Search found 198 matches

by randomblue
21 Apr 2014, 4:41pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: mobile phone options for Europe
Replies: 35
Views: 7476

Re: mobile phone options for Europe

3 euros a day can get pretty expensive when you're on an extended trip though =\
by randomblue
21 Apr 2014, 2:33pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: mobile phone options for Europe
Replies: 35
Views: 7476

Re: mobile phone options for Europe

Popped into SFR (one of the French providers) at lunch. Was told you have to pay 10E for the sim itself and then you buy data bundles, for example 9E will get you 1gb to use over 7 days. They don't really have long term low useage options and they don't have tops ups of basic credit with a per text/minute/MB system like in the uk, when you buy a top up you're buying a specific package of minutes/texts/data which is only valid for a limited length of time. It's like buying a contract package really. They only do a 7 day data one and the multiuse ones that last longer are like 20-30E in which case you might as well stick with roaming data.

With orange the SIM costs 1E90 and there are three types of credit:
- data only top ups are 5E for 150MB over 1 week, or 10E for 500MB over 2 weeks.
- basic credit is available but data uses 50 cents per MB. You do get a free extra so for example you pay 5E and get 6E of credit, the more you buy the more you get for free eg 15E -> 20E, 100E -> 150E
- package credit that also gives you minutes and texts to french numbers (might be handy if you're booking accommodation as you go etc). 5E option lasts one week, unlimited texts and 20MB of internet. 10E option lasts one week, unlimited calls and texts with 100MB data. Monthly options are 20 or 30E both with unlimited calls and texts and 300MB/1GB data respectively.

To be completely honest (and especially if you can use your kindle for emails) I wouldn't bother with getting a local sim in france at least. It's lots of hassle for probably little/no saving. You're better off sticking with roaming data on EE.

Roll on when they ban roaming charges next year!
by randomblue
21 Apr 2014, 10:10am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: mobile phone options for Europe
Replies: 35
Views: 7476

Re: mobile phone options for Europe

I'm not sure about local SIMs (although I'll have more updates on French payg sims in the next few days when I get to the shops with my French housemate!) but out of UK roaming data options the best I've found is £1/20MB (to be used in one day) from EE payg. You can get the SIM itself free from their website. Works out to be 5p/MB which is much much better than the 45p+ you'd be paying on other networks or on 3 in non feel-at-home countries!! The EE option also means if you don't find yourself needing internet for a day or you're in a town when you can limit your use to wifi you're not paying anything at all. Could still add up on the bill if you use it every day though!

Will let you know what the cheapest French sim works out to be =)
by randomblue
19 Apr 2014, 9:20pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Editing GPX routes (Solved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3025

Re: Editing GPX routes (Solved)

Good to know! Thanks! =D
by randomblue
19 Apr 2014, 12:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Editing GPX routes (Solved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3025

Re: Editing GPX routes (Solved)

Thanks for the extra suggestions!

Editing it like that sounds not so easy soton!!

Have updated first post to show the problem is solved and to add the solution for anyone finding this thread in future!
by randomblue
19 Apr 2014, 9:43am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Editing GPX routes (Solved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3025

Re: Editing GPX routes

Thank you!!! Sorry for my stupid questions!!
by randomblue
19 Apr 2014, 9:13am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Editing GPX routes (Solved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3025

Re: Editing GPX routes

Thanks for the tip sweep, just had a look and for some unknown reason Import is greyed out? No obvious reason why >_<
by randomblue
19 Apr 2014, 8:53am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Editing GPX routes (Solved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3025

Re: Editing GPX routes

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried re-drawing but the sections I'm looking at are between 350 and 600km and because they're on bike routes which don't seem to always show up on the map I had trouble getting the re-drawn route to actually match the one shown.

With basecamp I know you can edit the track but I can't seem to find a way to load externally made GPX files, I could only find the options to create one in the basecamp program and then edit that?
by randomblue
18 Apr 2014, 9:41pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Editing GPX routes (Solved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3025

Editing GPX routes (Solved)

Hi all!

I'm doing the last few bits of prep ready for setting off in 3 weeks and have a question about GPX routes. Several sections of my route follow eurovelo routes and I've found GPX files showing these routes on [url]biroto.eu[/url] which I wanted to take with me. I was wondering if anyone knows of a way that I can just cut out the section I need from a long GPX route rather than having to load up several thousand km worth of directions? I have garmin basecamp installed but can only seem to find options to create a new route rather than one which allows you to load pre-made gpx's to edit them? Or would I need different software?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Edit: So it turns out this is pretty easy to do in Basecamp, I just had Undefined selected which meant I couldn't import the gpx file.

