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The "Touring Tips" they don't tell you about in the books

(68 posts)
  • Started 14 years ago by kaputnik
  • Latest reply from kaputnik
  • This topic is resolved

123

  1. Bhachgen
    Member

    I appreciate this is slightly against the spirit of this thread but here's one I discovered recently. For those that like a comfy bed and/or hot shower after a day on the bike and/or like to ride a bike without weight of tent etc:

    - Premier Inn don't seem to bat an eyelid if you take your bike up to your room. They even provide a small room just off the bedroom with a built in bike wash facility*. You do get some funny looks off fellow guests you pass on the stairs though.

    *this may not have been the original use intended by the designer of this small room but it does have a useful hose above a large, white, bike-sized water receptacle so the floor doesn't get wet and dirty.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. DaveC
    Member

    I'd heard that about Premier Inn from Audaxers... :D

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. retrodirect
    Member

    I absolutely love touring. Still getting my touring setup sorted but here are the lessons I've learned and how I do it.

    1. If you use a rack put the bolts in backwards. The bolt-head to the inside, and use a nut to hold on your racks. Then if the bolt breaks you can still take it out just using an allen-key. no fuss

    2. I really hate panniers. I find them very limiting. I don't like that bike specific bags only allow me to use them on a bike, yes I'm cycle touring but that does not mean I want to be on a bike ALL the time. I use two 13l drybags and take a small rucksack they can be tucked under the flap of, this means if I decide to do non-cycling days, Hill-walking etc. I can with no fuss and no extra baggage.

    3. Lighter tyres! expedition tyres are awful. they add a pound of weight to each wheel and are energy sapping nasties. I'd rather carry a puncture repair kit for under a hundred grams and fix a puncture once every week or two than ride those behemoths of protection. Feels like your riding through treacle they're all so heavy. (I did 3,500k on marathon XR's)

    4. Gastank for a camera. Your camera is one of the things you want to always have at hand. Put it in a bag on your toptube. Not hidden in amongst the rest of your things.

    My tour experience? I've ridden the majority of the silk-road - the eastern end, my visa was declined for Iran - I'm just back from an offroad tour in northern India and have done a few smaller UK and european tours aswell.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Smudge
    Member

    Interesting stuff Retrodirect. My only experience is UK so I don't have your depth of knowledge, I have to admit I tried a rucksack and found it horrible, too much weight on my hands/behind and up high where I don't want it. Obviously works for you though.
    Ref point 1, I don't follow your description, got any pictures?
    Point 3, Horses for courses I guess, in warm weather a puncture is no real problem, in a drizzly cold day with the wind rising in Scotland, stuff that!! I'll happily put up with the few hundred grammes extra that my Schwalbe Marathon's add, especially as the wheels on my LHT are cross country MTB rims so relatively heavy themselves. Speed isn't really an issue to me on a tour type trip, but I can understand on a bike with no luggage you might want lighter wheels.
    Point 4, absolutely, I use a bar bag, camera, wallet and other valuables go in it, easy to access and unclips in a second to come with me into shops/cafe's/attractions etc

    Isn't is amazing how different people like/dislike opposing bikes/equipment for the same tasks? Keeps life interesting, and proves the site slogan/motto, "whatever you ride"

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    "Isn't is amazing how different people like/dislike opposing bikes/equipment for the same tasks? Keeps life interesting"

    Yep, and fascinating and on here (I think) creates a real feeling of mutual understanding/respect PLUS a 'wow I could do that' - see all the interest in 'odd' bikes and audaxes!

    "and proves the site slogan/motto, "whatever you ride" "

    Actually WC coined that for http://citycycling.co.uk - but applies here too!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. minus six
    Member

    always bring talcum powder in a ziplock bag.

    if you're in a situation where you cannot wash before bivvying for the night, then talcum powder to the armpits and groin area will soak up moisture / sweat and prevent problems developing.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. Min
    Member

    Wet wipes are great too and don't take up much space.

    I hate cycling with a rucksack but I noticed in the Bike Chain last night that they had a seat mounted daysack - it slots onto a carrier behind your saddle but it otherwise a proper daysack with padding and straps and stuff. I am going back for a closer look!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Darkerside
    Member

    On a related note; if your 'pack light' philosophy leaves you bereft of underwear fit for wearing within 20m of another human, it's possible to fashion some decidely wearable garments out of two triangular bandages.

