Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: old farts planning a big trip through Europe seek advice

« on: June 08, 2009, 01:11:42 pm »

Thanks everyone for the input.

We are planning on arriving in the first couple of days in September and heading out.  The bike can be taken down to the point where everying can be put in a big suitcase except the main support which can go in a ski bag.  That being said the last time we took the bike on an airplane despite very careful padding they managed to bend a sproket.  The only thing I can think of is that the airline ran over it with a forklift.  so when we came back we just shelled out the bucks and had them load it.  Given it's size it had to go on top of the luggage not underneath so it worked out rather better.  I also didn't have to spend 6 hours putting it back together also a plus.

I am still debating the decision of trailer versus paniers, does anyone have any thoughts in this regard?
Of course any other input as well.
I am hoping the general cost is accurate.  When we were in England a couple of years ago the cheapest - I stress cheapest hotel we found was 70 pounds which at the time was about 130 dollars.

thanks again
bent pig

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General Discussion / Re: old farts planning a big trip through Europe seek advice

« on: June 05, 2009, 03:43:44 pm »

Russ,
thanks for the input.  You have no idea how happy you have made the admiral.  the only way I could sell the camping idea to her was to promise the "better wine."  she is one of those people who have their own special tasting glass and can actually talk about the defferences between vintages and the like. We will be travelling with a two bottle wine pack even if we have to cycle naked to compensate for the weight.
When you say "cheap" what kind of dollar figure are you refering to?
Any thoughts on taking a notebook computer?  What is the wireless internet access like?  Last time we were in England it was actually cheaper to buy a phone and minutes than to try and use our own phone and the roaming package.
Has anyone used a Kendel and downloaded fodors or any of the other guidebooks?
One of the problems with a bent bike is that to carry a tire spare means carrying two different tires.  However it may be worth it since the weight on those two tires would be close to 400 pounds if we use paniers.
Does anyone have any feelings about whether a fairing on a touring recumbent is worth the bother, not to mention the money?
Thanks again everyone please keep those suggestions comming,

the bent pig

3

General Discussion / old farts planning a big trip through Europe seek advice

« on: June 04, 2009, 09:29:29 pm »

Gentle People,
I come seeking wisdom.  The admiral and I have elected to get off our broadening butts and do a fairly significant ride this fall. We are over fifty and rather out of shape.  We have a recumbent tandem and the only significant touring we have done was a supported tour down the Rhine 4 years ago.  The plan (such as it is) is to fly into Amsterdam and wander around until we eventually end up in Italy.  We hope the wandering will take us through France possibly Portugal Spain and Italy.  We will take at least two months and hope to make it a semi-credit card tour.  We want to spend our money on good food and better wines rather than expensive hotels, so there will be some camping and some hostels and some hotels. Optimally we would like to be on very small roads or bike paths.  Negotiating a ten foot recumbent in trafic over cobblestones is slightly less fun than a root canal without aneshtetic. soooooo   Many questions and just a general appeal for advice.
   If anyone has any touring experience on a tandem recumbent we would like to hear your words of wisdom.
   Thoughts on GPS versus maps and map books. 
   Paniers versus a trailer.
   Carrying spare parts.
   Route suggestions.
   Lodgding suggestions.
   Any other thoughts.

Thanks in advance

The bent pig.