Just go! If you're intimidated by a big trip, just start with something small. One of my best trips was just a day trip from home with no packing, but a very full day.
Completely agree with what you mentioned. I can only add a couple of things. 1. If you’re encountering with the rain, keep pedaling until you get off the precipitation zone. It could take a while, but your body will stay hot as long as you’re pedaling. And it might be seen counterintuitive, but in case of a rain I prefer to change my boots to some open footwear. The skin is waterproof, and the water will just drop down. If you have your boots wet your body will dissipate a huge amount of heat trying to compensate the cooling. 2. Your gear is a function of where are you going and how far it from the civilization. You don’t want to stuck in the middle of nowhere with a puncher or broken chain without basic set of tools. 3. GPS navigation is awesome, but you have to understand how to read maps and do the basic orientation without compass. Don’t ask me why, you will understand it better one of these days.:)
Your advice is spot on! My husband and I have ridden across Spain, Canada to Colorado, Chile& Argentina and the EuroVelo 6 from Germany to Belgrade. I have a bombproof Surly Ogre with a Rohloff speed hub & my hubby has a Priority 600X. I, like you got a job at a bike shop to learn. Bikepacking/touring has been spectacular. We switched over from along distance backpacking, so our style is the more you carry, the more you hate yourself. LOL. I never leave my beloved puffy, rain jacket/pants. Like you said your gear is never perfect, but if you just start touring, you get dialed in pretty quick. Something we’ve found, since biking is so much faster than hiking is that you can almost always make adjustments to gear when you get to town, most places in the world. Also most people are kind and are willing to help if you are also kind and open. We’ve been on both sides, and have to say life is better when you’re out living it. Thx for your awesome, entertaining, inspiring and informative videos!
Thank you so much for this! There's a lot of wisdom crammed into this video. I'm 72 years old, and last year I received a new hip and knee. As soon as I recovered, I hopped on my 29'er hardtail MTB, which had been sitting in a corner for 5 years, and started riding again. I haven't stopped since. Every time I went out, I extended my range until last summer I was able to do a 250 mile solo tour. I learned piece by piece, step by step, what gear I needed, and what was most comfortable for me. In a few weeks I'll be getting my other knee replaced, and I'm already planning a 320 mile trip next summer. My new mantra is: "Better late than never"! I always check the weather. I always stay nourished and hydrated. I listen to the bike and my body, and I definitely try to stay positive, no matter what. I never feel as alive as I do when I'm rolling down the trail. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Be Well and Prosper!
You have a lot of great advice here. The one about respecting the weather is spot on. One thing I would add: Don't feel compelled to strictly follow the plan. It's totally OK to only go 30km in a whole day if you're not feeling too energetic. If you're having fun in a certain area, it's fine to just stop and hang out longer than you intended. Conversely, if you aren't feeling good about where you're going, it's Ok to take a temporary or permanent detour, or even just jump on a ferry or train and get out of there.
Evaluate with honesty and accuracy your relationship with your riding partner(s). Traveling with someone is one thing. Competing with, or being pressured by is another.
Always bring cold weather stuff. Did the bike ride in Wisconsin in Boulder junction Wisconsin 1992 first day of summer. In my 20 degree sleeping bag. The low temperature 22 degrees. I didn’t bring fingered gloves. My cycling sandals were chilly. It frosted on this ride for 3 days.
Outstanding point about weather. I'm in the desert southwest and it goes from low 70s in the days to below freezing at night. When I'm car camping it's nice thick foam pads. On the pedal bike....a different story, and I'm not in the mood to carry 20 lbs of sleep gear. Rode the Katy Trail once and that was my first with dealing with rain. Even in the summer it completely changes the situation. Yeah, weather is toughest part of living outdoors for 24/7. The modern age is very deceptive. Before cars, it was very rare to travel much more than a few miles a day. Humans aren't capable of carrying 200 lbs at 70 mph as cars routinely do. In the heat, the weight of water is fantastic. I've had three gallons on my pedal bike in 100+ degree days. Makes it very tough. Good video! Thanks for sharing.
