Very nice video, and on the whole, I agree with the advice. However, this seems to be geared more towards the 'epic' end of cycling tours. So my #0 advice would be: when you start thinking about bicycle touring, start small, go for an overnighter, then for 3-4 nights, then a week. Figure out your gear and get accustomed to riding hours on end over multiple days. Only then start thinking about any continent spanning journeys. Certainly ones where you'll cycle for 8-12 hours per day (seriously??? That's crazy as far as I'm concerned - I don't think I ever cycled more than 6-6.5 hours while on a multi-day tour). On the other hand, with shorter trips, your leeway in terms of waiting out the weather may be more limited, due to prebooked accommodations, so my take on that advice would be - don't be shy of cutting an occasional corner using a train or a bus. As for WS - there's quite a lot of controversy around this app in the last few years, but luckily, other similar services exist.
Great video - thanks for the tips! Just wanted to add that Warrmshoers is a RECIPROCAL hosting community, and I thoroughly recommend all touring cyclists become active members, both as guests AND hosts.
I abandoned that site as I had hosted over a dozen people over the years and then when I traveled l got crickets back so crew that community also the ones that did stay couldn’t even be bothered posting a comment so people knew you hosted.
Thank you for another excellent video! One of the most important concepts in any bicycling is the 'fit'. Apparently in the UK and Australia it's common to have fitters who will bring you into a studio and watch you pedal a stationary bike. In something as dynamic as repetitiously pedaling a piece of equipment every little variable makes a difference, from the saddles, pedals and handlebars to centimeters of distance to set them. Then there are the rest of us folks who spent decades and thousands of miles figuring it all out on our own. Fortunately in this interconnected modern world there are RUclips videos which explain the fitting processes pretty well. Of course many people have completely different ideas on the topic, so some discretion is involved. Bonne chance!
Alex, when you rode without padded shorts did you still use antichafe cream? I wear merino wool underwear but I'm looking for underwear that are seamless too reduce chafing.
I usually only use anti chafe cream about once a week at most on a tour. I have been wearing Ex-Officio give-n-go boxer briefs for years (not sponsored). I pretty much only wear Ex-Officio and I’m so used to them I don’t think I could get used to something else, but they work really well for me.
I think the biggest mistake is trying to do too many Kms a day it seems to be only a US thing as they don’t get much in the way of annual leave so everything is rushed but 130+ kms a day is crazy to me .
I agree. I just did a UK LEJOG tour, with un unnamed company, who were great, but the distances per day were beyond my capabilities (over 120 km per day, save 2, at +20 km/hr average speed), considering the hills of the UK, and the narrow roads. I just didn't want to be away for any longer, but it wasn't fun, just exhausting, and ultimately depressing. You can't appreciate anything if you are that tired (not a strong enough word). Lessons learnt... Anything less than 100 km was fine - not easy, but OK.
Does anyone know where to get real sheep chamois bike shorts, like we used to wear back in the day. I have had it with the thick spongy inner. they are hot and uncomfortable on day after day rides. I now ride with a lightweight thing padded under short or ride commando. Your saddle can slowly slide down especially on bumpy roads or tails. This can happen in one day or over weeks and before you realize the problem your knees ache and your butt is sore. Make a gage of some type for a quick Measurment, i.e. fingers. or a small rule. I carry one to true a rim. If you have brought more stuff than you need, send it home or drop it off at a church thrift shop or to someone you meet on the road.
That’s a great question. We discussed our budget for our London to Istanbul trip our Q&A video. We only had 1 country we needed to get a Visa for which was Türkiye, but we were able to do that online right at the border. If we were to do a tour through multiple countries that require a visa, we would make sure to plan ahead and apply for the visas in advance
I’ve never understood why people think to make comments like this without any thought to what type of terrain/touring people are doing. I’m currently 3000km into a Europe/UK tour on 2.8” MTB tyres. Some days I wish I had thinner rolling tyres, others I’m off-road and exploring MTB trails or screaming down dodgy potholed roads, thoroughly glad I’m on safe/comfortable tyres. I may be a bit slower than the thin tyre tourers, but hey, If I was in a rush I wouldn’t be on a bike!
@@ajnabial-finlandi416 No problem. I was just making sure newer bikepackers know that there's no "right way" to do it. There's the way that's right for each individual.
Very nice video, and on the whole, I agree with the advice. However, this seems to be geared more towards the 'epic' end of cycling tours. So my #0 advice would be: when you start thinking about bicycle touring, start small, go for an overnighter, then for 3-4 nights, then a week. Figure out your gear and get accustomed to riding hours on end over multiple days. Only then start thinking about any continent spanning journeys. Certainly ones where you'll cycle for 8-12 hours per day (seriously??? That's crazy as far as I'm concerned - I don't think I ever cycled more than 6-6.5 hours while on a multi-day tour). On the other hand, with shorter trips, your leeway in terms of waiting out the weather may be more limited, due to prebooked accommodations, so my take on that advice would be - don't be shy of cutting an occasional corner using a train or a bus. As for WS - there's quite a lot of controversy around this app in the last few years, but luckily, other similar services exist.
