Touring Equipment

bought a new self inflating sleeping mat and sleeping bag from Millets yesterday. The sleeping bags were in a sale buy one get one free, and they only weight 1kg each.

Sleeping mats make all the difference to travelling. You need a good nights sleep!

Does anyone haz a Lonely Planet cycling guide to Europe for sells?
Just agreed to a 2 month tour next year.
Christs.

Just agreed to a 2 month tour next year.

Nice one!

I have an Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Plus...would be good but the use of cross top bars and my need to turn my bars when travelling with my bike in a bag/box has made it rather redundant. If you're actively looking for one, I'm happy to part with mine for a few pounds

Ortlieb Bar-Bags

Has anyone used these? I have been eyeing both the Ultimate 5 Plus and the Ultimate 5 Compact.

The former seems massive while the latter too small. I'm trying to keep weight down to a minimum. Any insight at all would be awesome.

Cheers

Oooh, what colour? ;-)

Nice one!

Cheers A. Should be epic.

I have an Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Plus...would be good but the use of cross top bars and my need to turn my bars when travelling with my bike in a bag/box has made it rather redundant. If you're actively looking for one, I'm happy to part with mine for a few pounds

Interested!

Hey Gus, if the colour isn't to Josh's satisfaction (he's a bit of a tart like that :] ) give us a shout!

Hey Gus, if the colour isn't to Josh's satisfaction (he's a bit of a tart like that :] ) or wicksie can't afford it, give us a shout!

??
;)

I am an absolute tart. Wicksie and wools, get in there... I'm not sure what I need yet anyway.

??
;)

Sorry, didn't see your post. You have stuff you should be buying from my sales thread anyway! :)

Can't seem to find any small waterproof bar bags, anyone know of any?

Got one of these for sale or swap as well. Carradice prima rack top bag. Near new.

Ooo that's nice. I basically have NO equipment, so anything I can pick up cheap on here will mean the longer I get to tour. Good times.
How much Sorethroat?

just sellotape everything you can onto the frame.

What shorts would you guys recommend for touring? I've got 3 pairs of Lycra shorts but would like something that I can get off the bike and walk around shops in.

Ooo that's nice. I basically have NO equipment, so anything I can pick up cheap on here will mean the longer I get to tour. Good times.
How much Sorethroat?

£25 for the racktop bag. C2C forum is good for touring gear, might be worth a look on there.

What shorts would you guys recommend for touring? I've got 3 pairs of Lycra shorts but would like something that I can get off the bike and walk around shops in.

Padded shorts that pass as normal off the bike you mean? I'm not sure they exist! Just wear a sarrong when stepping out into normal civilisation à la David Beckham. :) Light, packs down small, doubles as a Rapha neckerchief.

Exactly wools, I need something that isn't going to get me banned from French supermarkets. I thought about buying a swrve pair of shorts then wearing padded under pants, would that be a wise choice, or are the padded under shorts no good?

I ride with padded short and normal short, they're perfectly fine.

The Swrves are quite comfy without padded shorts to be honest. Not sure about doing biiig miles in them but I've done a fair few without any problems. Why not just wear the lycra and put some baggies on over the top when smugglin' is an issue?

Exactly wools, I need something that isn't going to get me banned from French supermarkets. I thought about buying a swrve pair of shorts then wearing padded under pants, would that be a wise choice, or are the padded under shorts no good?

It's fine, I've wandered around French supermarkets many a time just in lyrca undershort things and nothing else and I've been fine. You get a few funny/angry/happy looks but that's about all.

I need something that isn't going to get me banned from French supermarkets.

no wardrobe choice will get you banned from a french supermarket!!! this is a nation of people who spectate cycling from the roadside in a pair of tiny briefs!

Any shorts, toughen your ass up. Unless you're doing 100 mile days you should be fine. Always aim to minimise the use of padding in all forms. Become one with your saddle.

So for my 2 month tour next year I'll be getting my bike from Evans because of the cycle to work scheme. My budget for everything inc. all the accessories is around £500 after the deductions.
I'm 5"6, ride a 52cm track frame and am female so have long legs and a short body.
Can anyone recommend any of the shit from Evans?
I'm thinking it'll have to be in the hybrid section (shudder) with eyelets for rear panniers (not planning on having fronts as not camping).
What should I look for / avoid?

Cheers y'all.

Pehaps a touring bike instead of a hybrid? like a Dawes Galaxy for instance.