The Heat Is Killing Me - Bikepacking France Episode 2
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2023
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It’s Day 2 of my bikepacking trip through France. And it’s time to level up this adventure a bit. I’m finally out of the worst part the suburbs of Paris, and get to encounter a varied set of roads and trails. Everything from gnarly singletrack to wonderfully designed bicycle highways. But it’s all part of the adventure I guess. And the sights along the road are nothing to sneeze at either. Castles, picturesque towns and lovely bike paths along the Seine river make up the scenery on this day.
Since my last Bikepacking trip with Ryan van Duzer we had been experiencing such bad weather here in Sweden that I decided to go some place warm and sunny for my autumn Bikepacking trip. So I headed down to Paris to start my journey with the end goal being the wine region of Bordeaux. Join me for this amazing Bikepacking adventure over the next 10 weeks or so.
Bike:
Kona Sutra
Bike Bags:
Ortlieb Handlebar Pack 15L
Ortlieb Frame Pack 6L
Ortlieb Seat Pack 16,5L
Clothes:
Adidas Adilette Flip Flops - amzn.to/40eKFyQ
Craft Core Enduro Jacket
2 Forclaz Merino Wool T-Shirt
Nike Mens Dri-FIT Short Sleeve Polo Shirt - amzn.to/3j2aq1w
Padded MTB Shorts
Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants - amzn.to/3jalGfE
2 Pair of Socks amzn.to/40dU4H6
Merino Underwear - amzn.to/3XRU9hZ
Merino Wool Buff - amzn.to/409sYkd
Giro Fixture Mips Helmet - amzn.to/3XKHsoZ
Science In Sport Water Bottle - amzn.to/3WLLsV9
Northwave Cycling Shoes
Sunglasses
Cooking Gear:
Sea To Summit X Mug - amzn.to/3Hg7GJ1
Light My Fire Spork - amzn.to/3Dncn2J
Wine Bottle Opener ;-)
Tools:
Lezyne HV Bicycle Hand Pump - amzn.to/3lHxnJc
Park Tool VP-1Vulcanizing Patch Kit - amzn.to/409NhOC
Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool - amzn.to/3j0A86D
Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube - amzn.to/3iWqYIf
CTC Plastic Bag + packaging
Inner Tube - amzn.to/3Dq1oFP
Bike Lock - amzn.to/3HHcWqs
Toiletries:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shaving Gel
Mach 3 Razor - amzn.to/3j2bYsm
Contact Lens Case
Travel Schampoo bottle
Camping Equipment:
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent - amzn.to/3aA1MTp
Sea To Summit Collapsible Backpack - amzn.to/3RvanLP
Aegismax UL Down Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3BVCStv
Aegismax Nano 2 Ultralight Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3RcZcqR
Sea To Summit Reactor Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner - amzn.to/409RLVs
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad - amzn.to/3Y98qGC
Nabaji Microfibre Towel L - amzn.to/3Y3KDbh
Electronics
Samsung S20 - amzn.to/3Y544jR
Dji Mavic Pro Drone - amzn.to/3FKsVBk
GoPro Hero7 Black - amzn.to/3JoetTC
Canon G7X Mark II - amzn.to/3XO7lnY
Zoom H1N Recorder - amzn.to/409ewZA
Rode Smartlav+ Lavalier - amzn.to/3RcZcqR
2 Anker PowerCore 20000 mAh - amzn.to/3JpPxvg
Bag Of Cables and Extra Batteries
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7:20 In the U.S, we have tons of these "little libraries" that people set up, so neighbors can exchange used books. They're all hand-built, so they come in all sorts of designs.
We have the same in my part of Canada! Very good to see.
I'm jealous! Seems like it's only in Sweden where we don't have those.
@@BikeTouringMike you could get the “ball rolling” in your community! These things usually start informally, (assuming there are no legal/government issues)with someone just getting things started!
We have them in the UK as well
Thanks for getting back to me Mike re the front panniers.
We just watched this, super helpful planning our trip back to Paris! Thanks!
