Touring on a fixed

A saddle bag and front rack is a good combination,

For the front rack, try using the Carradice limpet system. You don't need to attach low rider clamps etc to use them.

what about a backpack? Just that is what I am going to try next year from Singapore to Shanghai.

I've done some short rides (< 50 km) with different backpacks (big North Face hiking backpack, Eastpack...) and I always got pain in the lower back.
So I wouldn't recommend riding with a backpack.

This Friday :)

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Where are you heading Exeter?

Not quite as far - just past Axminster.

good luck on that last leg ...watch out for the clouds!

What's the total distance looking like?

I'm heading down to West side of the new Forest and that is looking like 110 -120 miles by my route on saturaday. No big hills like the last bit you will be doing.

i reckon thats in the 200-220 mark

new forest is a lovely ride. you going through it?

Yep. Parental visit.

You doing that 220 in one day?

Im not part of the crew on the ride. i think once is enough.

Yep, on the map its just over 200 miles, and we'll be doing 75, 75, 50.

And yes, once we hit the dorset hills it is going to hurt!

im doing this ride on a carbolite pug. ha! going to be great.

(although i will be throwing a few gears on...)

Tommy, are you going to be in the Western New Forest this Saturday?

You can carry an amazing amount of kit using this system, and it stops your saddlebag from swinging about like a pair of bulls bollocks.

Yep. What time I'm not sure, because I'm not doing a massive 200 miler like you I'm doing it in one day.

Hope to arrive mid to late afternoon.

You can carry an amazing amount of kit using this system, and it stops your saddlebag from swinging about like a pair of bulls bollocks.

I have this on my tourer at the mo, just wish the rack was a bit stronger and looked less fugly when without saddlebag.

That's a pretty long day you've got there.
If you beast it and catch us up we'll have to grab a pint in one of the lovely New Forest pubs!

Will do.

You can carry an amazing amount of kit using this system, and it stops your saddlebag from swinging about like a pair of bulls bollocks.

I'd love to get one of those. Seem perfect for the out of town rides.

This guy seems to have used them for some serious riding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKfNKNxntY0&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dahGaL6ehjc&feature=channel

That saddlebag looks really good.

that little doc was great, really inspired me. hes a proper old tough guy, not like us soft youngsters. i dont mind riding in bad weather, but im a little uncomfortable with camping in bad conditions, but this guy is the definition of HTFU. im quite envious of his lifestyle, i know for a fact my girl wouldnt be happy with me buggering off to ride for months on end. she gets egg when im away for a week doing yet another tour of the kernow.

im not really considering a full front rack, just a porteur to hold my bivvy and some other small shit. i think im probably gonna have a handlebar bag to go with the saddle bag as well, as my saddlebag will mainly be full of clothes.

the more i plan touring the less i want to do it on my fixed.

i also dont know whever to save and get a fancy GPS sat-nav, or whever to stick with tried and tested maps. sat nav is useful, but im yet to find myself in a situation where i need one. i have google maps on my iphone at the moment which i thought would be infinatly useful, but it hasnt been so far. touring in a abroad could be a whole diffrent scenario however.

The nitto M12 mini front rack is really good and cheap (£30 ish) if you have a frame with v/canti braze-ons. They also do one that clamps round your forks.

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Racks_92.html

This Friday :)

Looking good Tom. I can't wait to catch you guys on Friday night.
I still have to fuck around with some bike parts but I don't think my steed will look as classy for touring as yours does.