Messages

1

International / Re: First-Time Solo in Portugal: Seeking Algarve Advice for Fall

« on: April 14, 2024, 11:08:40 pm »

I rode last year in the Algarve region from Faro - to Lisbon.  I am a very experienced bicycle tourist... and I loved bicycling here.  2 things to note: 1) I rode in Late September/Early October...  something weird  - while the weather was perfect (80F/65F and mostly sunny)  - many campgrounds were closed as the "season" for camping was over?  Ok! - a couple time I rode in and found out the campground was closed - and realized I would have a long ride in the evening to get to the next place)  The few campgrounds that were open were mostly empty.  The youth Hostel I stayed at in Porto Corvo  - Awesome Hostel named: "Mute Port Corvo" - was sold out - but it's pizza restaurant closed for the season.  2) I recommend very large volume tires, as the recommended bike roads are at times very sandy, rocky, bumpy, hilly.  You can always instead ride on the highways - but then you will likely miss some of the better views at the ocean, and you will get to deal with traffic. In the city most places speak English, in the countryside - you will encounter many people who don't).  In the city beware of the placement of butter and bread on the table ....  they charge a lot for slices of butter (which look like they gave it to you for free)

Thanks for sharing your experience biking in the Algarve region, @ewm! It's helpful to know about the campground closures in late September/early October and the importance of bringing extra tires for the varied terrain. I do plan on taking the routes with the ocean views rather than the highways. The tip about being cautious with butter and bread charges in the city is quite interesting and good to keep in mind. Your insights on the weather, road conditions, and language differences are valuable for someone planning a biking trip in that area. Taking all these into consideration, I may encounter a few more unexpected surprises, perhaps I also need to plan on getting a local guide like https://gowithguide.com/portugal/guides but I will need to check if they offer bicycle tours. A local guide in the Algarve where English may be less commonly spoken can facilitate communication with the locals.

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International / First-Time Solo in Portugal: Seeking Algarve Advice for Fall

« on: April 04, 2024, 09:17:11 pm »

Hi everyone!

I am thinking about going solo to Portugal in the fall of 2025. I seek advice from people who have traveled to Portugal, as it will be my first time to visit the country. I cannot speak Portuguese, so this makes me feel somewhat anxious about the trip. I discovered a thread at https://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=15884.0; however, there are no responses there.

I am thinking of traveling to the southern part, most likely Algarve, because many people tell me it has very nice views and paths for biking. If you’ve been there around fall, I’d be grateful for any insights on the climate and navigating the language difference.

I’m also curious about your favorite local spots to stay or eat. Are there any local specialties or lesser-known spots that you’d recommend?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and guidance!

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General Discussion / Re: How much water to carry?

« on: April 04, 2024, 02:47:06 am »

For road cycling and long distance touring through towns, two 24 oz bottles of water are sufficient because service areas are so numerous.  None of my cycling (36,000 miles through 19 countries) was all that  remote. 99.9 % roadway cycling. Remote raises questions.  How remote?  How long in remote?  Are there water sources you know about there? The more sources of food and water available to you constantly, the less you need to carry, and that is one way of reducing weight.

It’s impressive to hear about your extensive cycling through so many countries, @Westinghouse. Your point about the availability of service areas influencing the need to carry water is well-taken. For our trip, we’re planning ahead using Google Maps to map out known water sources ahead of time and will consider the balance between carrying enough water and managing weight.

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Gear Talk / Re: What's your rain riding plan?

« on: April 02, 2024, 09:28:36 pm »

I avoid cycling altogether when it rains. I am like you who is now older and can easily get sick after rising in the rain. I still got 1 good pair of shoes and a jacket that are still waterproof enough, but that’s about it. I am fortunate enough to work from home so in some rare instance that I need to go out in the rain, I just use public transportation, and use my stationary bike for exercise.

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Gear Talk / Re: How warm should your sleepingbag be?

« on: April 01, 2024, 10:10:47 pm »

The best advice I have is to try out whatever you're going to be using in your backyard as many times as you can. On warm nights . Cold nights. On rainy nights. The more that you practice, the more comfortable you'll be with your equipment and know what works and what doesn't work. And you'll be much more adept at setting up camp and taking it down. At what temperature do you need a balaclava? At temperature do you need down booties? Long underwear? Thin sleep pad versus thicker?

