bespoked in 2014 and was intrigued to see French company Keim's take on wooden frames this year. While Woodelo make gorgeous frames that can be built up with mainstream modern components, Keim take a more integrated, innovative approach, with much of the components forming part of the frame design, which are created using composite technology with both ash and high-modulous resin. </div>
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Keim's website is in English. While they do not yet have distributors, dealers or retail outlets in the UK, they told me they hope to attend a number of shows in the UK following a more official launch slated for June. Their bikes featured bikepacking-style bags made by Restrap. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kX3EiS13ZHI/VxO5VKiIObI/AAAAAAAAdYo/wyQDq4dO6-EHcVQLSAeObaEF6jogAqIOQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160416_144828566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kX3EiS13ZHI/VxO5VKiIObI/AAAAAAAAdYo/wyQDq4dO6-EHcVQLSAeObaEF6jogAqIOQCKgB/s640/IMG_20160416_144828566.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell 2016</td></tr>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.kingframeworks.com/" target="_blank">King Frameworks</a></i></b></div>
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Mark King has been making high performance custom frames of a variety of materials since 2002. He brought with him one of his earliest efforts -- the shimmery green and red one in the photo below. </div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.llewellynbikes.com/" target="_blank">Llewellyn Custom Bicycles</a></i></b></div>
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Ah, Llewellyn! What do I say? I'd never heard of them before attending this show but somehow these were the bikes that jumped out and grabbed me. I spent more time on this stand -- quizzing Australian designer and builder Darrell McCulloch and chatting with his American wife Mary-Ann -- than on a good half of the rest of the show. Is it the glorious paintwork (by Joe Cosgrove) or the intricate custom lugs (which Darrell makes himself) that set these bikes head and shoulders above all the other audax/randonnee-style bikes all around them? I am not entirely sure*. </div>
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Darrell had three bikes on his stand: the red one was built 8 years ago and is owned (and ridden regularly) by a Bristol owner who was happy to have it on show; the white and blue bike that frankly I hardly looked at, and the green randonneuring bike, which was on sale at a special Bespoked show price of £5,326. Is any handbuilt bike worth that much money? I say yes (and I point you to <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/how-much-should-handbuilt-bicycle-cost.html" target="_blank">one of several articulate posts by Lovely Bicycle on the topic of the factors that go into both price and value of handcrafted goods</a>). </div>
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I helped Darrell and Mary-Anne promote the special offer on this bike via Facebook and Twitter. Sadly most of the replies were in the vein of "<i>I rode a £100 beater on LEL in 2015; I don't need to pay £5,000+ to get a good bike</i>". Missing the point entirely. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHy8V4DAKaw/VxO8h94IBmI/AAAAAAAAdCc/OySnn5IRbto-U70IJD0f0Aacqa4vKqF5ACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_101906999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHy8V4DAKaw/VxO8h94IBmI/AAAAAAAAdCc/OySnn5IRbto-U70IJD0f0Aacqa4vKqF5ACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_101906999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9jjSB9e2lc/VxO8b8D4HZI/AAAAAAAAdAs/XW_Hhv4eJOAjR5LbhBOTq9lKSIT_yGDiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_100712456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9jjSB9e2lc/VxO8b8D4HZI/AAAAAAAAdAs/XW_Hhv4eJOAjR5LbhBOTq9lKSIT_yGDiQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_100712456.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom rear rack designed and manufactured by Darrell (included in the sale)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H0VzaXDhp4/VxO8cKH6QjI/AAAAAAAAdAw/ibgG6SmF8gky70f_773wzUqJZLZX0ZVgACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_100720159.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H0VzaXDhp4/VxO8cKH6QjI/AAAAAAAAdAw/ibgG6SmF8gky70f_773wzUqJZLZX0ZVgACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_100720159.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the base of the <a href="http://www.gillesberthoud.fr/anglais/fiche_detaillee/fiche.php?refArticle=324GB999/N" target="_blank">Gilles Berthaud rack pack</a>, customised by Darrell<br />
to fit the rear rack with much more secure fasteners than mere straps</td></tr>
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The red bike is, as I said, eight years old, which from its immaculate condition and gleaming paintwork was hard to believe. The frame is custom, finished in Darrell's own "Lucentezza" build package: stainless steel crown forks, dropouts and proprietary Llewellyn lugset designed, hand filed and hand sanded by Darrell (see the <a href="http://www.llewellynbikes.com/HTML/Finish%20Levels/Lucentezza_finish.html" target="_blank">Lucentezza </a>web page for the full list of features) -- pretty mind blowing when one considers the number of hours that goes into something like this! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2008 Bristolian bike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">© Adam Bell 2016</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZU-clLERwc/VxO8gZlrFbI/AAAAAAAAdB4/HVWoQt84ZjkUDupHUxAYf5JwQ4b6Il_pwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_101333028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZU-clLERwc/VxO8gZlrFbI/AAAAAAAAdB4/HVWoQt84ZjkUDupHUxAYf5JwQ4b6Il_pwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_101333028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paint and finish on this bike is stunning: candied apple red achieved with the<br />
