Generic Touring Thread

Since the Bullitt is designed to cope with a lots of weight (more than a touring bike), it's not a question of overpacking it, but whether the gear range will be suitable.

Test ride one when you have the chance, it's one of the bike I would want to own in the future to keep this car-free malarkey up.

Would you recommend a external or hub gear though ? could see external being much easier to get sorted/bodge if it broke near or away from a bike shop ?

The Buillit TNT seemed to fit your requirement, but can't tell if it's a 9 or 10 speed as the specification sheet is vague, former is ideas as it's cheaper to maintain.

If it's possible to spec your own Buillit, I'd advise 8 speed.

Having said that, no reason why the Alfine 8 can't do the job, providing you change the cog for a bigger one to cope with the terrain.

The Buillit TNT seemed to fit your requirement, but can't tell if it's a 9 or 10 speed as the specification sheet is vague, former is ideas as it's cheaper to maintain.

If it's possible to spec your own Buillit, I'd advise 8 speed.

Having said that, no reason why the Alfine 8 can't do the job, providing you change the cog for a bigger one to cope with the terrain.

Wouldn't a internal 8 speed hub not have cogs ? ( I have literally no knowledge of hub gears)

Cog, singular, for the Alfine hubs.

Oh right will look into it , as to easy of repair would a external mech be better?

Pretty much my plan , when/if I do it I'm going to get a dynamo hub for lights/phone charging so I should be fairly self sufficient

Lots you can do with those bike, e.g. an actual washing line to dry your clothes, enough flat space to put a solar panel (on top of the dynamo), wear those cycling poncho with comfort.

Came across this video The Road From Karakol

"In summer 2011, Outdoor Research athlete Kyle Dempster took off on his bike across Kyrgyzstan with a couple mostly-accurate maps, a trailer full of climbing gear, and a vocabulary of 10 Kyrgyz words. He spent two months pedaling and pushing the bike more than 1200 km on roads of variable states of neglect, wading through wild rivers, dealing with corrupt military checkpoint staff, and soloing a handful of unclimbed alpine rock and mixed routes. He recorded the journey, his camera his only partner, friend, and sometimes the only receiving end of his conversations for days at a time"

If you have 25 minutes its an interesting watch leaving my 'touring' feeling very non adventurous!

^ this was ace BTW.

Best intro to any touring film I have seen!

Hello,

I thought of sharing my 71 year old uncle's Blog about his bicycle journey from Malaysia to London for the Olympics. He did it with my cousin who joined him in India. I think the journey took them around 8 months. I was very happy to see them when they reached London. Unfortunately, my cousin and I manage to get arrested and put in a cell overnight when we joined the Olympic Critical Mass. It was a bad experience for us especially my cousin who basically was a 1st timer in London. He was very light hearted about it and the Police were very apologetic upon releasing us.
Anyway, their journey was very inspiring and I hope to embark on a similar kind of touring in the future.

http://oadnanxtreme.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-max=2011-09-29T19:34:00%2B08:00&max-results=7&reverse-paginate=true

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/03/olympic-tourist-cycling-protest-arrest?newsfeed=true

^^^ loved the Road from Karakol. 360 DEGREES OF RAAAAAADDDDDD

Thanks for sharing Modan, my wife is from Indonesia and as we plan to semi retire there when we are older I have often fantasised about riding there or back.

I'll work my thru the blog and take inspiration from it.

You are welcome BBR, happy to share :)

Retiring in Indonesia wouldn't be such a bad idea! Riding there would be an amazing experience, I also would love to do this someday if my health allows.

Yes, Road from Karakol is awesome!

Probably avoid crossing into Baluchistan if going through Iran.

Anyone toured in Chile? Catydid and I are starting to plan a tandem trip from the Atacama down to Tierra del Fuego..... Currently just hoping that the bikefit/osteo/physio/yoga/drugs will sort her dodgy knee out.
Any thoughts or experiences gratefully received!

Well shit, look like I done gone got myself going to Georgia for a spot of cycle touring.

East Europe or USA?

East Europe, just gonna pick up an old rigid MTB and ride it to shit, so I can sell it/ditch it after arriving at the Caspian from the Black.

Has anyone ridden the Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg? (cycle route through Austria into Italy) Or any other cycling in Austria?

Radweg is such a cool word.

I know! I love everything about it. Radfahren on the radweg. Happy days.

Radkunst!

I have ridden along the river Elbe, they have Schwalbe innertube vending machines (!).
Really want to go back and do the whole river again, think it would be doable in a weekend :)

That route looks ... rad ! (thankyou thankyou), if its anything like the route along the Elbe it will be smooth tarmac all the way, except for bridges which will have cobbled sections at either end

Radkunst!

Ha!

if its anything like the route along the Elbe it will be smooth tarmac all the way, except for bridges which will have cobbled sections at either end

This is good - I was worried that there might be lots of gravel sections.