Search found 48 matches

by northerncyclist
21 Feb 2022, 11:53am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: US travel insurance
Replies: 26
Views: 1421

Re: US travel insurance

All Clear insurance single trip cover can be 92 days...Cycling is included but not BMX or mountain biking....No mention of touring but if you are in the mountains on a cycle path is that mountain biking?.... I dont know.
by northerncyclist
3 Oct 2021, 7:51pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling the Spanish Mediterranean Coast
Replies: 13
Views: 1343

Re: Cycling the Spanish Mediterranean Coast

I dont know if you are aware but if you go into Andalucia you cannot ride through Parque Nacional de Donana. You will likely need to go via Seville, Jerez de la Frontera and then Cadiz....worth doing though Cadiz is lovely and Seville has good cycling infrastructure. No worries about crowds I have just come back from a tour of Andalucia and there were very few tourist.
by northerncyclist
12 Jul 2021, 12:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Well worth a watch
Replies: 9
Views: 774

Re: Well worth a watch

sorry did not see that...
by northerncyclist
12 Jul 2021, 12:41pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Well worth a watch
Replies: 9
Views: 774

Well worth a watch

I am sure we have all been in similar situations on the road where we are blamed for basically doing nothing wrong....What do you think ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXeRKq-1WG8
by northerncyclist
24 May 2021, 1:12pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Data route finding
Replies: 6
Views: 1381

Re: Data route finding

Thank you for taking the time to give such a detailed answer Pasamathe..The bank is a major consideration these days for touring. If due to an unexpected circumstance I need to buy an expensive train/ bus ticket etc for sure they will want/ need to phone me......

It is very interesting to know that Google maps uses only 5 mb an hour ph. I thought it would be a lot more..... There is certainly a lot to consider in this and you have both helped me along the way.
by northerncyclist
24 May 2021, 12:23pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Data route finding
Replies: 6
Views: 1381

Data route finding

Hi ...I am new to mobile phones and now have a Samsung smartphone that needs a sim card....I want to use the phone for everyday use in the U.K. ...plus route finding in the U.K. and overseas on the bicycle...Also I want to use it for booking accomodation whilst on the go (overseas) and receiving international calls (for example from my bank) .

To keep things on track I am aware maps.me works off line.... I will use wi-fi whenever possible...I dont want to watch films, you tube or play video games etc...My upcoming tours will be to Spain and Thailand and I also know about Covid !!

My question is how much data should I be looking at for cycle touring ?

Many Thanks
by northerncyclist
24 Mar 2021, 1:23pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Headstead and packing a bicycle
Replies: 14
Views: 743

Re: Headstead and packing a bicycle

Thank you so much....I really appreciate your replies, I can safely say you have answered my question.

So now I will buy the locking headset spacer from SJS and will leave it in place. Hopefully only a competent mechanic (not me) will change it once I have it on. Makes me wonder why my LBS (that I use a lot) did not recommend this fix to me.
by northerncyclist
24 Mar 2021, 11:33am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Headstead and packing a bicycle
Replies: 14
Views: 743

Re: Headstead and packing a bicycle

Thank you all for your replies....The headset spacer looks the thing to get. .....Could I ask does the locking headset spacer replace a spacer permanently or would I use it just for transporting the bike ? .....Just to add my Koga is 15 years old.
by northerncyclist
24 Mar 2021, 10:14am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Headstead and packing a bicycle
Replies: 14
Views: 743

Headstead and packing a bicycle

Difficult to explain (for me) so please bear with me....

I regulary travel with my bike on planes and for the packing I need to take off butterfly handlebars.........To keep the spacers of the headset in place I have always used a shorter stem bolt complete with a top (fixed) that went into the place stem bolt goes. This kept the spacers together, unfortunately I have lost this most important item.

My question is what should I buy to replace this ? There are many options on the web but I have no idea what to get .....(for example) some say what size 1 1/18 inch (no idea what that means), some are carbon fibre, most items have a seperate top and bolt and some have a long stem bolt which I guess would not work for me.I would like the cap to be close to the spacers. How do I work out the size needed ?


My LBS have been less than helpful even though I use them a lot. I ride a Koga world traveller if that helps and the bolt with top will be used solely for packing the bike. I am open to suggestions about what to use instead of this in fact it would be useful to know any work arounds in case I find myself without one in the future.

Many Thanks Steve
by northerncyclist
22 Jan 2021, 4:26pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring overseas 2021
Replies: 75
Views: 4549

Re: Touring overseas 2021

“I am thinking about an overseas tour in the winter of 2021......But I am hesitating to book as I am unsure about the effects of the virus on the trip. First and foremost rules and regulations regarding masks, covid tests etc and then more importantly I am very unsure about safety in countries I have previously deemed safe. I am sure there will be many very desperate people due the virus. Do you share my apprehension about the dangers of collapsed economies?”

The original post from the the guy now complaining about COVID and politics in the thread]


Where is the politics in the original thread ?

Not sure where the hand holding comment came from but at least its not politics and is I guess it is cycle touring related....Not for me though I tour solo and have done so for many years.
by northerncyclist
22 Jan 2021, 3:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring overseas 2021
Replies: 75
Views: 4549

Re: Touring overseas 2021

Actually this whole forum is becoming a covid, Brexit, Boris this, Boris that soapbox with experts sat behind their keyboards.........Perhaps it is too much to ask for those of you that enjoy talking round in circles about politics to do that elsewhere....I quite agree with teamonster it would be refreshing to talk about bicycle touring without the thread being hijacked into politics. Most of the covid posts tend to have political overtones which have become quite boring for most of us.
by northerncyclist
22 Jan 2021, 11:14am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring overseas 2021
Replies: 75
Views: 4549

Re: Touring overseas 2021

The really great thing about this forum is the way threads just go their own way and have nothing to do cycling or the original question.....
Now where was I ?
by northerncyclist
14 Jan 2021, 7:02pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring overseas 2021
Replies: 75
Views: 4549

Re: Touring overseas 2021

Yes I am thinking about beyond Europe in winter 2021...... The thoughts of being turned away from restaurants / hotels does not worry me too much but I did not have the experience of this happening to me in spring...Perhaps if it is common knowledge westerners have had the chance of the vaccine most people will believe you have had it and are virus free....A bit like you are western so you are rich........ .

Quarantine is a concern but that is something I would not do, I would just change my flight dates or country of travel. ........slow vaccine roll out is definitely an issue as most third world countries probably wont start vaccinating until the end of this year. I guess this aligns with the issues mentioned.

The biggest worry for me though is the economic pressure within the countries. Poor areas / countries can be some of the most friendly to cycle but desperate people may be another matter altogether.
by northerncyclist
14 Jan 2021, 12:45pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring overseas 2021
Replies: 75
Views: 4549

Re: Touring overseas 2021

Do you mean now or December?


Good question....I mean generally from March / April onwards....I am looking at December.
by northerncyclist
14 Jan 2021, 12:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring overseas 2021
Replies: 75
Views: 4549

Touring overseas 2021

I am thinking about an overseas tour in the winter of 2021 but am totally unsure what I will do. I know where I want to go and the prices of flights are great with good airlines and free exchange....But I am hesitating to book as I am unsure about the effects of the virus on the trip. First and foremost rules and regulations regarding masks, covid tests etc and then more importantly I am very unsure about safety in countries I have previously deemed safe. I am sure there will be many very desperate people due the virus.

So what about you ? Have you any plans for trips overseas in 2021 ? Do you share my apprehension about the dangers of collapsed economies or are you just looking to take advantage of cheap flights and free exchange ?