Four gravel/gnarmac/any-road bikes in our four strong party: Two Arkoses, one London Road and one Croix de Fer.

I like the fact that whatever bike you take it'll end up being the wrong one for at least part of the route :)

Flights booked, where are people planning to stay the night before the start ?

Chicken Legs wrote:Flights booked, where are people planning to stay the night before the start ?

Me and Stu are booked into the hostel that James suggested

Chew wrote:Me and Stu are booked into the hostel that James suggested

That sounds good, what hostel would that be then ?

Me and Stu are booked into the hostel that James suggested

I think I've got the suite with the jacuzzi, 68" telly and topless room service

Thanks Chew, looks it a bit posh, I hope they will let me sleep with my bike

Bearbonesnorm wrote:I think I've got the suite with the jacuzzi, 68" telly and topless room service

Not bad for £25

We're in the tomato, will send the girls round when we're finished!

Booked into the tomato too.
Looking forward to it.

Mention the Torino-Nice when you've arranged the Tomato backpacker lodge booking, I'll chat to our man in Turin so that they know it's part of the same booking. It's his friend's hostel. Don't know if there's any benefits, prob not of the kind Justin's booked anyway : )

Route info update. Had intended to get files out late June. I'm without the laptop for a week or so, will get it sent out once it's back. Translated versions of the supporting cues will follow as soon as they can get them done.

One thing I can do is get a few litres of meths arranged for the hostel so we can fill up easily. It's cheap there but generally 1l plus bottles, more than I'd carry on the bike.

One thing I can do is get a few litres of meths arranged for the hostel so we can fill up easily. It's cheap there but generally 1l plus bottles, more than I'd carry on the bike.

Count me in please ... I can't stand Italian wine.

Is there a local bike shop or other source of CO2 canisters? I know some people do fly without declaring them but I'll be leaving mine at home. Would like to have a couple with me for re-seating tubeless tyres, if poss.

Will add co2 to the list. If Stuart hasnt drunk the meths maybe he can do some pyrotechnics with all that. Hostel owner best get his fire evac drill figured out..

vaguely exciting, J!

Just one question left. How do we get onto the roof of the old Fiat factory for a lap of the test track? :D

If there's a list... does anyone know where any blasphemous gas-stove users can find a camping gas cartridge in Turin?

Before I pack my meths stove (ok, so I'm not packing just yet) what are the resupply options like en route?

Was thinking that I'd just carry enough stuff for the next couple of cold meals and stock up in little villages in the valleys (as well as eating big at refuges).

Assuming that area is similar to the rest of Italy/France that I'm familiar with that shouldn't be a problem but worth asking before I commit to no stove.

I carried CO2 to Italy in my hand luggage for the TT and declared them.
The CAA says you can carry them in hand luggage or in the hold as long as they don't exceed 27g each and you take no more than 4.
I printed out the CAA regs and took them with me although the easyjet check in desk rang through anyway and was told it was ok.

Gas canisters - have found them in Europe but not that easily. Usually push-fit Colemans not screw ons. Meths is far more common in France and Italy. Resupply points are regular, daily at least.
Gentjim, if you post up the type you need I can ask if Sergio can arrange it. He could earn enough beer to guarantee a slow first day at this rate!

I realise that it's (almost) impossible to predict but would anyone care to guess as the what the weather's likely to be doing? Just trying to work out how little I can take.

Rain

(cos I'm going)

Hot and dusty. That's what all of us in my party are picturing...

Never rains in the Alps, we've decided. And they must ship the snow in each winter.

Rain

(cos I'm going)

You'll likely be riding faster than me Dave. Do you think that means, it'll be pleasantly warm and sunny half a day behind you?

I've had both scorchio and snow in the Alps in September. Pack for snow, get scorchio.