In Reims

August 22, 2023

We make an important decision

Yesterday although such a lovely day in many respects had a couple of down sides. That is I fell off my bike twice the first on a rut in that single track thankfully avoiding both the canal and the stinging nettles and the second when I stopped for a cyclist going the other way under a narrow bridge. This has been happening far too often (about 9 times I think). I have never hurt myself much but it feels that possibly that could just be a matter of time. Really, apart from once yesterday, it has just been toppling over when I am stopped or almost stopped. After thinking about we think the reason is that my very heavy battery is on the back carrier above the panniers which makes it very heavy at the back and most importantly has a high centre of gravity and hence is inherently unstable. Once the bike gets out of the absolute vertical there is no way I can stop it falling. My bike at home has the battery in the down tube and I have never had problems. It’s not pleasant for me but not for Ken either as every time he sees me sprawled in an ungainly fashion on the ground being picked up by bystanders his heart is in his mouth.

A conference in the middle of the night and we decided that the right thing to do was to end the trip here. We have really enjoyed our cycling and had a great time and actually feel proud of ourselves. Ken has been amazing. It is actually right that at the age of 86 he doesn’t need an ebike to tour on. As well he has to handle the bikes and all the luggage at the end of each day - I am lucky.

So what now. I have been busy - logistics are what I can do. I have cancelled our flights home from Lyon and reserved new ones flying out of Charles de Gaulle on Wednesday Ken has managed to get rid of the bikes with considerable difficulty. Tomorrow it is the train to Paris where we will stay for 2 nights. Then to stay with Louise and her family for the weekend and back to Paris for a couple of nights before the long flight home.

Reims is a beautiful city with the canal running through it. The Cathedral is a truely magnificent Gothic structure. It is amazing to sit there in the cool (yes there is a canacule in France) look up into the lofty heights and imagine the Kings of France being crowned there and even Joan of Arcs presence

He rather reluctantly accepted the bikes

On our first bike tour we were following the Via Frangigina and came through Reims

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Comment on this entry	Comment	15

Kathleen JonesAwww, sorry you’re ending it, what a great ride. I’ve really enjoyed following along once again and getting my fix of old tractors. Safe travels home.
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1 year ago

Suzanne GibsonYes, it seems the right thing to do. Sorry to see your journey and journal end, though. It was wonderful following you.
My first e-bike which was converted from a conventional bike had the battery on the rear rack and the motor in the rea hub. Not a good set-up and hard to control, so I understand your situation.
Hope you have a safe and not too tiring trip home.
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Suzanne GibsonYes it is the right thing to do as I feel if we continued it could have ended in disaster. A rear rack battery is a fundamental design flaw Neither of my other two had that batteries on the racks but had thrm on down tubes. We have had a great time and so wonderful to tour in Europe again
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1 year ago

Tao HeGood sensible decision after the risk assessment conference. You are ending with a great trip. Say hello to Louise and her family. Welcome home soon 😁
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Tao HeThank you Tao we have had a great trip and look forward to seeing everyone and puss when we get home 💕💕
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1 year ago

Carolyn van HoeveYou have done incredibly well and should be so proud. I think you are both amazing. It sounds like the right decision to end on a positive note. I did wonder about all that weight on the back and had already decided a battery in the down tube would be more balanced. Hope you enjoy the time you have left. It’s been great following along with you.
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1 year ago

Robyn RichardsI've looked forward eagerly to your journal every day and will miss it. . . but you've made the sensible decision. Au revoir!
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Robyn RichardsIt’s good to be sensible in your old age. We have had a great trip and didn’t want the whole thing to end in tears. The bike was terrific in so many ways. With any sense my physics training would have alerted me to the problem of all that weight on the back with such a high centre of gravity 😊
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1 year ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesI just did my check-in on your trip, after a bit of trauma out here too (which will enter our blog in a few days). I think over 1000 km traveled and significantly, over 2400 "likes" in a short period is a great achievement you have done. For us, it has been a nostalgic journey, following you in some of our favourite places.

And oh, a great demonstration of executive decision making and action, with rebooking and de-biking. I would be curious to have more of the story of how the bikes were so quickly disposed of...

Steve
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Steve Miller/GrampiesIt was the right decision Steve. A bit disappointing but we are very satisfied with what we did and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Getting rid of the bikes was the major problem we had always considered that buying bikes was a more convenient option to hiring and probably not mich more expensive What Ken did was go into a bike shop and gave them to the somewhat bemused man
I can’t get over how stupid I was buying a bike with the battery on the back carrier. A more skilled rider would have been fine but my mobility difficulties make getting on and off difficult and that is when the instability is such a factor
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1 year ago

Keith ClassenSorry to hear you had to end your adventure prematurely. But the right decision under the circumstances. Enjoyed following along … so positive and inspirational!

Keith
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamWe had a great trip Keith and it does show that you can continue to ride in your old age even if pretty badly
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1 year ago

Jill BrinsleyWhat a superb effort. We are in awe of your accomplishments on this trip and have loved following along. Side note: please say Hi to Louise from her old English teacher !!!!🤣👏
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Jill BrinsleyWe had a lovely weekend with Louise and I gave her your best wishes which were reciprocated
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1 year ago

Scott AndersonI’ve gotten behind and finally got back to your journal. I’m so sorry you had to truncate your journey, though it certainly looks like the smart decision. I’m so impressed though at your accomplishment! Truly an inspiration. Thanks for taking us long with you!
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1 year ago