On Your Bike
Messages: 6,082 - Threads: 927
Best Europe Cycle Tours/Rides
Hi All,
I'd like to know if anyone can recommend good cycle tours either guided or self guided in Europe.
I've come across many company's that arrange these sort of tours such as www.skedaddle.co.uk but can never decide or judge on how good they will be, both the quality of the tour/package and the routes themselves.
Can anyone recommend any great tours or advice on organising a simple cycle tour in Europe?
I'm 26, male, atheletic and quite fit so dont mind a bit more of a challenging ride as well as easier stretches. No real preference between either road or mountain bike.
Thanks in advance!
Jun 18, 2013 2:33 AM
Sturdmeister
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 1:21 PM
maenad
2 replies
96 views
Ex-Military Guy wanting to cycle through Iran
Hi all,
Having read many of the threads on the Thorn Tree Forum, including the excellent article by Andrew Burke on how to obtain an Iranian visa, I am currently in a bit of dilemma as to which path to take as I have a history in the military, briefly worked for a maritime intelligence company (regarding piracy off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden etc) and have worked as a freelance helicopter instructor. Unfortunately this information is all freely available on the internet. I am currently in Istanbul, Turkey and am cycling around the World. I have previously travelled through Georgia and Azerbaijan and having read so much good about the hospitality of the Iranian people I am desperate to cycle through this country on the way to Turkmenistan.
When applying for a visa with the agencies there is a requirement to provide a brief CV with academic achievements and a history of your profe...
more »
Jun 17, 2013 10:57 PM
mikeatthorntree
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 7:02 AM
mikeatthorntree
0 replies
57 views
Cycling the Pamir Highway - time estimate
Hello,
I wonder if anybody could give me a rough time estimate of how long it would take to cycle from Samarkand to Osh via M41 additionally from Khorog to Osh? I am a slow rider I think, maybe 80-100 km per day in "nice" terrain. The total distance seems to be around 1600 km. I have 3-4 weeks vacation.
Has anybody cycled this route lately and can say anything about how safe it is? I am from Sweden and our foreign department doesn't seem to want anybody to go to this region. Is wild camping possible along the M41?
Many questions, but hopefully somebody has a few answers for me.
Thanx
Mike
Edited by: mikeatthorntree
Thron Raven tour, Stolen
Am in Nepal and have just had a Thorn Raven Tour w/ Rolhoff stolen.
2 locks broken to get it from inside hotel near Nepalganj.
If anyone sees one on Ebay, Nepal or India please let us know.
Thanks
onrbikes at rocketmail dot com
or cgoab
Jun 16, 2013 1:54 AM
SuperCyclingMan
last reply
Jun 16, 2013 1:54 AM
SuperCyclingMan
0 replies
78 views
Can you help SuperCyclingMan cycle around the world? Turkey to Turkmenistan
I am aiming to be the first person to cycle around the world...in a superhero costume.
If you're still reading, well done! I am UK based cyclist and in August 2013 I am going to cycle 4000km from Turkey (Istanbul) to Turkmenistan (Ashgabat). This will be the 2nd part of a round the world bike ride I am currently doing. I am doing this to raise £100,000 for 5 charities and to inspire chidlren (and adults) to do more cycling.
This August my route from Turkey to Turkmenistan takes me east across Turkey then north around the top of the Caspian Sea, going through Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
1) I am currently trying to get all the visas sorted out for Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (Turkey is fine and Georgia doesn't require a visa). All the -stan countries seem to require a letter of invitation or a contact address in each country. I...
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Looking for cycling partners SOUTH KOREA
Hello i will be in South Korea for all july and i would like to experience traveling around. I have no experience on cycling but i would love to join some other people in case something goes wrong. I´m a mexican girl and im 20 years old. I could only travel around 3 weeks. If you are planning to do so please let me know!
Jun 15, 2013 11:45 AM
christocycle
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 11:11 AM
DoctorBogenbroom
2 replies
129 views
KKH and cycling from Thailand to Kashgar
I know the pass on the Karakorum Highway opens on May 1st, but would that be too early to cycle the KKH?
If I wanted to cycle up from Thailand, and have time to soak in the scenery, how long should I plan? I am an experienced cyclist, did bike the Indian Himalayas, but don't want to rush it.
And how about visas? Can I get the Laotian visa in Thailand, the Chinese visa in Laos and the Pakistani visa in China on the way? Or can you get a Pakistani visa that will only be valid many months away from your home country?
Any updates on the state of the KKH most welcomed as well!
I am Canadian, btw.
