This post is really a note for myself for future tours.
The Route is clearly described in the book in words and outline maps and the GPX Tracks files I paid for independently were worth it. They are very reliable and acurate though it is worth checking each day for any off-road segments and making adjustments. The golden rule being don't go off-road.
The Navigation Tool I used was Komoot and though on this journey it had the annoying habit of telling me that I may have missed the turning when I hadn't, all was good. I needed to keep checking the bigger geographical picture so I knew where I was more generally.
The Bone Conducting Headphones were a bonus as I almist always heard the instructions and people in the bakery didn't.
Heavy Duty Locks may have been overkill as you are always in safe places. With the bike being vital I am maybe over protective. One quality long chain lock sufficient to cover both wheels and a lamp post would have been fine. In practice the bike is locked to a tree overnight so a long cable is useful and as I travel alone a good lock for town centres is actually quite wise. It sounds like I am talking myself into using the same heavy locks again.
Food is readily available and carrying tins of whatever just in case is being over cautious even taking the Sunday and Monday closures into account. I could manage if I missed an evening meal though a tin of sweetcorn and one of tuna make a good quick lunch.
Food Highlights would have to be the best burger and chips I've ever had and of course the lamb's brain in garlic and herb butter in Sault.
Cooking means more weight in fuel but is a very useful option when you just want simple but hot food or a hot drink on a cold day with no café in sight. Given May was unseasonably cool and damp in France the stove came in useful for midday hot food.
Recipes is overstating my crude approach to camp cooking and I did tire of my limited repertoire.
1. Pasta with tinned fish in a sauce possibly with added soup powder.
2. Pasta with mushroom soup and dried mushrooms
3. Couscous with Pistou soup powder
4. Just tins of tuna and sweetcorn
Accommodation; four nights camping then a Chambres d'Hotes worked very well as a strategy. I got hit by a 40 euro campsite and should have used that as a hotel night but it is impossible to get it all right. Not booking campsites would have been fine in May. Pre-booking hotels was essential for getting an affordable 60 euro room rather than 120 euro room last minute. I could have hunted out more Gites or Gites d'étape as these are great value but easier to locate on busier walking routes such as GR routes or caminos. Oddly, using booking.com often gave me a slightly better price than the price advertised in hotel receptions.
Required Fitness; of the people I met going down to Nice 3 weeks was normal and only a few like me took 4 weeks. There were plenty of 60 somethings but all clearly keen cyclists with minimal body fat. I felt like Mr Chubby. That said, with training, sensible planning and some grit its a tour most could do if they desired. The key is being able to clock up time in the saddle and having low enough gears. I never felt tired in the morning so perhaps 3 weeks would have worked.
Future daily mileage for me might be 35 miles with 900m of climbing or 50 miles with just 300m of ascent if travelling with camping equipment.
The Book and its route and recommendations were all excellent. I met some people who complained gently that the 2014 book needed an update. I know some very popular walking route books get updated annually but you need the volume of sales to justify it. Then again I once toured with a 1910 (yes, nineteen ten) guide and managed OK.
Nice is a fantastic place in its own right with plenty of walks, museums and the pebble beach. It is also a great place to explore the coast by train whether that is busy Monte Carlo or quiet Villefanche-sur-Mer. Staying close to Nice-Ville rail station and finding local restaurants and Socca takeaways would be a good choice.
The London to Paris Avenue Verte which I used to get from Paris to Dieppe was for me a bit disappointing as the route getting out of Paris was neither scenic nor pleasant cycling and beyond that it felt as though the route was just trying to get to the coast by whatever traffic-free segments could be used. Just my feeling which may be influenced by 28 days of "D" roads across France. In fairness, once past Cergy le Haut life became much better and Maison-Laffitte is a great stopover and the closer to Dieppe I got the better the route. So I have talked myself into praising the route.
Fashion plays a part in cycle touring and perhaps the image of retirees with their solid touring bikes and hefty panniers is not attractive to the young crowd. No wonder then that gravel bikes kitted out with bikepacking bags are de riguour for the more youthful in society. And so it is that my final word goes to the group of six young women I saw at my departure point in Waterloo Station. They all turned up with whatever bike they happened to own with whatever tent they could lay their hands on stored in whatever pannier, rucksack or bag they could fasten to the bike or themselves. It felt refreshing to see that people had a sense of adventure and were happy to use whatever was available.
