Cycling North After Winter

[Six-cylinder]

10°C here in North Bucks!

[Shandylegs]

Alex - As many others have already said, why not open a go fund me (or equivalent) and let’s get a few quid in reserve for digs (or whatever you see fit) should the weather turn at short notice.

 

Cheers and good luck......

[Carlosfandango]

Alex - As many others have already said, why not open a go fund me (or equivalent) and let’s get a few quid in reserve for digs (or whatever you see fit) should the weather turn at short notice.

Cheers and good luck......

Indeed Alex, it's not going to in anyway take away from the adventure or the crazy shit that might happen on the journey but it will take the element of weather exposure out of the equation - none of us here want you to be freezing your nuts off (unnecessarily)

 

Loving the pictures. The caravan is FLABULOUS.

 

CFD

[oldcars]

Nice little Eriba caravan. Nice condition, he must give a Puck about it

[jon.k]

This thread has been brilliant but it won't be so good if you actually make yourself ill in the freezing cold. As said above, I'd give a couple of quid to add to a pot that means that the adventure can continue to be posted on here without daft levels of hypothermia risk. 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Please give serious thought to the following

 

How about you let us chip in for a train to take you further south or west.

 

Bound to be something like the old inter-rail cards you used to get?

 

And if it sits better with you consider it payment for some more of your travel writing / chod pictures.

 

Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

[Mrs6C]

Don't know if these bicycle-friendly public transport services run all year round, but if they do, then perhaps this will be helpful:

https://blog.biketours.com/2016/01/how-to-shorten-the-cycling-on-the-mosel-bike-path/

[Bucketeer]

^^^^ I'm about 200yds from a boat stop but unfortunately they and the buses don't run in winter.

 

There was a weather report yesterday on German TV forecasting high winds from the south (ie: headwinds), rain, (possibly lots of) snow, and cold from tomorrow. I have been looking at trains to get a bit of the way and avoid the very worst of the weather but it's all a bit of a conundrum. I can't take the trailer on trains so I would have to pack and strap everything onto the bike (which I have been considering anyway), but there are only certain trains that allow bikes on them at all and whilst I could go another 50km down the valley okay any further is a pain. For example I could get the train to Nancy that takes maybe three hours with one change without the bike, but with the bike there would be six changes and it would take about 24 hours.

Also I would love to visit Chez Saabnut for a bit, to have a nice rest and see a friendly face. Unfortunately that is about 600km due west and there are not so many rivers to follow that way, whereas I could head down more south through the east of France following rivers and canals all the way.

I think the only solution is just to crack on as before with the trailer and see what happens. TBH I'm not looking forward to setting off tomorrow much, the cycling and camping side of it would be fine if only it were a few degrees warmer (and a bit dryer). I guess I just need to pull in my brave pants and get on with it.

[Tickman]

Alex, as you know there are a few of us doing the trip with you from the comfort of our own homes and the offer of help is genuine.

Mine is just so I don't feel so cold looking at the pictures of the tent with frost on.

 

It is not charity that you would be accepting but more of a subscription to the thread

[Bucketeer]

Of course the other option I didn't mention would be to get a cheap flight somewhere (I'm 25km from an airport) until the weather got better and then come back for my bike and continue the journey. Unfortunately I don't really have anywhere to go, so that's a non-starter really.

[Sheefag]

https://www.workaway.info/355214849884-en.html

 

Looking for handy skills in gardening and repairs to help our project to build in the middle of nature, in southern France

Description

We are located in southern France, it is land of 10.5 ha, with an old style castle on the top of the hill. The project is to build a well being center in the middle of nature, with a vast plantation of medicinal herbs. Part of the castle is waiting to be renewed. We are plan to be independent in food supply with permaculture within a year and the near future, energy independence. We need a lot of work in the garden and want to explore the little forest on our land to a place that people can rest and relax with nature. We also have many animals on our land. Right now we are two ladies ( 38 and 69 years old and two boys 8 and 10 years old live on this land and we are looking for someone who loves working in the garden and love animals , very handy in terms of repairing things.

• 
  
  Type of help

  Gardening
  Building
  Babysitting / child care
  General Maintenance
  Cooking / shopping
  Help with Eco project
  Help in the house
  Animal care
  Art project
  Help with Computers / internet

• 
  
  Help

  We got a huge garden and a little Forrest to be better organized, and general maintenance.

• 
  
  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We have an cozy room for whoever willing to help us including food. This land is surrounded with amazing view of nature. You are going to practice permaculture and learn French or Chinese as language if you want. This place is one hour and a half from mountain and one hour and a half from the sea. Two hours from Spain, one hour and 15 mins from the famous Lourdes. The number one region of organic farming in France. You will for sure learn and experience a lot while seeing us developing this project.

