Search found 65 matches

by Phil66
6 Dec 2019, 5:20pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Thailand into Laos
Replies: 8
Views: 890

Re: Thailand into Laos

Thanks for the MAPS.ME suggestion, forgot all about them. You're right, loads there that don't show up on Google.

Many thanks.
by Phil66
25 Nov 2019, 4:14pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Thailand into Laos
Replies: 8
Views: 890

Re: Thailand into Laos

simonhill wrote:The river crossing you ask about is presumably the one at Pak Lay across the Mekong. There has always been a ferry here, by now maybe even a bridge.


Thanks for the reply. Its not the Pak Lay crossing I'm talking about but rather the one across the Mekong where it meets the Hueang river, to the North East of the border crossing. I think what I'll probably do is head up there and try my luck, if I get turned back with the bike, try a few transport options like chucking it in the back of somebodies pick up and if that doesn't work I'll have to cross at Nong Khai. I'm guessing the road on the Thai side of the river to N.K. will be fairly pleasant, much rather get into Laos though.
by Phil66
25 Nov 2019, 12:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Thailand into Laos
Replies: 8
Views: 890

Thailand into Laos

I’m cycling in Loei area of Thailand next month and thinking of crossing into Laos at Ban Na Kra Seng Border Check Point, then heading N.E. along the boarder towards Xanamkham and Vientiane. It looks like there’s a need to get a boat across the river half way and Guest house’s between the boarder crossing Vientiane look a bit thin on the ground. Does anybody have any info for this route? Is the border crossing okay for cyclists, does a boat run regularly for the river crossing, any info on Guest house’s?

Thanks
by Phil66
20 Jan 2019, 5:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New bike!
Replies: 10
Views: 1959

New bike!

I’ve been asked to help a friend try and choose a new bike and now I’m asking you folks for some suggestions. She’ll be using it every day for a short commute to work but also possibly some light short touring weekends/week, sportive's and day rides. She doesn’t want to spend more than a £1K, it needs to be okay on tracks and tow paths, Disc Brakes would be good and no too heavy. Need to be able to fit a rear rack minimum, possibly front rack too. She’s signed up for a 67 mile sportive in April (which she’ll manage without a problem, she’s super sporty) and is only aiming at doing it at a fun speed and she likes the idea of a Hybrid rather than a traditional road bike. So, has anybody got any suggestions? All help appreciated. Thank you in advance.
by Phil66
15 Sep 2018, 5:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Airports on your own
Replies: 49
Views: 3748

Re: Airports on your own

Thanks for all the replies, things at home took over and so the chance to whizz off for a couple of weeks was lost. It does seem I'm not the only who has the hassle of juggling things at the airport.

Not to worry, off to SEA in the New Year for a month and I'll get dropped at Heathrow by my mate,so no issue's there.

Cheers all.
by Phil66
15 Sep 2018, 5:07pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Dartmoor
Replies: 2
Views: 7346

Dartmoor

Going to head down to Dartmoor for a bit of cycling with the Mt Bike. Anybody got any info on good locations, campsites, routes. I'm more of a tourer than an off road cyclist so nothing too technical. I'm good with a map and compass though, so get me away from the crowds if you can.

Cheers all.
by Phil66
11 Jul 2018, 11:00am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Airports on your own
Replies: 49
Views: 3748

Airports on your own

Hi Folks,

Just wondering if anybody has any advice for travel by air with a bike when on your own. I've always managed to get dropped at Heathrow by a friend, so easy. Next flight is from Gatwick and I'll have to drive myself and park, this means getting my bike and bag on the transfer bus, a bit tricky if its busy. Just wondering if any body has any suggestions that would help. The bike will be boxed in a halfords box.

Cheers all.
by Phil66
17 May 2018, 11:13am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Parking at Portsmouth or Poole
Replies: 10
Views: 1037

Re: Parking at Portsmouth or Poole

Have you looked at https://www.yourparkingspace.co.uk looks like you could park in the Holiday Inn Express car park for £55 for a month, which seems fair to me.
by Phil66
14 Jan 2018, 11:25am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Samsung Galaxy Book and Garmin Edge
Replies: 6
Views: 420

Samsung Galaxy Book and Garmin Edge

Morning folks,

Easy question this morning. I’m looking at buying a Samsung Galaxy Book and I’ll want to connect my Garmin Edge 800/810 (can’t remember which one it is), am I going to have any issues? It has two USB-C type ports, so I’m guessing I’ll just need to USB to USB-C adapter, sound about right?

Cheers in advance.
by Phil66
1 Sep 2017, 8:45am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Surly disc trucker in the north west
Replies: 5
Views: 1091

Re: Surly disc trucker in the north west

Hi,

Can't answer your questions above but can say this, Its a great bike. Got one 2015 for a four month trip in South East Asia and all those hills in the North of Thailand and Laos and it did everything I asked of it. Only thing I didn't like was the bar end shifters and I've changed those now for shifters of the brakes type. Its a great bike, if you manage to get the one that fits you, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

All the best with it.
by Phil66
26 Jun 2016, 6:05pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best Island in the Med.
Replies: 8
Views: 1178

Best Island in the Med.

Hi folks,

Got some leave to use up at the end of the Summer, early Autumn, and wondering if anybody has any good suggestions for Islands in the Med. Have just had a look at Malta but its a bit on the small side. Would like to hire a bike when I get there, I like mountains, don't like crowds and ride 40-60 miles aday. I have about a week to 10 days to play with. Hoping to keep this trip easy on planning and so will stay in a hotel for the week and ride out each day.

Cheers all.
by Phil66
8 May 2016, 7:35am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ridgeway - Avebury to Uffington
Replies: 8
Views: 969

Re: Ridgeway - Avebury to Uffington

I'm in Newbury and so know the western end of this, say from Goring to Uffington. At the moment its okay and was heading that way this morning on the MTB. It does get mucky, but you'd need heck of a down pour now to make it unusable. It is rough and deeply rutted in places though, I've got a Specialized Cross and I'm not sure I'd want to do much of it on that.
by Phil66
29 Apr 2016, 5:26pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: GPS
Replies: 16
Views: 1786

Re: GPS

Okay, so for you guys with the Etrex 20, what's the bar mount like? Its got some very poor reviews.
by Phil66
28 Apr 2016, 5:30pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Casual cycle clothes
Replies: 19
Views: 2286

Re: Casual cycle clothes

Cheers folks,

All sorted now, found myself a nice pair in Tog24 discount store. Decathlon also had some interesting stuff and was very cheap.

Thanks all.
by Phil66
26 Apr 2016, 3:43pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Casual cycle clothes
Replies: 19
Views: 2286

Casual cycle clothes

Hi Folks,

Does anybody know any good sites online for casual cycle wear. Ride to the pub, into town, and still look normal when you're walking around the shops, that sort of thing.
Jeans on the bike just seem to cut me right in half, exactly where I shouldn't be :shock:

Cheers all.