Thank you, I I didn't know about Euro velo route.
I guess I have to do a whole video about the Eurovelo network sometime after this series is done.
I too tagged over to your channel after seeing you on Ryan's Swedish adventure. I am really enjoying this France trip as I would like to cycle France some day, Mike, thanks ! Cheers from the UK
Hej and welcome to the channel Phil. If you live in the UK, France is a great option for you. It's fairly close, at least compared to where I'm from. Cheers!
You are making so chilled and cool videos Mike. Enjoy your content. Keep it up.! Greatings from Hardanger in Norway.
It looks funny seeing the Sutra so naked 😂
The small community library is popular here in Australia.
Man, it seems like every place has those except for Sweden. I guess it has to do with the climate.
As always, a great video. Cycling in France is one of my hopes.
Wonderful video! France is beautiful. Thanks for all the information.
Thank you Megan! Glad to be able to provide some inspiration and information.
Super video capturing your biking tour of France. Very informative as well. Great job!!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
We have a bunch of those Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood, Mike.
That's great! Wish we had those too.
I’m also one of those who found your channel from Ryan. Good tip on the potato chips. I usually carry salt tabs, but may try potato chips next time. Calories, carbs and sodium all on one shot 👍🏽
Your videos are shot and edited well. Plus you give tips that can help people bike the same route. I look forward to your new videos.
What a nice trip through beautiful france. Enjoy a few good glasses of Bordeaux wine, you know about the prices in your local systembolaget 😅 greetings from Småland ❤
Enjoyed the video! I totally agree with you about spending a few Euros to have a few conveniences. Very worth it!
You get wiser with age I reckon.
Thanks!
Thank you! That is very generous of you. Hope you enjoyed following along.
Thanks Mike for sharing your video of your french adventure & the trials and tribulations & the joy of the journey. I cycled north to south of Brittany along the coast to along the Loire river to Angers last May & the first week of June. It wasn't as hot as 36deg I think but it was approx 30deg, I sweated a lot for sure but I really enjoyed the adventure. As you show it had good and rough roads/tracks, some not really suitable for my Kona Sutra SE like yours. In fact it was you that convinced me to get a Kona Sutra SE & I love the bike. There were some though hills, or too many though hill maybe, but I made it & I'll definitely do it again.
I felt so sorry for you when you were so tired you could hardly think how to speak. You are though & way more experienced than I am. But a person can take it at their own pace which it the great thing.
Looking forward to your next episode.
All the best.
Liam.
Ireland 🇮🇪
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Very nice
Potato chips also contain potassium (both is needed for the cell pump).
Good to know! Another reason to spoil myself at the end of a tough day!
So I did find your channel by watching Ryan's . I have found a few channels through his videos but what I enjoy doing is going back and watching the new channel from the beginning. Your videos are showing me places I would probably not see otherwise so thank you and keep them coming.
Shout out on the advice for an electricity adapter. As a North American travelling through Italy this summer I would never have known about this until I saw one of your earlier videos mentioning campground adapters. It was very helpful!
Glad to be of service! It such a small thing, but It can really help a lot, not having to charge your phone in the bathroom all time.
THANKS!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good job friend. 👍
22:11 it seems not only after sushi 😂
Thank you Mike, for bringing us along!
Looks like you had a great day! Thanks for taking us along, Mike.
In hot conditions, have a siesta for a couple of hours after lunch and restart the journey. Try Coca-Cola first and then drink your water, old military trick to help absorb water. Ryan is a top hand when it comes to his bicycle trips vlogs. Keep up the good work, its a real pleasure to see different aspects of countries I have visited previously. That includes Sweden, Finland and Norway. Cheers!
Unfortunately I don't really have the time for a siesta. Filming these videos takes quite some time, so I really can't afford taking too long breaks. But from day 3 I found my groove and allowed myself to have longer lunch breaks during the worst part of the day. And it actually worked!
