Search found 50 matches

by chiwoman
27 May 2013, 6:55am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Newbie long tour kit / equipment questions
Replies: 40
Views: 3407

Re: Newbie long tour kit / equipment questions

re solar chargers...I think the honest answer is 'NO, not yet'
lots of gadgets on offer but few that have had good reviews on the road
most people I know use solar for back up or trickle but still used plugs when they get to local cafes in towns
by chiwoman
3 Nov 2012, 8:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Iceland Info (route 1)
Replies: 8
Views: 2938

Re: Iceland Info (route 1)

That really is going some! Did you find campsites as you went or prebook them? How expensive were campsites and food? I ask because I hope to go next summer.
If you went again would you go into the internal region or spend more time in any particular region?
Which bit exactly was 50miles with nothing?
thanks for your help on this
cindy
by chiwoman
23 Aug 2012, 12:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Taking Bikes on Planes
Replies: 35
Views: 216015

Re: Taking Bikes on Planes

That is amazingly useful thank you

I just booked my flights to cuba and was very pleased to discover Virgin Atlantic let me take my bike for free in addition to my baggage allowance :D
by chiwoman
10 Jul 2012, 9:43am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bangkok to HCM City (Vietnam)
Replies: 5
Views: 3023

Re: Bangkok to HCM City (Vietnam)

P.S. Thai roads were FANTASTIC much better than here...smooth new tarmac with wide cycle lanes and regular shelter stops with fresh water (provided for monks)
by chiwoman
10 Jul 2012, 9:40am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bangkok to HCM City (Vietnam)
Replies: 5
Views: 3023

Re: Bangkok to HCM City (Vietnam)

Yes I would agree to get a lift to outskirts of BKK (I put me and my bike in a taxi across the back seat!) but I also know guys who've cycled it bravely.
Cambodian roads not as bad as I had thought and my panracer panasela tourguard tyres (700x32) survived 4 months in the region no problem. BUT and this is a big but...new roads are being built throughout Cambodia and so there are periodically long stretches of rubble/gravel ...even so compaction from trucks usually gave me a smooth section to ride. Friends had real trouble cutting across south via the Cardamon mountains so it very much depends on your route. You can see most roads on Google earth to see what the surface is like.
by chiwoman
4 Jun 2012, 9:22am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: what tools for transam tour?
Replies: 9
Views: 3757

Re: what tools for transam tour?

Not taking a spare foldable tyre I would therefore: take duck tape (roll some round an old credit card so you dont have to carry the whole roll) to hold a split tyre for many miles OR take a very light tyre boot (about the size of a credit card) to hold a split in a tyre till you get to civilisation
by chiwoman
29 May 2012, 2:23pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: foot tingling/numbness
Replies: 13
Views: 4443

Re: foot tingling/numbness

I had this same problem for years and quite honestly wasted a lot of time and money because everyone insisted it was shoe related. For me it is not shoe related at all. As my fitness improved so the problem was displaced to greater and greater distances and I now only get hand and foot numbness after 70+ miles. When I started it was after 15 miles. For me the numbness was related to how much interstitial fluid was being retained in my hands and feet on exertion. The greater the exertion, the more 'tight' my feet (and hands) became inside the foot so that my own tissues pressed on my own nerves (not the shoes). I get the same thing running in shoes that are not even done up OR when walking barefoot for long distances. Basically my heart working hard pumps fluid out but it doesnt drain back as quickly...so perhaps you will find it gets less of a problem as you get fitter? I am assuming to tried all the other factors such as saddle compression of the nerves AND get regular sports massage for the neck so that nerves are not compromised ( I too have an old neck injury).
Best of luck in finding your particular way of managing this. The long and short of it is that is not always just simply tight shoes.
by chiwoman
14 May 2012, 7:36am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 900 miles round Iceland
Replies: 6
Views: 3679

Re: 900 miles round Iceland

Have a great trip :D I will follow your blog because I have long been planning an Iceland trip myself...
by chiwoman
14 May 2012, 7:32am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: GPS E trek 30 v's Memory Map Adventure
Replies: 14
Views: 9661

Re: GPS E trek 30 v's Memory Map Adventure

I hate my adventurer 2800! So if you want to buy one....
by chiwoman
3 Apr 2012, 11:58am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: winter camping in sardinia or corsica?
Replies: 7
Views: 4236

Re: winter camping in sardinia or corsica?

AArgh good job I asked. I rode in Sardinia one January and found it pleasantly spring like. Must have been a fluke. :(
by chiwoman
30 Mar 2012, 8:00am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: winter camping in sardinia or corsica?
Replies: 7
Views: 4236

winter camping in sardinia or corsica?

Hi
Anyone know if it is possible to cycle camp in Sardinia or Corsica in January? A quick search suggests campsites may be shut in winter despite the relatively good weather at that time of year.
by chiwoman
26 Mar 2012, 7:59am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Winter camping in sardinia or corsica?
Replies: 2
Views: 745

Winter camping in sardinia or corsica?

HI does anyone know any campsites that are open all year round in either Sardinia or Corsica?
Is it possible to cycle camp in January on these islands?
by chiwoman
11 Feb 2012, 8:14am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Winter touring
Replies: 21
Views: 1670

Re: Winter touring

Yes am trying to be more environmentally fiendly in my winter touring. Last winter I flew to SE Asia and toured there for four months alone successfully without too much hassle and if flights were not a problem I think I would choose central or south america as I speak Spanish.
The middle east / north Africa does scare me --due to experience from previous travels (not on a bike)
Am interested in which bits of southern Europe are possible in winter --but guess it is pretty hit and miss weather wise.
I dont need it too hot...just not snow and ice.
by chiwoman
8 Feb 2012, 11:47am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Winter touring
Replies: 21
Views: 1670

Re: Winter touring

Hey :D thanks for the link to Helen's blog, and well done Helen! Great blog, great trip! Having checked it out though I am not so reassured. Quite the reverse. Sounds like being a lone woman cyclist in Morocco attracts too much attention --and I would not be staying in hotels on my budget so probably would be even more vulnerable? It's a personal decision thing, not a factual thing and for me I dont want any extra worries ontop of the usual lone touring ones.
I'll keep Morocco in mind for next winter but only if I find a riding companion...

so still looking for a winter venue for solo riding (coz riding companions are hard to find)
by chiwoman
8 Feb 2012, 11:23am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Looking for winter touring partners.
Replies: 3
Views: 395

Re: Looking for winter touring partners.

Possibly very interested but if you are off in March and it is snowing/icey now....when are you talking about? end Feb-early March?
Just got to dig out that arctic sleeping bag.....