right shade of red over a gold undercoat. As deep and lustrous now as it was new.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darrell McCulloch's trademark 'Bleeding Heart' lug design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE6wMJOToA4/VxO887ze0TI/AAAAAAAAdJY/frgWgmrXoyE3Yr120wZnp0nC4tlGHafjACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_152839127.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every Llewellyn bicycle has this rear bridge 'advertising' a Llewellyn Heart. </td></tr>
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<i>* Okay, it's the lugs....</i></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQSmf7DERAc/VxO88XWieiI/AAAAAAAAdJU/-JToVqAjkHI9gaS9lbCYH05PTWELQ6fpwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_152820236_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQSmf7DERAc/VxO88XWieiI/AAAAAAAAdJU/-JToVqAjkHI9gaS9lbCYH05PTWELQ6fpwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_152820236_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hNyKjodA6w/VxO87xQYvQI/AAAAAAAAdJM/eAjsg1XlnP8w3TKzp8spFkCR9YLfmf5NQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_152805664.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hNyKjodA6w/VxO87xQYvQI/AAAAAAAAdJM/eAjsg1XlnP8w3TKzp8spFkCR9YLfmf5NQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_152805664.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.malcolmcustombicycles.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.malcolmcustombicycles.com/" target="_blank">Malcolm Custom Bicycles</a></i></b></div>
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Malcolm bicycles come from a southeast London workshop that launched at the Bespoked show in 2014. I believe the bike on display this year was the same Ron Cooper tribute track bike shown in 2014.<br />
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Frame builder Ashley Malcolm has an interesting background: a winning racer in Australia in his youth, followed by a few years working at <i>Condor </i>(above) and building relationships with Ron Cooper and also Darrell McCulloch (see <i>Llewellyn</i>, above). </div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-El1ji4vMBmc/VxO82Il5VJI/AAAAAAAAdHw/EEgj4LplLMcnAwj-wpdOTwOXqs-Gqb-0ACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_151237827.jpg" style="color: #0000ee;" width="358" /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-30zI9_DjU/VxO817I7_KI/AAAAAAAAdHs/4GqdwbHggeQ6c9kGMZXG6DHBzMRBhHnmACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_151226668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-30zI9_DjU/VxO817I7_KI/AAAAAAAAdHs/4GqdwbHggeQ6c9kGMZXG6DHBzMRBhHnmACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_151226668.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.merenyi.eu/en/" target="_blank">Merényi</a></i></b><br />
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Hungarian frame builder Daniel Merényi was back with a nice selection of his frames, all with custom paint schemes. Daniel's UK agent/dealer is <a href="http://mosquito-bikes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mosquito Bicycles in London</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxy9pOKXvL8/VxO8leSuIZI/AAAAAAAAdDc/mzFmm9F0Bfod8e2qCz3lSwxYiwWtTPMMwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_114649238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxy9pOKXvL8/VxO8leSuIZI/AAAAAAAAdDc/mzFmm9F0Bfod8e2qCz3lSwxYiwWtTPMMwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_114649238.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.meteorworks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Meteor Works</a></i></b></div>
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This stainless steel touring bike was another one of our favourites, even if it was so shiny it was difficult to photograph! Meteor is named after the workshop where J R Starley built some of the very earliest modern bicycles and aims to carry on British frame building traditions including Brooks leather saddles, Reynolds tubing and Sturmey Archer hubs.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42E6LIyzm2s/VxO8a6KSlgI/AAAAAAAAdAY/LDQK2lCaF0gXNuBhu_n8_7gON4v7PjzIwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_095410577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42E6LIyzm2s/VxO8a6KSlgI/AAAAAAAAdAY/LDQK2lCaF0gXNuBhu_n8_7gON4v7PjzIwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_095410577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Ogre</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked this look at this bike, so I photographed it! Only identified it later as being made by Ogre. And I'm afraid that is as much as I know...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rD35Zh6hv2w/VxO8xD-IeVI/AAAAAAAAdGs/WsFxuRFbm9Uvm-ZtXjVYxdy3SUyxukHRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_150233385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rD35Zh6hv2w/VxO8xD-IeVI/AAAAAAAAdGs/WsFxuRFbm9Uvm-ZtXjVYxdy3SUyxukHRwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_150233385.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.reillycycleworks.com/" target="_blank">Reilly Cycleworks</a></i></b><br />
