I'm pretty sure they are (a former version of) MEC Adanac Tights, but I've had them for years since I didn't cycle to work. However, a couple of years ago I made a 3-day cycling trip to Washington State and on the day I left, it rained all day (though not a drencher). I wore these pants since and they didn't soak through. I hadn't expected such performance!

Al does ride to work and is on maybe his second pair of similar pants. He says the current ones aren't as good as the originals; they leak.

I note that neither his more mine were advertised as waterproof, only water resistant. If I were expecting really cold rain that I'd have to ride in, if I were going to Iceland for example, I'd take some proper seam-sealed, waterproof-breathable pants, but not heavy-duty 3-layer Goretex.

I am curious about the wind and water resistant cycling pants. What kind are they? I am trying to figure out what to take...I have water resistant cycling pants I used for commuting and they were fine for that, but I am not sure how they would hold up for hours, and I certainly wouldn’t call them fashionable. I just bought a pair of Sugoi rain pants. They are amazing but very expensive and I can’t decide if they are worth the investment, the weight and the bulk.

Anxious to see what you do with that camera you’ll be lugging around. Just tell your partner to be a little patient for a change. That’s always worked well for me,

For me, having the pannier on my back makes it easier to deal with my handlebar bag, bike case and large duffel. The duffel contains the other three panniers and my rear rack if I can't get it into the bike case; funny how sometimes I can and sometimes I can't.

I've used this system to get through large airports and even six long blocks from the train station to my accommodation in Barcelona. When travelling solo, you have to be able move everything at once by yourself.

Previously, I've left the backpack converter in my bike case but this time I might take it along so I can use a "backpack" instead of my handlebar bag for off-the-bike exploring.

Dodie has been using a large MEC reusable shopping bag each to carry our carryon panniers. It also doubles as a shopping bag, laundry carrying bag and many other useful purposes.

Watch out, Jacquie. You’re standing upon a pretty slippery slope here. If you book La Rochelle, you might as well pick your next stop too. Hard to know when to stop.

I have Île de Ré noted but I hadn’t noticed Cognac when looking at the map. I had thought of following the shoreline but maybe not... Great suggestion!

I’ll really enjoy following along on this, Jacquie. The first half will be reminiscence for us - the Dordogne and Lot are one of our favorite regions in France ( but there are so many - what an amazing country for cycle touring), and we really liked biking north along the Atlantic. We’ve never been to Brittany or Normandy though, and keep talking about when we should go there.

We started and ended a tour in Bordeaux 12 years ago (and yes, Bordeaux is easily worth an extra day). Going north to the Loire we went up the east side of the Gironde, along the Charente through Angouleme, Cognac, Saintes, Saint Georges de Didonne, and La Rochelle. All great. Don’t miss Ile de Re.

One’s ancestry unlocks the key to one’s stomach? That explains so much, but it never occurred to me before. Anderson is a very common Italian name, or so I’m told.

I do know my ancestors came to the U.S. by way of Canada but I don't know if they were Acadian. Given my love of Cajun food, I'd like to think they were.

My ancestors too. They were Acadian so likely came from Brittany or Normandy. All I really know is they ended up in Prince Edward Island after the Expulsion.

Hi Jacquie,
I like the non-planning-style of your planning. That's kind of how I do things too, so I'm looking forward to seeing where you end up riding in the land of my ancestors--even though I never knew any of my ancestors who actually lived there.