L'Isle sur la Sorgue - Bike maintenance

The mistral has arrived, gusts up to 80 kph and averaging 40 perhaps. Some say it defines Provence, cleans the air as this draught blasts down the Rhone valley and freshens the place up. The locals might also say it gives them respite from the tourists who have been choking the place for summer and only the stragglers are here now.

I have seen all I want to, and there is no attraction to cycling this French coast, as I suspect it is wall to wall resorts now largely quiet and a little forlorn. Lots of France, like this place, is forlorn looking without the crowds of tourists. With the unpredictable and unridable mistral, I will catch the train to Spain. It is not too far with a direct "ter" train, bike friendly, to the Spanish border.

Just to note, this ride is not an "efi" (a cross continental cyclists term meaning every inch), nor is it an "epa" (every possible attraction), as I did not bother with Nimes today, choosing to have a rest and attend to the bike and walk around town and the mistral-swept market. They are hardy souls.

For those interested, the cobblestones and other surfaces have stretched a few spokes requiring re-tensioning and re-alignment of the wheels.

The chain was misbehaving, so prudently replaced, with one with a quick release or "power link", making life easier for cleaning and packing later on.

The idler wheels on the rear derailleur that normally are provided on new bikes are simple cheap plain journal bearings requiring occasional removal, cleaning and oiling. Without attention they rust and don't help riding. Fortunately, and at modest cost, or if in France very cheaply, they can be replaced with maintenance free stainless steel sealed ball bearing (note zoomed in view) units as shown. That was the mid-ride checkup after shopping in Avignon, together with new cycling shoes as the other ones were virtually worn out before the trip began. I knew I could easily replace them here.

Relevant tools and skills therefore necessary for these trips.

Then 5 weeks to cycle the mediterranian coast and Andalusia, with a few days at the end to see Seville and pack the bike.