@@SheelaghDaly Well thank you! I hope your videos (and all the others) inspire folks to ride a bike. Bikepacking is such a humbling and fun experience. Modern life is very deceptive - with all the technology. Bikepacking puts one back in time before cars, hot water at the tap and the like - at least to some degree. An activity that is good for the soul.
Hi Shelagh. Funny. I’m in the middle of a Bikepacking trip and have just finished a rest day. You are SO spot on about listening to your body, remembering it’s fun and being flexible with plans. Your comments resonated with me strongly.
I like these tips, particularly about keeping it fun and respecting the weather. Two tips from me, Pack light, I’ve tried both taking loads of stuff and taking minimal gear, apart from saving weight and space I find my mind is not cluttered with checking everything is in its place and packed daily, I even mailed about 3kg of stuff home from Scotland during my LEJOG tour a couple of years ago, it made the bike lighter and gave me a psychological boost. Second tip is go with the mindset that if it’s too tough I’ll just go home / book into accommodation / take a train or similar (I know I’m lucky to have the resources to make that possible), in other words do the bit of the route that’s in front of you. You may lose some money, have to face friends when you’ve abandoned your plans or feel you’ve wasted your time, but for me it’s going out with this mindset that got me bike touring in the first place and has kept me at it for about 12 years now. Thanks for putting your thoughts into this video Sheelagh.
Those are really good tips Sheelagh. Thank for sharing them. I always try to look around and listen for sounds of nature. And yes, we get to ride our bikes!
My self talk: "The worst days make for the best stories." "If you go looking for adventure and find it don't complain." I did my first solo tour in 1986 and my most recent one was in 2022. Hoping to do the next one in 2025 or 2026... I've been in some bad situations with the weather and people... animals not so much despite seeing from a bicycle seat most of what the U.S. has to offer (bears, coyote, fox, alligators, water moccasins, blah, blah, blah!). Tire pumps have been my nemesis! LOL I'm still here and have learned from my experiences... and those of others I've encountered in my travels. I'm still in contact with a couple people I met on the 1986 trip and stayed at one of their homes as recently as 2022... Life time friends!
Thank you, Sheelagh, for these tips. Truly made me refocus on my touring plans with a fresh perspective especially on the "Do not compare" part. By the way, your former road bike that I bought from you is still looking pretty!
Aww that makes me so happy that my old ride went to a happy home :) Thanks for the update! And I'm so glad you found the video helpful. Wishing you many great rides!
After doing the TransAm in 2022 (the Bicentennial route), I wrote a short paper on my lessons learned. These tips may not apply to all tours, but certainly apply to the route I took. This was my first tour, so I was learning as I went. Things I wish someone had told me before the ride: 1. Bring a free-standing tent. I used my lightweight trekking pole tent w/ auxiliary poles (Gossamer Gear The One), but it was useless when camping under a church or park pavilion. 2. Use combination pedals. I like the SPD system, but after 50 miles my toes started going numb, and I had to unclip. I would recommend a combination pedal with a platform and SPD capabilities. 3. Leave the stove and cookware at home. I had seen this advice on blogs but didn’t believe it. Most nights were spent in motels, churches, or with a WarmShowers host. Eating cold on the nights I actually camped would have made more sense. 4. Minimize your rain rear. I used my rain jacket only a few times, but ended up sending home my rain pants, rain mittens, booties, and helmet cover. If it was raining, I hunkered down until the storm passed. Riding in the rain is no fun, so minimal rain gear is all you need. 5. Practice fixing a broken chain. Mine broke in rural Kentucky and I was unable to repair, even though I had the parts and had watched the videos. Much harder to do in the field than in the shop on a bike stand. 6. Bring two rather three pairs of bike shorts. Many blogs recommend three, but I had access to wash facilities every day or two, so the third pair was not necessary. 