Generic Touring Thread

Click the 'in reply to', and it will jump the corresponding post.

Thanks! @Crunty I have a small tent, Trekker tent phreeranger, It’s on the front rack in that pic. If I don’t take the tent then it’s a rab ascent bivvy but that’s generally just for weekends and overnight trips as I like to stay bug free! I also have a very small and old down sleeping bag with most of the feathers missing, it’s not very warm but I’d rather be a bit cold than carry more stuff

They are pretty much the same practical wise. I prefer the Kendals just for aesthetic reasons. They are cuuute!! x

Nice!!

Quick one on YHAs. I'm looking at places around Wales and some of them have no availability for shared dorms for the entire year. Is that just they can't be arsed to maintain the online reservation system or is Wales the center of the backpacker universe? Do you need to speak to a real person for some of these places?

Haven't found anything on my albeit limited search through the forums, so may as well ask here. What's everyone's views on lightweight, packable down jackets - that is - what's the best in terms of warmth/weight/not-too-heavy-on-the-wallet? The Uniqlo ones don't look bad, but I'd rather avoid giving them money if I can help it. Cheers.

I'd get something second hand that 850 fill down or above. Lightweight also means minimal features like zips etc and light weight inner/outer nylon material. I bought my wife a almost new yeti for 80quid. They're stupid money new.

Have you got a budget?

Have you got a budget?

Don't really want to spend more than around £50-60 tops. Worth noting it doesn't need to be super-warm. Just something to take the chill off in the evening but packable and light.

I've answered this a few times, here's the advice again:

Budget: Décathlon
Mid-level: 2nd hand Montane, Rab (but not from last few years), or other 800+ fill models
Top: New or 2nd hand PHD or Montbell (montbell can have weird sizing, measure carefully)
Holy grail: Nunatak

Budget: Décathlon

That Forclaz one doesn't look too bad at all and is within budget. Nice one.

Also the Fohn one from wiggle is cheap at the moment, packs down nice and small.

I bought my wife a almost new yeti for 80quid.

where?

eBay. Just had some saved searches set up and waited

I've posted on the Wanted thread too. But thought it worth asking here.

I'm looking on behalf of a friend for a starter touring bike around £250max. Something that all being well can be upgraded as his appetite and budget grows. He's 6ft2 and prefers the idea of flat bars as opposed to drops.

What's worth searching for in the Internet classifieds at this price point?

Thank you.

For that price you are looking for either vintage or hybrid. I would recommend looking for a hybrid. Sturdy frames, all the attachment points for racks, sensible tyre widths, and build for flat bars.

Technically any bike can be for touring if it is comfortable enough. I would suggest going and test riding some new hybrid bikes from different brands, find the one that fits and is most comfortable, and then look for those makes / models second hand.

For budget gear options - look for second hand stuff on ebay, strange chinese stuff on aliexpress or look at the Decathlon ranges. Aliexpress can be a gamble, second hand requires patience and Decathlon you can see it up close and personal. One of those options should work for you.

Good luck.

I will be parting with a Dawes Galaxy very soon. Very large 25in frame, complete bike with triple chainset, riser bars and downtube shifters.

Will need to be posted, I'll get some pictures is interested.

Will be well under the £250 budget!

Ta. Sound advice. @harv4130 please send on pics. Sounds ideal. Where in the UK are you?

One day I might get along to something like this. I love events with a bit of history
http://www.willesdencyclingclub.co.uk/the-willesden-ccs-trip-to-the-ffct-semaine-federale/

Yeah, that looks great, doesn't it?

I’m doing a little tour that’s ending in La Rochelle. I’m somewhat anxious about how I’m going to get back and wondering if anyone’s done something similar. Preferably not fly, but a possibility if I can get it boxed up. The other option would be getting the train to a ferry port, then boat. I was looking at Eurostar, but looks like I need to box the bike up to get it on the train. Any tips? Tia

You can get a regional train from La Rochelle to Paris so wouldn't need to break it down (or at least use a travel bag with wheels off). You'd still need it boxed to get on Eurostar though.

There's also those specialist companies that will take you and your bike back to the UK by bus or take just the bike but no idea about which, if any, are good.

We are off to Murcia next week. One of the group can’t get the full trip in so has booked from Biarritz to Paris, Paris to St Malo then ferry to Portsmouth. No boxing etc required. He did say the trains were booking up but it is at least one bank holiday while we are there.
Amazon now do cardboard bike boxes for €25 delivered. I’ve opted for that for my flight home rather than scrabble around bike shops. I was able to ship to a mates house though so it may not be possible to ship to a pick up point.

You can do train to Paris then train from there to Dieppe/Caen/Le Havre and ferry back to Newhaven/Portsmouth fairly easily and not too expensively. I looked into train from Paris to Calais for my return leg at the end of next month and they're either stupidly expensive or don't allow bikes on board. At a push, you could get the train from Paris to Saint Omer or somewhere close to Calais/Dunkirk and cycle the rest of the way.

FWIW, I'm getting the train from Paris to Rouen and cycling to Dieppe, which I think cost me about €9 (including bike).

Anybody got any thoughts on if it's a really shit idea to lug a closed cell foam mat around europe this summer because my inflatable mat has fuck all insulation and I think it will make a huge difference in the Alps and mountains in France in may?
I want to take it really badly but I equally really don't want to carry it.

Take both if it doesn't take up space you'd use to carry something else? Got to get good sleep on tour