Following Your Dreams

How to survive 40 days of riding

Wet weather gods were with us big time. We only really had three days of rain – I had expected much more, particularly in Brittany and the Pyrenees. But be prepared for winter riding conditions above 2000 metres, even though it’s nearly 30 degrees in the valleys. to avoid ‘butt trouble’ get a good cream and use it every day – at the first sign of trouble wear two pairs of biking shorts. Train for endurance not speed and get your weight down before you start. it’s a tour, not a race each day – the key ting is to ride safe and stay healthy. French drivers are the kindest and most considerate in the world and even in Paris you never feel in danger. The biggest danger is your own unsafe riding. Don’t try this on your own or with a group of mates unless you are fluent in French, an expert on mapping and info sourcing, and are happy to take much longer than six weeks to complete. And a back-up vehicle capable of taking all the riders and their cycles in the event of being caught out in a storm or major diversion is essential. The key is the route – through rural France on local roads and through beautiful villages avoiding the motorways; particularly those national roads used by the truckers and travellers to avoid paving motorway road tolls!