Touring Equipment

Who's riding mtb shoes?

Not me, i'll be riding in Sidi Genius 5.5, I think 2004.

I went for a spin yesterday London-Brighton-Three Bridges (got to dark to make it back to London). Even with the sunshine out most of the day and some sun burn I found the day chilly, so much so that I'm rethinking the clothing to wear and the pack.

I had on a full sleeve base layer and summer jersey with a wind proof jacket and I was still cold. So I will indeed have to buy some merino wool t-shirts and jumpers, are there any recommendations as to the best place to buy cheap merino wool?

In addition I'm thinking I'll need tights, a hat, a scarf/ buff and full finger gloves/silk liners.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/cyclesearch?q=merino&x=-1115&y=-119

The merino hoody i found especially good for touring as off-bike/sleeping wear

Perfect Laner, thanks.

Worth having a read of and keeping and eye on this thread as ppl will post deals: http://www.lfgss.com/thread30689-15.html#post3791155

I really rate the Torm mixed sports wool base layers.

on wednesday i finished 1400km in 7 days, fixed 48/20, with over 10kg worth of equipment, in SPDs... i still cant feel my left big toe.
so, if you're pushing similar, spread that load.

Who's riding mtb shoes?

28/20?
spin to win!

ha, wouldn't have a dead toe at that gearing... would be dead descending into gordes!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Gordes_Vaucluse_France_Luc_Viatour.JPG/270px-Gordes_Vaucluse_France_Luc_Viatour.JPG

swrve hoodie

Thought the hoodie was a superb addition to my kit, packs down so small and is so light with it, wore it off the bike in July heat in France. I also went clips and straps, with Sidi touring shoes (wish they still made them) so only one pair to haul.

Am I glad I use gears ;)

I didnt know PX had such cheap merino stuff in their assortment. I only have experience with Icebreaker stuff, which isn't cheap but works perfectly well.

on wednesday i finished 1400km in 7 days, fixed 48/20, with over 10kg worth of equipment, in SPDs... i still cant feel my left big toe.
so, if you're pushing similar, spread that load.

but you had a brake ;)

well done! look forward to reading the write up

Never had a problem with SPD for touring myself. Although I did tear a ligament in my knee when cycling in SPDs to France.

Coincidence.

Anyway speedplays all the time for me now because of that I'm still suffering a bad knee now.

Toured on Look Keo pedals with a pair of Bont Vaypor shoes. I find road shoes much more comfortable on longer rides than mtb shoes.

Road shoes are obviously nicer to ride in, but i prefere not to waste space with spare shoes, and will happily walk for miles in my mtb sidis.

I see. Once I'm off the bike I just want to get my feet into some flip-flops and if the weather doesnt allow at least a different pair of shoes than the ones I've been riding in, no matter how comfortable they are. Another example of personal preference I guess.

i cant even imagine doing it brakeless.
cheers dude! will write up at the end of the week; need to finish a delayed day-by-day update on facebook first.

but you had a brake ;)

well done! look forward to reading the write up

Where do you guys post your write ups? I plan making a rather large one I guess..

Most people do write ups in the Tell us about your weekend ride thread

mine:
http://www.lfgss.com/post3632341-5676.html
http://www.lfgss.com/post3632344-5677.html

thought i apparently made it sounds really depressing, when it really wasn't :)

lol at brakeless touring. wac/ legend.
how long were you gone for and how many miles? can't be sure from the post.

im deffo gonna start my own thread f-you mods!

About 850 miles in 12 days, had a few days off the bike included in that though.

is there a more full write up somewhere? x

some questions for upcoming ride from Siena-London via Alps made without reading the previous 38 pages so boo me for being a fanny:

best on bike charger / power pack for garmin 705

good bar bag that isnt' fucking massive (think more 1-2l, not 10)

other than wearing baselayer/gabba/armwarmers should I be planning on legwarmers and/or winter tights for riding the alps in early-mid Oct?

My only lights are knogs. Decent but not fucking crazy £ lights that will actually give some night visibility sans streetlights?

I've a pair of 32c Conti topcontact winter tyres that are more like 28c. Is is just stupid touring on these? I'm skint so if it's not a huge disadvantage I'll probably chuck em on and could be handy if the weather is sketchy.

Not planning being very loaded beyond the min and may stay in hostels rather than camp.... is it worth humping D/min D with me for non-bike nickage?

there will no doubt me more inanity from me to follow...

I have no experience with chargers but since you will be staying in hostels your garmin 705 should be able to hold up until your next stop.

I can definitely recommend the Ortlieb Ultimate Compact 5 barbag. (I think they already released the 6 but I dont know anything about it) It is light, tight and very handy in use. You can close it waterproof but also keep it open and fold the flap so it doesnt stick out and use it to store stuff that you use during the ride. During my tour I usually had the following in there:
Phone
Wallet
Small paper map
Noteblock
Pen
Leg warmers
Arm warmers
Warm gloves
Photo camera
0.5 litre Coca Cola bottle

It is also very recommendable to bring legwarmers that time of year. I used mines only once in the Alpes in July and twice in the Pyrenees in August, but back in early June when I did this charity thing cycling 6 times up Alpe d'Huez I most definitely needed them so I can imagine that in October you'd also need them.

I'm no expert on lights but I hear that cheap ones from China work quite well. I can ask some people who use em for night mtb rides where they ordered if you want.

I toured on 25c tires which was perfect for me, though 28c should be fine. I have no experience with 32c but I'd say it's overkill, definitely if you plan on climbing alot.

Get a KABRUS alarm padlock and a light cable lock.

Maybe i'll just keep my 25's on then-really want to keep my luggage to a minimum and would prefer to be nipping along than dragging heavy tyres.

KABRUS looks interesting but how sensitive is it? If I lock it in/out a hostel and it goes off every 10 mins I'll feel a right cunt.

Light info would be handy-it's one of the few things in cycling I have zero enthusiasm for educating myself on... all i see is a pricetag and lumens...

Going to get some legwarmers then and pack some more thermals... The Ortlieb looks promising, also just saw the Velo Orange Baguette which is maybe a bit too small.

Can't fucking wait. Got campag 10 bar ends, triple cranks, extra bottles/holders and some new shoes winging their way to me already and stocking up on bits and bobs like nuun tabs and such. wooooooo...