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I stopped by the Reilly stand to say hello to Mark (he designed my Enigma Etape) and to metaphorically drool over his bikes, as well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oVFHMYUR8B8/Vxyvq0_epII/AAAAAAAAdUc/prIedeNCeLg8LN3-nRt5H8RHqgXhzWjCACKgB/s1600/20160415_143659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oVFHMYUR8B8/Vxyvq0_epII/AAAAAAAAdUc/prIedeNCeLg8LN3-nRt5H8RHqgXhzWjCACKgB/s640/20160415_143659.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discussing my personal N+1 idea with Mark Reilly and Neil Fitzgerald</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The modern titanium road bike on display was classic Reilly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PleIbGmM8uM/Vxyvq6fD0bI/AAAAAAAAdTY/mkH_lhUemGIjLE1MY2BKqGGujpX-D_rDACKgB/s1600/20160415_143638.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PleIbGmM8uM/Vxyvq6fD0bI/AAAAAAAAdTY/mkH_lhUemGIjLE1MY2BKqGGujpX-D_rDACKgB/s640/20160415_143638.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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What was surprising was the 'old skool' steel road bike at the front of his stand:<br />
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<b><i><a href="https://robin-mather.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Robin Mather Cycles</a></i></b></div>
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Rob Mather is a Bristol-based frame builder. His touring bicycle was smart and functional but I suspect barely got a look-in due to the extraordinary machine beside it!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09Khn81u1HM/VxO8l5a2ViI/AAAAAAAAdDo/3jRBDB1DGC8WUH8OrMksJFFLhrDEsLKqgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_114748883.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09Khn81u1HM/VxO8l5a2ViI/AAAAAAAAdDo/3jRBDB1DGC8WUH8OrMksJFFLhrDEsLKqgCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_114748883.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDZIpbQHES4/VxO8l39SqOI/AAAAAAAAdDs/4USQJSeMRusYoZQnxZiKugbwgMo7byYBQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_114759169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDZIpbQHES4/VxO8l39SqOI/AAAAAAAAdDs/4USQJSeMRusYoZQnxZiKugbwgMo7byYBQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_114759169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The "</span><a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/news/article/the-beast-steampunk-custom-build-wants-to-teach-us-all-about-bike-geometry-46859/" style="font-family: inherit;">Adjustable Geometry Bike</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">" has a built-in 'three-channel analogue data recorder', designed to measure the rider’s steering direction, steering torque and lean angle. The head tube angle is adjustable as is, separately, the trail. Tweak those in isolation or in combination and see the effect on the rider's control of the bike. Ingenious. And quite steam-punky in appearance. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGmVMZ_pVaI/VxO8mH-oudI/AAAAAAAAdD4/m0ilc4sgw5M-sYWoz-JspE3GkLDluiHOgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_114833011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGmVMZ_pVaI/VxO8mH-oudI/AAAAAAAAdD4/m0ilc4sgw5M-sYWoz-JspE3GkLDluiHOgCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_114833011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sexdLUdyOhg/VxO8moYkZzI/AAAAAAAAdD8/v_7uN1dlAPcOWXOD2AIH0XOh1Q2Q39FiACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_114844705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sexdLUdyOhg/VxO8moYkZzI/AAAAAAAAdD8/v_7uN1dlAPcOWXOD2AIH0XOh1Q2Q39FiACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_114844705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i class=""><a href="http://www.rodfordbuilt.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rodford Built</a></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I somehow missed seeing Rodford's bicycles but this one grabbed Adam's attention! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fn4UI4gbZtA/Vxyvq53JntI/AAAAAAAAdXA/GG4hYlAtK0gGA1HF2OxYbFh9gRtGSYJjgCKgB/s1600/20160415_160219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fn4UI4gbZtA/Vxyvq53JntI/AAAAAAAAdXA/GG4hYlAtK0gGA1HF2OxYbFh9gRtGSYJjgCKgB/s640/20160415_160219.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell 2016</td></tr>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.saffronframeworks.com/" target="_blank">Saffron Frameworks</a></i></b></div>
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Saffron is the brand of Matthew Sowter's custom frames. Matthew worked at Enigma before launching out on his own in 2009 and his Saffron bicycles have won a number of awards, including Bespoked's "Best Utility Bike" (2013), "Peer Award" and "Best in Show" (2014) and "Best Cyclocross Bicycle" (2015). Saffron's workshop is in Woolwich, London.<br />