Your approach to testing gear in various conditions is spot-on, @jwrushman. It’s an excellent strategy for grasping how your gear functions across a range of temperatures and climatic variations. My choice is a multi-layered sleeping bag that allows for layer removal. This provides significant adaptability and the ability to tailor it to the prevailing weather. It also serves as a useful hint that comfort levels differ greatly among individuals, and what suits one might not suit another. Ultimately, the secret lies in discovering the perfect mix of gear and attire that suits you best, which comes with trial and learning.

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Food Talk / Re: Recipes

« on: March 31, 2024, 10:22:49 pm »

Thanks for the recipe suggestion, @davidbonn! Walking tacos do sound very convenient. I'll have to give them a try. I'm always looking for balanced yet portable meals when traveling by bike. Appreciate you sharing though - the idea of tossing all the fillings into a chip bag is so easy. It may not be healthy, but moderation is key.

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Food Talk / Re: Thailand food

« on: March 26, 2024, 10:01:14 pm »

While not as refined, if you carry a small non stick frying pan even the solo traveler can improvise a decent stir fry for one.

If you can hit a grocery store with a salad bar or can get a little snack packet of veggies you have a great starting point.  Add some chicken or salmon from a retort pouch or even summer sausage for protein.

Sauces?  You can sort of improvise this if you are lazy by finding an asian-themed packet of salad dressing from that salad bar.  Or you can find various powdered sauce mixes for about $2.  You'll probably need to add some sugar (get packets of sugar from the coffee service at a mini mart) and soy sauce -- probably from the deli section at a grocery store.

Try improvising this at home first before trying it on the road.

That’s a clever approach to stir-frying on the go! It’s great to hear how you can still enjoy a taste of Thai cuisine, even when traveling. The idea of using a salad bar for fresh veggies and a simple sauce mix is resourceful. I’ll definitely keep your tips in mind for my next trip. Thanks for sharing, @davidbonn!

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Food Talk / Re: Thailand food

« on: March 26, 2024, 01:50:53 am »

Thank you for sharing that Thai Chicken Cashew Stir Fry recipe! While I haven't visited Thailand yet, I'm always looking to expand my culinary horizons and experience other cultures through food. A recipe like this one that introduces Thai flavors but isn't as spicy seems like a great place for those new to the cuisine to start. I think this weekend I'll head to the international grocery store to pick up the ingredients and then give it a try.

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Gear Talk / Re: Women specific chamois on a male body?

« on: March 25, 2024, 03:28:21 am »

Hi Lucas,

It’s great that you found a solution with the female version size XL! As for wearing bike shorts with a female chamois design, I have tried it but found it uncomfortable. However, comfort can vary depending on individual preferences and body shape. Have you tried searching for long-legged tights on Amazon? I did found one in my travels to South Korea, but that was a long time ago and currently not in a good shape.

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Food Talk / Re: Things you can mooch along the way

« on: March 22, 2024, 05:33:57 am »

Great suggestions, @davidbonn! Condiment packets are so handy for adding extra flavor without extra weight. I hadn't thought about blue shop towels before - those would definitely come in handy for cleaning up along the route. There are two items on the list I'm not a fan of: hot sauce and wasabi horseradish.

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General Discussion / Re: Snoring repels bears, but does it attract other critters?

« on: March 21, 2024, 05:01:47 am »

I also read a similar old thread from another forum that says the same thing about snoring and bear, but the same didn’t mention the effect to other animals. But while bears may be deterred by most unusual sounds like snoring, they are attracted to just about any interesting smell, so it is best to take precautions like securing your food and keeping a clean campsite. Have a great bikepacking trip this spring, @Shmogger!

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General Discussion / Re: Security - locking your bike

« on: March 18, 2024, 10:02:05 pm »

Ugh, bike theft is the worst! I feel your pain - had a couple bikes go missing in my day too. Folding bikes are a lifesaver for cafes and quick store stops – you can just bring them right in with you! Of course, a good lock is still essential when you can't take it indoors. Hopefully this gives you some options for your cycling tour!  Wishing you safe travels and zero theft headaches!