Messages: 28,947 - Threads: 4,488
posted
24-Nov-2009 08:01
by:
BigDan »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 12:06
by:
abroadabroad »
3
replies
,
135
views
Hey,
I've done a few big trips-London to Cape Town in 2005/06 and Korea to Cape Town in 2007/08 and have a new one planned that I need some help and advice on.
I'm going to be setting out on my trusty bike from the first two trips (she's called Cecile and she's a Thorn Raven with a Rohloff) from Brest in Western France (mainly because it's amusing) in mid to late September and cycling east through France, Germany, Poland, Belarus and Russia. I'm going to head along the route of the Trans Siberian Express (there's not many other routes!) to Madagan and then bike/haul/sled up the far east to Uelen-permits permitting!
The website is here -I'd love to hear your comments....
more »
posted
23-Nov-2009 07:49
by:
tailwind »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 00:43
by:
iviehoff »
4
replies
,
124
views
Anyone have any experiences with packing your bike into 2 separate boxes to avoid those STUPID and HARASSING fees? 1 box for both wheels, the other form-fitting to the frame (with the forks removed), and other luggage stuffed all inside the frame, in the corners of the wheel box, and in the carry-on? Both boxes should be pretty much at or below the "62-linear-inch" rule, and well within weight limits for most airlines (20-50 lbs per item, plus carry-on).
Its a bit more work and an extra tool or two, but to save hundreds of $$ and open up more airlines for travelling, I'm willing to try it out...
Here's a link of someone who's done it a few times:
http://www.efn.org/~rick/bike_box.txt
I imagine it would work for many riders, particularly those with smaller frames (mountain bikes) and on the lighter-side of packing...
more »
posted
22-Nov-2009 17:26
by:
research »
last reply
22-Nov-2009 17:26
by:
research »
0
replies
,
47
views
(already posted on Thailand forum)
I'll cycle Indochina and Thailand this coming winter. The part of this route will be in Thailand, namely Vientiane - Bangkok - Poipet. This will be a very time-limited trip so I will go as fast as possible in Thailand, hence the route will be as straight as possible.
However, I still want to show my friends back home some real Thai pictures to support my claim (!) of having be to Thailand ;-)
Can you please make a short list of mustsees that's around my planned route? I mean cities, temples, waterfalls, markets ... Anything that's considered near enough without more than a day's detour and interesting enough to make 50 pictures of ...
Thanks in advance.
posted
20-Nov-2009 16:46
by:
extrabimbo »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 05:46
by:
Stayloose »
7
replies
,
382
views
I'm looking for advice and opinions on bike maintenance on a long tour.
First set of questions relates to the drive chain:
There seems to be two schools of thought on this - one appears to be change the chain often and try to get maximum life out of the rings and cassette and the other is ride it all into the ground and replace the lot (the logic being that all those chains add up to the same cost over time). Is the second option sheer laziness? How long can you get out of a cassette and rings (on a pretty heavily loaded bike travelling on dirt and gavel about, maybe, 30 - 40 % of the time)? Or is that question a bit like asking how long is a piece of string?
I've ridden something approaching 9000 kilometres over the last 5 and a half months and I have to replace my cassette and two smaller rings now - they were brand new when I started - could I have done better than that?
...
more »
posted
20-Nov-2009 08:06
by:
quinnfburke »
last reply
22-Nov-2009 04:58
by:
nancysv »
7
replies
,
314
views
Hi all,
I was hoping you could offer your respective views and opinions on prefered footwear for long distance touring trips.
I usually ride with running shoes and toe clips, with no problems. The longest ride I've done was about 500 miles in 1 week. I used some crummy, thin soled shoes and ended up with very tight Achilles tendons at the end of the week. Only made that mistake once.
Now I'm looking to tour in Central and South America for about 6 months, or until I run out of money.
I've read that many prefer stiff soled hiking shoes/boots for versatility and comfort. There are a few hiking style shoes with integrated SPD clips in them.
What do you all prefer? Clips? No Clips?
Any other - 'before you go' - advice would be greatly appreciated. If you know of any good online resources, please share. I have experience backpacking and camping, riding my bike lots an...
more »
posted
20-Nov-2009 06:41
by:
canadianrestless »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 02:30
by:
rayswartz »
2
replies
,
123
views
Hi LPers!
We are looking to bike part or all of the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia) in the summer. We'd really appreciate any recommendations on good routes, start and end points, tips, resources, etc!
Thanks so much,
Sophie (Canada)
posted
20-Nov-2009 03:43
by:
jamershore »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 04:04
by:
iviehoff »
2
replies
,
152
views
Hi Everyone
In the professional opinion of people who have ridden in southern Argentian/Chile, is it better to ride it north to south or south to north. It would work better for my trip to fly to Ushuaia and bike north, as I am comming from canada. I am not opposed to the idea of flying to Santiago and riding south then flying back north and continuing north. I know I will battle strong westerlies down there but is it a lot harder going north? Any views on this would be greatly appreciated.