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I have to say, the Saffron website offers one of the clearest descriptions of the <a href="http://www.saffronframeworks.com/ordering/" target="_blank">order and build process</a> I've yet seen. Every frame builder should be able to communicate expectations this well. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DjnFb5ATGg/VxO89d2LEFI/AAAAAAAAdJk/WiRmD9luqX83fAhs4DQnQk9eJfuZYQyegCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_153100976_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DjnFb5ATGg/VxO89d2LEFI/AAAAAAAAdJk/WiRmD9luqX83fAhs4DQnQk9eJfuZYQyegCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_153100976_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Shand</i></b></div>
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Shand has been around a few years now, targeting the "adventure bike" sector of the market. I had heard of them and remember seeing them at the Bespoked show in 2014 but I pricked up my ears this past winter when I heard that, after a somewhat tumultuous relationship with the <a href="http://thatemilychappell.com/2015/07/time-for-the-transcontinental/" target="_blank">prototype Genesis Datum that she rode</a> in last year's Transcontinential Race, Emily Chappell has got herself a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shandcycles/25180763731/in/album-72157633008481025/" target="_blank">custom Shand Stooshie</a> for this year's Transcon (and the rest of her life, I expect!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geU4ODC8edI/Vxyvq2KO7sI/AAAAAAAAdTw/pfeYkmsfh6gIPo31SY5RyTCGFEha5_-tgCKgB/s1600/20160415_142111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geU4ODC8edI/Vxyvq2KO7sI/AAAAAAAAdTw/pfeYkmsfh6gIPo31SY5RyTCGFEha5_-tgCKgB/s640/20160415_142111.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Adam Bell 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rohloff Hub + Gates Carbon Belt Drive © Adam Bell 2016</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NbtEXeFHGik/Vxyvq09hfOI/AAAAAAAAdUI/Fij9WxLLEOI5YeQJveKNbD_ntdJpwRDIwCKgB/s1600/20160415_142146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NbtEXeFHGik/Vxyvq09hfOI/AAAAAAAAdUI/Fij9WxLLEOI5YeQJveKNbD_ntdJpwRDIwCKgB/s640/20160415_142146.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">© Adam Bell 2016</span></td></tr>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.svencycles.com/" target="_blank">Sven Cycles</a></i></b></div>
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Sven won the Touring Bicycle award in 2014 with a touring bike set up with twist-grip shifters on drop bars, plus a Rohloff 14-speed internal geared hub. It was a gorgeous bike, even if not a build I'd be happy with myself. I had a chat with someone on the stand about it at the time and was told that the shifters are an increasingly common request. When Adam saw the bike exhibited this year with that setup, he exclaimed "<i>now, that's a brilliant idea!</i>" (So I may be in the minority here!) </div>
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Again, Sven showed excellence in build and finish and practicality. But the real insights into framebuilder Darren Sven's philosophy came from listening to his talk on Saturday morning about designing and building a <a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/news/article/is-this-the-ultimate-bike-for-foodies-and-foragers-46323/" target="_blank">'Forager Bicycle" for TV presenter/chef/campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall</a>. The result was both impressive and really appealing. (More on this below in the Talks section of this post.)</div>
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Both the tourer and the Forager Bike are perfect examples of where a skilled custom framebuilder can play a vital role in not just building a technically sound and aesthetically beautiful product but in fulfilling the needs of individual riders, to make his or her dreams and ambitions come alive, whether the bicycle is central to that or an indispensable tool in a non-cycling endeavour. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go! Sven tourer with twist grip shifters and internal geared hub.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwvzCZRwm-k/VxO83xH1c6I/AAAAAAAAdIQ/ubJnqj7DTMgxefQIjq4RPOE14agJTNRXgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_152151044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwvzCZRwm-k/VxO83xH1c6I/AAAAAAAAdIQ/ubJnqj7DTMgxefQIjq4RPOE14agJTNRXgCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_152151044.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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Darren Sven is based in Dorset. While his focus and primary interests lean towards touring, he can build just about <a href="http://www.svencycles.com/#!bicycles/cee5" target="_blank">any kind of bicycle</a>, from time trial bikes to 1930s style English roadsters to fixies, whether welded, fillet brazed or lugged. Darren also undertakes servicing and structural repair work.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sLWO2mOmIQ/VxO845XeoqI/AAAAAAAAdIg/4fhBBlJFic0svyS0YhTr0Bp1noVXijquACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_152317716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sLWO2mOmIQ/VxO845XeoqI/AAAAAAAAdIg/4fhBBlJFic0svyS0YhTr0Bp1noVXijquACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_152317716.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.bicycles-by-design.co.uk/brand/swallow-bespoke/" target="_blank">Swallow</a></i></b><br />
