Cycling

Errandonnee on the Touristique

I’d never heard of an ‘Errandonnee’ until I heard the word at the end of the Go Bike meeting on the 12th March. A day later a tweet led me to Chasing Mailboxes where I learned the definition the term ‘Errandonnee’ is :a hybrid of ‘errands’ and the French word ‘randonnee’.

The Errandonnee challenge was to complete 12 errands in 12 days and ride a total of 30 miles by bike between March 5-16, 2015.

The rules were simple, 12 errands from 9 categories, no errand done more than twice, complete a score card, noting milage and something you learned or observed on each errand, plus a photo.

I’d just finished my latest commuter come adventure bike on the 6th of March and was keen to get some miles on it.

For those who want the details; the frame and fork is an old 1991 British Eagle Touristique, Reynolds 531ST which I had powder coated along with a front and rear rack to as near as the original frame colour as I could match.
I’m a fan of Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs so thought I’d try a 5 speed hub to see if I could build something to cover more miles – the ideal commuter – train hopper – light weight tourer.
New wheels and drivetrain plus old parts completed the job for now.

touristique

Touristique

Could I complete the Errandonnee on the Touristique given I only had 5 days? As I love a challenge I was game to try.

Trip 1 #errandonnee
Went for a swim. Learned that using shared paths can be faster than main roads before 9am.

Went for a swim

Went for a swim

Trip 2 #errandonnee
Went to @CamGlenBikeTown New cycle and walking paths completed on the south of the river Clyde.

Cycle path at Shawfield alongside the river Clyde

Cycle path at Shawfield alongside the river Clyde

Trip 3 #errandonnee
Went to a Green Network meeting. I was the only 1 out of 10 folk who’d cycled.

New cycle lanes in Cambuslang

New cycle lanes in Cambuslang

Trip 4 #errandonnee
Went to the shops (store). Thank goodness for the long flap on the Carradice bag

Carradice camper longflap loaded

Carradice camper longflap loaded

Trip 5 #errandonnee
Went to work. On a nice day I’m tempted to leave early and go to work via a longer route.

#legacy2014 cycle rack

#legacy2014 cycle rack

Trip 6 #errandonnee
Checking access to a #RightofWAY along the river Clyde. Could this be a cycle path. Need to allow enough time for exploring.

Right of Way along the river Clyde

Right of Way along the river Clyde

Trip 7 #errandonnee
Free loan of bike locks @DecathlonUK extra points for being #cyclefriendly.

Cycle frindly shop - free loan of a bike lock

Cycle frindly shop – free loan of a bike lock

Trip 8 #errandonnee
Coffee and no cake stop! refuelling the legs before the ride home

Cycling and coffee just go together so well, but where's the cake!

Cycling and coffee just go together so well, but where’s the cake!

Trip 9 #errandonnee
Good food, good wine, good cheer…. and a beer. Kitchens make great instant party venues.
trip9

Trip 10 #errandonnee
Cycle a long way carrying full lunchbox, arrive and empty lunchbox. Still a bit too chilly for picnics in March!

Picnic in March!

Picnic in March!

Trip 11 #errandonnee
Another brick in the wall. The old Blackburn front rack is strong enough to carry small(ish) children.

The caged wall at the Helixl

The caged wall at the Helix

Trip 12 #errandonnee
Selfie with a Kelpie. Canal towpath is now 50% resurfaced & the Kelpies are impressive.

Selfie with a Kelpie

Selfie with a Kelpie

12 Errands and 52 miles or 84km as I think an Errandonnee should be in Kilometres.

I’ve had a lot of fun completing an #errandonnee in 4 days, so many thanks to the creator @coffeeneur and I’ll be marking it in my diary for next year.

munroonbike

As for the new bike, I’m loving it. I’ve a few things still to get to complete the project, so more on this bike at a later time.

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