7. Cycling tights aren’t needed. I wore mine twice for just a few hours. I know one rider who just wore capris, but I think I would look into leg or knee warmers next time. 8. Use bike jerseys. I started out with light weight performance tee shirts, but the combination of sweat and flapping fabric resulted in a rash on my stomach. Form fitting jerseys solved the problem. And they can be unzipped for additional cooling on those steep climbs. 9. Don’t buy bear repellant. Like most other riders, I ended up buying in Wyoming. Unless you are stealth camping, the odds of needing it are pretty low as long as you are smart about cooking and food storage. 10. Consider panniers other than Ortlieb. They are expensive and heavy. I would research this purchase next time and consider using the backpacking approach of a water repellant pannier with compactor bags for weather protection. 11. One 10,000 mAh Battery Bank will suffice. I brought a 10,000 plus a 12,500. Most times I was recharging directly from an outlet and seldom needed to utilize the battery. 12. Sun Sleeves are necessary. I had a mid-weight pair of arm warmers for chilly mornings, but ended up buying some OR sun sleeves when I got to Kansas. I never actually felt as though I was overheating with them on; if anything, they kept me cooler. 13. Bike Pumps w/ integral pressure gauge are a joke. I ended up buying a Zefal Twin Bicycle Tire Gauge that you could actually read. Keeping tire pressure up is important and having a gauge to monitor is paramount. 14. Leave the puffy coat at home. Used mine once or twice in Colorado and Wyoming. A good mid-layer is all you probably need. Added bonus, it can be worn while riding on chilly mornings until you get warmed up. Advice I received that was in fact correct: 1. Wahoo Elemnt Roam. This GPS was recommended by a former rider. I have been using Garmin equipment for backpacking but have found their logic to be clunky at times. The Wahoo was easy to use and interfaced easily with Strava. 2. EVT Safe Zone Helmet Mirror. Recommended on Treeline Review. Loved it much more than a handlebar mounted mirror which I have used in the past. 3. Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 Rear Bike Light. Another recommendation from Treeline Review. Fellow riders said they could see it from several hundred yards back. It is amazingly bright. 4. Use mountain bike shoes. Makes you feel like less of a dork when in town. Also nice for those occasions when you need to walk your bike (which happened a lot in the early parts of my trip.) 5. Kickstands are invaluable. Although my bike came with one (Bontrager Rear Mount Adjustable), I found out just how helpful they were when loading and unloading after I had to remove when a mounting hole became stripped. 6. Get a professional bike fitting. Worth the money. Mine was done by the fellow who started the program for Trek. We changed seats, handlebars (wider), and stem (less extension). Other Advice: 1. WarmShowers. Get the app and pay for the membership. I stayed at eight different private residences. All but one were good experiences. 2. Consider Credit Card Touring. I met several folks who didn’t carry camping gear and just utilized motels/hotels, churches, and WarmShowers. My trip kind of morphed into this when I got to Missouri and experienced a week of insane heat/humidity. 3. Best websites for planning: www.adventurecycling.org/ Home - Little Miss Bike Tour Bike Touring Packing List - Treeline Review 4. Best RUclips videos: Sarah Dickey Sæmundur Valdimarsson Paul Suchecki Sheelagh Daly
Yes Sheelagh, you ARE pretty cool and tough! 😉 Wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. Our bodies are our engines and they certainly need fuel and TLC. It's our trip and we should do it our way... that's what makes us all unique. Keep on rollin' and spreading the good vibes! 😍
Can confirm about the weather. Was riding during late winter (March, I think, of this year) after bill-paying, and got wet. Trouble is, it was raining most of the rest of the next few hours. I was getting into some serious hypothermia by the time I got home!
Gear is personal, hey. I loved your line, "There are as many ways to bike tour as there are people bike touring." That's the truth! Prep is good, adaptability is its equal, gear only needs to be good enough. That would be my advice to newbies.
