Messages

16

Routes / Re: Euro Velo 15 Rhine River Route Source to Sea

« on: July 06, 2018, 01:55:42 pm »

Bikeline do a comprehensive guide in two books.   They are printed on weather proof paper and as well as maps include detailed information on bike shops, accommodation, tourist info and so on.   Downside, it's only available in German.

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General Discussion / Re: Pedals Recommendation

« on: July 06, 2018, 01:47:13 pm »

I haven't had any problems with the 530s in wet weather but I tend to ride with fairly grippy shoes such as 5 10s if I'm not using a cleated shoe.   By the way, I totally agree with your comment about flat pedals, comfortable and secure, even in snow, I've never had any problems with them.

18

General Discussion / Re: Pedals Recommendation

« on: July 04, 2018, 01:57:49 pm »

Have a look at Shimano PD A530.   These have a flat on one side and a clip on the other.   I've used these for touring and every day use for some years now and like them a lot because of their versatility.  Clipped in they're fine and if you want to ride in shoes without cleats you can do so as well.

19

General Discussion / Re: Bike Store - Rome (Italy)

« on: March 26, 2018, 02:05:09 pm »

Decathlon have a number of stores in Rome and have a good selection of bikes including folders.   Prices and quality are generally good.

https://www.decathlon.it/C-1265130-bici-pieghevoli

20

Routes / Re: July & August to Cycle Europe: Where should I go?

« on: February 21, 2018, 02:00:11 pm »

A route using some of the major European cycle routes:

Start in Amsterdam, flying into Schipol.    Follow North Sea Coastal Route through Holland and Belgium into France  Lots of good beer in Belgium    Follow the coastal route into Normandy and Brittany and then south to pick up the Loire cycle route.   It gets prettier as you go along.   Cross the Jura into Germany and head north on the Rhine cycle route then turn off east to follow the Main/Tauber/Altmuhl cycle routes south east before eventually moving on to the Danube Cycle route.   Follow this into Austria and then strike south over the mountains to Venice.   

Goof beer, great food and wonderful scenery.

21

Routes / Re: Traffic Free Trails

« on: February 14, 2018, 03:12:06 pm »

DarrenBnYYC, that traillink site is marvellous, a great way to see lots of potential routes, many thanks.

Iowagriz, that BC ride looks interesting, I've forwarded the link to my son, I suspect we will have a lot to discuss

BikeliciousBabe, thank you, the link for RoH and NorPac info is well worth knowing.   Goats Head thorns eh?   Tubeless I think

22

Routes / Re: Traffic Free Trails

« on: February 13, 2018, 03:08:19 pm »

John, thanks, the Mickelson trail looks great as does the RoH and although I'm not planning a cross country route, those NFRs look very interesting.   

My thinking at present is to link up as many interesting sections as I can in one area then probably hire a car to move on to the next area and so on.   I've plenty of time to plan it but am already starting to get quite excited about it.

Cheers!

23

Routes / Re: Traffic Free Trails

« on: February 13, 2018, 09:30:55 am »

Thank you all, I'm quite happy riding gravel trails and singletrack so that, I guess gives me plenty of options.   Anything over 50 miles is good but, hopefully, I will be able to link up a series of trails as John Nettles has suggested.   The Katy trail looks promising as do the various canal paths.   I'm also quite taken with visiting Minnesota, lots to explore.

I think I'm going to be very busy on Google maps in the near future.

Thank you again.

24

Routes / Traffic Free Trails

« on: February 12, 2018, 02:02:19 pm »

I recently came across The Cowboy Trail, a traffic free trail in Nebraska.   It looks very attractive.   Are there any other lengthy traffic free trails in the USA?   I'm hoping to have another trip to the States, probably next year, and would appreciate any advice on this or similar routes.

Thank you.

25

General Discussion / Re: e-thical issue

« on: February 05, 2018, 02:19:01 pm »

I'm a big fan of ebikes and have been riding them in various formats for about 4 years now.   I have a Kalkoff pedal assist which, in hilly country, will manage about 80 miles to a charge.   Reise & Muller do a bike with a double battery which will offer a greater range although I have found that the single battery Bosch system on my Cube MTB will generally only be good for about 60 hilly miles.

A lot, obviously, will depend on the nature of the terrain and the additional load you are carrying, my mileage results were on unladen day rides.   I don't use power on the flat or on gentle slopes as the bikes seem to roll well once away.   

As to the pariah question, I have never encountered any such problems.   On holiday in France, Germany, the Netherlands and UK, I see more and more ebikes in touring mode and riders all seem to be enjoying themselves, as you will, I am sure.

26

Routes / Re: Rhine River Cycle Ride

« on: January 29, 2018, 02:42:13 pm »

I live in the UK so take my own bike when touring in Europe.   A few years ago I  flew to the States and bought a bike for a trip there.   I took it back to the UK with me and found that travelling with a bike case as well as my other luggage was hard work.   If I do something like that in the future, I would probably buy an inexpensive bike and either sell it at the end of the trip or just give it to someone who looks like they might enjoy it.

A few thoughts on your proposed route.   Once you get north of Koblenz, it gets a bit industrial.   If you have time. when you get to Koblenz, turn left and head up the Moselle cycle route.   Beautiful scenery and very enjoyable cycling.   Well worth an out and back ride.   If you want something more dramatic, when you get to somewhere like Bernkastel-Kues, head up into the hills and make your way to Prum where you can join the Vennbahn, a lovely railpath through the Eifel/Ardennes into Belgium.   You are then in the heart of the Belgian Classics area, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour of Flanders and so on.

If time allows, you can then make your way down to the coast and follow the North Sea Coastal route into the Netherlands.

Where ever you go, have a great time.

27

Routes / Re: Rhine River Cycle Ride

« on: January 28, 2018, 02:00:28 pm »

Firstly, rental.   I doubt you will find a company to provide a bike for collection in Switzerland and return in The Netherlands but you may be lucky.   It might be cheaper to visit somewhere like a Decathlon store and buy an inexpensive bike and then sell it at journeys end.   

https://www.decathlon.ch/all-sports/cycle/bikes/city-bikes.html

A Hoprider 300 or 700 would be quite capable of doing the trip.

This website may be of help:  http://www.rhinecycleroute.eu/

You will find plenty of accommodation en route, German Youth Hostels are generally very good and most have bike storage facilities.   Stayok are the equivalent in The Netherlands.   Other things to look for:  Bett und Bike.   A hotel, B&B or similar that welcomes cyclists.   Fremdenzimmer - B&B type accommodation.

Have a good trip.

28

General Discussion / Re: USA immigration

« on: December 31, 2017, 02:00:52 pm »

You should be able to buy a flexible return ticket.   I did this a few years ago with my outbound flight to LA and the return from Miami, the return date being flexible to stay within the 90 days visa.   Mine was with BA but I presume other airlines offer a similar facility.

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General Discussion / Re: UK Trip Planning...John O'Groats to Lands End

« on: August 26, 2017, 09:34:04 am »

Just a quick note, it's generally reckoned best to do it south to north, to take advantage of the generally prevailing winds.   Best account of the trip that I've seen:   Mud, sweat and gears, by Ellie Bennett.

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General Discussion / Re: UK Trip Planning...John O'Groats to Lands End

« on: August 25, 2017, 02:06:44 pm »

Hi, herewith a couple of links that will help.    Sustrans, an organisation dedicated to sustainable travel, produces a number of excellent guides and maps including one for LEJOG as it is often referred to.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/epic-cycling-guide-published

Another organisation, Cycling UK has a very good forum with a particular page dedicated to LEJOG,

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewforum.php?f=22

Enjoy the trip.