The ramblings of a mother and daughter who dream of riding their bikes here, there and everywhere. I queried one of the regulars on the BNA forums about his recent travels in Europe, particularly his experiences in France. He rides a 2012 Vivente Randonneur, so his comments are relevant to the default bike configuration too.

I was inspired to take up cycle touring, and in 2009 made a circumnavigation of Tasmania for my first tour. With only two weeks until departure, things a.

For a quirky commentary on Tasmanian history and society, I can think of no better way to set the scene for the intending tourist than by reading this book, and hopefully I can gain some redemption by recommending it. A Tour of Old Tasmania. With Michael Tatlow, Charles Wooley and Peter Mercer.

My first attempt at a return visit in 2011 was thwarted by a volcanic eruption in Chile - the ash cloud from the eruption circled the globe, and my flight to New Zealand was cancelled at the last moment. So, return flights to Dunedin are booked, leave is approved, and a new expedition touring bike awaits.

Going back to the Shaky Isles. In October 2010 I made my first cycle tour of New Zealand. I arrived in Christchurch shortly after a severe earthquake, and was shocked to see the damage wreaked upon this charming provincial city. So I vowed to return and try to make some contribution, however small, to the economic recovery of the region. In 2012 I returned to New Zealand to tour the Southland, but my route did not visit Christchurch.