French bikepacking trip on my Planet X Tempest Ti Gravel Bike - Part 1

I took the ferry from Poole to Cherbourg, knowing I have 4.5 days to ride, explore and wildcamp the Normandy beaches and beyond. I didn't plan the route, I just rode my bike and headed in the right direction.
The first day was a half day after the 4 hour ferry journey, so went I rode from Cherbourg to just before the town of Carentan.
#bikepacking #normandy #wildcamping
Affiliated links for the gear I use-
Kilosgear chairs - kilosgear.com/bikesoutdoor
Covacure Hammock - amzn.to/3xp46s9
Flextail gear light/pump - amzn.to/3LfctMl
Opinel No8 - amzn.to/3DFqVfd
DD Tarp 3x3 - amzn.to/3QBRsg4
First aid kit - amzn.to/3QWZj8l
Titanium 750ml cup - amzn.to/3LcqwlQ
Titanium plate - amzn.to/3LgZbPM
Titanium spork - amzn.to/3Bfl1OP
Camping Gas - amzn.to/3DoVQw7
Soto Windmaster Stove - amzn.to/3Ubo03q
Patagonia Nano Jacket - amzn.to/3xiojQj
Trangia Stove - amzn.to/3RKNQKa
Trangia pot rest - amzn.to/3QG6QrN
Fire Dragon Fuel for Trangia - amzn.to/3BjsVXH
Jungle insect repellant - amzn.to/3ePdEpE
Leather gloves - amzn.to/3QI17BG
Trekology deluxe pillow - amzn.to/3ePeqD3
Hot hands handwarmers - amzn.to/3eDq83E
Sawyer mini water filter - amzn.to/3xipGyr
Foil/insulated groundmat - amzn.to/3RO2UGP
Wildcountry Helm1 Tent - amzn.to/3UbpTgw
Compeed Blister Plasters - amzn.to/3S11Vmu
20 Litre Drybag - amzn.to/3RYFKhf
Other links to kit (not affiliated)
Terranova Pioneer2 tent/groundsheet - www.terra-nova...
Tailfin Rack - www.tailfin.cc...
My bike (Planet X Tempest Sram Rival) - www.planetx.co...

[@anthonyrooney4653]

Hi do have Strava to follow the route would love to do this with my lad just watching your videos now there great content 👍

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

Thanks, I am still pretty new to this whole KZbin vlogging thing. Should’ve started years ago as I am always doing trips like this. Yes my strava is ‘Nathan Ansell’ I’m in Bournemouth. My profile pic is a logo man of me. It’s a pretty easy route. No major climbs. The last day was full of short steep climbs on the way back to Cherbourg, but manageable with the weight

[@anthonyrooney4653]

@@thebikepackingadventurer thank you 👍

[@nialloutdoors]

Less than halfway in but enjoying it so far, you seem relaxed which is always a good way to start any holiday 😊 Would you mind sharing your setup for filming on the bike? I'm assuming a GoPro camera but do you use any specific mounts or holders you find useful on the bike?

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

Hi Niall, Not sure why I didn't receive the notification you commented, but just saw it! Yes it was nice and relaxing. No matter what the mileage I find it relaxing, even if doing way over 100 miles, by the end the mind is relaxed, even if the body is tired. I use a GoPro10 pretty much exclusively for all filming. Usually I have the GoPro mediamod on, but as I know it drains the batteries, the multi day trip made sense not to use it, albeit the wind is a little annoying at times (sorry). I was mainly holding it in my hand fixed to a mini tripod that extends about 8 inches, fits in my rear cycling jersey pocket. I usually use the ProStandard mouth mount on the bike, as gives a good POV and stable shot, but for this trip as not in a hurry, just stuck with the mini tripod. If I was fast descending on my road bike in the alps for example, I would only use Prostandard mouth mount, as then both hands on the bars. I don't use a chest mount for anything other than downhill mtb really, and I never mount to the bars as can get in the way, or just be a little shaky on the footage without full stabilisation being on. I highly recommend the ProStandard mouth mount, seems weird at first, but you don't notice it, only thing is in other videos you hear breathing easily so sounds like you can be huffing when not at all. Great though for action shots when you just overlay music on the footage. Hope that helped?

[@nialloutdoors]

@@thebikepackingadventurer very helpful, thank you, see part 2 out now, looking forward to watching it 👍🙂

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

Yes will release each part every few days now until the end.

[@RenzFPV]

Only a little way into the video/series but looking to attempt the same this year with some added ww2 history dotted around sainte mere eglise too. Is there much cycle lockup/parking when visiting the museums?

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

I was going to nip back in land to sainte mere eglise after Utah beach but ended up carrying on. Yes outside most museums there is dedicated cycle lock up areas. It felt very safe. I was apprehensive at first as everything was left on the bike. I took my money, phone and passport with me everywhere just in case. So many bike riders going to each museum/point of interest so your bike won’t be the only one. US cemetery had around 150 bikes. It’s a great route and when I do it again I am sure I will see more that I did on this trip. You will love every second of it

[@jasonlatham175]

Fantastic part 1 Nathan, Looking forward to the next instalment. Did you keep track of the mileage you covered?

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

Thank you Jason. Yes I recorded it all on strava. The total was just under 240 miles I rode in the end

[@jasonlatham175]

@@thebikepackingadventurer wow that’s some miles covered!

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

@@jasonlatham175 thanks mate. Before my spine issues, that was what I used to do in a week outside of work 😂. Was nice steady miles and just cruising, I am one of those weird guys that can ride all day and be fine 🙋🏻‍♂️😂🚴🏼‍♂️ I rode 80 miles this weekend and each day I was done before 11am

[@jasonlatham175]

@@thebikepackingadventurer riding machine! 😀

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

@@jasonlatham175 it’s either that or I would be the size of a whale 😂🐳

[@Greg.Sutton]

Nice idea and video. i'm not into camping (prefer credit card bike packing) - got any tips for accomodation on this trip? Also thanks for the idea of ferry into Cherbourg i was originally thinking Caen and back but doing it one port to the other makes more sense.

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

I did that when I flew to Geneva and rode back. Airbnb all the way and lightweight gear, shower every night and a proper bed. Yes Cherbourg to Caen would be the best way round. As wind is usually from the west. In regards to accommodation, past Carentan it looks quite bare, but I think there would be some Airbnb or hotels maybe slightly away from the beaches. I considered doing Cherbourg to Caen then riding back to Bournemouth from Portsmouth, but I had 5 days so had more time. I can do 80-100 a day usually in good weather, so this was a nice relaxed trip

[@Greg.Sutton]

@@thebikepackingadventurer - Thanks. The route i have plotted (so far) is about 200km. I was thinking of 2 nights kinda splitting it 70km a day roughly to then catch the overnight ferry back to portsmouth from Caen. On my road bike i can comfortably do 100km in 4hrs so even allowing for being on the gravel bike and luggage 70km is plenty of wiggle room (maybe too much) for museaums, exploring, photo's and pauses for reflection. Carentan looks about right and then Bayeux area before finishing at Pegasus Bridge etc.

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

I did all the photos and walking around any area of interest too. Never been to Normandy before so made sure I saw it all. You can do that mileage easy. Bit lumpy out of Cherbourg area to barfleur then on to Carentan, but nothing too bad. Then the coastal route along the beaches is very smooth with only a couple of smooth climbs. Although the climb from Omaha up to the top to then see American cemetery is a brute, but can walk if needed. You will love it. I did to Carentan from Cherbourg in 3.5 hours, then 4 hours to Caen from there. This is riding time, and plenty of time to explore the sights in between. Point du Hoc for me was the most interesting