A few years back my wife and I did a Pulgia tour, flying in an out of Bari. We cycled north up the east coast, then down the centre, toward Ostuni, then east coast again back to Bari. Thoroughly enjoyable it was too. Found the locals incredibly friendly even this sinister looking bunch who invited us to join them for beer and broad beans.
Cyclists generally well received. Try to visit Matera if you can.
The roads were similar to what ours have now become and apart from an incident with a pack of stray dogs had no issues. Used "openfietsmaps" on a Garmin Etrex 20 for navigation.
Search found 138 matches
- 16 Jan 2023, 10:48am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Bicycle touring in Puglia, Italy
- Replies: 4
- Views: 569
- 11 Jan 2023, 9:32am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Cycling through Paris?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 623
Re: Cycling through Paris?
Cycling across Paris between railway stations (in the pouring rain) was one of the highlights of one of our French tours.We found this site to be useful, it allows filtering dependent upon your confidence!
https://geovelo.fr/en/route
Bon route,
Rob
https://geovelo.fr/en/route
Bon route,
Rob
- 30 Aug 2020, 7:09pm
- Forum: Health and fitness
- Topic: Battery Heated Socks
- Replies: 8
- Views: 814
Battery Heated Socks
I've recentlybeen prescribed blood thinners and consequently now regularly experience very cold feet. with onset of winter in mind I'm considering battery heated socks, does anyone have any recommendations, please?
- 22 Feb 2020, 9:59pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Woodtourer's next Euro Tour
- Replies: 53
- Views: 2724
Re: Woodtourer's next Euro Tour
I'm in agreement with previous posts in that I prefer to not take any chances at the very start of a tour because so much depends upon it.
We've often used a pre-booked taxi to the airport, with two boxed bikes and four panniers.
We've often used a pre-booked taxi to the airport, with two boxed bikes and four panniers.
- 14 Feb 2020, 9:34am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Apple music files to mp3
- Replies: 4
- Views: 732
Apple music files to mp3
I'd like to load my entire itunes library, which is held on my MacBook Pro, onto an old Android Nexus 7 for use whilst I'm tinkering in my workshop. The files in the library are in Apple's own file format and I believe need converting to mp3 format for the Nexus.The Macbook has a file convertor built into iTunes and I can convert individual files but is there a way to batch convert the library?
Simple instructions appreciated.
Rob
Simple instructions appreciated.
Rob
- 2 Feb 2020, 10:03am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Step through touring bike
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2342
Re: Step through touring bike
Depending upon your wife's attachment to here present touring bike, you might consider adapting the existing frame.
My wife experienced a similar problem and had her Thorn Nomad top tube/seat tube junction lowered 100mm.
She is very pleased the result.
Rob
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My wife experienced a similar problem and had her Thorn Nomad top tube/seat tube junction lowered 100mm.
She is very pleased the result.
Rob
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- 24 Jan 2020, 4:52pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Bikes no longer permitted on western TGV services
- Replies: 40
- Views: 3298
Re: Bikes no longer permitted on western TGV services
I thought it was too good to last! We've used the TGV service from Bordeaux to Paris a couple of times recently and it was very civilised, with reserved bike spaces, dedicated seats next to them and travelling at 300kph.
Oh well!
Rob
Oh well!
Rob
- 12 Jan 2020, 3:28pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
- Replies: 399
- Views: 19026
Re: Any other motorcyclists here?
pete75 wrote:kwackers wrote:ubert767 wrote:and oil-tight too!Rob
How did you manage that? Skimmed all the mating surfaces?
(Don't tell me it was oil tight from the factory, that's a step too far. )
You can usually do this with RTV silicone gasket stuff.
I achieved it by using good engineering practices, (lapping mating surfaces on a surface plate, countersinking stud holes, correct torque settings etc.) and the use of "Loctite 518" anaerobic jointing compound.
Rob
- 12 Jan 2020, 9:55am
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
- Replies: 399
- Views: 19026
Re: Any other motorcyclists here?