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Adam had no idea why I made a beeline to talk to Peter Bird at Swallow...! I've been <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/tandem-dreaming.html" target="_blank">hankering for some time for a tandem touring bike</a> with a stoker's cockpit that fits me. I love our <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/when-bicycle-can-do-more-than-car.html" target="_blank">Circe Helios for its versatility</a> but I still haven't found the right set up to fit me when we want to take it away from its cargo-hauling duties to ride a <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/bicycle-review-and-ride-report-tandem.html" target="_blank">Friday Night Ride to the Coast</a> -- much less a way to guarantee we can get the right set up, every time, quickly and reliably. (It generally takes at least 3 test rides before I can say "okay, I'm happy to give this a go".) </div>
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Peter is a very experienced designer and builder of tandems. Swallow is also the only UK distributor for Co-Motion (a Eugene, Oregon manufacturer of a wide range of bikes aimed at maximum adventure). One day I would like to explore our options, by paying a visit to Swallow for a full fitting and brainstorming session. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow traditional tourer</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b> <b><i><a href="http://www.tbikes.co.uk/" target="_blank">TBikes</a></i></b></div>
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This unusual "reinvent the (drivetrain)" bicycle was on display in the New Builders area. The concept is chainless, featuring what is described as LinkDrive technology (claimed to be protected under patent, which I've not checked; the name is certainly not a protected trade mark and it likely never will be due to its descriptiveness). </div>
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It's an interested novelty but I can't see this ever becoming a commercial success. (Do feel free to give me a dig in 10 years' time if I'm wrong!)</div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.varonha.co.uk/" target="_blank">Varonha Frame Works</a></i></b></div>
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Based in South London, builder Winston Vaz specialises in steel frames. This MTB is the "legendary" <i>D.O.G.S.B.O.L.X. </i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFN91SN-FhI/VxO8jv3PSeI/AAAAAAAAdDA/q2hdogZZ5m4yiOGEXpt8PzuWGuVy_KmKQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_114408770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFN91SN-FhI/VxO8jv3PSeI/AAAAAAAAdDA/q2hdogZZ5m4yiOGEXpt8PzuWGuVy_KmKQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_114408770.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.winterbicycles.com/products/" target="_blank">Winter Bicycles</a></i></b></div>
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I loved the bikes that builder Eric Estlund brought over from Eugene, Oregon, in 2014 but somehow this year the only photo we managed was of this lovely Rene Herse crankset. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYv3Ewrsw_Y/Vxyvq3kqJUI/AAAAAAAAdWs/c-EjBckIFZg_bepX5H-PIrV4diuEylrNQCKgB/s1600/20160415_155605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYv3Ewrsw_Y/Vxyvq3kqJUI/AAAAAAAAdWs/c-EjBckIFZg_bepX5H-PIrV4diuEylrNQCKgB/s320/20160415_155605.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><u>ACCESSORIES / COMPONENTS / SERVICES</u></b></div>
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I apologise for inadequate coverage of the non-bicycle brands! Here is a whistlestop tour of some of the items that caught my eye. </div>
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<b><i>QUOC</i></b></div>
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<img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TssKy4wj5EI/VxO8y1foaCI/AAAAAAAAdHE/LItAd55l7S4C-davqWO9y0jyL_mhMqPtQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_150440302.jpg" style="color: #0000ee;" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Steel Tubing Suppliers:</b> Columbus, Reynolds </div>
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<b>Artists and Designers: </b>Ted James, Anthony Oram, Rebecca Kaye, Dynamo Works, Massifcentral, </div>
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<b>Cycle Storage:</b> Odoni</div>
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<b>Distributors:</b> Bureau Finder, Prestige, Ben Thomson's Cycleworx </div>
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<b>Bike Fitters:</b> Bike Science</div>
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<b>Wheelbuilders: </b>August, Owen, Strada</div>
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<b>Tyres: </b>Schwalbe </div>
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<b>Components:</b> Middleburn, Rideworks (MTB specialist), SON (hub dynamos) </div>
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<b>Bags/Luggage:</b> Brooks, Mack Workshop, Restrap, </div>
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<b>Clothing: </b>Findra, Middleofnowhere, Swrve, Velocity </div>
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<b>Magazines/Journalists: </b>Boneshaker, Cyclist, Dennis Gould</div>