For anyone who find this thread and wants a sumamry of the solution:
In basecamp import the gpx by selecting my collection on the file organisation on the left, then File > Import and select your GPX file.
Then there's a setting to 'Divide' a route (looks like little scissors snipping a ribbon) if you select this and then click somewhere on your GPX route it'll split into two sections, you then just click then one you want to get rid of and hit delete. Job done! Just export it back to a new GPX file and you and load it onto whatever device you want it on =)

Also, it's apparantly now possible to do this in bikeroutetoaster =)
by randomblue
17 Apr 2014, 9:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Campsites and currency for Netherlands Holiday..
Replies: 7
Views: 2153

Re: Campsites and currency for Netherlands Holiday..

I personally found the caxton FX card to be the best option for managing cash abroad.

For camping etc in netherlands this website has lots and lots of cycle friendly options both for accommodation and places to eat etc etc!

Good lcuk with your trip! =)
by randomblue
16 Apr 2014, 6:24pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Summer Temperatures UK
Replies: 4
Views: 513

Re: Summer Temperatures UK

I found this to be a really useful site regarding weather. Shows both forecasts for the coming days, historical data and averages with highs lows etc. You have to specify a city rather than being able to put the whole of the UK but if you put in for example the northernmost city and the ones you'll start and end in (since those are likely to be your coldest times due to dates/location) it'll give you a pretty good idea =)
by randomblue
11 Apr 2014, 10:33am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Poor service with new bike - dangerous gears?
Replies: 18
Views: 2239

Re: Poor service with new bike - dangerous gears?

Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately I'm not going through the Netherlands so won't be able to take it there!!
by randomblue
10 Apr 2014, 9:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Insurance for trips over 100 days
Replies: 8
Views: 2837

Re: Insurance for trips over 100 days

Axa does single trip cover up to 365 days which I believe is renewable too?

I was under the impression for the ctc one you just needed the yearly cover if you were going more than 100 days? Admittedly I didn't get as far as reading the small print though!

Will be interested to see what other suggestions come up here as I need insurance for 130 days worth soon!
by randomblue
10 Apr 2014, 5:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Poor service with new bike - dangerous gears?
Replies: 18
Views: 2239

Re: Poor service with new bike - dangerous gears?

CJ wrote:I don't know about France, but laissez faire is a French phase that describes the situation in Britain where any Tom, Dick or Harry can run a bike shop and/or work as a bike mechanic, whereas in Germany you need a diploma. This and planning restrictions on out of town retail makes it difficult for the likes of Decathlon to expand in Germany, and last I checked they didn't have many stores there.


This! So true! It's no wonder the French have a phrase for it!

When I first took it back in today two guys kind of hung it up and spun the wheel and changed the gears and generally looked pretty clueless until another guy came over and sorted it out. Evidently hired as sales staff and not technical staff!

Just checked and I see what you mean about the limited shops in Germany, but as I said I can take it to a local bike shop there and at least be sure that whoever is looking at it is more likely to know what they're doing!! Hopefully it'll be something I can adjust easily and that'll be that though!!

As for decathlon service pete, my experience in both London and France has not been encouraging - I walked away without buying anything in London because the service was so useless and the only reason I shop there at all is because in France there isn't another option!! I'm sure there are branches out there with really helpful staff and knowledgeable mechanics but out of the 4 I've been to that's yet to be the case!
by randomblue
10 Apr 2014, 4:18pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Poor service with new bike - dangerous gears?
Replies: 18
Views: 2239

Re: Poor service with new bike - dangerous gears?

Ahah thanks! Makes me feel a bit better about paying for the stupid thing twice in less than a month!!

As I said I've not managed to find any bike shops around here other than decathlon so am stuck doing it myself as the bike won't be going back to the UK before my tour. If I have problems along the way I can always take it into a local bike shop once I'm out of France. I feel like (speaking very stereotypically) getting it checked up in Germany would have a much better result - even within decathlon. I say this as a big generalisation and I know there are obviously always exceptions but my experience in general of living in France when it comes to service quality is that they just don't care xD

I'll have a thorough look at that webpage tonight and see where I get! I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow with some more specific questions!!