I imagine the prospect of descending an Alp with that load would have been enough to break the nerve of many.
You're right. What happened was I travelled south through Normandy in very hot July weather on an overloaded bike with too little fitness. So I sent a load of gear, primarily cooking stuff, back to Mum and Dad's. I then got the train to the Loire (can't remember where) and cycled along the valley to Orléans from where I caught another train to Grenoble.
By now I was fitter and the bike was a sensible weight. But the lack of cooking gear meant I was burning through my money as I was eating out a lot. From Grenoble I cycled through the French Alps, into northern Italy, then briefly into Switzerland then headed north crossing through Luxembourg, Belgium and getting the ferry out of the Hook of Holland to Harwick. It then took me two days to get back to my parents near Worthing. Ironically I would have passed through Witham where I live now.
I was pleased to get back although loved the adventure. I found it difficult being on my own for so long, I missed home and was disappointed I hadn't coped as well as my adventurer heroes I had spent my childhood reading about- it all came down to my lack of maturity and worldliness.
Now I is all growed up I'd love to have another go at the same trip