    Careful position of the lower knot is required to avoid loss of blood circulation whilst on a saddle.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Roibeard
    Member

    @Darkerside

    <snorts coffee>

    <chokes>

    Now I can't work out if you were serious or not.

    Granted, I've never had to use a triangular bandage in anger, and if I tried your suggestion, it would be an epic fail resulting in bits of crepe appearing at both trouser leg hems...

    Robert
    HSE Qualified and mostly incompetent/inexperienced with bandages!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Darkerside
    Member

    True I'm afraid!

    It turns out when two ambulance crew decide to go touring with no experience and pack without any real coordination, you end up with quite a lot of first aid kit...

    This was at the end of the week, when we treated ourselves to a night in a hostel. After a (very long) shower I decided that the bandage boxers were the most logical idea. Worked well, until we returned to the room later on to discover two female German tourists had arrived.

    My attempts to act as if DIY pants were completely normal weren't entirely successful.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. retrodirect
    Member

    @ Darkerside lol

    @ Smudge, don't think I explained properly. Drybags get strapped to the bars and under the saddle when riding, bikepacker style. No weight on your back.
    Camping gear under the saddle, things like clothes on the front. Documents and Camera and food sat in the rucksack on this trip, to be moved to a gastank bag next time. Only photo I could find, this was headed to the trailhead in India. Easy to whip drybags off for non-bike days.

    Drybag doubles as a pillow for camping.

    5. The thing I always promise to do, but always forget. Bring family photographs and a small world map.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Smudge
    Member

    Ahh that makes more sense, especially on an MTB :-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. kaputnik
    Moderator

    1. If you use a rack put the bolts in backwards. The bolt-head to the inside, and use a nut to hold on your racks. Then if the bolt breaks you can still take it out just using an allen-key. no fuss

    Genuinely excellent advice.

    always bring talcum powder in a ziplock bag.

    I don't trust ziplok bags further than I can throw an empty one. I'd stow the bag it inside a tub or something to avoid unwanted talcum disasters in your kit. Talcum also useful when changing tubes, acts as a dry lubricant.

    I'm of the over-planning mentality, I wouldn't be able to leave the house without 20kgs of gear I don't need but MIGHT JUST need in some obscure evntuality. I can live with that though, and it's all good leg training, and you can always post stuff home or to relatives if you realise it's just silly dragging it along. Summer touring in Scotland for instance, means theres a good probability of requiring spring/autumn type kit for cold/wet/windy days when shorts and tee would land you with hypothermia.

    I took my lock and cable round the west coast of Scotland, which was a daft idea really as the bike was never out my site during the day, and I soon realised when it was all packed up, with the rackpack across the top, no right-minded person was going to be able to do much more than wheel it a few yards then give up trying to steal it as a daft idea.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. chdot
    Admin

    This is probably more a club run than "touring". Those were the days (apparently) -

    "
    Here's a 1954 front cover of the old Scottish Cycling magazine. Pictured are the Wallacehill Cycling Club having a drum-up. No Chryston Wheelers type fire. A bit more sophisticated, they're using Primus stoves.

    "

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/23666168@N04/5383747523

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. Dave
    Member

    I took my lock and cable round the west coast of Scotland, which was a daft idea really as the bike was never out my site during the day, and I soon realised when it was all packed up, with the rackpack across the top, no right-minded person was going to be able to do much more than wheel it a few yards then give up trying to steal it as a daft idea.

    I went one better last Easter, when I towed a cable lock around the west coast and we actually used it (when sleeping in the railway coach at Glenfinnan, leaving the bikes outside) - only to realise in the morning that the keys were in the car in Oban.

    Of course, we hadn't packed a hacksaw and had to scrounge around the village early on a Sunday in pouring rain to find one!

    Moral - always lock your lock for transport if it has "keyless locking"...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. deckard112
    Member

    There's only one thing that springs to mind in my experience of long distance cycling....Sudacream! Enough said!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  17. ruggtomcat
    Member

    never need it *smug*

    Posted 11 years ago #

  18. ARobComp
    Member

    Savlon, and loads of sandwich bags. When touring I'll generally carry at least 2-3 days worth of food in case I decide to avoid population for a while. easy way is to measure out porridge and rice/pasta and kidney beans into bags. roll, seal and tape with a bit of electrical tape. This then packs nicely into your billy cans for transport and is well sealed away.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  19. minus six
    Member

    Considering food preparation for extended field trips -- where every ounce counts, I recommend the Excalibur 4-Tray Food Dehydrator, and the Andrew James Professional Vacuum Sealer.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  20. DaveC
    Member

    I'm resurecting this as its very useful for a sghort trip I'm going on in September. Hoping to be fully self sufficient, and using it as a test for a much longer ride in July next year.

