BikeTouringBasics v3 TravellingTwo PDF

Bike Touring
BASICS
BIKES & GEAR
Choosing a bicycle and the
acccessories you’ll need
for touring.
LIFE ON TOUR
Planning a route, finding
a place to sleep and
what it will cost.
INSPIRATION
How to get started, where
to go and stories from
experienced cyclists.
Inspiring you to explore on two wheels

A free magazine from www.TravellingTwo.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 4 - Why Go Bike Touring. Page 36 - Training For A Tour.
ABOUT US
Everything that’s so special about exploring A few things to do, before you take a first trip
the world on two wheels. by bicycle.
Page 6 - No Experience? No Worries! Page 38 - How To Pick A Touring Bike.

Go on an adventure, even if you don’t have a Over 10 pages dedicated to choosing a touring
lot of experience or the perfect equipment. bike. Learn about types of bikes and compo-
nents such as frame material and wheels.
Page 10 - How Much Will It Cost?
A look at different ways of touring, and how Page 52 - Bikes To Consider.
much you might spend. A look at some popular touring bikes currently
on the market.
Page 14 - Five Great Places To Ride.
Some favourite bike touring destinations. Page 56 - Gear Focus.
Aside from the bike, what else do you need?
Page 20 - Where To Sleep. See our favourite bicycle accessories, camping Photo by Alicia Ackerman, www.cyclingwithoutahelmet.blogspot.com
Pitch your tent in a field or splurge on a hotel. gear, bike locks and more.
The option is yours.
Page 26 - Route Planning.

Page 74 - Loading Up The Bike.
Now that you have all the equipment, it’s time
WE’RE ANDREW & FRIEDEL. WE FELL
I N LO V E W I T H B I K E TO U R I N G I N 2006,
W H E N W E S E T O U T O N A B I C YC L E T R I P
A t the time, practical bicycle touring information
was hard to find on the internet, so we started
TravellingTwo.com e — a place to share tips, equip-
A R O U N D T H E W O R L D.
What to consider when mapping out a tour. to learn how to carry it all. We tell you about ment reviews and experiences.
panniers, luggage racks and trailers. The site has grown from a personal blog into a commu-
Page 30- Solo Or With Friends? nity over the past few years, and our email box has become
Should you hit the road alone, or find a friend Page 80 - An Amazing Journey. increasingly full of questions such as Which bike should I
to ride with you? A dose of inspiration from Louise Sutherland, a buy? or What do I need to know for my first bike tour?
woman who cycled the world in the 1950s. We created Bike Touring Basics to answer those questions.
Page 32 - Don’t Freak Out It’s a free guide to the essential things you need to know
One woman’s story of her family’s reaction to Page 82 - Equipment List. when getting started. This magazine is our way of giving
her plans to ride solo across the U.S.A. Print this checklist so you don’t forget anything! something back to the bike touring world that has given
so much to us.
GOING ON A BIG TRIP?

For even more long-distance touring tips and advice, check
out our Bike Touring Survival Guide.
Inside you’ll find hundreds of pages of advice for extend-
Bike Touring Basics 2015 Edition cover photo ed and international tours, including route planning, what
Cycling in Bolivia. Photo by Harriet Pike, www.pikesonbikes.com to put in your repair kit and how to extend the life of your
camping gear.
Even better - the book comes in 3 formats. This will allow
Bike Touring Basics - 2015 Edition you to print it, to read it on your computer or to load it onto
tablets and eBook readers like the iPad, Kindle and Nook
This edition was updated by Grace Johnson of Bicycle (PDF, .mobi and .ePUB files).
Traveler publications. At just €7.50, it might be the best bike touring
bargain going.
Download Bicycle Traveler magazine and other FREE cycle touring
PDFs at www.bicycletraveler.nl e Buy The Book:
www.travellingtwo.com/biketouringguide e
Thanks for your support! z
2 | Bike Touring Basics - 2015 Edition Bike Touring Basics - 2015 Edition | 3
2
WHY GO
BIKE TOURING “ Bicycle touring is heightened awareness.
It’s the difference between microwaving
and cooking a meal from scratch. It’s the
difference between standing awe-struck in
front of a painting and clicking past it on the
internet. Now imagine this feeling every
day, all day. Something as simple as THE
GROUND becomes very important. Is it
level? Soft? Wet? You really begin to SEE the
ground. You see people. And landscapes.
And food. You might even see yourself.
-RJ, An Adventure Called Bicycling
”
www.anadventurecalledbicycling.blogspot.com
Photo by Angela & Stephane Girard, www.ouestef.net
T here is no better way to travel and ex-

plore than from the seat of a bicycle.
With two wheels under your feet, the world
into full concentration as you spin your legs
furiously to tackle a big hill.
A sense of achievement greets you at the
strike out solo. Pack a little or a lot in your bags.
Splash out on a posh B&B or camp in the woods.
Have a plan or no plan at all. When the going
change of clothes. His wallet was empty.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re unfit either.
Training can be done on the road, as long as
goes by at a perfect pace; fast enough to get top of every climb as you crest the summit gets tough, take time to wait it out or put your you’re willing to take it slowly at first.
somewhere and slow enough to admire the proudly, if a bit weak in the knees. With the bike on a bus, train or plane bound for the next As for the other details - what kind of bike, pan-
details along the way. hard work over, you can fly down the other appealing destination. niers or trailers, old fashioned maps or a GPS - it’s
On your bicycle you are free. You can ride side with ease, stopping at the next store of Above all, don’t be put off by an obsession all a matter of choice. If something doesn’t feel
anywhere you like, and stop anywhere that course for a well deserved ice cream. to figure out every last detail. Like any jour- right, try another option until you find a better
takes your fancy. Later in the day, you might pitch your tent ney, there’s a lot to think about before you take way of doing things.
You can nap when you’re tired, knowing in a campground for the night, get a hotel, be those first steps but, at its core, bike touring is In the end, the best preparation is to get out
that you don’t have to rely on a bus to reach invited to spend the evening with a local fam- really quite simple. there and do it. Once on the road, you quickly find
your next destination. Just stroke those ped- ily or head back home again. The most crucial ingredients are a bike and a out what does or doesn’t work for you. z
als to zip into town for a hearty meal, or head In that flexibility is the most wonderful desire to ride that bike beyond your front door-
down a quiet dirt track and make dinner on thing about bike touring: it can be anything step. Experience and equipment are helpful but
your camp stove. The choice is yours. you want it to be. by no means required.
Back on your bicycle, you’ll pedal along to Karl Creelman, the first Canadian to ride
a constantly changing series of sensations. DO IT YOUR WAY around the world, only learned to ride a bicycle
One moment you might be daydreaming and Go for a day trip or on a world adventure. a few weeks before making his decision to circle
watching the birds. The next, you’ll be thrust Take your whole family and the pets or the globe in 1899. His bags were slim. He had one
4
NO
EXPERIENCE?
H E R E ’ S A L I T T L E S E C R E T: W E H AV E N ’ T A LWAY S B E E N C YC L I N G
FA N AT I C S . B E F O R E W E S E T O U T TO R I D E A R O U N D T H E W O R L D,
W E H A D N O B I K E TO U R I N G E X P E R I E N C E . W E W E R E U N F I T F R O M
Y E A R S I N T H E O F F I C E A N D W E D I D N ’ T K N O W H O W TO C H A N G E
NO WORRIES
A F L AT T I R E .
W hen we launched unprepared

into bicycle touring, we were
simply two people with a dream to see
figured out that the best wild camping
spots are hidden, unless you want to
hang out with local teenagers.
the world and hunch that maybe – just Despite - or perhaps because of - our
maybe – it would be possible and even early mistakes, we learned quickly. Ev-
fun to do it on bicycles. ery day we picked up new tricks such as
We hit the road imagining that how to fix flat tires and set our tent up
everyone would have more experience in record time. We developed an eye for
than us: two city slickers, in our 30s, the perfect camping spot. We sent the
who’d never even done an overnight champagne glasses back home. And
tour before thinking up this crazy ven- one day we found ourselves weaving
ture to bike around the world. What we gracefully between heavy city traffic,
found couldn’t have been further from instead of nervously dodging cars.
the truth. We met students and retired Three years and 50,000km later, we
folks. Solo cyclists and families. People were home. Despite setting out with no
on first tours and veterans who’d been bike touring experience at all, we made
pedalling for years. it all the way around the globe, with a
It’s true, we had a steep learning newly discovered passion and dreams
curve those first few weeks. Our pan- of dozens of trips to come.
niers were filled with things we didn’t We’re telling you this to make the
need (anyone want two plastic cham- point that bike touring really is some-
pagne glasses?) and our first wild thing anyone can do. You don’t need
camping site was in the middle of a to be super fit or below some arbitrary
popular local park. On that night we age barrier. You don’t even need to
Friedel smiles for the camera

during our world tour.
Photo by Andrew Grant,
www.travellingtwo.com
6
know a lot about bike touring, and you
certainly don’t need a fancy bike.
That doesn’t mean you should drop
everything now and run out the door
unprepared. Every tip you pick up be-
forehand will make life easier. It might
even save you some money and frustra-
tions along the way.
That said, you can learn about and
deal with almost anything on the road
as long as you go slowly and remain
flexible. One of the great joys of bike
touring is discovering just how capable
and independent you can be. Don’t
underestimate your ability to adapt to
situations as they crop up.
And remember: people of all types
and descriptions are out there right
now, pedalling across their countries,
continents and even the world. You can
too, and you’ll have the time of your life
along the way. z
Photos by Dennis Koomen, from a tour of the

Southwestern United States. See more photos, videos and
helpful bike touring tips on his website:
www.toko-op-fietsvakantie.nl
8
Photos by Willem Megens, www.themeeg.nl (left) and Rudi Verhagen, www.themeeg.nl (right)
HOW MUCH in most developed countries and 2-3 years in • Sleeping Mat (Thermarest) - $100 U.S.
WILL A BIKE
cheaper destinations such as Thailand and China. • Tent (MSR Hubba Hubba) - $400 U.S.
Our total bill for a world tour through 30 coun-
tries averaged $23 U.S. per day, per person e. For more on gear, see p. 56.
TOUR COST?
That covered routine daily expenses and one-off
costs such as flights, visas, vaccinations and bike DOING IT ON THE CHEAP
repairs. It also included treats such as bottles of Can you do it for less? Of course! Start by looking
wine, meals out and nights in hotels. for second-hand equipment. Plenty of people have
B ike touring doesn’t have to cost the earth. By cooking for your-
self, providing your own transport and sleeping in a tent, your
daily budget can easily be half of what a typical backpacker might
campsites most nights but you
might go to a cheap hotel if the
weather is bad. It’s possible to
How can you save so much money in the first
place? Here’s how we did it e.
unwanted bicycles and lightly used camping gear
hanging around in their basements.
Search eBay and Craigs List, and place a ‘wanted’
spend to travel the same route. afford a short leg by bus or train, STARTING COSTS ad that tells people what you’re looking for. Check
That said, it’s easy to burn through cash if you want to spend if you don’t want to cycle the Plan to set aside $2,000-3,000 U.S. if you want to with local cycling clubs and ask your friends if they
your days jumping from café to restaurant and your nights in whole way. start touring with a new bicycle and high-quality know of anyone who might have equipment to
comfortable hotels. gear - certainly good enough to see you through sell. This takes more time than buying things new,
Most people find a happy medium between the two extremes. 3-5 Days: You’ll be cycling lightly many happy years of bike touring. so start searching as soon as you know you want to
Spend a few nights camping, for example, and you’ll quickly offset because you probably won’t If you’re suffering from price shock, remember go bike touring.
the cost of a hotel and meal out in the next city. need bulky camping gear. In- that things like a stove and a tent save much more As an example of how far you can go on a small
Here are a few examples of how far you could get on $500 U.S. in stead, you can stay in a hostel or money in the long run than their initial cost, and budget, we spent a summer cycling around Europe
countries such as America, Australia, Canada and much of Europe, B&B most nights. Alternatively, if they give you a great degree of independence. on bicycles that we bought from a charity shop
depending on which style of touring you decide to adopt. you enjoy camping you can take Here are some approximate costs: for just $100 U.S. each. We invested another $150
the tent and use your budget to U.S. in a few accessories (including new saddles),
3-4 Weeks: You can travel for up to a month but you’ll need to stick eat most of your meals in restau- • Touring Bicycle (Surly Long Haul Trucker) - unearthed some old camping gear and set off for
to a very low budget. This means finding ways to sleep for free rants. You may also be able to $1,300 U.S. 5,000km of cycling adventures.
(wild camping, staying with friends or using hospitality groups like travel to and from your tour by • Bike Accessories (pump, water bottles) - Our bargain bikes weren’t without their me-
WarmShowers e). You’ll cook all your own food (mostly pasta), and public transport. $50-75 U.S. chanical faults. At that price, you can’t expect a
travel solely by bicycle. • Campstove (MSR Whisperlite) - $100 U.S. totally smooth ride. But we overlooked the niggles
LONGER TRIPS • Headlamp (Petzl Tikka) - $35 U.S. and treasured the freedom they gave us to go
10-14 Days: With $35-50 U.S. a day to spend you’ll have enough If you save $10,000 U.S., you have • Luggage Racks (Tubus) - $250 U.S. touring when we didn’t have the money to buy
for small luxuries like entry to a museum. You’ll free camp or stay in enough to tour for 10-12 months • Panniers (Ortlieb) - $400 U.S. anything better. z
10
“ Greg, our favourite Hungarian,
was going low-tech from Beijing to
Budapest with a tent that cost $12
U.S. from the supermarket. When
we asked what it was like in the
rain, he told us it was s**t. Greg, if
anyone, showed us what is possible
if you’re determined enough.
-John & Gayle
”
http://slothsonwheels.blogspot.com
Camping in Iceland. Photo by Rudi Verhagen, www.themeeg.nl
12
C H O O S I N G W H E R E TO G O C A N B E T H E TO U G H E S T PA R T O F B I C YC L E
TO U R I N G . T H E S E A R E S O M E O F O U R FAV O U R I T E D E S T I N AT I O N S ,
A N D T H E Y ’ R E A L L W O N D E R F U L C H O I C E S F O R A F I R S T TO U R .
FIVE GREAT PLACES TO RIDE

