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PREPARATIVE… little or much… " that is the question "

Depending on the nature and temperament of each individual, this step can be overlooked or seriously considered.

From our point of view it is essential to the quality and success of a cycle tour.

CHECK-LIST… THE SOLUTION

To make preparations in an exhaustive but serene way THE solution with a big 'L' and a big 'A' is to make a checklist.

But a checklist is not fixed. You have to do feedback, as they say in the industry. After each ride, you have to update this document as soon as you get back (when your memory is fresh), taking into account the experience you have just lived.

The most convenient way is to create this checklist in an EXCEL table:

• A sheet lists the schedule of the main stages of preparation.
• One sheet contains a list of ALL the objects that you are taking along, grouped by theme.
• For those who master the computer tool and this software in particular, an additional sheet in pivot table mode will automatically re-sort the list by container (Front, back bags… to whom).

TOPICS TO PREPARE

WEIGH UP THE MAJOR BALANCES

To weigh the great balances is to dose:

• The total distance to be covered.
• The direction of the routes according to the prevailing winds of the season (if possible wind behind rather than in front).
• The number of stages and the daily distance.
• The existence of accommodation at the planned stages.
• The difference in altitude per stage.
• The cost of accommodation depending on the country/destination.
• The cost of food according to one's choices and desires (picnic, restaurants…).
• The cost of the return trips to/from the beginning and end of the cyclorandonnée (boat, train, plane, car rental…).

 

THE BIKES

CHANGE WEARING PARTS

In the month before departure change:

• Cables (brakes, derailleurs)
• Brake pads (or shoes)
• Saddle (yes, a gel saddle is a wearing part!)
• Tires and tubes
• Chain (if more than one month)

VERIFY

Check the status of :

• Front and rear lighting
• Tightening of all screws and bolts
• Tyre pressure
• Suspension pressure and/or adjustment

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are not reserved for remote and exotic destinations.

Even for Europe ticks are vectors of serious diseases. Unfortunately, there is nothing against Lyme disease, but there are solutions against Tick-borne Encephalitis.

Get involved well in advance, as vaccinations often include booster shots a few weeks or months apart.

INSURANCE

Check whether the insurance included in its multi-risk contracts and/or linked to bank cards can cover the risks linked to bicycle travel.

If you own a highly technical and therefore valuable bike, there is a good chance that these covers are not enough.

In all cases, provide for repatriation on the basis of illness, accidents, both human and material.

MISCELLANEOUS

List of translations of important and repetitive words in the different languages of the countries crossed (example: list of foods and ingredients for supermarket shopping)

European social security card (to be requested on the ameli.fr website at least one month before departure).

List of his passwords of essential websites and web services.

DURING THE TRIP AND BACK HOME

During the trip we always notice that there are things to improve. You should not rely only on your memory. The best solution is to carefully note down over the course of the days all the subjects that will be dealt with for the next trip. Depending on whether your profile is computerised or not, it will be in a single file on your smartphone or in a small paper notebook.

This way, back home, you will be able to immediately make the necessary improvements so that the next trip will be even (and even more) a great pleasure.

A. S. E. (What is this?)

From the above it can be summarised that to guarantee maximum pleasure the rule to be respected is:

• Anticipate
• Solve
• Enjoy