Great video - thanks for the tips! Just wanted to add that Warrmshoers is a RECIPROCAL hosting community, and I thoroughly recommend all touring cyclists become active members, both as guests AND hosts.
That’s true! Thanks for adding that. Such a great platform.
I abandoned that site as I had hosted over a dozen people over the years and then when I traveled l got crickets back so crew that community also the ones that did stay couldn’t even be bothered posting a comment so people knew you hosted.
Thank you for another excellent video!
One of the most important concepts in any bicycling is the 'fit'. Apparently in the UK and Australia it's common to have fitters who will bring you into a studio and watch you pedal a stationary bike. In something as dynamic as repetitiously pedaling a piece of equipment every little variable makes a difference, from the saddles, pedals and handlebars to centimeters of distance to set them. Then there are the rest of us folks who spent decades and thousands of miles figuring it all out on our own. Fortunately in this interconnected modern world there are RUclips videos which explain the fitting processes pretty well. Of course many people have completely different ideas on the topic, so some discretion is involved. Bonne chance!
Excellent advice. One caveat: when making saddle adjustments make very small ones. Just a millimeter or two can make all the difference.
Awesome. Thank you. Great advice.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing! Got a lot of inspiration from your videos. Flying out to do the eurovelo 17 later this week. First tour!
Wow that’s amazing! That’s so exciting! Hope you have a blast! 🙌🏼 would love to hear how it goes!
Thanks. Really like your videos.
Thanks! Glad you like them! ☺️
Great advice. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Many thanks ❤
You're welcome 😊
👍👍🇮🇳🇮🇳❤❤ Kerala India
The problem with Warmshowers is the implied obligation to host others down the road.
Alex, when you rode without padded shorts did you still use antichafe cream? I wear merino wool underwear but I'm looking for underwear that are seamless too reduce chafing.
I usually only use anti chafe cream about once a week at most on a tour. I have been wearing Ex-Officio give-n-go boxer briefs for years (not sponsored). I pretty much only wear Ex-Officio and I’m so used to them I don’t think I could get used to something else, but they work really well for me.
Mons Royale makes boxers in merino wool that don’t have seams in the crotch area. These work for me at least.
I think the biggest mistake is trying to do too many Kms a day it seems to be only a US thing as they don’t get much in the way of annual leave so everything is rushed but 130+ kms a day is crazy to me .
I agree. I just did a UK LEJOG tour, with un unnamed company, who were great, but the distances per day were beyond my capabilities (over 120 km per day, save 2, at +20 km/hr average speed), considering the hills of the UK, and the narrow roads. I just didn't want to be away for any longer, but it wasn't fun, just exhausting, and ultimately depressing. You can't appreciate anything if you are that tired (not a strong enough word). Lessons learnt... Anything less than 100 km was fine - not easy, but OK.
Does anyone know where to get real sheep chamois bike shorts, like we used to wear back in the day. I have had it with the thick spongy inner. they are hot and uncomfortable on day after day rides. I now ride with a lightweight thing padded under short or ride commando. Your saddle can slowly slide down especially on bumpy roads or tails. This can happen in one day or over weeks and before you realize the problem your knees ache and your butt is sore. Make a gage of some type for a quick Measurment, i.e. fingers. or a small rule. I carry one to true a rim. If you have brought more stuff than you need, send it home or drop it off at a church thrift shop or to someone you meet on the road.
What about budget? Also, how do you arrange for visas etc when you’re touring around the world?
That’s a great question. We discussed our budget for our London to Istanbul trip our Q&A video. We only had 1 country we needed to get a Visa for which was Türkiye, but we were able to do that online right at the border. If we were to do a tour through multiple countries that require a visa, we would make sure to plan ahead and apply for the visas in advance
Did they take your money?
You would have needed touring bikes with better rolling tyres. Nice videos thou. Been there :)
German bakeries are the best!
I’ve never understood why people think to make comments like this without any thought to what type of terrain/touring people are doing. I’m currently 3000km into a Europe/UK tour on 2.8” MTB tyres. Some days I wish I had thinner rolling tyres, others I’m off-road and exploring MTB trails or screaming down dodgy potholed roads, thoroughly glad I’m on safe/comfortable tyres. I may be a bit slower than the thin tyre tourers, but hey, If I was in a rush I wouldn’t be on a bike!
@@DeanTodd I was not talking about you.
@@ajnabial-finlandi416 No problem. I was just making sure newer bikepackers know that there's no "right way" to do it. There's the way that's right for each individual.
Ewww that saddle, no wonder!
You will take to much stuff so send it home if you have not used it.
Great tip! Thanks