THE NETHERLANDS from high mountain passes
No country caters for cyclists as to thick forests and roads that
well as The Netherlands. hug the coastline.
There are thousands of bike Finding a place to stay is also
paths to follow, so you rarely breeze. Aside from the usual
need to ride in traffic. When you options such as hotels and com-
do have to cycle on a road, car mercial campsites, Tasmania has
drivers are very respectful of bi- dozens of free or very cheap
cycles and leave lots of room. camping areas, usually run by
For a glorious sight, come the local municipality.
when the tulips are in bloom
(late April to early May). You can SOUTHEAST ASIA
also explore windmills, museums For an international winter get-
filled with the paintings from the away, we highly recommend a
likes of Rembrandt and Vermeer, trip to Southeast Asia. very safe. There is almost no desert. Morocco also has a strong
and endless beaches along the Thailand and Malaysia have violent crime in Japan. tradition of Arab hospitality. It’s
North Sea. fantastic food. Cambodia boasts Obviously some areas were very common for travellers to
Dutch food is cyclist-friendly the famous Angkor Wat temples. devastated by the 2011 earth- be invited to share a cup of tea a
too: hearty pancakes and apple In Laos, you can climb high into quake and tsunami but there’s meal with a family.
cake with whipped cream can be rain-forest covered mountains on still plenty to explore here You do have to be slightly
found at almost every café. nearly empty roads. by bicycle. careful; in tourist areas the cup
From the Netherlands, it’s easy Costs are reasonable across For inspiration, check out of tea is often just the start of a
to continue on to more super the region. You can feast on Journey of 1000li e and long sales pitch to buy a carpet
cycling countries such as France, street food and get a basic hotel Finding Sachi e. but in the countryside the offers
Germany and Denmark. room for just $20 U.S. a day. are usually genuine. z
The only downside is the heat MOROCCO
TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA and humidity. Get up early to Perched at the western tip of
Hop on a ferry from the city of avoid the worst of it, and take North Africa, Morocco’s exotic
Melbourne, and within a few breaks in the middle of the day. kasbahs, ancient markets, high
hours you’ll be rolling your mountains and magical deserts
bicycle onto the small island JAPAN are easily reached by ferry or
of Tasmania. Japan always seems to get low-cost flights from Europe.
They’re trying to encourage glowing reviews from the many The tourism industry is well
Dream destinations: bike touring here, so your first bike tourists who cycle there. developed so you can choose to
The Netherlands (above) stop should be the tourist bureau It’s not just the temples, sushi sleep in formal accommodation
and Southeast Asia (top right) . for free maps and information and hot springs that make Japan or to simply pitch your tent in
Photos by Friedel & Andrew, designed just for cyclists. so much fun. the wild: maybe in a dip between
www.travellingtwo.com It gets better. The landscape is The people are friendly and mountains, under a palm tree
truly beautiful. Expect everything love to help foreigners. It’s also or beside nomad tents in the
14
“ Slovenia’s broad range of geo-
cultural diversity in such a small
country lends itself to nicely
bike travel. Pedal 60km in any
direction, and you’ll feel like
you’ve travelled to another land.
-Tyler Robertson
”
www.twowheeltravelblog.com
A rest stop in Slovenia. Photo by Chris Gruar, www.cycling4cancer.com
16
“ Curious African children
often make memorable
experiences on the road.
-Peter Gostelow
”
www.petergostelow.com
Photo by Peter Gostelow, www.petergostelow.com
18
H ostels are the mainstay of backpackers. CAMPGROUNDS
WHERE TO
Travellers with more cash to spend will A warm shower and a place to lay your head
splurge on hotels. Where does a bike tourist at a budget price. Sounds great, right? At their
go? Just about anywhere. best, campgrounds are indeed a haven for the
SLEEP?
Here are some of the options, starting with passing bike tourist but some cater better than
the ones we rely on most frequently: others to the needs of a cyclist.
In the developed world, try and steer clear
WILD CAMPING
In a tent. In a hotel.
of the swankiest privately-run campsites that
Put your tent up in a field, behind some trees are more like holiday parks than a place for a
or alongside a river. Camping in nature, outside cyclist to spend the night.
Nearly anywhere
of the confines of traditional campgrounds, Such places tend to prefer big-spending RVs
offers total flexibility, costs nothing and is (some will even turn cyclists away) and charge
wonderfully tranquil. $25-35 U.S. for what is often a pathetic piece
that takes your

In many parts of the world, where tourism of unshaded grass.
isn’t yet common, wild camping may be your If you’re lucky, you’ll find a small campground
only option and is a great way to really get a feel with reasonable prices and a dedicated, grassy
fancy.
for a country’s natural beauty. spots for tents. Sometimes use of a kitchen or
Nothing is perfect though. First you have to lounge area is even included. The further off the
find your ideal spot. It should be out of sight beaten path you go, the more rustic the camp-
of people and roads and preferably free of any grounds become. These primitive spots are also
garbage or graffiti that might indicate a local often very scenic, so we think it’s worth putting
hangout. Don’t be afraid to haul your bike over up with the pit toilets!
fields or through a stand of trees to find a good
spot, far from the road, and avoid dirty roadside
rest stops at all costs.
If you’re new to wild camping, it’s natural to
have some fears in the beginning.
You may worry about the police coming to
“
move you on or trouble in the middle of the
night from strangers or animals. I carried all my camping
The more you camp out, the more you’ll
realise how peaceful wild camping generally is, supplies with me (tent,
as long as you follow the golden rules. Stay as sleeping bag, air mattress,
hidden as possible (don’t get a yellow tent!) and
respect anything that indicates private property et cetera) so that I could
like fences, signs and cultivated fields. camp in some of the most
We have never been bothered by anyone ap-
proaching our tent at night, though shepherds beautiful places in the world
in the Middle East often came to invite us home
or offer us treats like fresh bread.
like the World’s Highest
Monastery near Mt. Everest
Wild Camping Tips: www.travellingtwo.com/
resources/wild-camping-a-few-tips e
Base Camp; and many kind
strangers hosted me in their
yard, often treating me to a
home cooked meal.
-Scott Stoll
Camping by Lake Song Kol
in Kyrgyzstan. Photo by
www.theargonauts.com
”
Friedel & Andrew Grant,
www.travellingtwo.com
20
Our favourite campgrounds tend to be run areas of mosques and monasteries and enjoyed
by municipalities and national governments. free camping in America’s local parks. Just ask
They make the most of their natural surround- at the town hall and beware of sprinklers set to
ings and seem less prone to late night parties come on in the early hours of the morning!
or the drone of generators that plagues more Since most of these options involve private
commercial sites. land, always ask permission if at all possible.
If you can’t find the person responsible for a
WITH NEW FRIENDS building, ask the neighbours. In small communi-
Everyone you meet is a potential new friend and ties (and these options work best in villages),
many are willing to let you stay for a night. they’ll know who to contact or will just give
To arrange a night with a new friend, start you permission directly.
by checking out sites where people offer free When you can’t spot anywhere immediately
accommodation to passing travellers. Of the obvious, ask the locals if they know of a safe
many such sites on the web, two stand out: place where you can put a tent for the night.
WarmShowers e and Couchsurfing e. The wording is critical here. Don’t ask for a
place to camp, or they may assume you want to
UNCONVENTIONAL OPTIONS stay for several days. Make sure they understand
We have dozed behind churches, in school- you’re just passing through.
yards and beside official buildings like By asking around, we’ve ended up sleeping
police and fire stations. blissfully on the floors of factories and under the
We’ve also laid our mats out in the common disco ball of a Greek bar. z
“ My favourite place to sleep in Southeast Asia

was at temples. I would arrive at sunset and
after a bucket shower with the monks I would
find a quiet place to sleep on the side of the
temple floor. At 5am the sounds of the gong
and prayers would wake me, and before hitting
the road I would enjoy recently blessed food
prepared by the local women. There’s nothing
like snails and sticky rice before you climb on
the saddle for a new day!
-Chris Gruar
”
www.cycling4cancer.com
Clockwise from upper left:

Sleeping in an African Schoolroom. Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl
Some shut eye in Arizona, U.S.A. Photo by Cass Gilbert, www.whileoutriding.com
Camping in a Thai Monastary. Photo by Amaya Williams, www.worldbiking.info
22
A hotel room in Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo by Mark Watson, www.highlux.co.nz
24
ROUTE PLANNING
overview of the terrain and Google Maps but also generate point and an end point, plus a
secondary roads. These maps can cue sheets, elevation charts and few milestones along the way.
be expensive if you need to buy downloadable GPS tracks. They then let the finer details of
several for a longer tour but it’s the trip work themselves out.
sometimes possible to get entire OUTLINE YOUR ROUTE We prefer the second op-
atlases that cover a whole region Once you have your map, start tion. By planning too well, you
in good detail for a reasonable outlining the route you’d like risk losing the spontaneity
price. You can then just rip out to take. Remember that you’re that adds so much to the bike
the sheets you need and throw not looking for the most direct touring experience.
away parts as you go. route, as you might on a car trip, You don’t want to turn down
If you prefer electronic maps, but rather the one where you an invitation to spend some
a good place to start is with the won’t be constantly annoyed time with a new friend or push
mapping option that nearly by the sound of vehicles racing yourself too hard through a heat
everyone uses on a daily basis: up behind you. wave, all because you ‘had’ to get
Google Maps. Is it likely to gen- As you’re considering various to the campground marked on
erate a perfect cycling route for roads, research what you’d like to your schedule.
you? No. Will it give you a good see in the area, where the camp-
idea of the road options and grounds are and where you can VARIETY IS KEY
Photo by Chris & Liz, www.bikeabout.co.uk distances for the route you’re get food and water. Jot this down One final note on planning: a
planning? Yes. on the map or in a notebook. contrast in experiences and
Think of Google Maps as a Look as well for clues to the sensations helps keep the tour
P lanning a route for your bike tour is almost as much fun as the
cycling itself. It can also be a little overwhelming the first time
you find yourself staring at a map, wondering where to go, but don’t
rough first sketch, which you can
then refine using paper maps
and the tools listed below. Once
landscape. Sometimes moun-
tain peaks are marked. Different
colours can indicate topography
exciting and enjoyable. If you’re
planning 3 days of riding in the
middle of nowhere, schedule a
worry; we have lots of tips for planning the perfect bike tour. you have a route, the ‘satellite’ as can water sources. If you’re fol- rest day in a larger town or city
setting of Google Maps can also lowing a river to its source, you’re for the fourth day, so you can
CHECK THE SEASONS be useful to examine road condi- often going uphill. Vineyards also get a shower and treat yourself
Weather can have a big effect on your happiness so research the sea- tions (eg. is there a decent shoul- tend to indicate heavily cultivat- to a great meal.
sons to get an idea of what you’re in for. You can deal with almost any der for cycling) or to identify ed land and steep slopes. National parks give you a
weather, as long as you know what to expect. Take note: the ‘best’ patches of woodland that might chance to get off the bike and go
season for general tourism is not always the best for bike touring. You make a good camping spot. To PLANNING hiking for a day. Coastal routes
may prefer to go just outside the high season, when there are fewer take Google Maps a step fur- Some people love detailed itiner- often have nice inland diversions
crowds, cheaper flights and the weather is still reasonable. ther, try websites like Ride With aries, where each day’s distance that will let you discover a differ-
GPS e, BikeHike e and Cycle and destination is laid out in a ent landscape, just a few miles
HOW FAR YOU CAN GO? Route e. They are based on spreadsheet. Others pick a start away from the ocean. z
We have a simple formula for determining how much distance we
can cover on a bicycle tour. First, we think about how far we expect
to go on an average day. For us, this is about 80km, give or take
20km depending on the terrain. Start with a distance closer to 60km
if you’re new to bike touring.
We then multiply this average figure by 5 for every week we
plan to be on the road. This gives us a good idea of how far we
can cycle, while still leaving room for rest days, bad weather and
sightseeing along the way.
If we’re taking a plane to our destination, we count on one non-
cycling day on each end of the trip to prepare for the flight (reassem-
bling or packing the bicycle, recovering from jetlag, getting oriented
in a new place).
GET A GOOD MAP