Cocacola for the yankees
Funny, i'm just on my way back from Appenzell, Switzerland to Biarritz, France. Around 2800km, now under my tarp, 120km from homw.
Went over the Grand Massiv, which was tiring....
Look out for dog poo, it's everywhere!
Wow, that's a big climb to make. I bet it's going to be nice to get home!
I am glad you got dressed up for that well deserved camping cup full of wine. LOL :) I loved the views. :) :)
Thank you! The views will improve even more as I get to the Loire Valley in the coming episodes. I found this incredible castle, that seemed to be taken right out of a Disney movie.
Thank you for sharing your experience. That was Awesome🙂
Glad you enjoyed it Will!
So glad you got some food! Some beautiful sights! Can’t wait to see the next leg of your journey!
It will get even more beautiful in the coming episodes. I found this incredible castle that seemed like it was taken right out of a Disney movie.
Do you ever carry hydration powder packets? The ones that have salt in them are great!
I have been following you for some time now, before you met up with Ryan in Sweden.. it was great to see you both riding together!
Please stay hydrated! Love your videos!
I really should, my wife keeps reminding me to pring some but I keep forgetting. I guess I'm so use to cycling in moderate temperatured climates so I take it for granted that 10 degrees more isn't going to do me any harm...
Great vid mike. I love seeing the urban and rural combinations. Glad you are getting more eyeballs to the channel!
Thanks! I'm very thankful for that as well.
Thanks Mike. Great information and lovely video. I had a stuga in Sweden a few years ago......love your country and the people.
That's great! Was it red?
What stunning scenery and very informative Mike. Merci ;-)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, this was a great video. Reminds me of when I did Bordeaux to Barcelona. Thanks Mike
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed following along. Sound like a great trip. I did a trip in that region about 5 years ago and really enjoyed it.
That looked hot. What a great trip and some real adventure in there. Beautiful country side too. Take care, Al
It was! But it got better/I got used to the heat as the days passed.
I think you're on the write bike, the sutra is beast, a good all round mile muncher, and that's a great set up you got there. Thankyou for the videos mike love them.
Thank you Simon! So glad to hear that you really enjoy the videos.
Jag led med dig när du höll på säcka ihop där ett tag. Vet känslan alltför väl. Tack för videon.
Tack för ditt medlidande Alex. Tänker att de kan vara bra att få med de jobbiga delarna också, så att videorna inte blir för polerade med bara enkla dagar där allt flyter på...
Thanks Mike, your videos are great I enjoy watching them since I also enjoy cycling around the area where I live in Oregon. Definitely I enjoy seeing the European landscape and cityscapes that you have shown and it is refreshing to see other parts of Europe. Have a good trip cheers for now.
Thanks! I try my best to mix it up a bit, to show different parts of Europe.
Mike, thank you for your videos. I will definately watch your other tours - especially those in the nothern european countries. I felt in love with Sweden (after a vacation in 2022) and I will definately travel to Sweden again. Greetings from Southern Germany
Looked like a better day. September was really hot this year, a cool glass of white is just the ticket. Be careful on the rough stuff while filming.
Much Love Ed
Hello Mike 👋. We have those mini libraries here in MN also. Don't be too hard on yourself heat can drain your energy so fast. I think you did great. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Glad you enjoyed following along!
@@BikeTouringMike I do very much. Wish I could join you.
Geez, felt so concerned for you midway through this episode! Coming from Queensland Australia, I know how zapping this type of heat can be. We are expecting 36 degrees this week and it is still Spring! Very much enjoying this series, thank you for the effort it takes to bring this all together for us to share.
Thanks for the concern Kathleen! Glad you appreciate the videos! Wow, 36 degrees during spring. I was traveling through Queensland 10 years ago, in November and we never reached those temperatures if I remember correct. Perhaps one day when we went a bit inland, but that's it.
Oh, I felt for you, suffering in the heat. I was on tour in the States at the same time and was also SUPER HOT, but, I'm used to the heat. I cannot imagine your struggle. But you got through it. Thanks for the tip on bringing the plug adaptor, important.
