Less than a day to go now before I set off on my trip to Paris, leaving Devizes in Wiltshire and travelling to Paris by Bike.

Last year I took about 55lb of Kit, a ludicrous amount for such a short trip. Last year though was my first one and I learnt a lot.. You don’t need a clean pair of pants each day, you can get by with two pairs washing them while you are there, same applies to socks etc. No I don’t need to carry two spare sets of batteries for my bike lights, they sell batteries in France… and so on.

This Year’s Kit

I was hoping not to have to take the jacket with it being nearly June but hey ho.

This year I left out the massive bike lock, which I hope I don’t come to regret! Most bike thefts tend to be opportunists and I don’t intend leaving it anywhere too long, my normal bike lock I use at work should suffice.

I’m also not taking the large pannier bags I have, the small bag I take to work should also be good enough. The dry bags when compressed go to quite small size and fit quite easily into the small drop down side bags I have off of the main compartment of the Topeak bag I am using.

I have given in to taking a rucksack for the spare day I have, although I may decide to take that off before I set off, it’s a luxury I know I shouldn’t take but feel like I want to…. Rule 5 I should leave it behind.

Not in Cycling Kit yet but the bike is ready, complete with Elliot the elephant my new mascot

The route is planned, Devizes to Portsmouth, overnight Ferry to Le Havre. I have a cabin booked this time, the seats were impossible to sleep in.

Hopefully up early to get breakfast in the restaurant which last time was quieter than the café and only 1 Euro more with more toast and Waiter service. Le Havre to Paris with only comfort stops and a quick stop for something to eat. I am staying for two nights with a couple I have made contact with on the Warm Showers Website with one day sightseeing in Paris. Then return via Rouen where I shall be stopping with another couple met on Warm Showers and the last day in France is a leisurely ride north west to Saint-Valery-en-Caux and then following the coast back to Le-Havre. Still need to check on Google Earth for any parts that I should make sure I should see along the route, then ferry to England and back home.

Hope to do the Castle Combe Festival Severn Bridge Sportive on the Sunday with Chippenham Wheelers: http://www.severnbridgesportive.co.uk/

Gary