Cycling Articles Archive
Cycling in France, general cycling, touring, holidays with kids and many more of my ramblings;-)
Here you'll find articles on cycling, touring, equipment, France and some slightly off-the-wall topics, sometimes funny, sometimes serious and frequently opinionated. It's an archive built up over the last 20 years so please bear in mind that when I do things like describing pulling a baby trailer, that was a very long time ago.
Read and enjoy and I am always very happy to add contributions from others in order to make the Archive as broad and as worthwhile as possible.
Cycling Article Index
Reviews
Carradice bar-bag - perfect for cycling holidays in France? * Dawes Sonoran Hybrid Cycle review * Touring USB battery review * Touring Bike Brakes review * VSF T50s touring hybrid bike review * Ridgeback Expedition Touring Bikes review * Wheelbuilding book review * Cycling in Europe book review * Orbit Romany touring bike review * DTI Hugi Touring hubs review * Orbit Gold Medal touring bike review * Ortlieb pannier review * Burley and Thorn child trailers review * Brooks Titanium saddle review * Two person Tent test review * Brooks leather saddles review * Yak BOB trailer review * Trangia cooker review * Thermarest problems review * Robens Lodge 2 tent review
Technical
Stiffness in bicyle frames * Tyres for cycle touring * Reynolds 531 history * 26" vs 700c wheels * Tyre pressures * The technical facts about steel frame tubing * General use of steel in touring frames * Ladies Frames - why not? * Chain-link extractors overview
General cycle touring advice and guides
A guide on how to fall in love with cycling mountains! * Cycling holiday on the Velodyssee * A Guide to E-Bikes - central or hub motors? * Go on a cycling holiday – encouragement! * The Breton Bikes Guide to Cycling Holidays in France * Cycling Holidays for Beginners * Cycling holidays for experienced * Touring tyre tread patterns * Why cycle in Brittany * Food and Brittany * Cycling tool kit * Gearing for Cycling holidays * Carrying loads on a cycling holiday * DIY cycle camping holiday guide * How to choose a cycling holiday tent * My anti cycling-fashion rant! * How to climb on a touring bike * Hi Vis - worth it? * Death of the drop handlebar * Things to watch out for in a tent * A Cyclists Toolkit * Cycling with children - guide
Cycling Holiday route ideas
Cycleroutes from Gouarec in central Brittany (France) * Free hotel-based touring route from Roscoff * Free camping based route from Roscoff * Cycle touring up the Ventoux! * Tour de France 2018 in Gouarec * "A day in the mountains" * Climbing the Tormalet
General 'Fun' Articles
Cycling a 100+ years ago!
Cycletouring in 1887 * How people planned a cycletour - in 1887! * Cycle Training with freinds - in 1887 * How to pack for a cycletour - in 1887! * Cycling First Aid - In 1887!
And last but not least – the whole saga of.... The Breton Bikes ITG charity ride to the French Pyrenees
Latest Cycling Articles
Leisurely Week Cycling in Brittany
Read more: Robert and Libby Adamson's experience on the Two Centre Tour
Cycling Article Index
Climbing the most famous of all the Pyrenean Cols
Cycling Article Index
Come on - get out there...
I know it's a worn cliché, but the bicycle is really the 'transport of delight'. Whether commuting, going to the shops or being belted down some road or mountain path, no other machine leaves you closer to the actual feeling of travelling. On a mere 0.07 of a horsepower most of us can beat a 200 horsepower car in town traffic, and a mountainbike will go where no motor trials machine will take you. A 60 year old can easily beat Roger Bannisters time over the mile and downhills are free! (ask any backpacker about this last one…). What a machine, and yet the cycles greatest achievement is the ability to carry loads over long distances and give their riders a great experience at the same time. I'm talking about Cycletouring of course.
Cycling Article Index
All our camping customers are supplied with a Trangia cook-set, why do we choose these instead of the various alternatives?
Cycling Article Index
Self-inflating mattresses are wonderful - up to a point...
Read more: The trouble with Thermarests - review of problems
Cycling Article Index
Opinionated and personal advice on what to look for in a tent.
Cycling Article Index
There are a million different types of bikes out there, but one division splits many of those bikes in to two distinct groups – the provision of ladies' and gents' frames.