Cycling UK Forum

I'm not being funny here, but...how about using a map, scribbing your route, with whatever notes are relavent and your current position on it. Then take photos of the map as you travel to post on social media or whatever? If it seems contrary, I work in a lab and planning experiments/work/etc, it's ...

As someone who was localish (and took it for granted) and only cycled thru a couple of times since, I'm not gonna be massive help, but random thoughts: - there's plenty of climbs but they're often quite short and sharp. - the tearoom crowds that busies parts of the Dales etc, are completely absent. ...

I don't know much about this section of the Danube, but as a general point cycling down rivers...fisherman often put up tents while they're out fishing at night, if they can get away with it I don't see why we can't with a bit of common sense. For all intents to anyone casting a casual glance you're...

In my first tours my kit included stuff like: pair of doc martens for the evening, medium sized ghettoblaster, folding chair. I've taken a weber BBQ on a 4 day tour before but can't really say that's part of my regular kit. Nowadays, I'd say civvie clothes for the evening (at least a regular shirt, ...

I don't think I'd worry too much about weight on that route. It'll be flat and you'll probably have the wind behind you. I'm guessing it gets lumpy if you're following it up to Norway, but you'll have the legs for it by then. After an op that limits how much I can strain I'm a little more mindful of...

The road in to Stonehenge is a busy dual carriageway. Not a great end to a cycle trip. That's the A303 - there's no need to go anywhere near that on a bike! ...and with the recent alterations you can no longer access Stonehenge from the A 303. Tho it has been closed to traffic you can still cycle t...

Did a 6 month tour of India & Laos on a Cotic Road Rat a number of years ago, although not a great touring bike, it certainly did the job with a few modifications. Just make sure you take a spare rear gear hanger, mine was broken in Laos and it essential ended our tour, this is the one down sid...

I've got a Roadrat, but use it as a commuter rather than a tourer. It's the old frame, so may not be entirely relavant...however - There is a little flex if you load it up with like 20kg, but it's nothing that would put me off touring on it. You can also stick Surly forks on it (either Disc Trucker ...

Spoons food can be a bit outofabox but the steaks are decent (especially if you pay extra for the aberdeen angus) and the beer is great, varied and cheap. No great etiquette at any time - select a table, note the number, order food at bar, relax. Agree - as long as you stick to steaks, burgers, etc...

It's been a while since been over to Ireland, but it suprises me they'd eat so late. Overhere pubs typically serve food till about 9-10-ish. It is probably normal to eat and hour or two before. It's a little confusing, as imo, at resturants, people will eat later and they might be open till 11 or 12...

My first tour was only about 7 years ago, but in that time I've got my first smart phone, joined facebook, etc. The smart phone made on the hoof research realatively easy. It's still slow as browsing goes, so I only tend to use it when I have to. Facebook and social media - well that has a corruptin...

I take a small bottle of oil and a rag stuffed under the saddle. I'll clean the chain when it gets noisey. It might be a once every few days, or a couple of times aday. Riding thru sand, wet mud, clay, etc will soon strip oil and/or trash the drivetrain. I don't really bother cleaning otherwise. The...

On the run up, just do some overnighters or weekend trips with your full load. Enjoy the training! Even mid-week trips are doable. I used to cycle the 30miles over to Ivenhoe Beacon from my house, camp up for the night, cycle back next morning, go swimming (for the shower), then go to work. There's ...

I went over there with the OH this year - 4 days near La Roche-en-Ardenne at a great little campsite next to the river that lets you light campfires ( http://www.campingmaka.be/ ), another 4 days at the campsite in Brugge. Both were good but I think there's much more to get your teeth into in the Ar...

They are now on Ultimate 6 and I'm not sure I approve of the 'improvements'! bit of cord to hold the map case on - recipe for disaster, fixed inner organiser, why? and what's with the locking feature - the thing goes everywhere I do! Gah, fixed inner organiser?! On the earlier versions, first thing...