Generic Touring Thread

I have to go to a conference in Montpelier in August, and perhaps madly, the idea popped into my head that I might either cycle there or cycle back (more likely).

I've never done anything like this, but a first pass exploration on google maps suggests the route might be 800-900 miles.

Just as a ballpark guesstimate, how long do you think that might take? I've no idea what a sensible expectation for daily mileage might be?

Say 12-14 days.

Depends on SO many factors though.

I'd cycle back, and take as long as you can, and hit as many good places as you can at a pace that works for you.

Or go to Paris and get the eurostar home. Book early and it would be £100 with bike still built up. What I've done before. So easy.

I get 600 miles from calais. So that's 8 days. I'm going off 80 miles a day. But if you ride more you could push that out a bit.

Also find a way to make it work and do it. Will be the best time ever and you'll treasure the memories for ever. Plus it'll make you a better person.

The parc national de cevennes is AMAZING.

http://www.oudenaarde.be/en/visitors/what-todo/Cycling/Tour_of_Flanders_Centre/

yeah, the only reason I would chose to cycle out would be that it's an environment/conservation conference and I might be able to make a 'thing' of arriving under my own steam (and perhaps get my conference costs subsidised or something).

But yeah, everything else suggests I should do it afterwards... my GF will be working abroad so won't mind me being away, I don't have to worry about giving my talk etc. Also, the idea of cutting it short at Paris is attractive if I can't get all that time off work.

I'm pretty excited about the idea!

If anything go to paris but use the extra time to go to cool other places. North of paris can be done anytime. Plus it means from paris you can be at your front door in 5h! And it's cheap. Would give you 2-3 extra days south.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask about gearing?

I've got a compact crankset and I've now got a long / medium cage 6700, so I should be able to handle up to 32t. I'm looking for a 10 speed x-32t cassette and could have sworn there was an 11-32t Tiagra but I can't find one online.

The only option seems to be an xt on: Shimano XT M771 10 Speed Cassette / 11-32 CASHM771

Which is 11-12-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32

That to me seems quite top heavy. Ill be passing over the Pyrenees so I'd like the 32t rather than just 30t. Although I'll be travelling light so I can htfu.

Thoughts?

Will the XT be too wide at the bottom end? Or is there another 32t 10 speed shimano compatabil cassette?

The SLX (HG-81) will work as well, and the 6700 with the limiter set all the way in can work.

Any reason for suggesting SLX (HG-81) over the XT one?

Why spend more on a cassette that'll work just as well?

Only reason to go for the XT one if you have an alu freehub body.

TBH, you might be fine with 11-28, last time I rode across the Pyrenees it was on a loaded touring bike with 11-32 and 46-36.

Ill be passing over the Pyrenees

If you mean just crossing the Pyrenees, then you can HTFU with your current ratios, I'd go for the wider range if you intend to cross the Pyrenees several time.

Use the via rhona from Lyon,
don't rely on the signs.
Use the right side of the valley to exit Lyon.
4 days to reach Montpellier.
So easy and glorious you'll think you'r a cycling god.

Cheers for the advice.

They're shimano 105 hubs. I think you're right about going for cheap and cheerful.

I still want a bit more than 28t though. Other than a bit of pootling about I won't have cycled for a year and I'm trying to bosh it out quickly (I know, I know, you should take your time).

I'm cycling down the west coast of the US this year then flying across to south-east asia to meet my gf (we won't be doing any cycling). My question is: what do I do with the bike?

My current thinking is that taking it as luggage on the international flights and then leaving it at left luggage at Bangkok would be my best bet.
Anyone ever shipped a bike home from somewhere?

Could you post it to home from the states? Obv's depending on economic constraints

How was Belgium? Where did you end up going? Thinking about a similar weekend trip.

We had a rough start (due to lack of prior research/planning/experience) but it turned out really well in the end. It was certainly a learning process and I feel that if we did it again, everything would go much more smoothly. We ended up only visiting Chimay and Rochefort, but their beers were all amazing. I'll write a ride report soon with the details.

^ :)

I'm gonna cycle from Amsterdam to Rome this summer but I don't have any experience with touring... Does anyone have a nice list with stuff they normally pack? (especially cycling clothes). Not sure to bring armwarmers or a long sleeve jersey and stuff like that....
Thanks!!

It's all personal preference.

But I'd not bother with arm warmers. If it's cold, out of a jacket, if your a bit chilly, put on gloves. But it's summer and Central Europe. You'll be hot.
Bring less, if you need more buy some cheap stuff. It's touring.

Depends what kind of your too. Smashing distance all day or doing a few miles and hanging out a lot.
I'm doing both this year and what I'm taking is very different.

Just buy some stuff if you need it and don't. Before I even left Dover this trip I dropped a bag in a bush with 1kg of stuff because I decided I could live without it.

Ride report is here: http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/268002/

I would disagree with Skinny and say bring arm warmers.

I would bring:
Bib shorts x 2
short sleeve Jersey x 2
Super lightweight summer baselayer x 2
A gilet that packs down really small
Pair of arm warmers
Pair of light weight leg warmers
A decent waterproof jacket, that you can wear on and off the bike

Thanks guys! Somehow I didn't even think of the possibility to buy something on the way haha.

down jacket - super versatile. I think Uniqlo has some real cheap but perfectly good ones right now.

2 butt pad equipped items.

A waterproof jacket.

Remember you can wash stuff on the way, don't carry a shitload.
Besides the padded stuff, I only carry one set of cycling gear. 1 + half sets of off the bike clothes. Cycling stuff gets washed in hotel sinks :)

.

my Storck in touring mode

My little one and I are off on a three day light touring trip, tackling the epic cols of Norfolk. This'll be the most riding she's done back to back, so a little nervous, but really looking forward to it.

Lots of malt loaf, jelly babies and hot ribena in the thermos should keep her legs turning.

1 Attachment