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<b>Framebuiding Courses: </b>The Bike Academy, Downland Cycles, LIFE Bike, Enigma Academy</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECk3wrgikXk/VxO8ug6Jt4I/AAAAAAAAdGA/AFRZ9UbnTdkBQkIZ4PwUvuZjWQatyn2RQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_145443248.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECk3wrgikXk/VxO8ug6Jt4I/AAAAAAAAdGA/AFRZ9UbnTdkBQkIZ4PwUvuZjWQatyn2RQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_145443248.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bike Academy</td></tr>
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<b><i><a href="http://pinkertonclassiccycles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pinkerton Restorations</a></i></b></div>
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This could be quite the resource! Pinkerton claim they are able to "<i>fabricate any absent or damaged components to bring any cycle back to original specification and to a ride able condition, sourcing information and essential detail, from our original cycle catalogues</i>".</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9HLzyzzARA/VxO82ZDvUVI/AAAAAAAAdH4/hW5NBq-c_xAcJOWN0MNkNENuZbFgjaNdgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_151430432_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9HLzyzzARA/VxO82ZDvUVI/AAAAAAAAdH4/hW5NBq-c_xAcJOWN0MNkNENuZbFgjaNdgCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_151430432_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>THE TALKS</b></div>
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<b><i>3-D Printing Titanium Bike Parts</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.miradaresearch.com/engineering/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Mirada Performance Products</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> have collaborated with Reynolds Technology and Ted James to create a titanium frame weighing less than 1kg, utilising 3D printed aerospace-grade titanium lugs. This prototype was unveiled at Bespoked. Mirada </span>were<span style="font-family: inherit;"> keen to emphasise this is not a frame that will be built up into a complete bicycle but rather a technology demonstrator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The presentation was given by engineers who do not identify as being cyclists but who are keenly interested in bicycles as a sector ripe for further technological developments. They described their methodology and rigorous testing regimes -- all very interesting, if a bit esoteric from my point of view. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Technology Demonstrator", not a Bicycle Frame</td></tr>
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<b><i>The Making of the Forager Bike</i></b></div>
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This was possibly the most intriguing bicycle -- and talk -- of the show for me. There's a fair amount of press out there about it with far more detail than I can muster. My notes from Darren Sven's talk are scribbles about components and design specifications and read something like this: </div>
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<li>front wheels have 33mm play (as used in wheelchairs as can't put suspension in the frame when hauling front loads)</li>
<li>Internal hub gear is Shimano 11speed (Hugh F-W's choice)</li>
<li>Stem cap contains a USB charger</li>
<li>tubing is Reynolds 631, with 921 stainless steel twin lateral toptubes</li>
<li>Ted James fork</li>
<li>available with lockable 'trademan's case'</li>
<li>bags all by Retstrap (modular units attach with magnets)</li>
<li>mechanical disc brakes</li>
<li>styled on a Series 1 Land Rover (Hugh F-W's favourite vehicle)</li>
<li>build includes components from as many British manufacturing companies as possible</li>
<li>this is a prototype with possibility of going into production with changes Darren would like to make (Rohloff IGH for example; also steering damper; possible electric assist)</li>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1uWZL1eoe4/VxO5VFPHt_I/AAAAAAAAdZY/G017koKksFMBKgm9EEHz8tdvjaYhQ8dQACKgB/s1600/IMG_20160416_105737577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1uWZL1eoe4/VxO5VFPHt_I/AAAAAAAAdZY/G017koKksFMBKgm9EEHz8tdvjaYhQ8dQACKgB/s640/IMG_20160416_105737577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>London Bicycle Couriers' Stories</i></b></div>
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Julian Sayarer and Emily Chappell spoke to a Bespoked representative in the form of a 'TV breakfast show' style interview, before taking questions from a packed-out audience. </div>
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Both are 'promoting' books they've written which have been published this year: Emily's "<i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Goes-Around-London-Couriers/dp/1783350539" target="_blank">What Goes Round</a></i>" and Julian's "<i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Messengers-Julian-Sayarer/dp/1910050768?ie=UTF8&qid=1461511694&ref_=la_B00J8QLJDE_1_2&s=books&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Messenger</a></i>". The common theme of both books is the London cycle courier scene. Emily worked as a courier for 6 years, Julian 3. </div>
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But this is not a case of "read one, you've read them both". The authors' voices are very distinct. While both articulate, erudite and engaging, Emily is a storyteller, Julian a 'preacher'. Emily's story is about sociology, Julian's about politics. </div>
