In 2025, we wrote how Jasmine and two friends lived out a long-held dream by touring Europe by bike. This year, we’re following Cory Anderson from C&L Cycles in Canada as he hops over the Atlantic to the UK, before making his way across the channel to Europe. From their bright, yellow-fronted shops in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood, C&L Cycles are perhaps everything a bike shop should be in 2026. Yes, they conjure up unique custom bike builds, perform exceptional repairs on all kinds of bike and retail some rather excellent parts and accessories (present company included). But it’s the staff, customers and community, that make C&L Cycles what it is today. Here’s Cory’s first dispatch from the road.
“Well! I've had quite a week. “
“On Monday, I set out from Brighton, in the south of England, heading to France for a bit of an adventure. There's a lovely ferry that goes from Newhaven, a town a little way down the coast from Brighton, to Dieppe, a port town in northern France.”
“Cycling in general, but particularly cycle-touring, has a funny way of bringing people from all walks of life together. In that vein, on the ferry I met a couple of like-minded folks.”
Cory's Crust Romanceür - the Atlantic Salmon Disc Brake version. Image: Cory Anderson
“One was a young man, a kid really, who was setting out to cycle his way down to Nice from London. He'd never done any form of bikepacking before, and was kitted out with just a backpack and the bike that he happened to own. He was giddy with excitement, and we chatted for a long while about life on two wheels, pedalling styles, and how surprisingly difficult the hills are in the south of England.”
“There was also a couple from Tokyo, embarking on a four-month tour of Europe in tandem. Quite the endeavour by any stretch of the imagination. They didn't speak much English, and I zero Japanese, but we managed to have a somewhat coherent conversation about Blue Lug, and I showed them a couple of pics of our Blue Lug Rachel that we built last year for a client. They showed me their Blue Lug triangles and goodies that they'd brought with them for their excursion.”
“Here's a little kit run-down for ya. Generously supplied by Carradice (Ed. our pleasure!), I'm running the following bags.”
“Two Kendall Panniers, one filled with my clothes: bibs, longs, two cycling jerseys, clogs, socks, jacket and joggers. The other has my sleeping bag, sleeping mat and wash bag in it.”
“Camper Longflap 24L saddle bag, which I have my stove, pots, coffee maker, food and energy gels in. In the side pockets I keep my kindle and a battery pack, as well as my lock.”
“Keswick front box 5L, in which I keep some essentials: wallet, keys, passport etc. It's easily detachable and has a handy shoulder strap for carrying around if I leave my bike somewhere.”
“Pennine top tube bag: easy access for my earbuds, snacks, tool kit and spare tube.”
“On my rear Tubus rack I've strapped my tent, and that's about it! The bags are a dream, and have managed to fit everything I need for a long bikepacking trip of this sort.”
Name a better simple bikepacking lunch! Image: Cory Anderson
“After landing in Dieppe, I cycled a little way on and camped for the night near Neufchâtel-en-Bray, which seemed nice, though I didn't take much time to look around. I awoke on Tuesday morning to find my bike more icicle than bicycle, as was I, to be honest. It was pretty chilly and took me a long while to get on the road after waiting for all my stuff to thaw out a little.”
“Day two took me down through the French countryside to a lovely little town called Bonnières sur Seine, where an old family friend lives, and I was able to stay the night there. Yesterday, I made my way to Paris, from where I'm writing this newsletter. I of course made sure to swing by La Chouette, where I was welcomed by Pierre and the gang. If you're ever over this way, you really can't miss going there.”
“Tomorrow I'm setting off on the next leg of the journey, with the loose goal of being in Lyon by this time next week. Until then!”