I'm definitely not used to it. And I should definitely listen to my wife next time, who keeps reminding me to pack some electrolyte tablets, but I always forget to bring them.
Don't forget, you can already watch Episode 3 by joining my Patreon: www.patreon.com/BikeTouringMike460. Day 2 was pretty rough, but by Day 3 I found my flow and everything was great again. The Loire Valley was stunning!
One of the best biketours in Europe
Such beautiful country, and beautiful roads! I totally relate to the willingness to pay for a campground in order to have a shower each evening, especially in hot weather. So reviving.
I did a tour in New Zealand some years ago, and had to deal with some 40C heat. Stopping in any available shade, for 10-15 minutes every half hour or so, was the only way I made it through the day.
It's a sign of the times to see a Swede buying take-out sushi for supper in France...convenience store sushi has conquered the world! 🙂
Here in Sweden, where we rarely get temperature above 25 I can ride forever and go for days without the need for a shower. But under those conditions I really felt that 8 Euros for a shower was a no-brainer!
Nice one Mike great film! And a big fan of all your films all the best from the UK
Glad you enjoy watching them!
Hi Mike. I am another one who found you through Ryan. Went through some of your videos. Very enjoyable. And how can you not have a glass of wine with dinner in France. Thank you.
The little lending library in the park is nice. Many people here in Oregon and Washington states (USA) have them. I have borrowed a book or two. You could start a trend in Norway🥰
Cheers. 🍷🥰🚴♀️🌞🖖
I have to build one myself, add some books and see if someone shows up. If you build it, they will come... Welcome to the channel by the way!
Hello Mike. I am a new subscriber because of Ryan! I am enjoying your trip through France. The white box you found in the park containing with the books that’s a very popular trend here in the US. The premise is that children can come and exchange a book that they have for a book from the box. The boxes often have a little stool next to the box so that children can actually step up and reach in to select their own book. Ride safe
That's great! Wish we had those too.
Loving the vids Mike. Reminds me of my first solo bike trip in europe. I stupidly thought a 30 litre rucksack to carry my gear would be fine...no ike bags, no panniers! My first day was a 60 mile cycle in 35 degree heat! Never again...now have full touring bike set up!
Oh wow, can't imagine how bad that must have been. I try to stay away from using a backpack, and let the bike do all the carrying. Wouldn't want to imagine how sweaty my jersey would have been carrying a backpack in 35C heat.
@@BikeTouringMike: I've ridden with a backpack in addition to panniers for hundreds of kilometres this year, cycling in Ukraine. Most days 32-38C, it was fantastic. Not sure why people have problems with the heat unless they are overweight (fat acts as an insulator), or can't sweat which is a condition that some people have. I'm from the Netherlands so I'm not used to the heat, but I like it. I like the cold too, cycling in -18C is chilly when starting then quickly I get hot. Well, fingers are an issue.
Hi Mike, yeah I saw you on the Duzer! I'm interested in your Scandinavian take. My wife is from Finland. They have beautiful scenery there both in the Lake Region and along the coast. They seem to have good bike infrastructure and endless low traffic roads. Ahvenmaa(Aaland) is super super nice for biking and ferry rides. Hope to some bikepacking there someday. Great trail in France! I have never heard of it before. Also, great tip on the electrical connector.
Hi Matt! Finland is great, if you can stand the mosquitoes. Kinda like over here in Sweden. Plus they have a great train network over there with splendid access for bikes. I'm probably doing some sort of tour up in Lapland net year. I bikepacked the Åland Islands with my wife 4 years ago. There are a number of videos from that trip here on the channel if you're interested in learning more about it.
Fantastic video Mike, some of the scenery was spectacular👌That heat was so oppressive, I don't think I could have handled it being from Scotland 😂
I am a the glass is half full kind of person, and rarely complain. But at that moment I was totally out of energy. I really underestimated the toll the heat took on me.
Mike we left Roscoff on the same day as you started on our way to Santander Spain,the heat was very intense that first week, great job so far.
