Generic Touring Thread

A week to go until I'm off for a lightning tour of NL with my brother to see some family: London-Harwich-Hook-Utrecht-Hook-Harwich-London. Nowhere near enough miles in the legs; at least it's all flat...

The only thing in Holland tonworry about is the wind, and if it’s favourable it’s a dream!

I’m under the superlight right now. It’s wicked

Damn, jealous! Send all of us boring folks who are at home a picture so we can experience it vicariously!

Ive decided I want no more of pine forests and got the train to Biarritz. On it rn.

Has anyone done Hendaye to Bilbao/Santander and can recommend route advice? Or maps to buy in Biarritz? I’m finding a lot of conflicting or old info online...

You don't reckon a pad underneath is necessary in July? I need to get out and try it really, even in my garden or something just to test it properly. Obviously if I could manage without it that would be ideal but I'd rather take it and be comfortable if it'll make the difference.

Na, I've slept out in summer in the hammock in just a sleeping bag and been fine. Wasn't a particularly hot night but it wasn't cold/raining either so take that as a very small sample size. Testing is best ting, even if you just go out for an hour and read your bike one night, you'll get a good idea. But imo don't both taking it because you can always layer up inside your sleeping bag if you're cold.

Good to know, cheers! I’ll deffo have to do some testing a bit closer to home before the main event.

In the other direction, yes, can't find the route now, but we pretty much just took the costal roads. The hills are pretty brutal. I'll try and find that route.

Thanks. Was looking at doing the cray hills because of the report of horrible traffic...?

I don't remember it being too bad except on the West side of Bilbao. A lot of traffic bypasses the windy costal road on the motorway I think. Strava app won't let me share.

Decided to get an Amazon own brand tarp. 3m x 3.5m for £12

Will get used for garden sheltering and if of sufficient lightness then taken on the bike

Oh cool! If you have the gpx could you mail it to me? 🙏

Strava won't let me download the GPX without a premium membership, but here are the routes (in reverse order to what we did)

https://www.strava.com/activities/68323374
https://www.strava.com/activities/68323376
https://www.strava.com/activities/68323379
https://www.strava.com/activities/68323380

Thanks!

Has anyone used the strava iPhone app to record a 24 hour ride? I’m riding from London to York tomorrow and was going to use the strava app to record it. Just wondering if it can handle/process that much info at the end when you hit save/upload.

Think @veganjoseph used strava iphone app for London > Newcastle? 24h ish ride

@citygent

https://mapstogpx.com/strava/

That is awesome, good tip!

Also another top tip for making garmin gpx on the go with only a phone.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/easyroute/id605127860?mt=8

This app called EasyRoute is pretty kickass to use. Just tap along and make your route. Really like the streetview feature for checking terrain. It exports a .gpx which your iPhone will ask if you want to open in the Garmin Connect app from there you can bluetooth it to your device.

Its been a lifesaver. Well... battery saver :D

Extending my trip was a great call. Bit worried i wont make the ferry before my new job but having a great time in Spain. The Velodyssey is great but realt lacks climbs later on, and if you enjoy climbing it can get pretty dull.

Did you decide to camp in the end? Bet it seems silly in hindsight to have been worrying about it eh?!

Glad you're enjoying yourself.

I didn't think the Garmin Connect app could do that, I wonder if there is a similar planning app on android.

Updated, the strava app worked fine. Just took a while to upload/update when finishing the ride.

Very silly yeah, in fact it feels a bit weird being in a house again. I really enjoyed it. Used sites most of the time but did wild camp once in france (out of necessity mainly, i did way too many km and was utterly dead and got to a site that wasn't open yet).

I've had the time of my life it's been great. Now looking at other places I want to ride my bike. Now I have the kit I doubt I'll be going on many 'regular' vacations with gf :/ hahah

I want to get some Ortlieb front panniers and the Front Roller Classic looks like the ones I want (original variant and most expensive)...

Only thing is the way they open/close looks potentially annoying what with the shoulder strap having to hook around the front. Can anyone confirm/deny this?

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