I check the expected weather conditions (if I can access it).....the daily, hourly, and even down to the 15 minute increments at times. I look at the projected wind directions and speed. I look at air quality and humidity levels I also look at road conditions that I am planning to ride on. Essentially I look at the variables I have no control over. But, I can try and predict my response. Before a multi day trip, I like to do an overnighter to evaluate my setup. All that being said, stuff is gonna happen that is not expected. I like to think that some days may not go as planned, but it was still my day, and no one can take that away from me. And finally, look around, take in everything and have fun!
Do not pre book hotel/motel/campsite if planning long days. Stuff happens (wind, rain, mechanicals, etc). You do not want to force yourself into 16 hour days, which can stress the body and mind to ruining the remainder of your trip. Stop when your body and mind tell you to.
went on my first 600km+ bike packing adventure this year. was incredible, thanks for ur share and tips! (I am definitely going out again next year.). I whole heartedly agree , go for the adventure, not the destination... it's the bonus :)
Very good list. Nummer 5 I had to learn. Now train lines or Bus Services are a factor in planning. Just in case a weekend in a nice city seems more interesting than cycling boring places in bad conditions. If you have never been there accept that you might need to change something before you like it.
The last one is key!! When I start to hate it, we try to take a rest day. I've learned that hating it happens because we're pushing it too hard, and giving our legs a rest for a day means they can recover enough so that we can focus on the experience and not how hard it is. Great video!!
I'm lucky with gear. I'm an old hiker/backpacker. So true on over thinking bike gear. Weather! Respect it! Make yourself visible as much as possible. Hydration is a +. Take breaks when needed. The road isn't going anywhere. Thank you for sharing 😊. Ride On!
Sheelah, I fully agree with your advise. Very wise, and i feel the same learning of all these things apply for everyday life. What is the real benefit of "cool and tuff" if your adventure brings you major problems instead of joy? I like what you are saying!
Sir you encouraged me, I'm 58, avid cyclist and planning to do a lifetime trip on the bike from The Netherlands to Santiago de Compostella in 2025. But I'm doubting about my age and comming from a very tinny island.
@@reinaldomackintosh2278 If you're in good health gust go for it! I did my longest tour (Aylesbury UK to Alicante España) aged 64, I met plenty of cyclists older than me doing similar and greater distances, some on Ebikes and many on conventional bicycles.
You can do it. @@reinaldomackintosh2278. Enjoy being in the moment. You will have bad days but learn and grow from them. They will not last and remember, it's your journey. Take care, P
@@reinaldomackintosh2278 Never doubt yourself because of your age. I turned 64 on our recent one-year bike trip in Africa! And when we checked into a guesthouse in Valparaiso in Chile many years ago, the hostess couldn't wait to tell us about her previous guest: A German cyclist who had crossed the Andes from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Santiago) at the tender age of 95!!! So, you've another good 30 or 40 years of cycling ahead of you! 😉
Currently I'm trying to decide my sleeping setup, I wild camp and love my hammock, but I also like to use camp sites occasionally (to wash relax and rest) where a tent is more appropriate. I'll probably do both and use my tarp as a tent.
Bivy bags work great, if you don’t mind tight spaces. Not so great if you are trying to dry gear. Very compact and light weight. Keeps the bugs out better than hammock.
I've done that, used the tarp as a tent or a 'lean to'. I also have a hammock with a sewn in mosquito net (DD Hammocks), which you can use as a bivvy when the mosquitos are out in force.