Yeah, the first couple of days were rally rough. But it got better after a couple of days for me.
Fin resa du gör, toppen.
Tack! Kul att du uppskattar den!
I've been in similar heat conditions a while back when bikepacking Germany in de Black Forest. Combine that with lots of climbs too... on 100km/hr roads with cars hehe... I always made sure I had a bottle of Isotonic drink with me. Tried one day without it, it was unbearable. You can buy it in powder form and carry it in a zip-loc bag, I'd highly recommend it! Regarding the sound volume in some of the shots, doesn't you video editing software have a way of boosting the volume a bit? Otherwise, great video, can't wait till the next!
The sound issue is that my external mic either stopped working, or I forgot to turn it on, probably due to the heat at times during the first couple of days. I've scanned through most of the material, and after day 3 the audio is good. I used the onboard camera mic which gain is unfortunately set very low, hence the low sound in the final edit. I apologise for that. I should be resolved from Episode 4 and further on.
Yup,the heat can really beat you down as I've experienced in july riding along the Loire at 35 degrees. 25 is quite enough thank you😂
I planned my trip for September to be able to avoid the crowds and the heat. Never expected it to be 35 degrees for days on end. I agree. 20-25 is perfect!
South Texas summer 40s extremely hot
Hi don't know where you are in the journey but here in charente maritime will have storm Bernard coming up form spain tomorrow 23/10 and its gone blooming cold this last few days.
Thanks's for the heads up! But I'm safe and souns already at home. It takes quite a while to edit and put together these videos, so I went on this trip about a month ago.
Thanks for sharing your precious experiences.
What do you usually use for charging your devices?
Your title raised an eyebrow! In the UK, bonk and bonking mean something entirely different!😂
Haha, without looking it up I realise right away what it means. That certainly made my day ;-)
Hi Mike, just wondering how you plan your trip and stay on track of figure out new tracks on the way?. What bike computer do you use?
These two videos pretty much explain how I plan my bike tours:
ua-cam.com/video/FijlUZHWiRQ/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/S6ptj9T7O6A/v-deo.html
But this specific trip was pretty easy to plan and follow along since i pretty much followed the Eurovelo 3/La Scandiberique Bike Route all the way. There's a great resource at:
www.scandiberique.com/
And regarding my bike computer, I usa a really old Garmin, but I don't use it for navigation, it's too old for that. I instead use my phone for navigation. I'm aiming to get a new bike computer in the future though, Just have to figure out which one to get first.
Do you put electrolyte tabs in your water bottles? Decathlon do some good ones at a very reasonable price.
I would much rather be hot than cold. Can't stand cold and damp weather. It's miserable especially when cycling.
No, I don't, but I really should. My wife is a nurse, and she asked me why I didn't bring or buy any. That would have probably solved a lot of problems for me. I guess me being more suited to colder climates is due to the fact that's what I'm used to. For me the cold isn't a big issue. I know how to dress for it. The trick is to layer up, avoid getting too sweaty, and changing into warm and fresh clothes as soon as you're done cycling for the day.
Great video Mike, I’ve ridden from Dinard to the Pyrenees a few times, beautiful scenery. Chateaux are fantastic. I cycled mostly in April.
Quick question, What front panniers are you using?
Watch the hydration 😀🚴
The small panniers are called Ortlieb Fork Packs 3L.
It's probably because I'm a bit older, but more than just appreciating camp grounds, I find myself spending every other night in some hotel or hostel when I'm out touring. Also, I've noticed that trying to plan so I don't end up arriving at my accommodation at 10pm lowers my stress levels a lot!
Do you find hotels/hostels as you go or do you have to pre-book them? That would be my biggest fear on going on a pure hotel bikepacking trip. That I would have to be at a certain place at a certain time. But I guess if you go during low season it would be pretty easy to find accommodation.