A good map is helpful if you want to find the best roads for
cycling. For paper maps, a scale of 1:200,000-1:500,000 gives a good
Photo by Neil Pike, www.pikesonbikes.com
26
“ If you can’t find any reliable paper
maps and the Google cars haven’t yet
visited an area, then satellite images
are a great help for route finding in
remote regions. Find 4WD routes
on Google Earth, store track and
waypoint information on your GPS,
then follow these out in the field.
-Neil & Harriet Pike
”
www.pikesonbikes.com
28
Photos by Marija Kozin (left) and Jared Mitchell, www.brakingboundaries.org (right)
A SOLO
TOUR... Or With Friends?
T he bike touring experience can be vastly different, simply
depending on whether you decide to strike out solo, go
with a friend or in a big group.
COMPROMISE IS KEY
Be prepared to compromise as
well. Touring with other people
there’s always someone coming
up alongside for a chat. Things
that are simple for solo cyclists or
Hitting the road on your own means you run the show. You means trying to reach a group small groups of friends, such as
determine how fast to go, when to stop for a coffee break or decision. That in turn means wild camping or stopping to take
to take a picture. there’s always someone who a photo, become impossible
You also decide how much to spend on your daily expenses doesn’t get what they want. in a very large group. z
(without any pressure to join the group for lunch in a restaurant) In big groups, the benefits
and when you’re tired, you can just call it quits for the day. When and downsides to touring with
you’re alone, there’s plenty of time to ponder your thoughts. friends are exaggerated. Usually
At the end of the trip you’ll have a special sense of achieve- there’s a chief organiser, which
ment, knowing that you had the resilience and strength to over- means you are freed of the re-
come all the challenges along the way. sponsibility of planning a route
Touring on your own can be lonely though, especially or even carrying a map – just 10 QUESTIONS TO ASK
in desolate, monotonous landscapes. When you get the follow the person in front! And Before committing to a bike tour with someone else, ask each other a few questions:
10th flat tire of the afternoon, there won’t be anyone there when disaster strikes, you’ll have
to help lift the mood. 20 people willing to assist. 1. How far do you expect to go per day? 7. If the weather turns nasty, do we ride through
With friends, it’s just the opposite. You’ll have someone to On the other hand, even 2. How fast do you cycle? the storm or seek shelter and shorten the tour?
celebrate milestones with. There will also be help on hand when something simple like stopping 3. What is your daily budget? 8. Do you want to cook meals together, or
you get sick, when the bike breaks or storm clouds roll in. for a coffee can take an hour. It’s 4. Should we stay in hotels, campsites or try apart?
Choose carefully though: best friends at home aren’t always also harder to find the tranquil- to wild camp for free? 9. What excites you about touring, and what do
best friends on the road. It’s crucial to ensure you have similar lity that attracts so many people 5. How often do you want to take a rest day? you think the most challenging part will be?
ideas of what a good bike tour entails before you set out. to bike touring. In a small group 6. What time of the day do you like to get 10. What would your ideal day on the road
If you want to start cycling at 7am and your friend loves to you can pull ahead of the crowd started? be like?
sleep late, you could be in for more stress than fun. for a while, but in a big group
30
MOM? I know that it’s I know it might be dangerous. As that, but cycling across the U.S.A. concerned parents and grand
DAD?
my mother pointed out, bears is nothing compared to what parents who want their ambi-
unconventional for a are not the only predators out
there. She also pointed out that
some folks are doing.
China! Across Africa! Across
tious but sometimes misguided
daughter to be safe from harm
young woman to set it would be very easy to stalk the Himalayas! At least I don’t and unhappiness, especially that
out on a trip of this me on a bike, to which I replied have to bring a passport, a which she inflicts on herself.
Don’t freak magnitude alone and

that it would be very boring to
stalk me on a bike.
I know that this trip will
head scarf and money to bribe
border guards.
I don’t want to cause my fam-
Finally, there is the type of
worry that is absurd and irra-
tional, stemming from one too
out but I’m on a bicycle. be incredibly challenging and

intermittently lonely, frustrat-
ing, boring, scary, hot, cold, wet,
ily undue distress. I don’t want
them to worry. Trust me, I worry
enough about this trip myself.
many Dateline Unsolved Myster-
ies about the murders of inno-
cent young women.
going to bike and windy. I understand that this

trip could suck. And you know
As I see it, there are three types
of worry going on here, and the
The first two types of worry
can be combated with facts,
across the country.

what? If it sucks I’ll cut my losses challenge is teasing apart the dif- details, packing lists, websites,
and change my plans. I can alter ferent types and acting to ame- and long conversations. The last
my route, stop for a few days, liorate them accordingly. type of worry I can do nothing
or even fly to Georgia. Heck, I First, there’s the worry and about except exasperatedly sigh
Diana Johnson writes about the pre-trip fears of many cyclists can stop in Kansas and settle shock my loving family experi- and shrug my shoulders. I want
and of their families. down if I want to. ences because they are non- the blessing of my family. I don’t
I try to explain to the non- cyclists hearing about this trip want them to worry about me.
cyclists (e.g. my family) that this for the first time. I hope that they’ll come
trip is not as shocking as it might Second, there is the worry of around. I think they will. z
seem at first. Look around, and
you’ll find that cycling across the
country is not that uncommon.
Old people, young people,
couples, and kids are cycle tour-
ing all over the place. Not only
“ It’s both exhilarating

and mildly annoying
when I tell a non-
cyclist about my plans
to cycle across the
continent. “WHAT?!”
They exclaim. “You’re
cycling WHERE?”
And then there’s
the inevitable, “By
YOURSELF?!”
Photo by Eric Schambion www.worldbiking.info ” Diana Johnson on the road. Her journal:
www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/or2ga2011
32
“ Enough planning, just go!
-Loretta Henderson
”
www.skalatitude.com
Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl
34
“ We are not super-cyclists who put in hundreds
of miles a week on the bike. What it really
took was the realization that we could do it. I
think getting beyond all the ‘what ifs’ and just
getting on the bikes is all it takes. We finally
realized that all we really needed to do was
‘shut up and pedal’! -Dan, Alison, Sonia & Gus
”
www.shutupandpedal.org
Photo by Cass Gilbert, www.whileoutriding.com
TRAINING for a TOUR

the road before you leave. tourists apply doubly to you, give you a much-needed break
such as starting with modest from the rigours of the road -
SHOULD YOU TRAIN? daily distances, having a specific just what you need to keep your
On extended tours of several end-point in mind for the day spirits up and renew your energy
P reparing for a bike tour is really nothing to wor-

ry about. Oh sure, it’s true that you need to be
in semi-reasonable shape to get started and there
build cycling into your daily routine. Use your bi-
cycle to go to the supermarket or to get to work.
Although this is more commuting than touring, it
weeks or months, you won’t
necessarily need to train nearly
as much as for shorter trips.
and knowing where the camp-
grounds or hotels are located.
That’s because you won’t have
for the next day.
Before long, you’ll find your-
self naturally rising to bigger
are a few logistical quirks to work out: what to pack, will give you experience with all kinds of situations That’s because bicycle touring refined your routine as much challenges. Longer days. Steeper
how to pack it and how to deal with daily routines you’ll encounter on tour like traffic, dogs and rain. isn’t the Tour de France. You’re as someone who’s trained hills. Free camping. After a few
such as cooking your evening meal on a camp stove. not trying to be the fastest rider before leaving. weeks you’ll start to feel like a
It doesn’t take much, however, to become com- ADD WEIGHT AND CHALLENGES on the road or cover the most Muster up your best zen-like real pro, taking everything in
fortable with these things. Start in your backyard. Once you’re comfortable with the unloaded day miles. You’re just there to have attitude, to deal with the inevita- your stride. z
Take an hour or two to set up your tent (make sure trip, plan a series of weekend excursions. Each time fun. With longer bike journeys, ble snags as you figure out what
you know how it goes together and packs back up) you have a successful tour, make the next one a you also tend to have a more works best for you.
and test your stove. Make sure you understand the little harder by adding a bit more weight, aiming flexible schedule, so you can Whether you decide to train
equipment you’ll be carrying, and try packing it in for a longer distance or picking a route with a few take it slow and build up your diligently before your trip or just
your panniers or bicycle trailer. more hills. Little by little, increase your strength strength, endurance and routines leap into the experience and
Next, put everything on the bicycle and go a mile until you’re building up to the type of days you’d over the course of several days. start learning, take it easy for the
or two up the street. See how the bike feels and re- like to do on tour. Opting to train on the road first few days as you’re adjusting
arrange the weight if the bike doesn’t seem stable. The time it takes to reach your goal will depend also takes some of the stress out to your new lifestyle.
You could also try a day trip. If you have no biking on your current level of fitness and how ambitious of pre-departure. Who has time While most days will come
experience, start with an unloaded bike. Just bring a your target is. After a few of these shorter trips to fit in multiple weekend trips easily, others will test your
small bag with essentials like snack food, water and you’ll have a good idea of how ready you are to when you’re trying to re-direct resolve with bad weather, flat
a jacket. Pick a moderate route of 30-60 kilometers tackle a bigger journey. your mail, rent out your apart- tires and other challenges. When
in an area that you’re familiar with. Have a friend on If you have to fit these trips around work and ment, sell all your stuff and find these tough moments come
stand-by to pick you up, or plan a route that passes family commitments, give yourself at least a couple someone to adopt the cat? along, don’t be too hard on your-
train and bus stations, so there’s always a lift nearby months to complete your training. Block your bike There are some caveats to the self - and treat yourself if you’re
if you need it. touring weekends off in advance so that ‘normal life’ ‘learn it on the road’ method. feeling down. Getting a hotel in
At the same time as you’re trying out day trips, doesn’t prevent you from getting a feel for life on All the usual tips for new bike bad weather or eating out can
36
HOW TO PICK A
a junk shop. They weren’t al-
ways a smooth ride (we invested
another $100-200 U.S. each in
TOURING BIKE
replacement parts) but they took
us on some fantastic adventures,
without breaking the bank.
The more remote and lengthy
“ After seeing the locals
transport bananas, car tires
and even whole families
your trip, the greater the case
for investing a bit more in your on the back of their Indian
bicycle. Put a special focus on
quality wheels (hand-built if
bikes, many western
you can afford it), a decent travellers buy an old bicycle,
gearset, racks that can handle
a heavy load and - of course - a
strap their backpack on
Top: a recumbent HP Velotechnik Street Machine. Bottom: a
comfortable saddle. the rack and take off on an
Santos Travelmaster, an ICE Adventure Trike and a Kona Sutra.
Terrain
unforgettable vacation.
T H E R E A R E A L M O S T A S M A N Y TO U R I N G
For a trip on North America’s -Grace Johnson
”
B I K E S , A S T H E R E A R E TO U R I N G C YC L I S T S .
H O W D O YO U C H O O S E B E T W E E N T H E M ? Great Divide, the longest off- www.bicyclingaroundtheworld.nl
H E R E A R E A F E W T I P S F O R F I N D I N G YO U R pavement bike route in the
‘PERFEC T ’ RIDE. world, a mountain bike with
suspension might be the best
W henever someone asks us which touring

