Search found 57 matches

by molly
1 Apr 2023, 6:08pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bergen Youth Hostel & Bike Storage?
Replies: 5
Views: 538

Re: Bergen Youth Hostel & Bike Storage?

It looks like the YMCA is permanently closed but thanks. The Bergen YHA seems to insist that bikes are left outside so I wouldn't really be comfortable with that instead I've found a basic campsite for the first night just on the outskirts of the city. It would be nice if the rain held off on my first night.......
by molly
30 Mar 2023, 1:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bergen Youth Hostel & Bike Storage?
Replies: 5
Views: 538

Re: Bergen Youth Hostel & Bike Storage?

Yes. The International YHA one in Bergen Norway. Alternatively a good camping site or wild camp opportunity reasonably close to Bergen airport as my flight only arrives in the late afternoon.
by molly
29 Mar 2023, 11:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bergen Youth Hostel & Bike Storage?
Replies: 5
Views: 538

Bergen Youth Hostel & Bike Storage?

Does anyone know if there's somewhere secure to store a bike here or whether they allow bikes in your room?
by molly
18 Dec 2022, 6:36am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Orkney Islands
Replies: 8
Views: 901

Re: Orkney Islands

Yes I can confirm it's as the previous poster and it's not a problem, all accommodations are geared up for the late arrivals off the boat. I've used the youth hostel, campsite and a B&B on various occasions. It's only a couple of miles into Kirkwall and the Pickaquoy campsite is easy to find. You'll receive instructions on where to pitch when you book. They also have a couple of camping pods ....
by molly
23 Jun 2022, 6:58pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring in Ireland
Replies: 109
Views: 9204

Re: Ireland - Recommendations

Thanks for the responses, they've already given me ideas to build on. I've only booked a one way crossing so that I have the flexibility to choose my route. I'm from the Northern Isles so I guess what counts as busy will be relative. I like the sound of Donegal and Fermanagh. Is wild camping accepted? I might need to intersperse my camping with B&B's but I've noticed prices this year seem to have rocketed :( . What time of year did you travel MrsHJ? Stunning and super friendly are adjectives I like :D
by molly
23 Jun 2022, 2:21pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring in Ireland
Replies: 109
Views: 9204

Ireland - Recommendations

I have booked myself and bike on a ferry to Belfast(one way) from Cairnryan in early August. I have two and a half weeks free to tour there with a tent and thought I'd ask for ay recommendations before I started planning. I prefer quieter roads and fewer people even if it means avoiding the coast. Any suggestions?
by molly
18 Mar 2022, 1:13pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: after hip replacement - handlebars?
Replies: 22
Views: 6645

Re: after hip replacement - handlebars?

Why not just fit a riser stem?
by molly
21 Sep 2021, 9:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: A sad,sad loss.
Replies: 15
Views: 2322

Re: Sad news

Such sad news. His videos were awesome and his exploits inspired me. I feel like I have lost a close friend.
by molly
31 Jan 2021, 7:13am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Hip replacement
Replies: 3
Views: 517

Re: Hip replacement

I am female and had a bi-lateral total hip replacement at 52. Despite being unable to walk without severe pain I had been able to continue competing and touring right up to the time of the op so had a high level of fitness at the time which was in December 2013. I had a very supportive consultant who understood my need to get back to cycling as soon as I could. With his help and encouragement I was able to get on a turbo trainer within a month by devising a way to avoid overextending the joints when getting on and off. By early February I took my first road ride and by March I was back to training abroad. Within a year I was back up to full speed competing, touring and bikepacking/camping....and without pain infact I forget I'm bionic these days. The best thing I did was go to a sports physio who helped and encouraged me telling me what I could do rather than stick with the NHS physio who although good was not geared up to dealing with athletes and only told me what I couldn't do but you do have to know your own body and recognise your limits.
by molly
7 Nov 2019, 8:45pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Carretera Austral
Replies: 7
Views: 889

Carretera Austral

Does anyone have any experience/advice regarding getting out to Chile from the UK with luggage and a bike to ride the Carretera Austral?
by molly
26 Oct 2019, 12:09am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Helmets in Spain
Replies: 56
Views: 9377

Re: Helmets in Spain

This is a comment not a judgement as I do believe people should have a choice on whether to wear a helmet or not however I have to speak up for wearing helmets because of personal experience. My helmet has prevented me having serious head injury on two occasions and almost certainly saved my life on another. The most serious incident did not involve traffic either just a dog on a badly managed extending lead!
I have been cycling in Spain several times a year for at least 10 years now and always wear a helmet. The helmet I wear is so light and airy that I hardly know I have it on. It is the same make and model that I had on when involved in the worst accident. Admittedly it was badly damaged but I have great faith in the brand(.. and before anyone asks it was a catlike whisper)
by molly
17 Jul 2018, 6:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Shetland, must ride roads
Replies: 6
Views: 909

Re: Shetland, must ride roads

Some of the path from the car park at Hermaness has been maintained by using wooden walkways, I assume this is whats meant by 'the boards'. The path takes you to the most northerly accessible point of the UK and it is well worth the trouble. From there you can see Muckle Flugga and the Out Stack beyond, both uninhabited therefore I'm sure you could claim to be the most northerly person in the UK
by molly
3 May 2018, 2:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Via de la Plata-How long to cycle?
Replies: 10
Views: 7577

Re: Via de la Plata-How long to cycle?

As an update and an answer to my original question I took 15 days to get from Seville to Santiago. I used the guide 'La Via de la Plata by Mardones, datchary and Bernard. As hinted at in the other posts some of the Camino was very tough going particularly when the weather turned nasty for a few days with rain and snow as some of the track was just too muddy but the National highway was never too far away as an alternative. I followed the Sanabria option and particularly enjoyed it. I had made time to continue my journey to Fisterra and Muxia and it was well worth the extra day cycling to get there, such a beautiful coast. Accommodation was not a problem and I stayed in a combination of albergues and hotels(which I often found for around 20Euros, Albergues half of that amount). I had intended to bivvy too but the weather was just not good enough for me although I did met a couple of cyclists who were wild camping. The only place I had problems finding secure storage for the bike overnight was the Albergue in Casar de Caseres where they wanted me to leave it in the bike rack on the street.
by molly
31 Oct 2017, 6:15am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bike friendly Accommodation in Malaga
Replies: 5
Views: 1306

Re: Bike friendly Accommodation in Malaga

Thanks for the recommendation but yes I have already found somewhere. The Hotel Goartin (close to the bus/train station) are happy to store my bike case for the week.
by molly
31 Oct 2017, 6:08am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Via de la Plata-How long to cycle?
Replies: 10
Views: 7577

Re: Via de la Plata-How long to cycle?

Wow! Brilliant advert for the route. thank you. I'm really looking forward to this. I hope you enjoy your second trip as much as the first and I will look out for you in April.