Here"s my 1970 BSA Victor, a 441cc single which I've owned since almost new. I rebuilt it a couple of years ago, it's great fun to ride and oil-tight too!
Rob
Rob
- 4 Dec 2019, 12:11pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Cycling friendly hotels in and around Carentan, Normandy
- Replies: 4
- Views: 517
Re: Cycling friendly hotels in and around Carentan, Normandy
Had a pleasant overnight stay here during this summer.
Bike-friendly.
Domaine Saint-Hilaire
bis, 13 Rue des Fleurs, 50500, France
Rob
Bike-friendly.
Domaine Saint-Hilaire
bis, 13 Rue des Fleurs, 50500, France
Rob
- 28 Nov 2019, 4:14pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Uk custom framebuilder thinking out of the box
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1220
Re: Uk custom framebuilder thinking out of the box
Sven Cycles in Weymouth may be worth a look-see, they made a custom bike called a"Forager".
https://www.svencycles.com/customer-sto ... ager-bike/
Rob
https://www.svencycles.com/customer-sto ... ager-bike/
Rob
- 19 Nov 2019, 4:40pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best-laid plans of mice and men
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1480
Re: Best-laid plans of mice and men
To be fair to the box packing method, it did suffer an abnormal situation going out from Gatwick and also it has experienced two flights ( one out to Toulouse and then return ) plus a trip in a courier van to my home.
Yes, sh*t happens sometimes.
Rob
Yes, sh*t happens sometimes.
Rob
- 19 Nov 2019, 4:01pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best-laid plans of mice and men
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1480
Re: Best-laid plans of mice and men
It was the fact that I had boxed it well (obviously not well enough for determined baggage handlers), to EasyJet's requirements and paid what I think is an excessive amount for the carriage of the bike compared to the passenger ticket. I can live with a bit of bike transit damage but what really pee'd me off was the tour cancellation due to the baggage being delayed for a week!
I must admit that this affair did turn into a bit of a game in the end and, like hill climbing, it was a matter of not giving in.
Rob
I must admit that this affair did turn into a bit of a game in the end and, like hill climbing, it was a matter of not giving in.
Rob
- 19 Nov 2019, 11:15am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best-laid plans of mice and men
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1480
Re: Best-laid plans of mice and men
Update to my Easyjet baggage delay and bike transit damage.
My travel insurance, Sports Cover Direct, didn't cover for consequential losses due to the tour cancellation caused by the baggage delay. This would have required something like an illness, bereavement, or loss of employment.
Better luck on the bike damage front.
After much to-ing and fro-ing, EasyJet has agreed to cover the costs of repair to my bike's downtube and rear rack. Fortunately, I was able to provide all the photographic and receipted evidence they required. I'm now eagerly awaiting their BACS transfer, which they tell me can take a further 2-3 weeks!
Looking on the bright side, I now have a pre-planned tour for next year.
Rob
My travel insurance, Sports Cover Direct, didn't cover for consequential losses due to the tour cancellation caused by the baggage delay. This would have required something like an illness, bereavement, or loss of employment.
Better luck on the bike damage front.
After much to-ing and fro-ing, EasyJet has agreed to cover the costs of repair to my bike's downtube and rear rack. Fortunately, I was able to provide all the photographic and receipted evidence they required. I'm now eagerly awaiting their BACS transfer, which they tell me can take a further 2-3 weeks!
Looking on the bright side, I now have a pre-planned tour for next year.
Rob
- 8 Oct 2019, 9:17pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Portland Trail Dorset
- Replies: 2
- Views: 466
Re: Portland Trail Dorset
From memory, the surface is Tarmac all the way, both the highway sections and the Rodwell Cycle Trail section.
There is a steep and busy climb through Fortuneswell onto Portland Isle itself, so might be daunting for your friend if she isn't a regular cyclist.
Portland is an unusual place, some local cars have a bumper sticker " Portland.... Keep it Weird"
There is a steep and busy climb through Fortuneswell onto Portland Isle itself, so might be daunting for your friend if she isn't a regular cyclist.
Portland is an unusual place, some local cars have a bumper sticker " Portland.... Keep it Weird"