bike to buy, we start by reminding them
that the bike really isn’t so important.
for touring. These include plenty of mounting
points for luggage racks and water bottles,
and a design that favours a comfortable
choice. You’ll appreciate the extra
cushioning on bumpy, dirt roads.
After all, the history of bicycle touring is riding position over long distances, rather
filled with cyclists who covered vast distances than speed.
on bikes that seem, on the surface at least,
totally unsuitable for the job. 5 BASIC FACTORS
Thomas Stevens e circled the world on a Before you start thinking of specific brands
penny farthing in the 1880s. Heinz Stücke e and models, consider these basic variables.
has covered over half a million kilometers on They will help narrow down your choice.
a bike with only 3 speeds. Even the sluggish
rickshaw has been used to span continents. Budget
The point? A nice bike is just that: nice but A reasonably solid second-hand bike will
not essential. Determination and a positive at- start around $200-300 U.S. (check at thrift
titude are the most vital factors for a success- shops and ask local cycling clubs if anyone
ful trip by bicycle, not the price of your bike. has a bike to sell).
And there’s no point in spending so much On the other end of the scale, the very best
money that you don’t have any funds left touring bikes are priced at $2,000 U.S. and
to actually travel! upwards. If you splurge on an expensive bike,
Most importantly, don’t be fooled into you can expect features such as a frame built
thinking that buying an expensive bike will to match your specific body measurements,
save you from mechanical worries. It won’t. hand-built wheels and the latest technology
You’ll have to deal with regular mainte- (Rohloff Hubs and belt drives). You may also
nance and unexpected occurrences no mat- be able to choose a custom paint colour.
ter which bike you’re riding and, depending
where you’re cycling, you might have an easier Trip Duration
time getting a basic bike repaired, versus a For shorter tours, where you’re travelling
very fancy one with specialist parts. lightly and relatively close to home, just
Even in lower price brackets, you should about any bike will do. We personally covered
be able to find a bike with some ideal features 5,000km on bikes that cost $100 U.S. e from
Malawi bicycle taxi. Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl
38
“ I enjoy a spin on
my bicycle. It is
splendid to feel
400 from VSF Fahhradmanufak-
tur are just a few of the touring
bikes currently on the market
Other places where manufactur-
ers often cut corners include:
On the whole, none of these
things matter much if your goal
is to take shorter tours, mostly on
that strike a good balance be- Racks - Mid-range tourers are paved roads. If you’re planning
the wind blowing tween quality and price. often fitted with racks that are a more adventurous trip, factor
in my face and the Expect to pay $1,000-1,500
U.S. for bikes in this category:
fine for moderate loads but not
heavy touring. Often, only a back
in the cost of upgraded racks,
wheels and a better saddle.
springy motion of a significant investment but rack is included and some don’t With a few changes, you can
one that should give you many have racks at all. You have to buy turn a mid-range touring bike
my iron steed. happy years of touring, and at them as an extra accessory. into a decent bicycle for longer
- Helen Keller a price tag that’s significantly expeditions and still come in well
”
cheaper than many high-end Gearing - The gearing can be below the cost of a high-end
touring bikes. a bit to the high side, without expedition touring bicycle.
Bikes in this category a true ‘granny gear’ for serious If you decide to make up-
should have: hills. grades, try bargaining with your
local bike shop. They might give
A Long Wheelbase - This style Wheel Clearance - Check to see you a discount on things like bet-
of frame ensures that your heels if there is enough space be- ter quality tires and racks if you’re
have plenty of room to clear the tween the frame and the mud- buying a bike at the same time.
panniers as you pedal. guards to fit the widest tires. If Planning ahead also helps
not, dirt road touring could be make your money go further.
Attachment Points - Room for challenging. If you can buy your bike in the
Mirjam Wouters (www.cyclingdutchgirl.com) has been
3 bottles plus mudguards and autumn or winter, just as next
touring the world for over 10 years. racks is ideal. Wheels - The wheels will prob- year’s models are coming out.
Photo by Jane St. Catherine. ably be machine built and not You might get a great deal on
Decent Components - The quite as strong as those built last year’s version.
popular and robust Shimano LX by hand.
and XT groupsets are often used. Expedition Bikes
Tires - May be a bit thin for dirt The expedition touring bike
On the other hand, if your trip the most common touring chances are you haven’t found Don’t expect much of a choice, road touring. is the big, sturdy brute of the
involves mostly paved roads and choice, but certainly a possibil- your dream bike or it needs some however, when it comes to bicycle world. These top quality
decent weather then a touring ity. Visit Path Less Pedaled e adjustments. custom options like colours and Saddles - They’re often not the machines are ready to take what-
bike with skinny tires will prob- to see how ‘foldies’ are being wheel size. most comfortable models. ever you can throw at them.
ably do the job just fine. You used even for a cross-continent, TYPES OF BIKES Some are made by craftsmen,
might even get away with taking fully-loaded tour. Now that you have a basic idea turning out a dozen or so bikes
a racing bike, as long as you plan If you do go for an unconven- of what kind of bike might be a year from their garage. Others
to stay in hotels and travel with a tional bike, you may still be able best, it’s time to learn about come with a brand name like
minimal amount of luggage. to get it on that plane (or even the most popular types of bikes Thorn or Koga.
ship it ahead by courier) but be for touring. Regardless of their pedigree,
Planes, Trains and Buses prepared for a bit of extra hassle. As you shop around, remem- these are bikes you should be
Taking your bike on other forms ber that touring bikes aren’t able to ride around the world,
of transport can be one of the Comfort commonly stocked by many over mountains, through riv-
more stressful parts of touring. The best bike is ultimately the bike shops and certainly not in ers and down rocky tracks with
This is doubly true if you choose one that feels best to you. Bike department stores. Track down every confidence that they can
an unusually long or wide bike, touring is not supposed to hurt. a specialist dealer who can handle the terrain and the week’s
such as a tandem. Before you settle on any bike, give you good advice, and who worth of food you’ve loaded on
It makes sense, then, to go for at least a short ride. Bet- will have a few models for you the back luggage rack.
choose a relatively standard ter yet, convince the bike shop to try out. Frames are often made to
bike if public transport is a big to let you borrow it for a few measure and the wheels will
part of your trip plan. You might hours or rent it for a weekend. Mid-Range Touring Bikes almost certainly be the 26” stan-
even go for a folding bike like If you return with aching knees, Trek’s classic 520 model, Surly’s dard that is most easily replaced
a Brompton or Bike Friday - not a sore neck or strained ankles, Long Haul Trucker and the TX- The very popular Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bicycle. anywhere in the world.
40
Across the bike, the focus should
be on high quality components
and there should also be an ele-
“
ment of beauty. Custom paint
jobs and beautiful welding work Riding a tandem isn’t really a fine
are to be expected on this level art, more a messy sketchbook of
of bicycle.
wobbles and wavy lines before
Rohloff Hubs you get the hang of it, especially
Expedition bikes are also where
you’re most likely to see the fully loaded. The important thing
latest technology, including the
Rohloff Hub – a nearly mainte-
is to synchronize at all times.
nance-free and sealed gearing When stationary, pushing off with
system.
Because everything is en-
a chant of ‘3, 2, 1’ helps takes
closed, the Rohloff is great for the strain off the knees.
-Chris & Janyis
http://thespokeandwords.wordpress.com
”
Alex & Kat speed across the desert.
www.cyclingabout.com
Photo by Alena Pesavento,
www.frischlufttour.ch
The Rohloff Hub: a high-tech piece
of touring gear with many benefits. It
also adds $1,200 U.S. to the price of
your bike.
trips down dirty, dusty roads. It

also lets you shift without ped- in Germany and back? few months before your bike is benefits too. They’re aerodynam- Big hills can be harder to tion and use it to make new
alling (if you want to change Our personal preference is to ready. Starting to look six months ic and their unique style means climb than on an upright bike friends, or find being in the
gears at a stoplight, for example), deal with the quirks of a derail- or even a year ahead of your de- less worry about your bike being because you can’t get out spotlight overwhelming.
and a wheel built with a Rohl- leur, which we can fix and which parture day is not too soon. stolen. Most thieves wouldn’t of the saddle to really pump If you’re considering a recum-
off is very strong, because the every bike mechanic the world have a clue how to ride one the pedals. bent, find a specialist dealer and
wheels don’t have to be ‘dished’ over understands but plenty of Recumbent Bikes & Trikes away! A trike can be great for For two-wheeled recumbents, try a few out before you buy.
or arced as they do on bicycles cyclists are completely in love Sit back, put your feet up and people with stability problems, you will have to learn how to
with derailleurs. with their Rohloff hubs. It’s not watch the scenery glide by. With and doubles as a seat when you ride them. It’s different than an Tandem Bikes
On the downside, the Rohl- really a case of derailleurs versus a recumbent bicycle or trike, stop for lunch or to camp. upright bike but 10-15 minutes You know all the words to ‘A
off costs an extra $1,200 U.S. Rohloff but being aware of the you’ll be doing just that. What’s the catch? Like ex- of practice is usually enough to Bicycle Built For Two’ but does
and in the unlikely event that pros and cons to both, before These reclining bikes are pedition bikes, these specialist learn this new way of balancing. that mean you should consider
something does go wrong, you’ll you make a decision. renowned for being a luxurious bicycles aren’t cheap. Expect to Other concerns include the touring on a tandem? For many
probably have to send the hub way to tour. The generous seat pay more for a recumbent than potential challenge of sourcing riders, the answer is yes.
back to the factory to be fixed. Think Ahead and laid back position takes the you would for an upright bike of non-standard replacement parts If you’re a cycling couple,
The customer service is, by all One final thought on expedition pressure off your upper body, similar quality. on the road and the fact that where one person tends to ride
accounts, wonderful but how bikes in general: plan ahead if eliminating aching backs, sore Their unusual shape and rela- recumbents are still rare enough much faster than the other, a
will you feel if you have to stop a you decide to buy one. necks and numb hands at the tively heavy weight also makes to make you a tourist attraction. tandem is one option for keep-
tour and wait for your wheel to They are often made to order, end of a long day on the road. them harder to pack for bus, Only you know whether ing both of you together on
make the journey to the factory and it can take weeks or even a Recumbent bikes have other train and plane travel. you will revel in the atten- the road.
42
Families on tour like tandems should be enough to buy an are far more common and easily Other things to check: guards and bottle cages. These
because they lessen the worry older bike and make some adapted for the job. could be challenging to fit if the
of young riders straying out into upgrades like adding a better To help sort the good from Wheels - Do they spin in a per- bike wasn’t designed with this
traffic. A tandem can also allow saddle and robust racks. the bad, focus on brand names fect circle? Feel the spokes to see in mind.
people with poor eyesight or With $1,000 U.S. to spare, you like Trek, Cannondale, Marin if they are loose. Examine the
other disabilities, who couldn’t might pick up a bike that sold for and Specialized. This usually rims for any sign of cracking. If in doubt, take a bike-savvy
ride a bicycle on their own, enjoy twice as much when it was new. guarantees components of a friend along or see if a local bike
the pleasures of bike touring. Often people get rid of brand- reasonable quality and pro- A Loose Headset - There shop can quickly assess its condi-
Your ability to form a good name touring bikes because tects you from buying a shoddy shouldn’t be any movement tion. Although slightly tricky to
team will be the key factor in they simply never use them. supermarket bicycle. when you grip the brakes and arrange, these checks could save
tandem touring success. The Whether you go for some- Look also for a ‘hardtail’ bike push or pull on the handlebars. you hassle down the road. z
captain sits up front and must thing old and simple or a high- without back suspension so you
take responsibility for steering end bargain, you’ll be saving a don’t get cornered into buy- Gears - Run through all the gears
and keeping the stoker happy lot of money. That’s cash you can ing specialist racks for carrying and make sure they change
by choosing appropriate gears use towards the rest of your trip. your luggage. smoothly.
for both riders. Warnings about Begin your search at garage When you examine the bike,
bumps ahead in the road are sales and second-hand shops. look closely at the frame. Chain rings - Look for sharp
also appreciated. Websites like eBay and Craigslist Touring puts a lot of pres- points on the teeth. This indi-
From the back seat, the stoker can be good hunting grounds. sure on a bike frame and serious cates heavy wear and a need to
has to develop total trust in the Even your local bike shop may damage will be expensive or replace the chain ring.
captain and pedal steadily. A occasionally have trade-in impossible to fix. Be cautious if
tandem partner who leans back bikes for sale. you spot dents, cracks or any- Attachment Points - Look to see
and reads a book all day won’t A steel touring bike is the thing more than a tiny amount of if the bike has braze-ons or at-
be anyone’s favourite! ideal find, but mountain bikes surface rust. tachment points for racks, mud-
Be aware that a tandem is
long and heavy, so tasks that are Cass Gilbert’s bike: a Surly
Krampus with 29+ tyres.
relatively simple with standard www.whileoutriding.com
bikes - like carrying your bicycle
up a set of steep stairs in a hotel
“
- could prove nearly impossible
with a tandem. Everyone’s journey, and
Packing for a tandem tour is the way they go about it, is
another challenge because two
people have to share one set of unique - stamped with their
luggage. Some pannier manufac- own interests and flavour. My
turers have risen to the challenge
and made extra large bags for mountain-bike inspired setup
tandem riders. You can also tow a reflects the fact I like to ride dirt
trailer (see p. 77).
You may also want to consider roads as much as possible, both
extra-strong wheels. A standard to escape the hectic traffic that
touring bike often has a 32 or
36-spoke wheel. More common plies the modern highway, and
on tandems are 40 or 48-spoke
wheels, built with the best rims
for the simple joy of weaving my
that money can buy. way down a quiet and remote
Used Bikes
backcountry trail.
-Cass Gilbert
”
Buying a second-hand bike is an
www.whileoutriding.com
ideal way to make your touring

budget go further.
Setting aside $300-500 U.S.
44
“ Life is either
I’m just
daring
month and
or
into myasecond
adventure
nothing.
talking
have started
to my bike. I’m
”
worried
it- Helen
will Keller
start talking
back to me from month
three. -Steve Talon
”
www.turnrightforjapan.com

Cycling in Peru. Photo by Cass Gilbert, www.whileoutriding.com
46
initially built, while the corrosion was caused by pany you buy the bike from. You want a bike that’s
paint rubbing off our steel frames, allowing rust backed by a company with good customer service
to set in. in case something does go wrong. Ask yourself:
If you find yourself with a more seriously dam-
aged steel bicycle, it might not be possible to • Will this company send me replacement
find someone with the appropriate welding skills parts if necessary?
and understanding of bicycles to make the repair.
For seriously warped and damaged frames (after • Are the bikes that they make solid, well de-
a crash, for example), it’s almost certainly better signed and well tested, meaning that major
to look into buying a new frame or having one problems are unlikely?
shipped to you, rather than trying to bend it back
into shape. No matter what material your touring bike is made
of, the answer to both of these questions should
ALUMINIUM be ‘yes’.
Aluminium touring frames are often (but not
always) a bit cheaper and weigh a little less than GOOD WHEELS FOR TOURING?
those made of steel. They won’t rust, which means The first decision to make when it comes to wheels
you don’t need to be as vigilant about covering is which size to use. There are two main choices:
Photo by Friedel & Andrew, www.travellingtwo.com up small chips and nicks to the paint as you do 26” or the slightly larger 28” / 700c.
with a steel bike. You may hear people say that Wheel size doesn’t matter so much if you’re
BIKE BUYING
high-end custom bike builders aluminium frames are inherently weaker than planning to tour mostly in the developed world.
and is renowned for giving a steel frames but unless the bicycle in question Excellent wheels can be built in both sizes and
lively, almost springy ride. Com- is particularly old (in which case an aluminium both are common enough that they should be eas-
QUESTIONS:
pared to aluminium, steel is also frame can be more vulnerable to fatigue cracks), ily repairable or replaceable by most bike shops.
a relatively straightforward mate- its strength comes much more from the design Once you start travelling further afield, a 26”
rial to weld and this is a key part and overall build quality than the base material. wheel becomes the better, internationally available
ANSWERED!
of the pro-steel argument. choice. That way, if your wheel fails while you’re
The logic goes that you’re TITANIUM on tour, you can be much more sure of finding a
more likely to find someone who Titanium frames are becoming more popular, replacement.”
can fix damage to your frame en although they’re still a niche part of the touring
T ouring bicycles can be made of nearly any material. Steel and