• 
  
  Languages spoken

  English, Chinese, French

• 
  
  Accommodation

  Studio. A very beautiful studio surrounded by roses, recently fully renewed. one independent maison that is fully equipped.
  
  The owner of this place is a Chinese lady with two boys of 11 and 9 years old.

• 
  
  What else ...

  Just enjoy the nature and life. it is one of the most relaxing place you can find in France.

 

[binhoker668]

Hey boyo - let there be a funds depository!

[Guest Hooli]

https://www.workaway.info/355214849884-en.html

 

 

 

I've seen worse jobs advertised.

[binhoker668]

Sounds like the arrangement is suiting you both for the moment. You've got warmth and food and an interesting roof over your head and he's probably pleased to have some company for this part of the year. Why not see if you can stay until say mid-February when Spring will be on its way and you'll have lighter days and better temperatures for riding? That gives the opportunity for him to find you some meaningful jobs to be done around the place and you won't have to worry about moving on in the depths of cold.

 

Who knows - this could turn into a long term friendship and you might find yourself visiting back there on a regular basis. His boats look jolly interesting, too!

 

Absolutely this.  You're not in any race - that's the whole point!

Get a German dictionary and enjoy the heat and the work.

Call it a good moment to improve your language.

[Bucketeer]

Absolutely this. You're not in any race - that's the whole point!

Get a German dictionary and enjoy the heat and the work.

Call it a good moment to improve your language.

Unfortunately he's closing the place for the rest of winter so I have to leave in the next day or so.

 

 

I have checked out the workaway site before. In fact I used a similar one (HelpX) when I traveled through France a few years ago. The only problem with these type of sites is that there is not a great success rate of applying to go somewhere and them actually wanting anyone at that time, or even replying, or whatever. And I don't really want to be shelling out the annual membership fee for nowt. I did have decent success with HelpX but that was during summer, and not many places want or need people in winter.

[Sheefag]

I've seen worse jobs advertised.

 

In fairness, it was the first and only thing I looked at. If Alex is a bit handy, there's always plenty of work in the Côte d'Azur, Provence and the Dordogne.

[Sheefag]

What's your skillset Alex?

[Bucketeer]

Jack of most trades, master of none I guess. I've done modern building, traditional building (including cob), landscaping and gardening, interior renovating, etc.

I reckon I would class myself as a big lump who likes to graft and can do most things to a reasonable level.

[Sheefag]

And right now, somewhere in France or Spain, there's someone who would kill next doors dog for your services.

The challenge of course, is in finding them.

Would it be an intrusion if I and others continued to look and post suggestions?

I know most will be non-flyers but there's very often a diamond buried in the rough.

[Luxxo Waftybarger]

As soon as there is any snow settled on the road cycling without studded tyres is lethal. If it's melted slush you'll be fine. Best to avoid cycle paths and stick to main roads where exhausts melt the snow. Hope you can stop and wait it out but if you press on wear overshoes or at least put some plastic bags over your feet, frostbite is a real risk. If budget allows I'd swap the trailer for front panniers you'll be much faster.

[Bucketeer]

Would it be an intrusion if I and others continued to look and post suggestions? I know most will be non-flyers but there's very often a diamond buried in the rough.

Absolutely not. I'm always open and welcoming to suggestions.

[dollywobbler]

Jack of most trades, master of none I guess. I've done modern building, traditional building (including cob), landscaping and gardening, interior renovating, etc.

I reckon I would class myself as a big lump who likes to graft and can do most things to a reasonable level.

 

And exceedingly good at carrying things. 12/10 on that one.

[Sheefag]

If 34 of us chipped in a Euro each....

 

https://www.workaway.info/workawaypresent.html

 

Also, once you were sorted, you could loan it out to someone else to jobhunt just by changing the email address.

An Autoshite, expat jobhunting bike, as it were.

It wouldn't be charity as it would merely be on loan.

[320touring]

^^in for that

[Cavcraft]

Everyone knows you're a top Jock, and not a scrounger Alex. A crowd funding type thing to keep you warm and dry until the shit weather passes is something you should try.

[Saabnut]

There is an easy solution Alex.

 

I am typing this on the tunnel so will be near Le Mans tonight. I empty the car and in the morning come an collect you, the bike and the trailer. You can then stop at mine til the weather improved

[NorthernMonkey]

^^^Like x10

[Sheefag]

Perfect solution!

[Saabnut]

Oh, and there are plenty of little jobs that need doing if you want to not feel guilty but that is no means a pre requisite as you are most welcome as a guest

[Kringle]

If 34 of us chipped in a Euro each....

 

https://www.workaway.info/workawaypresent.html

 

Also, once you were sorted, you could loan it out to someone else to jobhunt just by changing the email address.

An Autoshite, expat jobhunting bike, as it were.

It wouldn't be charity as it would merely be on loan.

That's a good idea.