After more than two years of enforced stay-at-homeitis, I admit there have been unexpected challenges in getting ready for an overseas trip. Will everything I want fit in the panniers, and will the panniers fit on the borrowed bike? What bike is Arlene going to ride, and how will we get it to France from Toronto? Am I really going to weigh every bike shirt to be sure I’m taking the lightest possible options? Why is the temperature on the Atlantic Coast stubbornly lingering above 30C? And where is my passport anyway? Has it grown rust from lack of use? Is it even still valid?

With days to go to departure, I’m happy to say that the issues seem to have been resolved, and my passport only expires next year. Even the weather may be cooperating, with forecast highs in the mid 20s and a pleasant cool-down at night. Yes there’s rain in the forecast, but I bought a swish new rain jacket after discovering that the waterproofing on the old one has decided to delaminate itself from the material it’s supposed to be bonded to. So bring that rain on. Not.

The plan.

Fly from Toronto to Paris on Sunday and take a pre-booked three-train trip on to Royan, where we will be introduced to our bicycles and figure out where to go next. I’ll take a pannier as carry-on and a handlebar bag as a purse, and check a bag with the other pannier and most of the on-bike stuff. C+C are supplying saddles (risky, perhaps) and pedals, and we are supplying Quebec maple syrup and all the stuff we think we need. We will tap French bakeries for endless supplies of croissants and pains au chocolat. 

What could possibly go wrong?

Heart

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