Renting a motorbike in Hokkaido
There is not a lot of information in English, but just letting you know that it is possible to rent a motorcycle in Hokkaido. There are a number of shops with a full range of bikes from the mighty Harley to the indestructible Honda Cup. Riding in Hokkaido (out of the snow season) is fantastic and worth considering for those with a free itinerary and some riding experience. Even a day trip to Shikotsuko Lake from Sapporo could qualify as the highlight of a visit to Hokkaido. The cost of hire for a 50cc Honda Cub for 24hrs is about $50 including insurance. A Harley will cost around $200/day with big discounts after day two. If you are looking for more information on where to hire and where to ride, feel free to send me a note.
Jun 13, 2013 8:26 AM
thewrinkledball...
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 1:31 AM
mike_davies
5 replies
259 views
Cycle between Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Hi there forum guys,
I have been travelling in Thailand for approximately a month. During this time, I have been acclimatising to independent travel, but now, with one month still remaining, I realise I am not having the travel experience that I want.
I figure touring and seeing things from the saddle might be a more authentic and in your face experience with more reward. I cannot afford to travel with a tour company, so was considering hiring or buying a bike and doing the above trip alone.
What I could do with from the forum is any information or tips from people who have done this before or something similar. What equipment to use? Where to get it? Know of any suitable bikes for sale in Bangkok in the next 7 days? A suggested itinerary? Where could I store my stuff in Bangkok while I make this trip? Anybody doing something similar and would like to keep me company?...
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Jun 13, 2013 4:30 AM
markbooker
last reply
Jun 17, 2013 4:53 AM
knullrufs
3 replies
207 views
Cycling from Istanbul throu the stans
Hey everyone, my buddy and I are currently in Istanbul. Trying to sort out visas for the trip ahead. Just wondering if anyone else is on the road from here or close by and doing the same. Looking to head through Iran and the stans via the pamir highway. Anyone got any recent experience of visa situations or any other useful info. Maybe we could team up for a while or stick our heads together to tackle the visas! So much of a pain in the ass.
Looking to leave Istanbul in just a few days and head towards cappadocia, then head to Erzurum to hopefully get an Iranian visa if we get the code!
Jun 13, 2013 4:02 AM
manuelthebarber
last reply
Jun 13, 2013 4:02 AM
manuelthebarber
0 replies
109 views
Buying a bike in Le Marche
So, I am flying into Ancona and have about two weeks to get to Rome (July 7-21). I want to buy a used bike, but I can't seem to find any good sources or an approximation of what I should expect to pay. I just want a basic road bike. I'm traveling very light (~5 kilo backpack). Should I look to the internet or should I try to find a shop once I get there?
Kjolur interior route, Iceland
I'm planning the Kjolur interior route in Iceland and am debating which of my two bikes to take. Both have strong wheels, one is an MTB hard tail with bb7 disc brakes, and the other is a rigid MTB with good cantilever brakes, and it's lighter due to lack of suspension. I'm tempted to take the lighter one if I can get away with it .... how rough is this road? is front suspension really the better option? any advice?
thanks
Yani
Edited by: ymrn
Jun 11, 2013 4:05 AM
Ankereymann
last reply
Jun 14, 2013 12:09 PM
arizona
4 replies
240 views
Touringbikeforsale
Reliable and very well suited touring bikefor sale in the end of July.
Will finish cycling through South-East Asia around the 15th of July in Phnom Penh or Siam Reap and hope to sell my Giant Escape touring bike to a keen bike rider before leaving.Will leave from Bangkok on the 22ofjulyand can possibly arrange to meet you over there if urgently needed.
Would love to hear from you,
please dont hesitate to ask any questions
Anke
Cycling Gambia- Morocco
I'm in the midst of planning the final leg of my around the world tour by bicycle... cyclingcuriosity.blogspot.com
My thoughts at the moment are to fly from South America to The Gambia and hug the coast to Morocco where I will catch a ferry to Spain. My concern is the Mauritania stretch to the western Sahara border? Is it safe....as a last resort would a bus through the area be a viable option. I'll have been on the road 3 years by the time I get there and fancy getting home in one piece given that I've come this far. Also any idea on the prevailing winds in September in Gambia/ Senegal. I know i'll get the tail end of the rain but hopefully not a headwind as well! Oh I guess it's worth mentioning I'm a solo female peddler
Any thoughts,links or advice on the route would be greatly appreciated!
tailwinds,
kate.
Malaria Zones
Hi,
I'm looking for advice please regarding malaria zones in China, Thailand and Malaysia.
I have got my tablets and have looked on the 'fit for travel' website, to make a note of where they are.
I want to mark the areas on my map, as I cant imagine they have road side signs saying 'you are now entering a malaria zone'. The problem is, the website maps are not very detailed and only show roughly shaded areas which represent the zones.
Has anyone else on here experienced going through malaria zones in the countries mentioned? If so, I would love to hear how you dealt with this.
Many thanks in advance
Rob
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