aluminium are the two most popular choices. Titanium is also
increasingly an option, and if you want to stand out from the crowd
route if it’s made of steel, rather
than aluminium. That’s true to
some degree but a lot depends
bike market. They have three notable advantages:
they’re extremely strong, completely immune to
corrosion (you don’t even need to paint the frame,
Other factors to consider are:
Hand-built – If you can only afford one luxury

you could even consider a bamboo or wooden frame. on the skill of the welder and the it simply won’t rust) and of course they’re very item for your bicycle, make it a hand-built wheel.
The vast majority of people will go for a frame made of either severity of the problem. lightweight compared to touring frames made of No machine has yet been able to match a talented
steel or aluminium and for good reason. Most bikes are made of one In Cambodia, we were able steel or aluminium. The downside is that titanium wheel builder when it comes to reliability and
of these two materials, so you’ll have the widest choice in touring to find a welder who could fix is an expensive frame material. Prices are coming strength. Anything that saves you the hassle of
bikes if you focus on steel and aluminium frames. Both are robust small cracks in our steel frames. down as titanium bikes become more popular but broken spokes and wheels that fall out of align-
and affordable choices for a touring bike. Titanium is another pos- The cracks were then repaired a for most people, steel or aluminium will still be ment is worth paying for.
sibility, although bikes built with Titanium frames tend to be more second time in Australia. At the the best choice based on budget alone.
expensive and for that reason alone most people will turn their same time, we had some of the Spokes - Most touring wheels will have 32 or 36
attention elsewhere. drop-outs and mounting points THE BOTTOM LINE spokes. Anything less and the wheel will struggle
On touring forums and in books, you’ll find a never-ending de- for luggage racks repaired as Frames made of steel, aluminium or titanium can to support the weight of your body and all your
bate about which of these frame materials is the ‘best’. We believe well. They had corroded away. be good for touring. What is certain is that you bags. A good wheel will also have spokes that
it’s largely a question of personal preference, and the short answer is It was nice to be able to repair should choose an all-metal frame (no carbon fibre, cross each other at least 3 times.
that the frame material doesn’t matter so much as long as the bike is our much-loved bicycles. It’s also please — it’s too prone to damage). Don’t worry
designed and built by someone who knows what they’re doing and possible to argue that we might too much about small differences in the weight Double-walled Rims – Cheaper rims are made
as long as you like it and find it comfortable to ride. not have faced these problems in of one frame versus another. Unless you’re plan- from a single layer of metal. If you’re in a pinch, a
If you want the long answer, read on. the first place, if we had chosen ning an ultralight journey, a few hundred grams single-walled rim will get you to the next decent
an aluminium frame. The cause of extra weight on a frame is unlikely to matter by bike shop. It might even last a few thousand kilo-
STEEL of the cracks was a small weld- the time you load up your bike with clothing, a meters but don’t invite trouble. Start out with solid,
It’s the traditional choice, tends to be the favoured material of ing error when the bikes were tent and other gear. What is important is the com- double-walled rims.
48
Decent Hubs - We’ve tradition-
ally used Shimano hubs, and we
find that they’ll last thousands of
kilometers with minimal mainte-
nance. Go for LX rather than XT
because the newer XT models
“ I’d feel very confident taking my Avid
BB7s for a long tour. The pads are so
small you could carry enough for a
aren’t as durable as they used
to be. If you have more cash to year or two in your back pocket, the
spend, you might look at hubs
by manufacturers such as Phil cable is standard, and it’s not difficult
Wood and Hope. To generate to straighten a disk if it gets whacked
your own electricity, a SON dy-
namo hub is fantastic - although and bent, although it is hard to get it
quite pricey. perfectly flat again.
More on hubs: www. -Stephen Lord
”
travellingtwo.com/resources/ www.adventurecycle-touringhandbook.com
which-hubs-to-use-for-bike-
touring e
Amaya Williams. www.worldbiking.info
BRAKING SYSTEMS photo by
Like the argument over bike-

frames, you can spend hours Santos touring bikes (see: www. this process, so clean your rims The usual advice is to pick me- buying another bike. able to spin quickly in a low gear
weighing up the merits of vari- travellingtwo.com/resources/ with a rag occasionally, especially chanical or cable-operated If you do choose to use takes pressure off your joints and
ous braking systems. santos-travelmaster-review e). after riding on muddy roads. disc brakes over hydraulic ver- suspension forks, make sure the prevents knee damage in the
They are extremely responsive sions, but you’ll find tourers suspension is in good shape long run.
Rim Brakes and have a great reputation Disc Brakes using all types. before you set out and keep The range of your gears is
Rim brakes in the V-Brake design for reliability. Traditionalists scorn them, but Avid’s BB7s are a popular ca- your load as light as possible measured in gear inches and a
are a common choice. They have Nevertheless, make sure you disc brakes are becoming more ble model, and the experienced in the front. good range for a touring bike is
two arms which extend over the know how to maintain them - common in the cycling world. adventure cyclist Tom Allen Normal racks don’t work with usually about 20 inches at the
tire and grip the rim to stop the just in case. It’s not hard to bleed They’re a little more expen- has reviewed Magura’s Louise suspension so look at special low end to 90 inches at the top
bike. These types of brakes are the brakes, once someone has sive than their rim brake coun- hydraulic brakes e. models from Tubus and Old end. For more about gear inches,
relatively inexpensive to buy and shown you how to do it. You’ll terparts, but for the price you Man Mountain. Both companies check out Sheldon Brown’s
easy to repair. also want to take spare parts get unparalleled braking power CAN I TOUR WITH make high quality racks that will Gear Calculator e.
You can take care of V-Brakes on longer journeys through (especially in rainy conditions). SUSPENSION FORKS? do the job. Trailers are another Alternatively, look at the num-
yourself using basic tools. Any less developed countries, and it You’ll be able to stop more It’s not common to tour with option for carrying luggage on a ber of teeth on the chain rings. A
bike shop around the world doesn’t hurt to make sure your quickly and with more con- suspension forks and the aver- bike with suspension forks (see standard set up is 3 rings with 22,
should also have the parts bike frame has the necessary V- trol than ever before. This may age bike tourist probably doesn’t more on p. 59). 32 and 44 cogs on the front and
and knowledge to fix and Brake bosses. That way, you can prove to be especially im- go off road enough to offset back rings covering a range of
adjust them. always fit a new set of V-Brakes, portant if you’re planning on the risk of mechanical problems WHAT ABOUT GEARS? 11-34 teeth.
On the downside, V-Brakes are if disaster strikes. tackling rough trails and steep with the suspension forks en It’s easy to get drowned in If in doubt, always give your-
not as powerful or responsive No matter which type of rim mountain passes. route - potentially a costly or technical details when it comes self a bit more range on the low-
as other types of brakes, espe- brakes, you buy, be aware that Disc brakes also don’t wear difficult repair job. to gears but it all comes down to er end than you think you’ll need.
cially in the rain. On a wet day they will slowly wear away your down your rims like V-Brakes do, If you’re planning a trip that this: get gears low enough so You’ll never regret having the
or a steep descent, you may find rim, making it thinner and even- and that means your rims should will take you predominantly off- you can pedal uphill at barely ability to spin up that killer climb.
yourself gripping the brakes for tually causing the side of the last much longer. road, however, you may appreci- more than a walking pace. You may not want to think
longer periods than someone rim to crack or break away. This In terms of repairs and ate the extra padding between These low gears are often about gears at all, in which case
with disc brakes. rarely happens before you’ve replacements en route, be you and the bumpy surface called granny gears and you’ll be you can invest in a Rohloff Hub;
For more stopping power, you cycled a significant distance prepared to do it yourself, underneath your wheels. Equally, happy you have them the first an internally sealed gearing
might consider hydraulic rim (about 15,000km, in our experi- in case you can’t find an if you already have a bike with time a mountain looms in front system that requires almost no
brakes. Magura makes the HS33 ence). Dirt between your brake experienced mechanic. suspension forks, you may prefer of you. Not only will you be able maintenance but is very expen-
brake, which we had fitted to our pads and the rims can accelerate Which disc brakes are best? to adapt it for touring rather than to climb calmly to the top, being sive. (see more on p. 42). z
50
Surly Long Haul Fahrrad
Bikes
Trucker - Steel Manufaktur TX-
frame with 26” or 400 - Rohloff or
28” wheels. From derailleur equipped.
2014, with Steel. 26” wheels.
Choice of ladies
to
disc or rim
brakes. Great frame. Cost:
value at From $1,800
consider $1,300 U.S.

www.surly
bikes.com
U.S.
www.fahrrad
manufaktur.de
Trek 520 - Steel

frame with 700c
wheels. Shimano
Deore components,
Bontrager back rack
and classic drop
handlebars. Cost:
$1,400 U.S. for the
2014 model. Paula Bradshaw on her Fahrrad
www.trekbikes.com Manufactur T400 (the current
version is the TX-400).
Santos Travelmaster Tout Terrain Silkroad

- Dutch built. Loads of - Flat bars, Rohloff hub or
options. Steel or aluminium derailleur. Disc brakes.
frame, 26” or 700c wheels. Can accommodate
Belt drive, Rohloff suspension fork.
hub or derailleur. Integrated rack with
24 colours. Cost: 40kg capacity. 60mm
From $1,900 U.S. tire clearance. Made Emma cycling in Laos
www.santosbikes. in Europe. Cost: From on her Thorn Sherpa
com $2,700 U.S. www.tout- expedition touring bike.
terrain.de www.rolling-tales.com
Thorn Sherpa - Ridgeback Panorama

A Surly Long Haul
A sturdy expedition - With Shimano Deore
Trucker, loaded up
touring bike, with hubs and derailleur,
and touring the coast
steel frame and steel frame, SPD pedals.
of California. www.
derailleur Upgrade to
slowcycler.wordpress.
from a UK include racks,
com
builder. better gearset.
Cost: From Cost: From
$2,200 $2,000 U.S.
U.S. www. www.
sjscycles.com ridgeback.co.uk
52
Cycling in South Indial Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl
54
GEAR FOCUS
Which tent should you buy? Which
Bicycle Accessories
ERGON HANDLEBAR GRIPS with mud, and this stops the wheels from turning.
stove is best? The following pages For longer trips, it’s essential to have handle-
bars that give a variety of riding positions. This
Cleaning the mud away from your wheels is a
messy, time consuming job. The lesson? If you see
will help you choose. helps to prevent roads covered in thick clay-like mud, take the mud-
conditions such guards off first.
I t’s all about the gear; or at least that’s what some people would
have you believe. Just start researching what to take on a bicycle
tour and you’ll find there are a million things to spend your money on.
as carpal tunnel
syndrome and
tingling hands.
A LOUD BELL
Every cyclist needs a bell, and the louder the better!
We’ve highlighted some of our favourite products over the fol- We’ve used We like the DingDong Bell e. As its name suggests,
lowing pages but no journey or cyclist is identical. What works for Ergon Handlebar it gives a classic sound
us may not be your ideal solution. In addition, there are so many Grips e and and is one of the loudest
different options that we couldn’t possibly summarize all of them. extensions since bells on the market.
That’s where you come in. 2009, specifically Your bell can be used
We encourage you to do your own research. Read the experiences the GC3 model. to alert cars and pedestri-
of other bike tourists. Try things in person. Go to your local camping They have a sup- ans to your presence, to
shop so you can flop on the sleeping mats and crawl inside the tents. portive rest area for your palms and - with the communicate with other
Remember as well that you don’t need to go on a mega shopping extensions - offer plenty of options for differ- cyclists if you’re riding in
spree. Ingenious thinking and compromise goes a long way. Your ent hand positions. a group (for example, to
voice can be as effective as a bicycle bell. Just shout ‘hello’ or whistle a Also worth considering are traditional, signal that you’re stop-
tune as you’re cycling. Similarly, a new tarp is nice to have but you can simple bar ends (the cheapest option and by ping), and to ‘sing’ hello to people by the roadside.
also make your own out of a sheet of plastic. no means a bad one) and butterfly bars – a A bell also attracts great attention when you
With those caveats out of the way, read on for some of our equip- large figure-8 shaped handlebar. stop by the roadside. It’s often the first thing people
ment recommendations. touch. If you’re inside a shop you merely have to
MUDGUARDS OR FENDERS listen for your bell being rung by local folks, to know
Unless you plan on touring exclusively in the that your bike is still where you left it and hasn’t
desert, you’ll want mudguards or fenders. A been stolen!
good set protects you and the rider behind
you from the dirt being kicked up off the road. LIGHTS
We use SKS Mudguards e. They come in Don’t set out on a bike tour without decent lights.
several sizes, Even if you don’t plan to be riding after dark, you
to fit almost never know when you might get caught out. Lights
any bicycle, also come in handy if you have to ride through a
and they’re dark tunnel, or in foggy and rainy conditions.
incredibly Of all the lights on the market, German manu-
durable. After facturer Supernova make
50,000km of some of the best. We’ve
use, ours were been using their dynamo-
still in good powered E3 Pro lights for
shape (there several years now and are
was a small very impressed with the
crack on one of the mudguards). quality. They also make
If you’re feeling creative or skint, you can battery-powered lights, if
also make your own mudguards out of things your bike doesn’t have a
such as plastic bottles. Just search online hub dynamo.
for directions. Other options include:
One small warning: if you’re hauling your • Cateye HL-EL530
bike through a wet field or down a muddy Cateye’s brightest front light. It will last up to
road, mudguards can quickly become clogged 90 hours on 4 AA batteries.
Photo by Tom Allen, www.tomsbiketrip.com
56
• Knog Blinder Lights popular model for touring is the with a bit of
A slick little light that Brooks B17 e. grip, that helps
is held in place on your Not everyone fancies the your feet stay
bike by a silicone strap. It long break-in period. On the firmly in place
weighs just 15g and can other hand, not everyone finds on wet days.
be recharged by USB. it as painful to wear in a Brooks We use a
• Planet Bike Superflash saddle as you might imagine cleated moun-
Don’t be fooled by its from the online chat forums! We tain bike pedal
small size. The Superflash found ours comfortable from the such as the DMR V8 e. The little
has LED bulbs that blink first outing. cleats or spikes on the pedals
bright enough to be seen Terry saddles e are also give you more grip than normal
up to a mile away. It lasts popular, especially their women- flat pedals. Your feet won’t move
up to 100 hours on two specific range. an inch, even when you’re rid-
commonly available AAA Whichever saddle you go for, ing through pouring rain or on
batteries. muddy, bumpy roads. The only
downside is that if your ped-
A COMFORTABLE als do somehow happen to hit
SADDLE your legs (when you are pushing
You’re going to be sitting on your bike uphill, for example) it
your saddle for several hours can really hurt!
each day so it’s worth getting a SPD pedals are another com-
decent one. Despite the impor- mon option. They require you to
tance of this accessory, many wear special shoes with cleats,
bikes come with terrible saddles. remember the counter-intuitive which ‘click’ into place on the
rule that harder is better. Softer pedals, locking your feet firmly
saddles are actually less support- in place. When you need to stop,
ive than their firmer rivals. you twist your foot slightly to
release the lock.
PEDALS
Like saddles, the pedals that More About Pedals:
Expect this to be one of the first come with most bikes tend to www.travellingtwo.com/
things you upgrade. be cheap. Happily, it doesn’t resources/pedals e
Brooks leather saddles cost much to upgrade to a
change shape to fit your bot- better pair.
tom over time and fans of Deciding which type to
Brooks evangelise about how buy is a little more difficult.
comfortable they are. The most Ideally you’ll want something
Cycling in Bolivia.
Photo by Harriet Pike,
www.pikesonbikes.com
58
“ As ours is a long ride across
multiple continents we decided
strength and reliability were
more important than speed, and
so we prioritised steel frames,
steel racks and well-built 26”
wheels. When we’ve met other
cyclists on the road, broken
28” wheels have been the most
common tale of woe by far.
-Ryan Davies & Rebecca Holliday
”
http://worldcyclingtour.org
60
improve ventilation. On the downside, it weighs 3-person version). Doors on each side make it
about 500g more than the Nallo 3GT. easy to get in and out, and it’s relatively good
value at around $500 U.S.
MSR HUBBA HUBBA
For warm-weather trips, this freestanding tent
could be an excellent choice for a solo tourer or
two very good friends.
TARPTENT CONTRAIL
This tent took top place for solo travellers in Back-
The MSR Hubba Hubba e has a frame that packer Magazine’s 2009 buyer’s guide. It weighs
is based around the inner layer, which means just 700g, costs $210 and gets rave reviews.
you can leave the fly-sheet off in dry weather for
great ventilation and evening star gazing.
At a mere 2kg, it’s hardly going to weigh you
Photo by Willem Megens, www.themeeg.nl down and in 2011 MSR brought out a green
model (much better for wild camping than the
TENTS earlier bright-yellow models).