@@BikeTouringMike I typically book my accommodation for the next day as soon as I'm checked in on the accommodation for the current day. It can be a little bit tricky in very scarcely populated areas, or where there are very few cities that are big enough to have several hotels but it usually works out, For example, I wouldn't try a pure hotel bikepacking trip through Northern Sweden, especially not through the inner parts, it might work if I stick to the coast but I'm not sure. A few years ago I rode from Stockholm to Gothenburg, and then along the Swedish coast from Gothenburg to Oskarshamn, and from there to Linköping, before taking the train back to Stockholm. I had a few occasions where I had to slightly change the route to find accommodation, but no major problems.
I had a bit more problems when I cycled from Stockholm to Amsterdam, but that was mainly because I was trying to do at least 100 km per day, so I had constant problems reaching my hotel before the reception closed. Lesson learned from that is that I'm too old to average 150 km per day, even with an aero road bike with aero wheels, which I used on that trip.
Great Video Mike! Super footage and editing. Was wondering if the 15L Ortlieb Front Bag is just the right size for the Kona Sutra? Ortlieb recommends a 9L for a drop bar. Thoughts? Tom
I went with the 15 L model since I was planning on using it both on my Sutra and my flat handlebar Unit X. When I use it on the Sutra I maybe lose a litre or two, since I can't really fit the whole bag at its full capacity between the drops. But that's Ok I figure. The 15 litre one os also a bit wider than the 9 litre model, so I'm able to fit both my tent and my sleeping pad next to each other.
The Sutra also has a pretty wide distance between the drops compared to other bikes, which allows for a pretty wide handlebar bag.
Thanks for the reply Mike. Always appreciate your "down to earth" approach to bikepacking. Tom
Mike, I notice you’ve changed from the Kona Sutra with panniers. Why?
For this trip I decided to go with bikepacking bags instead of panniers for two reasons. First of all I know that there would be some parts with singletrack or other technical parts, that would be easier to get through with bikepacking bags. The other reason was that I wanted to keep my weight down for my bike + bags so that I would be able to fly my bike for free. With SAS (that I flew with down to Paris) you can take your bike as your checked bag if it stays withing th 23 kg/50lbs weight limit.
Thank you for the video, Mike! It reminds me my trips in France.
I've also noticed there are a lot of correct subtitles uploaded in the video. How did you do it?
Thanks for noticing the subtitles. Well, it takes a bit of time. But in short. If I upload the video a couple of days ahead, UA-cam does its wonders of automatically transcribing subtitles in English. However these aren't always correct, so I have to spend about an hour per episode proof reading and correcting. But after that is done it's pretty easy to add subtitles for other languages since they are automatically translated by UA-cam. They are probably not a 100% either, but I guess it's better than nothing. I can see that people from non English speaking countries are using them, so if I have them time I'm going to continue with the subtitles.
@@BikeTouringMike Thank you!
Do you not carry snacks with you? Although the heat seems to have been a major issue
Hey Mike, when was that journey? It’s far from 35 degrees now end October?
I was in France between September 4-14th. Still very warm for September.
When you go into the supermarket, do you have a lock for your bike?
Yes I do. But it's a really cheap one. Probably cost me around 5USD. It's basically your ordinary cable lock, that i lock the frame to something solid. I typically bring my cameras and phone with me inside of the supermarket. But the rest I just leave outside. I try to leave my bike in a visible place rather than to hide it away. Usually by where the shopping carts are stored. The best thing is when I'm able to see my bike from the cashier. If someone were to start messing with my bike I'm able to just run outside.
@@BikeTouringMike That's a big concern for me because I do solo trips so I pack food from home. I live in NYC and my bike goes everywhere with me . Thieves walk around with bolt cutters and grinders so any lock can be defeated. Maybe in the countryside I would be more comfortable leaving my bike but I have had bikes stolen before and I don't feel good about leaving it unattended. I'm a new subscriber and I like your content.. Safe travels 👍
16:03 Hvorfor har du ikke skjermer på sykkelen? På min touringbike er det skikkelige skjermer så jeg ikke blir møkka til av hjulene. 👍👍
' about to bonk' you will get banned from youtube if you show that