James
posted
19-Nov-2009 11:32
by:
lwomack1958 »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 18:38
by:
tourersteve »
4
replies
,
209
views
I am leaving for Bangkok on Nov.30th with my bike. I would like some advise from the group on my route planning. I am very flexible.
posted
19-Nov-2009 02:02
by:
bikerdiane »
last reply
19-Nov-2009 02:02
by:
bikerdiane »
0
replies
,
85
views
I will be arriving in Marrakech Nov 25 and would like to sell my Kona Lavadome mountain bike. It has front and rear racks. Panniers are negotiable. Steel frame with solid front fork. Chain and cassette were replaced recently. Still has many years of riding left in it. Asking 300 US dollars.
I am not sure of the exact size since I dont have a ruler with me but I am five foot nine inches tall. Might be able to get to Marrkech a day early but prefer not to. Leaving the country on Nov 26th.
Please email me at bikepacker@gmail.com since Internet access is a bit dodgy here. Thanks
posted
19-Nov-2009 00:27
by:
Nicolai1976 »
last reply
19-Nov-2009 00:27
by:
Nicolai1976 »
0
replies
,
88
views
Besides wonderful Moroccan food, the odd cold beer, 0 km cycling days, cruising around the walled medina, thinking about plans for the European (and last) leg of the WT-Expedition, I'm enjoying superfast internet here in Essaouira on central Morrocco's Atlantic coast, and thus, I've made some new photo albums for you (and me too).
As always, I recommend you click the 4-arrow icon in the lower right hand corner of the album itself, to view the photos full-screen, with the text box activated. Choice is yours.
posted
17-Nov-2009 18:59
by:
clark_kent »
last reply
17-Nov-2009 18:59
by:
clark_kent »
0
replies
,
109
views
I'm taking two weeks in Costa Rica in January and I'd like some advice.
1. Is there a good place to rent a bicycle in San Jose or Alajuela? I could take my own bike and I'd prefer to do that, but the airline wants to charge quite a bit for me to take it.
2. I've heard the roads can be quite hazardous, especially because of the local drivers. Are there any roads or highways to avoid at all costs? What should I expect to find on the roads? I'm also wondering about cycling down to Puerto Limon. I only see one highway — a fairly major one — from Siquirres to the coast. Are there alternate routes?
3. Is there anything else I need to know about cycling conditions or related issues in that country?
I've toured by bike in Canada, the U.S. and Cuba.
Thanks for your help.
posted
17-Nov-2009 15:22
by:
biciclown »
last reply
22-Nov-2009 20:35
by:
eladi »
1
replies
,
116
views
It took me more than one day to cover the last 40 kms to Palopo coming from Rantepao.All the way down and..., muddy. I had to push my bike, walk with my stuff. Not funny but I did it after all. Road is blocked after heavy rain that killed 13 people 1 week ago. Road will be closed 6 months or more
posted
17-Nov-2009 13:16
by:
SimonHill »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 16:34
by:
choudoufu »
6
replies
,
278
views
I am about to ride Highway 214 to Lincang then Highway 323 to Simao and Jinghong (not the cobbles and mud of the rest of 214 as favoured by Pete Jones and Bill Weir).
I presume loads of people have ridden this route. I was wondering what the accomodation options were like along it. You know, distance between, quality, recommendations, etc.
I can see a few small towns on the map, but I don't know if they will have any accom. I don't want to be riding 40 km days just to make sure by stopping at first available accom, but also I don't want to be doing 120+ km days in them thar hills.
Any info greatly appreciated.
posted
17-Nov-2009 02:35
by:
okokok »
last reply
17-Nov-2009 22:01
by:
onrrbike »
1
replies
,
149
views
i'm on a bicycle and currently in svay rieng, se corner of cambodia, right near vietnam
1. i know angkor wat is the must see sight of cambodia, but which road would be less populated, from phnomh penh to siem reap to thailand or from pp to koh kong to thailand?
2. if the latter, does anybody know how many ferries i must take to get to koh kong if i take hwy 3 to hwy 48?
thanks,
okokok
posted
16-Nov-2009 01:34
by:
zuzkav »
last reply
17-Nov-2009 01:26
by:
arizona »
1
replies
,
172
views
We are booking a summer cycling vacation to go to the Tour De France thru Ronan Pensec. I have only read 2 reviews about this cycling company and they weren't good. The deal still sounds so good and if anyone has any more feedback PLEASE send it my way. Thanks so much.
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