The Hubba Hubba is also excellent value:
less than half the cost of a Hilleberg. Both
Peter Gostelow e and Shane Little e used What’s the catch? Some say it’s prone to con-
HILLEBERG NALLO GT Nallo 3GT Review: www.travellingtwo.com/ this tent as they cycled through Africa. densation and can let in quite a breeze – not good
Our tent of choice comes from Swedish tent resources/hilleberg-nallo-3gt-review e at higher altitudes or in chilly weather.
maker Hilleberg. We have the 3-person model, the BIG AGNES COPPER SPUR Also, because the tent is mainly aimed at back-
Nallo 3GT e. At 2.9kg it’s light in weight but heavy MACPAC CITADEL The Big Agnes Copper Spur tent has been used packers, the company assumes that you have a
on your wallet. Expect to pay about $830 U.S. We recently had a chance to admire the Macpac and loved by many bike tourists, including trekking pole to add extra support to the structure.
Price brings quality, however, and this tent, Citadel - a tent that good friends of ours have been GoingSlowly e and PathLessPedaled e. Since, you’re probably not carrying a trekking pole
with its roomy vestibule and separated sleeping using for long-distance touring. It’s roomy and relatively light (2.2kg for the you’ll have to buy a tent pole from Tarptent.
area, has never failed us. In 15+ hours of a down- Like Hilleberg’s Nallo 3GT, it’s a great option for
pour in New Zealand, we were perfectly dry. In
strong winds, our tent gracefully flexed with the
gusts, without ever breaking a pole. HOW TO PICK A TENT
The customer service from Hilleberg is also
A tent is an important piece of equipment for the independent bicycle tourist.
It will be your home away from home and a key to travelling on a budget .
In an ideal world, you’ll chose a lightweight tent in a muted colour for easy wild camping, and a
tent that is a cinch to set up - even in the dark!
couples planning a long bike tour together. You may also prefer a freestanding tent (one that doesn’t require pegs), although we’ve person-
In terms of design, the Citadel offers 2 entrances ally never had a problem putting up our non-freestanding Nallo 3GT e.
to the sleeping area, and 2 porches – a large one
top-notch. If you can afford it, you won’t regret for cooking and a smaller one for reading or relax- More Tent Advice: www.travellingtwo.com/resources/tent e
this tent for serious expeditions. ing. This is a nice convenience, and should also
62
EVEN
“Terra Nova Duolite Tour- “MSR Hubba Hubba for the tropics, Hilleberg for the rest;
er is our choice as a cycle the Hubba is surprisingly weather proof during this rainy
MORE
touring tent.” South African summer” @shanecycles
@davebikenotes
TENTS
“Christine & I love
“Macpac Citadel - plenty “Vaude Hogan Ultralight. It was my our Big Agnes
of space and not heavy. second home during my bike ride. I Seedhouse SL-2”
As suggested by
The #Minaret is a smaller, @travellingtwo had to change one zipper, the rest is @kentsbike
lighter 4-season alter- Twitter followers... still great.” @mk4220
native.” @oddbikes
“Rab Ridge Raider.
“Our group uses the @ Light & quick to
“Big Agnes Seedhouse 2, easy ENOHammocks - with pitch, but small. If I
to pitch, light, and plenty “MSR Mutha Hubba is a great a little rope we have no was camping every
of room for 1. Also a sub- size for two sharing. But if problem finding trees in night I’d take my
dued green colour for wild weather permits I love to the southeast U.S.” Hilleberg Akto.”
camping” @cycle4india sleep outside in a bivvy bag!” @jonahchitty @bazzargh
@tomsbiketrip
“Vango Tempest 300. Cheap, ok “@Hilleberg Nallo 3GT. For

weight, ok packsize, two enough space; a bed-
spacious, porch big enough for room and a front room to sit,
a bike with wheels off.” eat when it rains and leave
@aegisdesign muddy panniers.”
@worldcyclevideo
Photo by Tom Allen, www.tomsbiketrip.com
64
“ Bicycle touring
is travel’s live
theater.
”
- Tom Hale
Local traffic in China. Photo by Peter Gostelow, www.petergostelow.com
66
as the tempera- Some people find it too thin and uncomfortable,
ture doesn’t dip although we slept just fine on it. It’s also relatively
too far below bulky. We carried our Z Lite mats in a bag, on top of
freezing. the back luggage rack.
Like all inflat-
able mats, how- Z Lite & Prolite Comparison:
ever, it is prone www.travellingtwo.com/resources/thermarest-
to punctures camping-mats-review e
and - after several
months of con- PETZL HEADLAMP
stant use - can fail We’ve had our Petzl Tikka 2 e headlamps for 6
entirely. Thermar- years now and they’re still going strong - even
est have a great lifetime warranty on these though they’re well past the 3-year warranty period.
mats, so if you’re doing shorter trips and can We’ve dropped them, thrown them in our pan-
get the mat replaced easily enough, then go niers with no special care and lugged them all
for it. On an extended world trip, however, we around the world and
prefer a solid foam mat like the Z Lite e. they are still fault-free.
You get up to 120
EXPED MATS hours of burn time
For the ultimate in comfort and warmth, on 3 AAA batteries
Exped’s DownMat e (with down feather and they’re very light:
Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl just 85g, including
the batteries.
CAMPING GEAR: THERMAREST PILLOW

A pillow is definitely a ‘luxury’ camping accessory.
sleeping bags, mats, pillows... filling) and SynMat e (synthetic filling) are
definitely worth considering.
Many bike tourists create their own pillows by
stuffing clothes together in a sleeping bag sack. We
did that too but at a certain point you decide that
Their thick profile will keep you cozy, even you want a bit more cushioning.
PHD MINIM SLEEPING BAG from one side of the bag and no rolling onto an in well below freezing temperatures. We chose
This is the sleeping bag we’ve used for over 4 uncomfortable zipper in the middle of the night. On the downside, they take longer to inflate the Thermarest Compressible Pillow e be-
years. It’s a down-filled bag, made by UK com- It also shaves a few grams off the overall weight of than thinner mats and can be noisy when you cause it’s compact, washable, lightweight and
pany PHD e and retails for about $360 U.S. the bag and removes one of the few things that can toss and turn during the night. reasonably priced.
We like down-filled bags because they’re break on a sleeping bag. For us, it also feels
warmer and lighter for the size than synthetic On the other hand, you can’t open a zipless bag if Our Review: www.travellingtwo.com/ like a ‘real’ pillow
fillings. A disadvantage of down is that it won’t you’re too hot. For couples, it also rules out the pos- resources/exped-downmat-synmat-review e although this is obvi-
keep you warm when wet, whereas synthetic sibility of zipping the bags together. ously highly individual
fillings will. If you do get a sleeping bag with a zipper (by far THERMAREST Z LITE so ‘try before you buy’
the more common design), choose a bag with a ‘zip If your priority is an indestructible sleeping and see what you
baffle’ or ‘draft tube’ that seals out cold air. The zipper mat, try the Thermarest Z Lite e. like best.
should also be heavy duty. It’s the one item on your It’s a closed-cell
sleeping bag that gets used over and over, and will foam mat. This means Our Review:
almost certainly be the first to wear out. you never have to www.travellingtwo.
worry about damage com/resources/
Sleeping Bag Tips: www.travellingtwo.com/ to the mattress. You thermarestpillow e
resources/6-tips-for-picking-a-sleeping-bag e can throw it on top of a
bed of thorns, and the
THERMAREST PROLITE MAT mat will be just fine.
Our particular sleeping bag has one unique Among bike tourists, Thermarest’s Prolite Sleeping It’s also half the price
feature: there’s no zipper. You just slide your- Mat e is one of the most popular choices. It’s light, of an inflatable mat!
self inside. This means no draft coming in super compact and should keep you warm as long What’s not to like?
68
Bicycle Locks Stoves
CABLE LOCKS extra security is worth the added bulk. If you plan WHISPERLITE INTERNATIONALE There’s also no pressurising of fuel or priming of the
A good cable lock is perhaps the most useful on passing through a lot of cities on your tour, a big The MSR Whisperlite Internationale e is a stove. To cook you simply pour a few spoonfuls of
type of lock for touring. It’s relatively light- lock like this may be worth it. For many bike tour- bike touring classic. It’s also the stove with methylated spirits into the burner and light with a
weight, cheap to ists, however, a U-Lock is probably overkill. The lock which we are most experienced. We’ve fired it match or (better yet) a fire steel.
purchase and can pictured above is the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 up well over 1,000 times and carried it for our In terms of disadvantages, be aware that alcohol
be stretched around U-Lock e. entire 3-year world bicycle tour. stoves don’t produce as much heat as a stove run-
anything from bike You can run it on almost any fuel (from ning on white gas. It will take longer to boil water so
racks to telephone WHEEL LOCK white gas to unleaded petrol) and it’s easy to if you’re impatient or need to cook for a group, this
poles. This type of lock is known by at least 4 names: o- fix in the field using stove isn’t for you.
Make sure you lock, ring lock, wheel lock or frame lock. It’s standard the MSR tool kit. If you Turning the stove off can be a bit tricky because you
get one that’s long equipment on many bikes in need to replenish your have to close the simmer ring while the stove is still
Kryptonite Combination Lock enough (over 1 me- Europe. tool kit, you’ll find that running. We throw ours on top with a frisbee-like
ter) and don’t go for The varying names all refer many of the parts in it motion and then nudge it into place with a fork,
the cheapest one. The very thin, flimsy cable to the same thing: a lock that are basic and can be if necessary.
locks that tend to be sold in supermarkets attaches to your frame. You put picked up at plumbing
won’t slow a thief down at all. the key in and push down on a and hardware shops JETBOIL GROUP COOKING SYSTEM
There are many lever so that a metal ring slides around the world. We’ve also found MSR cus- A super easy stove to oper-
types of cable locks. between the spokes of your tomer service to be fantastic. ate. Like all canister stoves,
We like two locks back tire, locking the bike. On the downside, the burner does get black this Jetboil Stove e doesn’t
from the Kryptonite We love wheel locks because they’re so darn con- with soot (only the burner - not the pots you need to be primed. It’s
Kryptoflex range: venient for quick stops while on tour. Coupled with use to cook with) and - despite its name - this ready to cook at the flick of
the Combination a cable lock, they also make for a fairly secure setup. stove is reasonably loud. It also needs to be a lighter; perfect for a quick
Lock e and the 7’ Our current touring setup includes the ABUS primed. If you release too much fuel during cup of coffee by the side of
cable e, which can 4850 LH NKR e model of wheel lock, plus a com- the priming process (or if there’s a lot of wind), the road.
be used in combi- patible cable lock that slots into the wheel lock. it’s possible to get an impressive flare from the On the downside, you’ll
nation with a U-lock Kryptonite Cablr Whisperlite Internationale e! have to be touring some-
or separate padlock. More On Wheel Locks: www.travellingtwo.com/ where fairly mainstream for this stove to be an
resources/wheel-locks-for-bike-touring e Our Full Review: option because you won’t necessarily find the fuel
U-LOCK OR D-LOCK www.travellingtwo.com/resources/msr- canisters everywhere in the world and you can’t take
These locks are effective whisperlite-international-review e them on a plane. Also, this stove isn’t easy to fix in
and secure but very heavy the middle of a field. If you have problems you may
to carry on a bike tour. It’s CLIKSTAND well need to send it back to the dealer for repair.
up to you, whether the A close second to the Whisperlite on our list of
favourite stoves is the Clikstand e. The basic TRANGIA STOVE
Clikstand model is a nifty triangular frame built Trangia stoves e are adored by many cyclists.
to hold an alcohol They’re extremely quiet, easy to maintain, robust
burner. We use the and simmer beautifully.
SECURITY TIPS same burner that They burn methylated
fits in the Trangia spirits. It’s a fuel which is
1.TIP A LOCAL SHOPKEEPER $1-2 U.S. to be your ‘bike security guard’. stoves. It’s easy to broadly available world-
assemble. Once wide but can be tricky to
2. GET A HOTEL IN CITIES and keep the bike in the room. running, the Clik- find. Research the local
stand is everything name for this fuel before
3. LOCK YOUR BIKE TO SOMETHING SECURE in a highly visible place. the Whisperlite you fly off to an exotic
is not. It burns silently and cleanly. There is destination.
4. MAKE IT LOOK UNDESIRABLE. Cover brand names with tape. String laundry no soot and no mechanical parts to break or
across the back to dry maintain. Even better: the Clikstand packs Our full review: www.travellingtwo.com/
down flat and weighs a featherlight 150g. resources/why-i-love-trangia-campstoves e
70
“
I’m just into my second
Even
month though
and havea bigstarted
international
tour is a to
talking life-changing
my bike. I’mexperience,
sometimes a three
worried it will startor four day
talking
bikepacking
back to me from trip into
monththe woods
can offer
three. a-Steve
powerful
Talon
mental reset .

