Positive experiences
Preparations
- Make a list of all equipment for the trip.
- Make maps for each day with the stage profile and intermediate distances at the back and put it in plastic .
- Go through the bike and change the brake pads.
Packing
- Hard transportation cases for the bikes.
- Bring a small rucksack for equipment that might come to use during the stage.
- Use small plastic bags for small things such as wallet and Carnet de Route and big ones for used bike clothes.
Clothing
- Bring short bike shorts and jerseys, and additional under shirts, arm warmers, knee warmers, gilet, rain jacket, overshoes, and gloves.
Food & medicine
- Use sun protection regardless of the weather in the morning.
- 2 – 3 Power bars per day and power gel for the toughest parts.
- Liniment, Voltaren, or othet anti-inflammation pills or gel at hand each day.
- Carbon hydrate drink for each stage and for recovery
During the ride
- Before each stage:
Apply liniment to thighs and knees.
- During each stage:
Eat continuously and fill the water bottles whenever there is a possibility.
- After each stage:
Stretch and liniment.
- At bedtime each day:
Apply liniment and go through the next stage, including reading Andrew Powers' travel report.
Improvements for next trip …
Preparations
- Check that the bike computer is in good shape.
Air trip
- If possible, use another carrier than Air France. They seem to have a lot of strikes during the summer months. Of course, it is not possible to take precautions for all these possible events. However, it is possible to choose a carrier that has a service desk that offers … service.
Coach trip
- Bring some books, magazines and a DVD or CD player. It is a long journey.
Food
- Bring your own müsli if you want any.
Bicycle maintenance
- Bring some scotchbrite, lubricant and cloth for bicycle maintanence.
During the ride
- Memorize each stage thoroughly, not only the first ones.
- Check the distance to next control point at each summit.
- Do not order anything else than ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch; it takes time to prepare and to digest.
- Bob, who had done the Paris - Brest - Paris, had his map secured with two rubber straps on his left arm, where he had fast access to all information.
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