Only touring I have ever done was when I took my bike to the IOM TT motorcycle races. On arrival at Ronaldsway Airport my bike was unloaded and I had two punctures, great ! Repaired I set off for Douglas where I was staying. Now I had travelled this road many times on a motorbike but I was now on a loaded bicycle and I suddenly realised how steep the road was. Too save face I would cycle when any cars were passing and stop to catch my breathe when they had passed. By the time I reached Douglas I had decided my plans to cycle all week had to be curtailed. Unbelievably when I did cycle to Castle Town I got two more punctures. Still I can still tell people I toured on the IOM. Now aged 73 I still think about having another go but my wife seems to think I will get killed ! 😉😂
I prepared for bike touring by commuting 15 miles to work, 30 miles round trip. I learned about riding in the rain, in traffic, in the dark. More importantly, If you do this 150 times per year, you've ridden 4,500 miles across the US! So when you do ride across the US, just tell yourself you're doing two commutes today. It really takes a load off your mind.
Oh, yeah. Before I started my 6 month trip. I also have this idea I will cycling very inch. However, when I arrived in Iran in July. It was so hot, 43C in the central and southern part of the country. After a week in such heat. I decided a sensible way was to use the bus. Afterall, it was a holiday, not a competition who can suffer more. In Shiraz, Isfahan and Tabriz, I met more than 10 cyclists. They all took the bus instead riding in extreme heat. Because we agreed it was a no fun.
Love your tips! Finding the right saddle is so key! My husband bought me 4 seats to try from REI, I tried them all and returned the 3 that didn’t work. Now I am so happy having the right seat for me! (Selle Royal Respiro Moderate)
This was enjoyable. i often read the comments to learn from others, so I had seen these comments. You added value by discussing your experiences an reasoning. I would suggest that when touring take time to speak with the locals. While most of my riding has been in the U.S., I have had some incredible experiences when asking simple questions about the town I was in. People enjoy sharing their life with others who show interest. The tiny county museums in Kansas were a wealth of information. Even learning how grain silos work was new to me. And the food, of course. Thanks for the lessons.
Great point! Connecting with locals is really one of the best aspects of bike touring. And I love finding local museums and sources of information too :)
I like to ride from home and I like the feeling on the first day when I pass the point of no return, so whatever happens I will be wild camping somewhere on that first night. It's like the adventure has started.
Some great comments here. In my first trip from Melbourne to Adelaide last year I booked each place in advance. It took 10 days and I felt a bit rushed and under pressure at times to arrive at my next destination. This year I am travelling from Melbourne to Perth. Should take about 35 days and I am only looking at booking one or two days ahead. I loved the ride mind you but always good to learn other ways of doing things.
Awesome videos Shelagh. I finally bought a Feedback lift for my bikes. I'm getting better though, I tend to mess up gear change adjustment. Thankfully we have a couple of great bike shops in Chilliwack BC. 🚴💗💗💗
Tick, tick, tick. I looked high and low for the source of a mystery noise that only seemed to happen on colder days. I asked several mechanics to look for bad bearings, or a bad seat post, or any source of the noise that was driving me mad. No luck. Maybe I need a therapist. Then one cold day I looked down and saw the culprit. An aglet on the end of the drawstring of my cold weather jacket was swinging back and forth and hitting the top tube when I pedaled hard. Mystery solved!
Ahaha I've had a very similar experience! A tick tick tick early on in my tour. My brain instantly worried it was something serious that would ruin the tour... it was my phone in my jacket pocket tapping on the saddle with each pedal stroke 😂Often the simplest solution is the right solution! Glad you found your noise source too :)
Many of the tips involve money and a lot of people take up bike touring because of the lack of money. Also, there are places where mass transit or civilization won't help you out because it doesn't exist. I think preparing yourself for the journey both mentally and physically is the best tip. In addition, being ready to accept the help of strangers and being able to tackle most obstacles you might have to face.
