Generic Touring Thread

Can I ask, what does one do if touring and you don't have the ability to wash the pad of your bib shorts? Are there antibacterial gels or something available like the alcohol based hand ones?

Yes there are. Baby wipes too. And assos chammos cream is antibacterial.

I use tri shorts and wash every night with normal soap. They dry quick and even if they don't dry in time are meant to me worn wet anyway. They don't provide as much padding as normal shorts

This, chamois cream every other days.

This is a great idea. How do you experience longer distance touring in tri shorts?

I was looking at the Zoot stuff on Sportspursuit for this exact reason

Cycling in Northern Spain is great. They have a bunch of new motorways that take all the motor traffic off the "A" roads. And because the motorways are really new the A roads are still in good condition, flatish and straightish.

I went from Santander to Barcelona and that section to Bilbao was pretty hilly. Santander is the only bike port, Bilbao is car/lorry only.

I was staying in B&B's but I think wild camping is legal in Spain.

Sounds an amazing trip!
Wild camping, however, is illegal in Spain. There are certain rules that allow wild camping in national parks with quite some restrictions. Some of which being:
No camping allowed under altitude 1600m - July till 15 October this is 2000m due to fire risks
Tent can be set up from 1 hour before sunset and must be taken down 1 hour after sunrise - cannot camp on the same place twice
No camping within 500m of roads or tracks open to vehicles
No camping within 1km of asphalted roads
No camping within 50m of rivers or other waters
You must notify the National Park office of your intention to camp by post or e-mail
etc.

Then again, I think because there is a lot of Camino de Santiago de Compostela going on in the north, they are quite relaxed with these rules. So I'd say camp and have fun, but clean up your shit when you hit the road.

Cycling in Northern Spain is great. They have a bunch of new motorways that take all the motor traffic off the "A" roads. And because the motorways are really new the A roads are still in good condition, flatish and straightish.

Not only that, they're constantly rebuilding road all the time, even with the introduction of the motorway (4th largest in the world), they still maintain the smaller road with great finesse, the French side felt as bad as England.

@Machine I still managed to wild camp (illegally) in Spain, to be honest, I really don't think anyone care.

Don't forget 2km from nearest settlement too.

Fine, I cycled round Iceland using them with a Brooks saddle and baggy shorts over. Didn't have any problems and was doing long days day after day.

schwalbe marathon's no puncture's at all, commute on them every day

http://alexwetmore.org/?p=1198

Just managed the first (and hopefully worst) bit of transport booking in order to go touring next month. Eurostar, y u such a pain in the arse? Next up, night train to Berlin, and then the cycle adventures can begin!

Eurostar so easy for me. Just got to call and book bike separate. And pay them too much for the bike.

It's easy if they answer the phone! Which they haven't been. Seems stupid it's not an integrated booking system anyway.

Ah. I got an answer first time!

But yes it's weird you can't select bike online. Or do it with the same person.

So it is stupid system, you're right.

I have to go directly to the station to do exactly that.

Deutsche Bahn on the other hand - so efficient and friendly. Really looking forward to spending some quality time in Germany.

Speaking of touring in Germany, I was thinking about a short tour from Cologne to Berlin, mostly as an excuse to spend some more time in Berlin. I have no idea what the route will be like but cologne seemed like a city that would be easy to get to with a bike and was about the right diatance. Does anyone have any ideas for other places to start for a 400-600mile ride to Berlin?

Copenhagen ?
Travelling south , warmer.
Amsterdam?
Loaded?

I was going to suggest getting the ferry to Hook of Holland but that's about 750km (albeit with big flat sections).

I'm off to HoH myself on Thursday night for 2days riding and one day at the finest beer festival ever - borefts in Bodegraven.

Just back from the Highlands - 750km and just under 10,000 metres climbing in 5 days. Beautiful scenery, varying weather (though not bad for the time of year) and only a few insect bites.

Scotland is beautiful.

@hats, where are you going from Berlin?

Back to London! Haven't properly figured out how yet but something like Magdeburg, Hannover, something something, the Hague, Hook of Holland. About 500 miles I think.

@ltc If I figure out a decent route from Berlin to HoH I'm happy to share with you for you to try in reverse.