Skinny goes Touring. Bike and gear.

skinny, just wear a beanie.

I've got a merino beenie. It's lovely. But if it rains for days it might not dry nor will a cap.

Waterproof cap sounds a good shout.

I always wear a helmet. I've saved myself quite a few hospital trips and probably one death.

I'm still undecided on cycling/top. I'm thinking of getting a Torm top, but unsure. I only have race fit lycra cycling tops really. So not sure what to do there. I might just get some merino T-shirts. But can't see any cheap ones?

merino, only merino.

they dry quicker, don't smell, keep you warm (and cool).

Thanks! I'll go to decathlon tomorrow as they're some resonably 100% merino stuff.

I started planning a route. But I feel I'm missing something.
http://ridewithgps.com/users/113414/routes

I've planned 120 miles a day. Which is 7 hours at 16.4mph ish.
I wanted to go north, as I've never been north. I want to ride lots, but also want to see things. Maybe I should go in circles some days!?

I've taken the route through some places I feel would be good too see, however, I feel like I'm missing things and places.
Anyone got any advice on seeing things while touring?

thats all cool if you don't stop.
To pee.
Or eat.
Or put on / take off clothing.
Fix bike. Enjoy view
Find yourself.
Find your route.
Cut a little slack and make more of the journey!

Maybe I'll plan a general route, and follow it. And just stop when I want, but follow the general route.
Rather than Day1/Day1. It;s more like section 1/2 and each will just be loaded when the previous is finished.

Just so used to going out and riding hard. It's a whole new world this 'seeing things'.

stopping when you want is probably the best part of trips like this

whoa, I just had a very quick look and I don't know how fast you can pedal but it seems like a lot of ground to cover each day. But you know your cycling.

Day 8 is particularly striking: the route from Glasgow to Ft William is lovely, full of lakes and winding roads. The kind of place you should enjoy instead of rushing through (Glen Coe is probably the highlight of that route and it's likely you'll get there when there's little daylight left).

ps — nice trip!

(Glen Coe is probably the highlight of that route and it's likely you'll get there when there's little daylight left).

ps — nice trip!

That's a very good point to consider.

I think I've come at the route from the wrong way. I always plan routes to take X amount of time at the speed I'll be going that day. I need to plan routes with other considerations as the main point.

For true lightweight touring, solve the helmet issue with a shower cap over the helmet.

The day you're coming back down the east side, over the border, I'd head into Alwinton, then across to Barrow Burn and stop at the tea room/cafe there. Best mid-ride stop in the whole of the north east. Date and oat slice that comes like a housebrick. Then ride west following the river through the valley. Beautiful stretch of road.

the A82 out of glasgow is not the best cycling route. Glen Coe is awesome though. An alternative is taking a ferry to Dunoon and following one of the routes along the west coast up to Loch Leven. Much quieter and fantastic views out to the islands.

I guess if you are wanting to get into the highlands quickly then it's ok but I would definitely try to pass through Glen Coe before dark. Head for the Clachaig Inn!

My limited experience of touring has told me that anything more than 70miles a day swiftly loses the sense of fun/freedom, etc.
my 2p.

Still I approve of the madness.

May I repost this excellent advice from H?

Yes but milage for me isn't the same as most people. I can ride faster. So it's not a bother. I don't get bored cycling.
The bother is I want to see things, so will ride in circles sometimes. And not adhere to the planned route all the time.

/Life is not always a race.

I'll second that: some lovely riding along that stretch - off the A30, that is!

Is that your neck of the woods Miro_o? I have been going to S. Zeal for many years.

I grew up in mid devon but wasn't into cycling. I'm now getting to know it in a new light.

How tall are you? I got an inflatable mattress the size of a coke can that take four blow of a regular chap to inflate.

187.

I picked up one already. It's a bit bigger than that, but isn't too big!
Thanks though ed.

Day 8a you are going to go on my dad's ferry.

Do 8a not 8. Will be more scenic.

Yeah, the letter'd ones are once I've adapted pot advice.

If you go through Yorkshire try following most of the route of the Etape Du Dales. Looks like your planned Yorkshire route already covers some of it.

Also, you might as well just catch a train to Skipton and go North from there (unless you are going to Wales). There is nothing to see in the South.

Thanks.

And going to Wales. Want to see what The Valleys is all about.

day 3 is going to be a long long day. ]

You will also ride past both my uncles farms as you pass through Lampeter.

To be really honest, there are more beautiful parts of Wales. If I were you I would ride up over the Beacons and then via Rhayader > Elan Valley > take the Aberystwyth road at the top of the Elan Valley. That would really be the most stunning ride - the loop around the Elan Valley is one of my favourite routes anywhere in the world.

I know you're a really strong rider, but I've ridden extensively in Wales (my Mum has a house there and half my family is from there) - it is really tough. 100k there is like a very hard 170k in Surrey/Kent.

Thanks for the tips.

And yes, stages aren't necessarily days. Just breaking the route up into parts. I plan to ride around 7h a day. However far that takes me daily basis.

Some of the stages look more epic than Rapha² . Will need to change your username to Skinnier after.