””
-Logan Watts
www.turnrightforjapan.com
www.pedalingnowhere.com

Photo by Logan Watts, www.pedalingnowhere.com
72
L et’s begin with panniers. They’re the most com- and poles perfectly. This protects the tent from
LOADING UP
monly used option among touring cyclists. rain and sun damage and keeps it in one compact
In case you’re not familiar with the lingo, pan- package that can be easily strapped onto the bike
niers are bags that attach to luggage racks, so with bungee cords or compression straps.
you can carry equipment over the front and
THE BIKE
back wheels of your bike. Handlebar Bag - Clips to the front handlebars of
Most panniers are commercially made out of the bike. It’s ideal for storing your wallet, camera
heavy-duty fabric but you can make your own out and other valuables. It can be easily taken along
of backpacks or even plastic buckets. when you need
A standard touring set-up is 2 large bags on to leave the bike
the back and 2 smaller panniers on the front. You for a few minutes.
N ow that you have a bicycle, camping gear, clothes and

a whole pile of other stuff to take on tour, how will you
carry it all on your bicycle?
can also strap a tent and sleeping mat across the
top of the back panniers.
This brings peace
of mind and
makes it much
The options are numerous. You could go for the classic com- PANNIER ADVANTAGES easier to lock
bination of panniers and luggage racks, or you might opt to tow Panniers are popular for several reasons, starting your bike up and
a trailer behind your bicycle. Some people have both luggage with versatility. A well designed set of panniers run a few errands We like Vaude’s Road I Handlebar bag:
racks and a trailer. Other folks travel ultralight and get away with will let you clip and unclip the bags from the racks because you know www.travellingtwo.com/resources/
barely more than a handlebar bag. within seconds. That means it’s easy to get your the most impor- vaude-handlebar-bag
There’s no one correct answer. The only way to know for sure panniers off the bike tant items won’t
is to try some different combinations yourself and see if you’re and inside your tent in be lost, should disaster strike. Most bags also come
happy with that solution. That said, here are some starting points a rainstorm. with a map case on top to make navigation easier.
to get you thinking about what might be best for your trip. You can also quick-
ly grab a single pan- Brands to Consider
nier (for example, the Everyone wants to know which brand of panniers
one with your laptop are best. The better question to ask is “Which
and other valuables panniers are best for you?”
in it) to take along as Almost any pannier on the market will be fine
you go supermarket for occasional tours. Don’t expect cheaper brands
shopping. to perform well over time or in heavy rain.
Like most touring cyclists, we’re In a city, an empty When you spend extra money, you’re paying for
in love with Ortlieb panniers:
www.travellingtwo.com/
pannier can be durability and ease of use. That means panniers
resources/ortliebpanniers used as a day bag made with more robust fabric, better quality zips
while sightseeing. and a system that makes them easier to remove
When you fly with your bicycle, you can check from the bike.
your panniers as normal luggage (a Chinese For a good set of panniers, you won’t go wrong
shopping bag e is helpful for this). by investing in a set of Ortlieb Panniers e. They’re
Panniers help you stay organised as well. You by far the most popular brand and relatively ex-
can sort your equipment into different bags. One pensive but for your money you get waterproof
for food and cooking gear, one for clothing and panniers that are a breeze to get on and off the
yet another for tools and emergency supplies. bike and will last for a lifetime of bike touring.
Most importantly, there is very little that can go We only recently replaced our Ortliebs after
wrong with panniers, especially if you get a good over 60,000km of touring and we only bought
set to begin with. They have almost no moving another set because someone sold us their nearly-
parts. Any problems that do arise are usually small new Ortliebs for a bargain price. The old ones are
and easily fixed. still working (if a bit sunfaded).
There is one big downside to Ortlieb panniers:
You might also want to add a: most models don’t come with pockets and that
annoys people who like lots of compartments
Dry Bag - A waterproof sack, often used for ca- to organise their things.
noeing or kayaking. Cyclists use dry bags e too Other brands to check out include Vaude, Car-
because their tubular shape fits a rolled up tent radice, Jandd, Lone Peak and – at the luxury end
74
months of bumping and jostling on the road. you choose, chances are the paint will wear
As long as you don’t scrimp on quality, you thin with time, especially where the panniers
shouldn’t need to do much to your racks during a rub up against the racks.
tour. Just check occasionally to see if any screws Keep some touch-up paint handy (nail pol-
or bolts are coming loose. ish will do the trick in a pinch). This helps keep
With a cheap set of racks, pack some hose the racks free of rust.
clamps and zipties in your repair kit. Less expen- You can also wrap duct tape around your racks
sive racks are more likely to break under the strain at the points where the bags make contact with
of a heavy load. the metal, to prevent scuffing.
What to look for? TRAILERS

Our favourite racks are made of steel; not because Trailers are an alternative choice to panniers and
there aren’t good aluminium racks on the mar- luggage racks for carrying your gear around.
ket but because steel racks can be easily welded They cost and weigh about the same as the
back together, if necessary. standard combination of panniers and racks, with
We also look for racks with a high load capac- some definite advantages.
ity. The most robust back racks are rated for about For example, trailers allow you to carry a lot
90lbs or 40kg of weight. of gear if you’re planning a bicycle trip through
You won’t likely carry that much but it’s nice remote parts of the world, where you might need
to know the racks are more than strong enough to haul large quantities of food and water.
for the job. As a bit of extra insurance, try and Trailers are also ideal if you want to tour
get a rack with a guarantee. with young children, or on a bicycle that wasn’t
Peruvain kids check out the fat bike. Photo by Cass Gilbert, www.whileoutriding.com If we had to pick out just one brand of lug- designed for touring and therefore doesn’t
gage racks to highlight, it would have to be have the necessary braze-ons or attachment
Tubus Racks e. They have a well proven track points for luggage racks.
record in terms of strength and durability. For more on trailers, we turned to David Her-
of the scale – the exceptionally pers prone to failure. Roll tops process. The best panniers un- Even better, they come with a 30-year guar- bold, who writes for the Bike Trailer Blog e. He
well designed but extremely are like a dry bag. You can roll hook automatically when you lift antee, including shipping of free replacements outlined the main differences for us between
expensive Arkel bags. them very tight in bad weather the bag up by its handle. anywhere in the world for 3 years. two types of trailers: versions with one wheel and
As you are researching pan- and they’ll be totally sealed. You A final word on racks. No matter which one those with two wheels.
niers, consider these features: can also leave them open when LUGGAGE RACKS
you need room for extra food. Once you’ve bought panniers,
Waterproof or not – Some pan- Panniers that seal with clips and you’ll need racks to hang them
niers are 100% waterproof. When buckles aren’t quite as easy to on and - like panniers - you
it starts to rain, this means you stuff full with extra supplies but get what you pay for when it PANNIER PACKING TIPS
don’t have to jump off the bike they are a little easier than roll comes to racks.
and put on rain covers to keep tops to open and close, in our If you plan on doing any Packing your bike panniers can be confusing, especially when you do it for the first time.
everything dry. Other bags are experience. amount of touring, it’s worth Here are 3 quick tips to get you started:
more water resistant than wa- spending a bit of extra money for
terproof - fine if you’re cycling Weight and volume – Like a decent set that will withstand 1. Everything In Its Place - Sort gear into categories. Cooking equipment and food can go in one
in a dry climate or are willing to backpacks, panniers come in all bag, clothes in another. Bike tools should have their own spot that’s easy to access, so you can
protect sensitive equipment in different shapes, materials and quickly find what you need when a tire goes flat.
waterproof bags. sizes. There’s no point getting a
bigger, heavier bag if you don’t 2. Balance The Weight - Make sure that your bike is balanced. This means that bags on the right
Type of closure – Zippers. Roll- need the extra space. and left sides should weigh about the same. Between front and back, most people go for a 60-40
ing tops. Clips and buckles. Who split, though you’ll find differing opinions on whether more weight should be up front or in back.
knew there were so many ways Attachment systems – Make
to close a bag? Try to minimise sure the panniers are easy to put 3. Leave Extra Space - Don’t fill your panniers to the brim. You’ll want extra room for food and
the number of zippers on your on and take off the bike. You’re souvenirs as you travel. Ideally, leave home with at least half a pannier’s worth of empty space.
bike bags because the dirt from going to be doing this at least The Tubus Logo back rack -
the road and repeated opening twice a day, if not more, so it just one of many models profiled at: More pannier packing tips: www.travellingtwo.com/resources/packing-bicycle-panniers e
and closing motions make zip- shouldn’t be a long and tedious www.travellingtwo.com/resources/racks
76
One Wheel Designs Two Wheel Designs
“The weight of the trailer’s load is shared be- “The majority of the load rests between the trail-
tween its only wheel, and the rear wheel of the er’s own two wheels. This leaves the rear wheel of
bicycle. Due to the weight being spread between the bike, and therefore the handling of the bike
the bike and the trailer, the rear driving wheel of itself, relatively unaffected by the added weight.
the bike will be pushed into the ground aiding Actually, it’s only the weight being pulled that is
traction tremendously. felt, for the most part. Tire wear should not in-
When off-road touring or bike-camping, this is crease substantially and using a single kickstand
a great advantage. Also, the width is an obvious is no problem as the bike remains independent of
bonus in tight conditions. The compromise how- the trailer. The compromise of course, is the width
ever, is that the handling of the bike changes in of the two-wheel design. For any type of technical
direct reflection to the weight of the load. terrain, or extremely tight areas of operation, this
With maximum payloads often being around can become overwhelming. Narrow sidewalks and
45kg, this can be a dramatic difference from the gates can become a real obstacle.” z
bike alone. Learning to predict the weight shift in
tight terrain and quick manoeuvring is key as the More On Trailers: www.travellingtwo.com/
bike will occasionally try to find its own direction.” resources/trailers-for-bike-touring e
Photo by Stijn de Klerk
TRAILERS? PANNIERS?
Popular Trailers It’s not a case of which is ‘best’ but rather
which is right for you.
Trailer Advantages Pannier Advantages
- Ideal for carrying bulky, heavy items such as - Easily carried one-by-one into your tent or
lots of water across deserts hotel room and over obstacles like fences and
- Kids trailers give the children a place to rest, streams (no single bag is very heavy)
away from strong sun or bad weather - Your luggage can be sorted into different
- Handy for home use as well as touring parts and stored per bag, making things
(carrying groceries, collecting large purchases easier to find (in theory!)
Radical Designs Cyclone III: Clever design that Chariot Cougar: consistently gets great Exrawheel Voyager: Proven performance for
from shops) - Accessible while riding; you can reach things
allows the trailer to be folded inside the duffel reviews from parents who bike tour with off-road trips. Very light and can act as a
bag for easy transport on trains and planes. young children. spare front wheel.
- Often built with a wide profile that strapped on top of panniers or stored near
encourages cars to leave more room the top, without getting off your bike
when passing - Simply designed, with few moving parts that
- Easily unhooked so you can ride a ‘naked’ can get lost or break
bike without racks - Versatile. Use all 4 for longer trips or take just
- Aggressive dogs tend to chase the trailer, one on a short day trip; carry a single pannier
keeping them away from your legs as a ‘day bag’ when visiting cities
Trailer Disadvantages Pannier Disadvantages
- May be harder to pack for train, plane and - Put strain on a bike, particularly the back
bus journeys wheel, possibly causing broken spokes
- More mechanical parts that could need - Increase tire wear and wind resistance
BOB Yak Plus: A long-time favourite among Carry Freedom Y-Frame: Simple and versatile. Put repair or replacement (spokes, tire, skewers) - Need to be reasonably well balanced
bike tourists. Solid, easy to assemble and can nearly any type of container on the back, from a - Can be tricky if you need to back up, park or between the left and right sides or the bike
be flipped over to use as a table. large plastic box to an Ortlieb bag. navigate through narrow gaps will feel unstable
78
An Amazing Journey
Hilary Searle of the CycleSeven website writes about
Louise Sutherland, an adventurous bike tourist who
went around the world in the 1950s.
L ouise Sutherland was a nurse from New Zea-