    Just getting a kit list together (I love planning), and hoping not to take too much stuff I really won't need or can't buy along the way.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  21. DaveC
    Member

    So here is my first draft of kit list for peer review:

    Camping:
    Tent, Sleeping bag, Mat.

    Bike Kit:
    Overshoes, Goretex jacket, Goretex trousers, Panniers, Bike spares kit.

    Cooking:
    Stove + Fuel, Pan 1.5 ltr, pry pan/lid, pan handle, KFS, Swisse Army Knife.

    Food:
    Porrage, Pesto, Pasta, Tea, Sugar, Hot choc, milk powder, Cuppa Soups.

    General:
    Cup (Insulating), Water Bottles, Loads of sandwich bags.

    I also plan to stop and buy food on the way, as I would on an Audax. The food is basically breakfast and eve meals. My route? FRB - Annan, camp, Annan - Stobo Castle (nr Peebles), Camp, Stobo Castle - FRB via Innerleithen - Gorebridge - Dalkeith - Edinburgh.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  22. Smudge
    Member

    Warm hat for cool evenings in camp? Oh and a cable lock for when you're sleeping or visiting shops.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  23. gembo
    Member

    Gloves

    Midge repellent

    Posted 11 years ago #

  24. cb
    Member

    Are you not meant to tell us the make and model of tent, sleeping bag, stove and how much they weight to the nearest gram?

    Something to light the stove with.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  25. Instography
    Member

    No clothes for off the bike?

    First aid. Torch. Cooking gear seems big for one. Cooking porridge and boiling water for pasta will use a lot of fuel and needs large pans. For one person, two nights, you should be able to get away with a small stove, 100g gas canister and a mess tin. I'd probably prepare stuff and take it with me to reheat for two nights and pick up tinned and fresh food along the way if I was away for longer.

    A lot comes down to the size and weight of tents, sleeping bags. My last wee jaunt everything fitted inside two panniers.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  26. DaveC
    Member

    Yeh, I have thought of a couple of things like Toilet roll, matches/spark striker etc... I've bought a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, and an MSR Whisperlite already.

    Wolly hat is a good idea, but his it summer camping really, and aimed at fast touring for a long Audax, hence light weight.

    Just picked up the new (to me) seatpost rack from Kaputnik, and will see how the panniers fit this evening.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  27. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    • Don't fry anything. Too hard to wash up afterwards.
    • Take a hat with a midge net.
    • Take a radio and something to read.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  28. DaveC
    Member

    Check, don't plan to fry, but have a midge net, and a radio/iPod already. Looking at folding basins for washing/up in already.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  29. Instography
    Member

    Details man! Which tent?

    Whisperlite's a great stove. A Trangia triangle is a great lightweight alternative and only £20 (if you have a burner already).

    And string. I'm a big fan of a decent sized bit of string. Loads of uses.

    Ditch the KFS and get a spork or a foon. If you've got a pocket knife then a Spork's all you need.

    Camera?

    Chargers, batteries and cables for things that need them or one of those charged up powerpack type things.

    Still swithering over the Goretex. It's heavy stuff and to be honest I don't think it works as breathable on a bike so I use a thin Rohan showerproof jacket and, if there's likely to be heavy rain, carry a light but cheap plastic jacket from Decathlon. I have a pair of waterproof cycling trousers made by Keela who supply to police forces. Haven't used them on the bike but they are definitely waterproof in heavy rain and very comfortable. A trip to their factory shop in Glenrothes is worth it.

    I love making camping lists. Wish I did more camping. Wish I didn't work so close to all the outdoors shops.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  30. Instography
    Member

    Look in Asda / Tesco for folding basins. Last year they had a good one like this for a few quid. And then you'll need some Fairy Liquid.

    Oh, and Duck tape or Tenacious tape in case of rips to tent, sleeping bag or mat.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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