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The other common thread is their experiences having cycled more of the world than most of us will ever do: Emily from Wales to Japan (plus Iceland, Alaska and part of the <a href="http://www.transcontinental.cc/" target="_blank">Transcontinental Race</a> from Belgium as far as Slovenia), Julian <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Cycles-courier-decided-record-ebook/dp/B00KPSCV0Y/ref=la_B00J8QLJDE_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1461511694&sr=1-1" target="_blank">around the world</a>. But again their experience comes across very differently: Emily undertakes epic cycling challenges to 'prove herself' (usually <i>to</i> herself), Julian to make a point to the world. </div>
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The fundamental differences in how these two university graduates relate to the world come across in their writing styles. Both are informative and very well written. Emily's is a page turner, while Julian's.... not so much (for me at least). But don't let me be the judge: read them both yourself!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaSLNkmaye8/VxO8sWse9nI/AAAAAAAAdFQ/wB7iPYE_u5kUm1dlE6qLURgKTIb0r3jvACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_140536931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaSLNkmaye8/VxO8sWse9nI/AAAAAAAAdFQ/wB7iPYE_u5kUm1dlE6qLURgKTIb0r3jvACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_140536931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also....<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://www.enigmabikes.com/pages/mark-dodson">Mark Dodson</a></i></b><br />
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I must include mention of Mark Dodson, an amazing freestyle amateur artist who just loves drawing and painting on any surface he can get permission for! Someone at Enigma (Greg?) knows him and through that contact, Mark was invited to Bespoked as a roving frame painter. One of the bicycles photographed above sports Mark's work [<i>did you spot it?</i>], and I caught him in action at the Enigma stand. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xn7V2bqRElI/VxO8qoAjWaI/AAAAAAAAdEw/NU71He55Tz03o9QAXb7XxGPtxzs9ALwOwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_120736005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xn7V2bqRElI/VxO8qoAjWaI/AAAAAAAAdEw/NU71He55Tz03o9QAXb7XxGPtxzs9ALwOwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_120736005.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeP1ueR9pnw/VxO8rMMKtFI/AAAAAAAAdE4/_MKsSCKZVWcEXREvS92dcLF3uW0Oq6_4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_120812882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeP1ueR9pnw/VxO8rMMKtFI/AAAAAAAAdE4/_MKsSCKZVWcEXREvS92dcLF3uW0Oq6_4gCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_120812882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfkJCyExyhs/VxO8rDC0JnI/AAAAAAAAdE8/1RXBG33erH85Ka2F1FTZ1-afDpVRk533gCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_120820488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfkJCyExyhs/VxO8rDC0JnI/AAAAAAAAdE8/1RXBG33erH85Ka2F1FTZ1-afDpVRk533gCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_120820488.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>And finally, two mysteries.....</i></b><br />
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My photos include three of bicycles for which I did not make any notes. I have no idea which stands they were on and am hoping that a reader can help identify them.</div>
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Do you know who built these bikes?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qckUdD5XPbk/VxO8sj5M0lI/AAAAAAAAdFU/gtwWSf8MPxkP9YdKhWKkLFsg32S6_1FwQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_144551315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qckUdD5XPbk/VxO8sj5M0lI/AAAAAAAAdFU/gtwWSf8MPxkP9YdKhWKkLFsg32S6_1FwQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_144551315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aSxBvmovX8Y/VxO8s3lpQ-I/AAAAAAAAdFY/CbJ2h2dM8gclXvYETyrV6WpETULULbtvwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_144621654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aSxBvmovX8Y/VxO8s3lpQ-I/AAAAAAAAdFY/CbJ2h2dM8gclXvYETyrV6WpETULULbtvwCLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_144621654.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7-T1WsUuBA/VxO83lXWgKI/AAAAAAAAdIM/YYGohTLeUyAMaqnqOn7O5a4KUnqptYqbACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160416_151940488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7-T1WsUuBA/VxO83lXWgKI/AAAAAAAAdIM/YYGohTLeUyAMaqnqOn7O5a4KUnqptYqbACLcB/s640/IMG_20160416_151940488.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Award Winners are all listed on the Bespoked website <a href="http://www.bespoked.cc/bespokedawards20.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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I hope to attend again next year and -- fingers crossed -- will be able to provide a full report much more quickly. (<i>May I put in a request now please for no family members to die around that time? Or indeed ever... but that's another story for another day</i>.)</div>
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Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-89860522495780003912016-05-08T13:26:00.001+01:002017-03-04T14:45:19.762+00:00Summer? A Taste And A Test <div style="text-align: justify;">