land who was working in London in 1949,
when she set off cycling around the world.
men and certainly never to a white girl. Anyway no
girl is permitted to travel third class alone.’
She had, of course, received many warn-
She bought a bike in a church jumble sale in ings against going to India. In Bombay, she was
Soho for £2.10s and a ‘grateful patient’ in the inundated with offers of hospitality but later
hospital where she was nursing made her a small found herself in a famine region where she went
trailer ‘to trundle merrily behind it.’ She seems to for 3 days without food.
have set off round the world almost on a whim. “I knew that only by keeping the pedals turn-
She had initially only intended to go to Land’s End! ing could I ever get to the dense green jungle that
Louise returned to London to collect her would indicate a rain soaked district, and only by
passport and her £50 savings and set off, first for reaching such a district would I again get food.”
Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.
“
She only returned to London in 1956.
“During my first day in Italy I felt most dubious
about my chances of survival. I had been offered
I was never
dire warnings about what happened to small girls lonely while I was
travelling alone in that country. I did not wish to
forego the camping, but equally, I did not relish
cycling. I had my
bicycle to talk to.
”
the thought of being attacked in the dead of night.
Of course no one did attack me.”
The warnings grew even more dire as she ap-
proached Yugoslavia: ‘They shoot on sight’, ‘They’re
communists remember. If you’re arrested you Unfortunately all the warnings she had received
might never be heard of again.’ and ‘They’re so almost came true when she was attacked by 2 men
poor they’ll attack you just to steal the valve rub- but they ran away when a bus appeared.
bers out of your inner tubes’. “The memories of the attack by the few have
The people, however, treated her with great now blunted and are fading, but the kindness of
kindness. From Yugoslavia she went to Greece the many will always remain clear.”
and then took a ferry to Israel. She had an amaz- “After the fear had completely left my mind, I
ingly resilient spirit and refused to be daunted by could feel nothing but anger for those two men.
the fact that having paid the boat fare she had They had placed me in a position where all the
only 13/6d left in the world. world could say: ‘I told you so!’ But does one swal-
In Haifa she took a job in a Mission Hospital low make a summer?” z
for 3 months, then cycled onto Jordan where she
worked as a nanny. From there she cycled to Beirut
and spent 6 months working in a sanatorium.
She had hoped to cycle across the desert to
Baghdad but was refused a visa so had to travel
by train to catch a boat across the Persian Gulf to More on Louise Sutherland:
India. She was refused a third class ticket, with the www.cycleseven.org/louise-sutherland-around-
line: ‘We do not sell third class tickets to white the-world-before-i-was-born e
80

PACKING LIST Here’s a ‘cut-out-and-keep’ guide to some touring basics.

Vary the list to suit the destination and season.
“ Away, away,
from men and
towns, to the
Bicycle Equipment FF Long-sleeved shirts (one lightweight wild wood and
to protect from sun and one warmer for
FF Bottle cages and bottles (ideally 3) cool temperatures)
the downs.
FF Compression straps or cargo net (to FF Long-johns (to sleep in and cold days) -Percy Bysshe Shelley
”
hold things to your back luggage rack) FF Padded cycling gloves
FF Lights FF Rain jacket and pants
FF Lock FF Socks (3-5 pairs)
FF Mirror (Take-A-Look Mirror) FF Sunglasses
FF T-shirts (2-3 pairs)
Tools & Spare Parts FF Underwear (3-5 pairs)
FF Brake and gear cables Your Kitchen

FF Brake pads
FF Chain lube FF Cleaning supplies (dish soap, scrubber)
FF Duct tape and zipties FF Cookware (MSR Alpine)
FF Mini cassette remover (NBT2 or JA Stein FF Kitchen sink (Ortlieb folding bowl)
tool) FF Screw-top bottles (for oil, honey...
FF Multi-tool (with a chain breaker) FF Spices (our top 3: an italian seasoning,
FF Patch kit curry and cinnamon)
FF Pump (Topeak Mountain Morph) FF Stove
FF Rag for cleaning FF Thermos
FF Replacement spokes FF Utensils (spork, cup, bowl...)
Camping Gear Toiletries
FF Flip flops or sandals (for grotty showers) FF Basic kit (shampoo, toothbrush, sun
FF Groundsheet (extends your tent’s life) screen...)
FF Headlamp (Petzl Tikka) FF Baby wipes (an ‘ instant’ shower)
FF Tent FF Laundry powder for hand washing
FF Sleeping bag FF Menstruation cup (Mooncup)
FF Sleeping bag liner (preferably silk) FF Toilet paper (or use water to wash
FF Sleeping mat yourself so there’s no dirty litter to
FF String, 6-10 meters (numerous uses, dispose of!)
including a clothesline) FF Travel towel
FF Water carriers (Camelbak or Ortlieb)
FF Water filter (MSR Miniworks) First-Aid Kit
Clothes (We love Merino wool clothing and - in FF Bandaids

general - anything light and versatile.) FF Emergency blanket
FF Gauze
FF Bandana (soak it in water to keep your FF Medicines (for colds, diarrhea, head
head cool in hot weather) aches, dehydration)
FF Cycling shoes FF Scissors
FF Cycling shorts (1-2 pairs) FF Tiger balm (for mosquito bites)
FF Hat with a wide brim FF Tweezers
The Hilleberg Nallo 3G tent. Photo by Friedel & Andrew Grant, www.travellingtwo.com
82
Harriet & Neil Pike www.pikesonbikes.com e
Hilary Searle www.cycleseven.org e
Jared & Katie Mitchell www.brakingboundaries.org e
John & Gayle http://slothsonwheels.blogspot.com e
Logan Watts www.pedalingnowhere.com e
Loretta Henderson www.skalatitude.com e
Michael www.slowcycler.wordpress.com e
Marija Kozin www.twitter.com/mk4220 e
Mark Watson & Hana Black www.highlux.co.nz e
Michael & Karen Stefanyk www.twowheeledwanderers.ca e
Mirjam Wouters www.cyclingdutchgirl.com e
Nancy Sathre-Vogel www.familyonbikes.com e
Nathan Chase www.foolhardytravels.blogspot.com e
Patrizia & Brö www.somewhereonearth.org e
Paul Jeurissen www.pauljeurissen.nl e
Paula Bradshaw www.rikandpaulaseetheworld.com e
Peter Gostelow www.petergostelow.com e
Rebecca Jensen www.anadventurecalledbicycling.blogspot.com e
Ryan Davies & Rebecca Holliday www.worldcyclingtour.org e
Sarah Outen www.sarahouten.com e
Scott Stoll www.theargonauts.com e
Shane Little www.shanecycles.com/africa e
Stephen Lord www.adventurecycle-touringhandbook.com e
Sylvie & Ben www.frogsonbents.over-blog.com e
Photo by Jared Mitchell, www.brakingboundaries.org Tara Alan & Tyler Kellen www.goingslowly.com e
THANKS
Tim Travis www.downtheroad.org e
Tom Allen www.tomsbiketrip.com e
Trevor Luker www.oddbikes.com e
Tyler Robertson www.twowheeltravelblog.com e
Many people in the bicycle touring community made this Vera and Jean-Christophe www.magical-world.eu e
Willem Megens & Rudi Verhagen www.themeeg.nl e
magazine possible by contributing photos, articles and help
with editing. We thank them enormously and encourage you to Thanks also to our Twitter followers, who suggested great tents for touring:
@mk4220 e, @tomsbiketrip e, @cycle4india e, @davebikenotes e, @oddbikes e,
visit their websites for even more bike travel inspiration. @shanecycles e, @aegisdesign e, @jonahchitty e, @bazzargh e and @worldcyclevideo e
Alena Pesavento & Marcel Egli www.frischlufttour.ch e

Alex Denham & Kat Webster www.cyclingabout.com e
Alicia Ackerman www.cyclingwithoutahelmet.blogspot.com e Passionate about bike touring?
Amaya Williams & Eric Schambion www.worldbiking.info e
Angela & Stéphane Girard www.ouestef.net e Us too! That’s why we’ve collaborated with the cycle touring community to publish this
Cass Gilbert www.whileoutriding.com e free eBook. We invite you to read it and share it with others. Email it to a friend. Post it on
Chris & Janyis www.thespokeandwords.wordpress.com e your website for others to download. Print it and give away a copy.
Chris Gruar www.cycling4cancer.com e
Chris Leakey & Liz Wilton www.bikeabout.co.uk e We only have two small requests: keep the information free (don’t sell this book or any
Dan, Alison, Sonia & Gus www.shutupandpedal.org e part of it) and give us, www.travellingtwo.com credit if you publish an excerpt on your
David Herbold & John Lipton www.bikeshophub.com e blog or in another book.
David Houghton www.biciklo.com e
Dennis Koomen www.toko-op-fietsvakantie.nl e Text copyright © 2015 Friedel & Andrew Grant. All rights reserved.
Diana Johnson www.crazyguyonabike.com/dianac e For photographs, the rights remain with the creator. You should contact
Emma Philpott & Justin Hewitt www.rolling-tales.com e the owner of the image for permission before re-publishing it.
Grace Johnson www.bicycletraveler.nl e
84
GOING ON A
BIKE TOUR?
You’re already on your way.
To learn even more about setting out on a two-
wheeled adventure, try our Bike Touring Survival
Guide. It’s hundreds of pages, packed with
practical information for long bicycle trips.
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zz… Cycling in far away places
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“ This Book’s got soul! I’d recommend
it to anyone setting out on the road.“
-Stephen Lord, author of the
Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook
www.TravellingTwo.com/BikeTouringGuide

BikeTouringBasics v3 TravellingTwo PDF

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BikeTouringBasics v3 TravellingTwo PDF

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Bike Touring

Inspiring you to explore on two wheels

Page 6 - No Experience? No Worries! Page 38 - How To Pick A Touring Bike.

Page 26 - Route Planning.

GOING ON A BIG TRIP?

Thanks for your support! z

Photo by Angela & Stephane Girard, www.ouestef.net

T here is no better way to travel and ex-

W hen we launched unprepared

Friedel smiles for the camera

Photos by Dennis Koomen, from a tour of the

Camping in Iceland. Photo by Rudi Verhagen, www.themeeg.nl

FIVE GREAT PLACES TO RIDE

A rest stop in Slovenia. Photo by Chris Gruar, www.cycling4cancer.com

Photo by Peter Gostelow, www.petergostelow.com

that takes your

“ My favourite place to sleep in Southeast Asia

Clockwise from upper left:

GET A GOOD MAP

Photo by Neil Pike, www.pikesonbikes.com

Don’t freak magnitude alone and

out but I’m on a bicycle. be incredibly challenging and

going to bike and windy. I understand that this

across the country.

“ It’s both exhilarating

Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl

Photo by Cass Gilbert, www.whileoutriding.com

TRAINING for a TOUR

P reparing for a bike tour is really nothing to wor-

W henever someone asks us which touring

trips down dirty, dusty roads. It

Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl

T ouring bicycles can be made of nearly any material. Steel and

Hand-built – If you can only afford one luxury

Like the argument over bike-

consider $1,300 U.S.

Trek 520 - Steel

Santos Travelmaster Tout Terrain Silkroad

Thorn Sherpa - Ridgeback Panorama

Photo by Neil Pike, www.pikesonbikes.com

TENTS earlier bright-yellow models).

lighter 4-season alter- Twitter followers... still great.” @mk4220

“Vango Tempest 300. Cheap, ok “@Hilleberg Nallo 3GT. For

Photo by Tom Allen, www.tomsbiketrip.com

Local traffic in China. Photo by Peter Gostelow, www.petergostelow.com

CAMPING GEAR: THERMAREST PILLOW

Photo by Paul Jeurissen, www.pauljeurissen.nl

N ow that you have a bicycle, camping gear, clothes and

What to look for? TRAILERS

Photo by Stijn de Klerk

Trailer Disadvantages Pannier Disadvantages

L ouise Sutherland was a nurse from New Zea-

PACKING LIST Here’s a ‘cut-out-and-keep’ guide to some touring basics.

FF Brake and gear cables Your Kitchen

Camping Gear Toiletries

Clothes (We love Merino wool clothing and - in FF Bandaids

Alena Pesavento & Marcel Egli www.frischlufttour.ch e

zz… Planning and daily routines

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Thanks for your support! z