Bike choice for France north-south trip

[Sarkmeister]

Evening all

A couple of months ago I posted about a 7 day Calais to Nice solo bike ride I am planning for Sept next year. The planning is going well following everyones feedback and suggestions.

I'm now in the position to decide what bike to take. I currently have a Ribble Endurance SL (105) and a Cannondale CAAD8 (set up for winter riding). My original plan was to bike a gravel type bike, put road tyres and panniers on it and use that. A Ribble CGR Al was the choice I was looking at.

I'm now wondering whether I could just take my Ribble and use a seat post, frame and handlebar bag (my plan is to pack very light as I'm staying in B&Bs and my wife is meeting me in Nice with luggage).

I'm thinking this set up on the RIbble:

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Vel/Adventure-Lug...

Would I struggle with just frame/post/bar mounted bags? Would panniers be better?

Any other thoughts?

I'm planning 100 miles per day so would like something as light/fast as possible.

Cheers in advance.

[ZetecTDCI]

7 fast days through France in Sept, B&B's and I'm guessing, no cooking, I don't think I'd fill all those bags. I don't think you'll struggle for space in those bags. I think those bags would likely be faster than panniers. Sounds like a great trip to have on the calendar for next year.

[smifffymoto]

Is 7 days just a target or a time constraint.

Seems a missed opportunity not to enjoy France in more detail.

[Bilkob]

I did a trip like this 6 years ago. The best thing I ever did! I stayed in nice little hotels, B&Bs and did roughly 100 miles a day, for 7days. I used my beloved Look 586, and took just a tiny back pack, as I didn’t want the bike spoiled for pictures…….
It was absolutely perfect. I took very lightweight T-shirt and shorts and flip flops for evening ‘dining’ (nothing worse than a tt in Lycra and the dinner, or breakfast table!), a spare pair of cycling shorts, and all the other stuff, phone charger, passport, leads, bike tools, a couple of tubes, etc and that was it. Washed my kit in the shower every night, and after shoving in as much food as possible, and a couple of beers in the evening, woke up to dry, fresh kit and off I went again. It was absolutely bloody brilliant. Take your best bike, pack light, and revel in the whole wonder of riding all the way across the best place on Earth to ride a bike. In fact, can I come……..

[Gruffy]

Whether you want/need panniers is down to your own tolerance for packing light. Personally, I avoid panniers if possible. You can pack a lot into modern bikepacking bags, especially if you're not carrying sleeping equipment. The bike will be faster, handle better and generally be more enjoyable.

As for bike choice, prioritise comfort. 30-32mm tyres make a great difference to comfort compared to 25s or 28s.

[djone101]

I did a 9 day ride from UK to Copenhagen stopping at cheap hotels in August. I used the Ortlieb QR seat pack and QR bar bag along with a small frame bag and that worked out fine.
Next time I'd maybe run fork bags instead of the bar bag but otherwise was all good.
Panniers would be great if you're camping I guess but credit card bikepacking means you can travel light.

[Sarkmeister]

smifffymoto said:

Is 7 days just a target or a time constraint.

Seems a missed opportunity not to enjoy France in more detail.

7 or 8 days away from the family is the most I've been able to negotiate

My wife is meeting me in Nice at the end so I essentially have 7 and a half days to get there or she'll be on holiday on her own.

[Sarkmeister]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Before I looked into this I always assumed panniers were my only option. I now like the sound of taking my decent bike and getting some lightweight bags that fit on it. My plan is to take as little as I can get away with so hopefully this will be enough.

I also think climbing and descending Mt Ventoux will be a lot more fun on a lighter bike.....

[Bilkob]

Honestly, take as little as you reasonably think you can. I found it quite cathartic that all I had to do, was ride my bike all day, eat, drink, sleep and do it again
And if you’re going over Ventoux, you’ll thank yourself both on the way up and down!

[soprano]

I did Paris > Barcelona last year on a Ribble Gran Fondo with an Ortlieb bag on the seat post. Pack as light as you can. I aim for under 3kg including the bag on summer trips. You will thank yourself going over Ventoux! Enjoy it, cycling south in France during September will be fabulous.

Very average picture on a supermarket lunch stop!

Edited by soprano on Wednesday 7th December 22:17

[Sarkmeister]

Thanks for the further replies.

I'm glad everyone is saying pack less, as I expected the opposite to be honest. I think I'll just go with to 3 light bags on the bike.

Really looking forward to it. Just need to get a bit of training in....