It's been a while since I last updated this site.   However, since I plan to do a bit of touring in France in 2011 I have decided to post all the details here.  At the moment I am looking at the route and the equipment that I will need...

                

Timeline...

 

10/09/2010

I went into Palace Cycles today and put down a deposit on a Giant Defy 3... Rack and mudguards included in the price (£625).

 

22/10/2010

Another trip to Palace Cycles today to put some more money down on the new bike.  While there, I saw the 2011 Giant Defy 2 that they have in stock and decided to get this instead of the 2010 Giant Defy 3, simply because it looks prettier!!  £100 more (at £725) and with a compact groupset instead of a triple but mudguards and rack are still included in the price.  I should be in the saddle next week!!

 

29/10/2010

Another trip to Palace Cycles, this time to pick up the new bike.  My initial impression of the bike is good.  It is an extremely comfortable ride compared with most of the other bikes i have ridden in the past.  It handles well too.  I will no doubt upgrade the gears and wheels in due course (I have some Ultegra kit and Ksyrium Elite wheels sitting doing nowt on my old Cannondale) but otherwise I am happy with the bike as it is and will keep it as it is and use it for work and winter training. 

Now to start planning the route...

Images...

2011 Giant Defy 2

My steed... Giant Defy 2 with rack and guards.

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