How many pairs of pants?

One of the cathartic things about cycle touring is that it forces you to consider what you really need to survive and what is just so much fluff of modern day life. Have a think about what you would choose to take if forced to pack it into four little bags and then carry it under your own steam. It's brilliant for purging the dross. Amongst the essentials are of course a cag, sleeping bag, tent, water bottle, cooker, puncture repair stuff, cycling shorts and a shirt. Then there are the things that make one human: kindle, MP3 with downloads of 'In our Time' and 'The Week in Westminster' (I guess this is where you and I may part company?). After that it's basically down to what you REALLY REALLY need: one pair of off-bike shorts and shirt, one pairs of pants ('cos of course one goes commando on the bike so nothing rubs), rain covers for shoes........ And one doesn't really need much more than that really. Besides, I hear that in France they have SHOPS. So, assuming that the Euro is still legal tender in a week's time (not a dead cert I know) then that's all I think I'll need. What with the real Tour starting today it all adds up to an exciting week ahead.

This is a holiday right?

I think it's fair to say that there's possibly more worry going into the preparation of this little jaunt across France than there was when one of us set out into the wilderness and mountains of Washington. This is probably because Biddy knows just how selfish, singleminded and driven I can be when I've got a challenge to undertake. So...my challenge, as I understand it, is to make sure we take it easy, enjoy the views, the wine, the cheese and the Frenchiness of it all as we pootle slowly along the lanes of France towards Roscoff. Fat chance :)