Looking Foward to The Tour de France
This is the time of year when I start following the cycling press. It’s the run-up to the classics of Belgium, Holland and Northern France, and it’s the first chance we get to run the rule over the runners and…
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My New Bike
Just before Christmas I had my bike stolen. You might remember me waxing lyrical about the wonderful chain wear gauge. Inevitably I had just finished fitting the new cassette, chain and middle chain ring. Of course this means the bike…
The Chain Gang’s Favourite Japanese Cyclist – Yoko
Last weekend I received a real bonus. One of the loveliest ladies we’ve ever had on a Chain Gang holiday was Yoko, from Hiroshima in Japan. She’s ferociously strong on hills – which she denies but which Hanna, Lisa, Gary,…
The Chain Gang Wines – Part 1
What’s The Best Wine on a Chain Gang Cycling Tour? I will always have a soft spot for Chateau du Cedres, an AOC Cahors. We don’t visit the vineyard – or any where near it – but during the eastern…
Who You Might Meet On A Chain Gang Cycling Tour – Part 1
The Bloke at the Fortified Mill On the road from Payrac to Rocamadour, on the 4th day of our Dordogne cycle tour, we usually visit a fascinating fortified flour mill called Cougnaguet. It’s run by an elderly couple, and of…
Cycling With The Chain Gang – Part 1
Our First Ever Day The very first day of our very first tour had enough incident to make it memorable. There were only 7 of us – one of them was Stéphane, the guide, one was me, and two were…
Where Are They Now?
Last week Clare wrote about the little Easy Rider she bought for Ruby. And almost immediately I got an email from a very welcome reader indeed. Stéphane Vanrecham, the Chain Gang’s very first guide, still the best guide we’ve ever…
A Future Chain Gang Devotee
So Christmas is nearly upon us, and we can’t wait for the big day, mostly because of Ruby’s Christmas bike. Ruby is my (Clare’s) daughter, and at 3¼ years old is about to experience her first Christmas where she understands…
French Hotel Booking
You’d think everything would have calmed down now that the cycle tour season is over, but things are still pretty busy in the Chain Gang office. We’re sprucing up the website and getting new cycle tour brochures printed for 2008.…
No, No, No, No, No . . . Yes
Last week I was asked by our designer to write a few words for our new brochure about the hotels we stay at. How I choose them, which are my favourites, a few words about some of the owners, etc.…
