Generic Touring Thread

Brecons is easier to reach, but Snowdonia is more scenic. You could even join the two if you put in some big days.

Awesome! Will watch those over the weekend.

Have had the same plan since 4 years ... even built a bike for that purpose. Sadly didn't put the plan into action yet. But 2017 is still young :)

Would be great if you could go into more detail regarding your trip, if you don't mind. PM would work as well if you want:
How much money did you actually spend and how much did you plan on spending?
How much time did you spend on the road (minus breaks/city exploration)?
Average km/day?
What did you bring with you? What was most important/least needed?
Which areas can be avoided? What do you need to see?
Any great routes to recommend?
Ditch camping equipment if you can find enough hosts to stay with?
Any general advice?

Cheers
Tom

Peak district is the easiest to get to from London - train to Derby or Stockport takes less than 2 hours. Loads of good riding, but doesn't feel quite as remote as snowdonia, but lots of nice pubs and villages to ride through.

Edit: You could ride from Cardiff, through the brecons up through the middle of wales (which is beautiful) and then up through Snowdonia, finishing in Bangor and then get train home from there. I've done this in 3 days before.

More inspirational stuff - this is awesome!

train to Chesterfield takes a couple of hours - then you can be in Bakewell in less than 2 hours on the bike (bimbling speed). Then you've got the Peaks all around you - there's alll sorts of cool stuff there and you could either go back the same way or head for Sheffield/Stockport etc.

and also @plxarc @porkypie

Thank for the tips, I'll look into all the options you listed. Wales North to South (rather than South to North) sounds really appealing atm.

Anyone looking for an awesome touring dyno wheel and lights? Mine is for salehttps://www.lfgss.com/conversations/300150/#comment13468545

What are people's solutions for when you're doing an A to B multi-day tour and you need to transport your bike on either end?

E.g. I'm planning a two week tour of Italy in April, but want to get there and back on trains that don't allow fully assembled bikes.

Is there such a thing as a bike bag that is small and light enough to carry the whole way for use on the way back? Or something cheap and easily available enough to chuck when you get there and buy again for the way back?

Surely someone out there must have run into this problem and worked out a neat solution?

CTC bags?
Get a box from a bike store at either end?

Buy plastic foil in city you arrive in ...and lots of it (if you wanna get luxury, buy some bubble plast from the post office).

Pack your bike in a cardboard bike box which pretty much any UK bike store won't have a problem giving you for free, get off the plane and put your box in the bin.

Google your destination town/city for bike shops, email them and ask if they can keep an old cardboard bike box for your arrival on X date.

Works every time.

Google "rinko bag" or "ostrich bike bag"

They are popular in Japan for travelling on trains, pack down to the size of a bidon.

https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products/tardis-compact-bike-bag

folds down to a chunky a4 size..

second on the cling film approach, works every time and requires minimal effort

Bruges has got a really nice Youth Hostel walking distance from the town centre. Stayed there with the kids a few years back. Bruges is also a great city to explore. We really liked it.
It was this one, by the way: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g188671-d283282-Reviews-Youth_Hostel_Europa-Bruges_West_Flanders_Province.html

It looks as though there's an even cheaper one in the centre.

I rode Brussels - Gent - Bruges - Oostende a few years ago, all along canal paths. That was fantastic, but very easy riding (totally flat). At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, Gent is much better than Bruges. I didn't camp however so can't help you with that.

Thanks for all the positive feedback, guys! Here's Day 21, where I rode down the Avenue of the Giants in California. Ended up wild camping overlooking a river. Maybe I'll get round to making a video answering some of your questions about gear, accommodation, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsi4PIoJPNk

I've changed my mind, Peak District it is (I couldn't really resist the easy and cheap train ride to get there and back, £53 return tickets for two, including bike reservations!)

We are taking the train out to Matlock early on Good Friday, then we'll ride through many villages for two days (currently thinking of stopping at Hartington and Edale) and then reach York on Easter day (long flat segment). Spend the Monday in York exploring it and then back to London.

Quick, simple and easy. May the good weather be with us!

This is the route (still WIP, there are few things I want to sort out) if anyone wants to weigh in:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19042218

the Eroica Britania goes around the peak district, I rode the route at a different time and its cracking - particularly the chalk cyclepaths!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7214583

Chalk paths in April might be tricky

It's exactly when we did it :) clear skies, dry paths and lots of fun!

Ah! I'll have a look at t he route. Thanks for the input.

Also, cat and fiddle pass, is it heavy traffic? I read it's really nice, but if we are cycling among lorries and heavy traffic I won't really enjoy it

Thx for the advice everyone.

@Thuekr and @plxarc, do you have any pics or video of yours or others bikes cling filmed up? Or a how to? I've seen people suggest this before but never quite believed it or worked out how I'd do it. How much do you disassemble?

@moog that looks like a really neat solution.

This is a way to start - tape tools to frame/wheel to stop them flinging around (and being nicked by airport security).

If you care about your stuff, wrap them up individually before the big wrap.

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Hey All - my partner and I are leaving london in 10 weeks to head home (Melbourne, Aus) for good. We decided to take the long route and cycle. Check out our Instagram (rolling.east) - give some feedback/advice/support! Cheers!