Only touring I have ever done was when I took my bike to the IOM TT motorcycle races. On arrival at Ronaldsway Airport my bike was unloaded and I had two punctures, great ! Repaired I set off for Douglas where I was staying. Now I had travelled this road many times on a motorbike but I was now on a loaded bicycle and I suddenly realised how steep the road was. Too save face I would cycle when any cars were passing and stop to catch my breathe when they had passed. By the time I reached Douglas I had decided my plans to cycle all week had to be curtailed. Unbelievably when I did cycle to Castle Town I got two more punctures. Still I can still tell people I toured on the IOM. Now aged 73 I still think about having another go but my wife seems to think I will get killed ! 😉😂
I prepared for bike touring by commuting 15 miles to work, 30 miles round trip. I learned about riding in the rain, in traffic, in the dark. More importantly, If you do this 150 times per year, you've ridden 4,500 miles across the US! So when you do ride across the US, just tell yourself you're doing two commutes today. It really takes a load off your mind.
That is so great! Commuting really does prepare you for so much. Thanks for sharing that!
Oh, yeah. Before I started my 6 month trip. I also have this idea I will cycling very inch. However, when I arrived in Iran in July. It was so hot, 43C in the central and southern part of the country. After a week in such heat. I decided a sensible way was to use the bus. Afterall, it was a holiday, not a competition who can suffer more. In Shiraz, Isfahan and Tabriz, I met more than 10 cyclists. They all took the bus instead riding in extreme heat. Because we agreed it was a no fun.
Wow!! Yeah that would be roasting! Glad you found a good solution :)
And this why I follow so many bike touring channels. So inspirational and informative. Thanks for sharing all this great advice Sheelagh.
Thank YOU for all your lovely comments! They always make my day 😊
Love your tips! Finding the right saddle is so key! My husband bought me 4 seats to try from REI, I tried them all and returned the 3 that didn’t work. Now I am so happy having the right seat for me! (Selle Royal Respiro Moderate)
Yes!!! That is so lovely of him. I’m glad you found the right one! Perfect 👌
This was enjoyable. i often read the comments to learn from others, so I had seen these comments. You added value by discussing your experiences an reasoning. I would suggest that when touring take time to speak with the locals. While most of my riding has been in the U.S., I have had some incredible experiences when asking simple questions about the town I was in. People enjoy sharing their life with others who show interest. The tiny county museums in Kansas were a wealth of information. Even learning how grain silos work was new to me. And the food, of course. Thanks for the lessons.
Great point! Connecting with locals is really one of the best aspects of bike touring. And I love finding local museums and sources of information too :)
Biking, eating, swimming, whatever we love doin, is just part of our life, not the other way round.😊
I like to ride from home and I like the feeling on the first day when I pass the point of no return, so whatever happens I will be wild camping somewhere on that first night. It's like the adventure has started.
Oh wow, that sounds like such a beautiful feeling ♥️
Some great comments here. In my first trip from Melbourne to Adelaide last year I booked each place in advance. It took 10 days and I felt a bit rushed and under pressure at times to arrive at my next destination. This year I am travelling from Melbourne to Perth. Should take about 35 days and I am only looking at booking one or two days ahead. I loved the ride mind you but always good to learn other ways of doing things.
I cannot think of a nicer place to spend a week recovering than Berlin! 😊
Right!? Definitely a great perk to an unfortunate accident :)
Very good idea to discuss the comments.
Awesome videos Shelagh. I finally bought a Feedback lift for my bikes. I'm getting better though, I tend to mess up gear change adjustment. Thankfully we have a couple of great bike shops in Chilliwack BC. 🚴💗💗💗
KEEP ON ROLLING WHEELS. 🚴🚴♂🚴♀🚴♂
Tick, tick, tick. I looked high and low for the source of a mystery noise that only seemed to happen on colder days. I asked several mechanics to look for bad bearings, or a bad seat post, or any source of the noise that was driving me mad. No luck. Maybe I need a therapist. Then one cold day I looked down and saw the culprit. An aglet on the end of the drawstring of my cold weather jacket was swinging back and forth and hitting the top tube when I pedaled hard. Mystery solved!
Ahaha I've had a very similar experience! A tick tick tick early on in my tour. My brain instantly worried it was something serious that would ruin the tour... it was my phone in my jacket pocket tapping on the saddle with each pedal stroke 😂Often the simplest solution is the right solution! Glad you found your noise source too :)
Love from India 🇮🇳 ♥️
Many of the tips involve money and a lot of people take up bike touring because of the lack of money. Also, there are places where mass transit or civilization won't help you out because it doesn't exist. I think preparing yourself for the journey both mentally and physically is the best tip. In addition, being ready to accept the help of strangers and being able to tackle most obstacles you might have to face.
👍👍🇮🇳🇮🇳❤❤ Kerala South India
Oops. I just ignore the squeaks