Even a day out with a V.T.T. needs a bit of forethought to be sure and stay trouble-free.
First of all the golden rule is : Don't
ever overestimate what you can take in distance and difficulties. The IGN
maps (like Ordnance Survey maps in the U.K.) are an invaluable source
of information on the type of country you'll meet on your V.T.T.
You'll find marked all the interesting places to visit but also contour
lines, roads, railways and so on. The nearer the contour lines are to
each other the more the level of the land changes. Wide apart lines show
a flatter area. When a path crosses a contour you'll find yourself going
up or downhill according to the direction of the curves (the height is shown).
If you follow the contour line itself, then you'll need to peddle less hard.
The map will guide you to paths that are quiet and little known. Woods and fields and so on are all indicated, giving you a foretaste of what you'll see.
The most detailed maps and the most clearly drawn are certainly those on scale 1/25.000° (you can buy them in the big supermarkets and bookshops).
Why not slip a map into a plastic cover and fix it to the bike ?
Something to think about that is often forgotten : it's better to take into account the direction of the sun than to have it in your eyes all the time…so why not plan your route accordingly. Again : it's a good idea to try to avoid steep hills and such like towards the end of the day.
You can enquire at Tourist Offices about the marked paths in the area. It's a good way to avoid making mistakes and they are often very enjoyable routes to take. On such a path there are familiar signs to guide you :
Don't let yourself in for a nasty surprise. Check up on the local weather forecast from Metéo France : 08 92 68 02 + n° of the Département (Dordogne 24, Lot 46, Corréze 19)
Always remember that carrying too much weight could be your worst enemy.
