Cycling UK Forum

The few stages I've seen, have been hectic and full of people, but I've never been to the starting/finish line. Always in the middle with hundreds of cars, trucks and motorcycles whizzing by. They send out a party group in trucks with loud music, promotional items and dancers to all the towns the giro passes through about an hour before the arrival. They light the place up and get the crowds going. Quite the show
As far as I know there are no organized campgrounds at or near Piancavallo. The Italian authorities do not go out of their way to find illegal campers. As long as it's not on private property, posing a risk or a nuisance. It looks like they will be going up from Aviano. So that leaves a back road free. It begins in Barcis, in the Valcellina. It is quite the climb, though. Considering the the leg ends at Piancavallo and starts the next day at Pordenone, I assume they will spend the night in Pordenone ( a small city). So, it is reasonable to conclude that once the race ends, Piancavallo will be abandoned.
I can't comment on Stelvio

I cannot tell if the bolt is recessed, but a cut across the top and you can try a flat head screwdriver. If it's already gone. no worries, then

Thank you for the replies. Very informative!

I did not see this on the replies, but there is an established bike route from Salzburg to Grado, Italy called, the Alpe Adria. It also intersects with several other paths. The website provides quite a bit of info. https://www.alpe-adria-radweg.com/en/. I am sure there are several to get you from Vienna
At the Austria-Italy border you can choose to go south through Italy or go east through Slovenia

In Istria, The roads are narrow and I would advise staying off the coastal roads as they are usually full of campers and trailer homes with tourists clogging the roads.
The tourist websites for all these countries provide some good information for cyclists

The dynamos are a new concept to me, I understand how generators work and I remember as child riding the stationary bike at the science fair to run the lights and the music.
What I remember is the more things you turned on the greater the resistance on pedaling. Now, my question is; I am looking at a dynamo hub and the light choices are 15 lux and 25 lux. Will the higher powered light create more drag whilst turned on? If so, enough to hinder longer rides?

Cheers

Hello, everyone.
Just a quick update for anyone interested.
Right now, I am leaning towards converting my MTB. I discovered the LX crankset I removed from my old MTB has road ratio chainrings, 48-38-26. So, that will save me some money. I will see how it performs with the supsension fork, before looking to replace it.
And after a full, season of riding,I may be convinced to take the plunge and buy a true, full fledged touring bike. Time to start a bike fund.
Hopefully in April, I'll be able to do my first major trek of the year

Best of luck

Thanks for the replies. Some helpful tips. Unfortunately; Italy being a huge bike nation, puts it all into road bikes and MTBs. Touring bikes are rare and 2nd hand even rarer, and overpriced. For example, even at Decathlon, the bike I noted above has to be ordered and they have never had it in stock
Even though my present hybrid has given me a lot of great memories, the frame is not something that I would consider a keeper, I just don't believe it is worth saving. I prefer to donate it, perhaps to a family of refugees.
I have already dismantled my old MTB and save what parts I could, because the bottom bracket had seized.
I have looked at stores in Germany, Italy and on your side. I have found the best prices at Chain Reaction Cycle (even for German bikes). What is your opinion of them?
Comparing prices from CRC, they are 30-40% cheaper with their sale prices

It's a difficult decision, and I have lost some sleep over it. I am not not afraid I will purchase a bad bike, just not the best bike for the money.

The bike is about 19 yrs old and was made by a small producer near me. I live in Italy. And this was his first time using aluminum tubing, so I think he kind of half assed it. I even went to the shop to see about new parts and he was embarrassed when he could not provide them.
I sense quite the aggressive responses to my plight from ignorance. I hope more posters would consider the remainder of my post. If you consider the cost of refitting a bike it can be almost as much as a new bike.
I have gone to several bike shops and they did not show me a bike that cost less than 1,200 euro and even then, needed additional accessories.
If I've offended people who like to hang on to their old bikes I apologize, If someone believes it is impossible to not find parts, then you are a better person than me.

Hello. I am new to the forum and looking for some advice.
Until now, I have been using an old hybrid to do touring. Rear rack, 700cX35 tires. It's a worthy bike, the problem is, that it was one of the first hybrids to come out and the components are not standard. Seat post, fork stem, hub width, are no longer available. So now, I am looking to replace it (sadly). I cannot afford a full fledged touring bike, nor would I want to risk having a 2,000 euro bike stolen
My choices are:
1-Convert my MTB. I have a mid range MTB with decent components, but need to replace the shock fork with either a solid fork or one with lockout, new crankset with road ratio chainrings, fenders, slick tyres. In all, will cost around 400 euro.
2-Buy a new hybrid, a good one can be had for about 500 euro with an additional 100 to convert. Total: 600 euro
3- The Decathlon. Btwin Hybrid City Bike 700. A trekking bike, fully decked out. Good components, and all the touring accessories, a little heavy though. Price: 600 euro
I am not a full time rider. I do a few thousand kms a year. Mostly on paved or country roads, no off roading. Usually carry about 10-15 kgs of gear, but would like to start camping.
I would appreciate any sound advice.

Thank you