Messages

31

Food Talk / Malnourishment on a long tour

« on: February 21, 2015, 02:28:16 pm »

I posted my experience relating to nutrition on another travellers forum after a tour of SE Asia a couple of years ago and it was recently resurrected by an interesting reply from a couple who had cycled from Canada to Panama on a vegan diet, I thought I would share it with you as it might be of interest.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/overland-bicycle-travel/malnourishment-on-the-long-tour-57633

32

Gear Talk / Re: Tubus Lowrider Racks for GDMBR?

« on: February 21, 2015, 02:06:04 pm »

I tour both on and off road with a mid height front rack and no problem at all, I don't think you will have a problem with low rider racks.
I have just Googled images for the GDMBR and there is a tandem with low front panniers fitted, you will be fine.

33

Gear Talk / Re: trikes

« on: November 28, 2014, 01:37:13 am »

  I have been looking at different trikes and found the Ice trike Adventure interesting. My question is, how safe are these trikes on the road and touring with them in traffic. I road one and my head was about even with the grill of a car. Is this a normal feeling?

I was thinking of asking this question myself and you have saved me the bother and have found the replies encouraging, I am now considering buying a trike.

If the question had been how far can you go on a trike the answer seems to be anywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP8KiXxgEMQ

34

General Discussion / Re: Ideas for winter bike tour

« on: November 09, 2014, 01:44:22 am »

South East Asia or India where the weather will be great, fly to Bangkok or Delhi get the train out of town and cycle from there. Some of the best food and most interesting culture on earth, the reduced living cost will help go towards the ticket.

35

General Discussion / Re: New Biker Travelling Across the Western US - Looking for advice

« on: August 17, 2014, 02:13:53 am »

You could start by spending some time here and reading other peoples reports some of which contain a list of what they carry.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/
If you are on a budget a second hand quality bike might be a better buy than a new one for the same price, you might even get one with racks, panniers and other useful equipment included. In my opinion the most important components are the seat, chain and tyres, for the latter most people seem to use something from the Schwalbe marathon range which I have found to be excellent.
Start by doing short trips, even one night away to get used to what you need and how best to carry it, you will get used to managing with very little on a bike.
Good luck with your planning, cycle touring is a great way to see your country and the wider world.

36

General Discussion / Re: Health Insurance while cycling

« on: January 06, 2014, 04:00:45 pm »

Are you dual or different nationalities? I suspect it will be easier and cheaper to take it out in Australia, a normal long trip travel policy should cover you for cycling, but do read the small print and make sure.

37

General Discussion / Re: Low Carb and Long Distance Touring

« on: July 17, 2013, 02:06:07 am »

I have toured while eating a partly low carb diet in SE Asia simply because there was little high carb food available in rural Laos and Vietnam. I lost what little fat I had and more, I felt apathetic and I was told that I looked dreadful and unhealthy which I certainly felt, it is not an experience or diet I would wish to repeat.

38

General Discussion / Re: Is Long Distance Touring Really a Healthy Endevour?

« on: July 04, 2013, 01:22:18 am »

More information to add to this discussion, the avoid crashing is fairly obvious but this would suggest hard cycling is very good for you, although that is not quite what the op was about.
Either way the feel good factor of touring has to be life enhancing if not extending so the bottom line for me is if you want to tour then do it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2031394/Cycling-work-add-years-life--pedal-hard-avoid-crashing.html

39

International / Re: European Bicycling Resource

« on: July 01, 2013, 10:59:43 am »

This one is pretty good and also in English

http://www.eurovelo.org/

40

General Discussion / Re: Want tips for bike travel through Europe & Australia

« on: July 01, 2013, 12:36:46 am »

And me, that's how I got the links, give it another try.

41

General Discussion / Re: Want tips for bike travel through Europe & Australia

« on: June 30, 2013, 08:22:03 am »

There is a very good resource here for route planning in Europe http://www.eurovelo.org/

Here is one for the UK http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

And here is one with some useful information on global travel, I realise it is primarily for motorcyclists but there is a cycling section and great advice on visas, routes and places to stay if you are taking the road less travelled http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/

Have a great trip, it is a fabulous world out there full of great places and people.

42

General Discussion / Re: Is Long Distance Touring Really a Healthy Endevour?

« on: June 30, 2013, 08:08:51 am »

I agree with those who say that a long tour can actually make you feel unhealthy, after 4 months in SE Asia I felt quite under the weather due to poor diet in rural parts of Vietnam and Laos but I recovered after about a fortnight back at home and a good diet.
But if you are thinking of doing a trip that you have dreamed about I would not let this stop you, when you are in the retirement home dribbling into your cup of tea it will be too late and you will regret not doing it.

43

General Discussion / Re: Touring sideways in time.

« on: June 22, 2013, 03:30:57 am »

Some interesting photos, thanks for sharing. Rather than travelling sideways in time I can recommend that your next 90,000 miles be around the world, it is a fantastic place full of wonderful places and people many of whom show tremendous hospitality to foreign travellers, particularly those on bicycles.

44

Gear Talk / Re: newbie saddle question

« on: June 21, 2013, 11:12:18 am »

Having toured in many countries I have found the best saddle for me and the most popular with the long distance travellers I have met is a Brooks, I prefer the Flyer which is sprung. They do take some time to break in and have found that of the two I own one has taken a lot longer than the other but both are now comfortable. 
I have tried padded shorts but found any extra comfort gained was offset by the effects of increased sweating and the problems that causes on a longer trip, I prefer looser fitting shorts or trousers.

45

General Discussion / Bristol bespoke bicycle show review

« on: April 16, 2013, 02:08:12 am »

Yesterday I visited the third Bristol bespoke bicycle show and was treated to some of the finest examples of the cycle builders craft I have seen.
http://www.bespokedbristol.co.uk/
There were cycles to suit all tastes, if not all pockets with frames made of not just steel, aluminium and carbon fibre but titanium, stainless steel and wood.
Along with frame makers there were a number of parts manufactures such as Brooks, Middleburn and Royce.
I did take some photos, until my camera battery ran out and you can see them here.

http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...4268&k=sF8zHpN

Here are a few to whet your appetite, enjoy.