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Cycling from Europe 2012
Submitted by Kin on Fri, 2012-01-06 17:39
Hi fellow cyclists,
My name is Kin, I'm from Hong Kong, have been travelling the world since 2010, currently in London, thinking to do my next adventure by cycling, I love cycling and go to work by bike everyday, but haven't done any touring before, hoping to post here can get some advise from other cyclists who have done it or planning to do one soon.
I don't know much about bike myself, so I have few basic questions here:
- What kind of bike is the best for touring? I have been going to some bike shops in the last few days to try to get more info, most of the staff suggested hybrid bike, but it seems they are not cheap and out of my budget, I'm currently commuting by my mountain bike with front suspension, is it possible to doing touring with mountain bike?
- What kind of tools are essential to bring on the tour in case you need to fix your bike?
- Are there other European countries I can pick up a hybrid bike which will be cheaper than in the UK?
- What kind of things you need to bring? I do know what I need such as personal stuff, tents; sleeping bag, etc. I want to know what I need for my bike.
That Will be awesome if anyone can give me any info about all these, I will post more questions either here later as at the moment still a little while before I'm doing the trip, I don't have fixed plans and dates when and where to go, but do think to leave once Spring hits the ground, so just go with the flow, if any cyclists also interested to do something similar or meet up during my trip, would be great too, just drop me a line.
Thanks in advance, any info; options; ideas; suggestions are very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Kin
Cycling from Europe 2012
Kin, I suggest you contact a cycling group in your area. CTC might be your best bet as there are thousands our tourers in that group to share advice and someone might have a half-decent bike for you,
More info on CTC : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclists'_Touring_Club
CTC's website: http://www.ctc.org.uk/
Best
Cycling from Europe 2012
Hi Jacques, thanks for that, will have a look.
Hello, I was going to suggest
Hello,
I was going to suggest we could meet to talk to give you info as i am in london too, and it turns out y're right nearby - I'm in Streatham sw16.
Deep.
Hi Deep, What a coincidence,
Hi Deep,
What a coincidence, would be great to meet up, when do you want to do that? I'm free for the next few days, just let me know, thanks.
Kin
Normally I'm 'free' till
Normally I'm 'free' till early pm but quite rushed, then mid-late pm,
but now also free till tues.
Actually want to go balham b4 5 pm today, so if you can make it even if just to meet, then we can arrange further:
use my phone, it's listed on profile.
d .
Hi Deep, just read your
Hi Deep, just read your message, sorry gonna miss for today's meet up, how about tomorrow? I will PM you as well, cheers.
K.
Touring Europe
Hi Kim,
I have travelled a lot on a cycle (50.000 km so far) and am in Thailand now, I love Asia. I suggest you get a used older bike with a steel frame, ATB style w/o suspension, it's more comfortable on long trips and has no maintenance issues with suspension. Get a good big saddle. My bike is from 1990 or 1991, you can see it here, a German Schauff prototype:
http://fotos.mtb-news.de/u/117420
You should have a Hypercracker to remove your Shimano-compatible cassette, it's a light little tool and can be used to tighten your spokes, too. An adjustable wrench also called a Bahco, I have a little German thingy that spans 0 to 20 mm plus an open spanner size 8 and 10 mm. A set of Imbus keys 2 to 6 mm and a good screwdriver for x and normal screws. Plus a tyre repair set. Currently I travel without a repair set because I use Schwalbe SmartGuard tyres, since more than 15.000 km no more flats!
If you travel very far and very often and you have enough money get a Rohloff speedhub, 14 speeds in the rear hub, no more problems with your drive train, only change front and rear sprockets every 10.000 km and your chain every 3.000 to 5.000 km depending on your riding conditions. You can use hefty BMX chains too which last much longer.
And join the CouchSurfing community! Everywhere you will find some very nice people where you can sleep, have good conversations and make new friends for free. Many cyclists in that community.
I even found one in Chon Buri, Thailand. I wish you happy trails always.
Jörg.
Hi Jorg, Thanks for all your
Hi Jorg,
Thanks for all your info, they are really detailed and helpful.
I also got some suggestions from the bike shop and other cyclists that it's better to touring without suspension as it will require more energy to ride the bike, but my current bike has it when I bought it, if I want to remove it for the journey, is it easy to do or is it expensive?
I'm also using CS for a while, agree with you, have met some many amazing people in my trip. Will keep you posted for my trip, may be meet you in Europe when my trip kicks off.
Keep enjoying your trip, safe travels.
Cheers,
K.
Hey Kin, In June I'm starting
Hey Kin,
In June I'm starting my trip, first from Croatia to London, and then from London to Turkey.
I'll be in London in the end of July/beginning of August.
So maybe we can do some part together. Let's keep in touch!
Cheers,
Snježana
www.happiness-around-the-world.com
Hi Snjezana, That will be
Hi Snjezana,
That will be cool if we can do some route together, will keep you post for my departure and see.
Keep in touch,
Cheers,
K.