After a prolonged cool and damp spring, this past week has brought Proper Summertime Temperatures, i.e. 20C degrees! That's 70 in Fahrenheit. (Normal service resumes tomorrow: cool and unsettled with thunderstorms, which means showers, including hail I have no doubt.)</div>
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Today is the climax of our mini-heatwave, with temps of up to 27C expected. This presented me with an unexpected (and very welcome) opportunity to set up my Brompton according to the plan I had devised (on paper) for our South of France trip next month. In addition to prepping the bike, I have also kitted myself out according to plan, anticipating similar temperatures in the Avignon area. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9n1Pe67F0Q/Vy8nSoKVUII/AAAAAAAAdf8/XXTj7QV9WDIljQcWvJfBwPMcrfKP_E3YwCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160508_103116023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9n1Pe67F0Q/Vy8nSoKVUII/AAAAAAAAdf8/XXTj7QV9WDIljQcWvJfBwPMcrfKP_E3YwCKgB/s640/IMG_20160508_103116023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>I had purchased two handlebar-mounted adapters for my <a href="http://www.freeparable.com/product#monkiifamily" target="_blank">Monkii Clip bottle holders</a> but one is faulty. I am awaiting a <a href="http://www.klickfix.com/index.php?mod=13&lang=en" target="_blank">Rixen & Kaul Klick-Fix</a> one later this week, which should fit the main frame and be able to hold a 750ml bottle. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn3SI5aO2Vs/Vy8nMzzoR6I/AAAAAAAAdf8/JQY2dg7pPuYQeOtg2tiYibBBTglAJP4WQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160508_103124581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn3SI5aO2Vs/Vy8nMzzoR6I/AAAAAAAAdf8/JQY2dg7pPuYQeOtg2tiYibBBTglAJP4WQCKgB/s640/IMG_20160508_103124581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I usually use a Carradice Original Bagman support for my Barley saddlebag but have decided to get a <a href="http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=82" target="_blank">seat-post mounted quick release version ("SQR")</a> before we go, as that will be much quicker to remove when we fold and bag up our bikes for the Eurostar trains. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRizJ9HIDZI/Vy8nWxqpaGI/AAAAAAAAdf8/9Ai6ANHWN8sN9vcfAiSYH90n7grAOvwwQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160508_103129916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRizJ9HIDZI/Vy8nWxqpaGI/AAAAAAAAdf8/9Ai6ANHWN8sN9vcfAiSYH90n7grAOvwwQCKgB/s640/IMG_20160508_103129916.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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And yes, I think I'm going with SPDs for this trip! <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/if-shoe-fits.html#more" target="_blank">My experiments last year with SPDs were not entirely satisfactory</a>, the main difficulty being the float being less than I need if I do any climbing out of the saddle. Our planned route involves some long but fairly gentle inclines, which I expect to do seated. And these pedals are double-sided, which will be nice on our pootling-around days without luggage, when I may wish to wear sandals. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6EAcI9wGK0/Vy8nHhn_N0I/AAAAAAAAdf8/aU6rplvFd4IiR88JenSaU5T_XGcmgstZwCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160508_103138163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6EAcI9wGK0/Vy8nHhn_N0I/AAAAAAAAdf8/aU6rplvFd4IiR88JenSaU5T_XGcmgstZwCKgB/s640/IMG_20160508_103138163.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My wardrobe for the 9-day trip will mainly consist of Nuu-Muu dresses and Rapha shorts. Three sets for cycling days, plus a packable waterproof jacket, a pair of casual shorts, linen trousers, cardigan and sandals. That's it, I think. The bulk of my stuff is actually non-clothing: toiletries, medicines/first aid, sunscreen, camera gear, battery chargers and daily paraphernalia like spectacles, tissues, etc. Everything fits in these bags in a configuration that puts the right stuff easily to hand. </div>
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Oh, and I found the EUR 130 that I somehow mislaid on one of last year's trips -- phew!</div>
Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3659690394638399722.post-12894050387084279642016-04-20T14:28:00.001+01:002016-04-20T14:28:10.247+01:00It'll Be Worth The Wait....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just a quick note to say, yes, I went to the Bespoked show in Bristol last weekend. A full report with an insensible number of photos is in the works but we've had a death in the family early this week which has, as you can imagine, pushed blogging down my list of priorities. </div>
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Do check back in a few days. Meanwhile, here's one of my favourites from the show: </div>
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<i>2008 custom build by Darrell McCulloch of <a href="http://www.llewellynbikes.com/" target="_blank">Llewellyn Bicycles</a> in Perth, Australia. Ridden regularly in the UK and looks as good as new. </i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZsXe3B6dX8/VxO5VFeRFOI/AAAAAAAAdLY/jLLTi2PtgDgQ6XSgUTrF3UJxneh9ASlIACKgB/s1600/IMG_20160416_101202662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZsXe3B6dX8/VxO5VFeRFOI/AAAAAAAAdLY/jLLTi2PtgDgQ6XSgUTrF3UJxneh9ASlIACKgB/s640/IMG_20160416_101202662.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Rebecca Oldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com2