All very good points. Every one is vital for a successful enjoyable safe cycling tour. Combined all together makes a difference in these parameters. Leave out or forsake one or two and it could take a toll on your overall tour. I was going to pick one that was the most important, but after really thinking about all the topics that you mentioned. If one is left out and forsaken. You will probably suffer because of this. Weather is so unpredictable, even from day to day and even in a couple of hours. So... it's best to have all types of clothing for various weather conditions: rain, cold, hot weather - (plenty of water, which is HEAVY, but needed. So a balance is needed for a ratio of either the amount of water or the distance traveled to compensate for its weight. The good news is as you drink it your overall weight will decrease). Traveling LIGHTWEIGHT is soooooooo overlooked too. Im not a weight-weenie, but too many items becomes a heavy burden day after day, and you begin to BURN OUT physically and mentally. This stems from fear, thinking we need every possible gear item while out on the road. Not so, less is better. Learn to do without all the comforts of home; and IF you really need something and don't have it, you can always buy it in a big city at a bicycle shop or camping store. Most of the time we really don't need what we think we need. Its really a mental issue that needs to be retrained for touring. I will say that top quality gear is much better than any Ol' gear. It is much lighter and packs down much smaller to fit in your panniers. Cheap gear is much more bulkier and heavier. A biggie that you mentioned is... Distance. As long as you have the extra time allotted, mileage per day is not important. Don't force yourself to be pushed to make it to the next town. This creates more problems. As long as you have enough water and food in between resupply stops, you can stealth camp in between long distances to shorten your daily milage. Wind, weather can cause you to not be able to cover the presumed mileage. ENJOY EVERY MILE! Don't make your tour a miserable daily experience. Incorporate all your points and embrace every mile and day with enjoyment. Take breaks from riding... Even walking with your bicycle, to relax and take a break from pedaling long continuous mileage. Thanks for your points. 👍
Totally agree about the weather -- some of my scariest situations have been weather-related. Here's another one: don't feel bad about using other forms of transportation (train, bus, boat, car, etc) if necessary. I've gotten to places where bikes were just not allowed on certain sections of road, or I could bypass some sections I wasn't really motivated for by taking a boat ride, for example (or boat was the only possible access). Unless you really have some special reason to ride every inch of the way, judicious use of other forms of transportation can potentially make your trip a lot more enjoyable or practical. In some places it's really easy to integrate train travel into your bike tour, and that can be a great benefit.
What I learned on my first tour is my physical and mental limits. Pushing past those limits put you in danger of injury, accident and a bad day. Remember it's not a race, it's an experience.
Great video. Funny how people seem to worry about what others are caring on their bike adventure. Those that carry less peddle less weight and those that carry more are seriously tough in many ways. Less is not more cool and everyone bring what makes you comfortable on your bike adventure.
Nice video. One other thing is that you don't need to spend a fortune on all the latest and greatest equipment that people like to flash about on youtube videos. I am still riding the same steel frame touring bike with 9 speed drivetrain and rim brakes from 20 years ago (obviously have had to replace some parts over the years as they wear), and it still does everything I need. Same with some of my other equipment like tent etc. Some people go touring on Walmart bikes.
Most important thing for me is a comfortable saddle. Currently, it's a LATA seat from, yes, good ol' Walmart. Loco Joe, likes them as well. Thin gell and heavy but, the most comfort I've used riding for years.
The last point, "staying positive" is so important, especially when things get tough, as they will from time to time (on cycle or bike packing tours and in life in general). For example, if the weather takes a turn for the worse (strong headwinds and rain being the worst) or in the latter part of the day, when you're particularly tired. There are two great Stoic quotes that state "We have no control over external events, only our response/reaction to those events" (Epictetus, Stoic philosopher). Also "The quality of your experience of life is determined by the colour of your thoughts" (Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher). Remember, you ALWAYS have a choice to experience life in a positive or a negative frame of mind, in any situation. Don't let negative thoughts take control of your emotions and control how you feel. Choose to not engage with negative thoughts and to always approach life with a positive frame of mind. Hope this helps.
One lesson I learned from experience was the balance between calories used in cycling and calories eaten. Which also ties in with rest days. You can easily burn more calories than you eat, using up your body's fat reserves to compensate, rest days can help with catching up on the eating!.
Always take some entertainment. Obviously on a bicycle you’re limited but even in the 1980s I carried a little radio, handheld computer game, small portable chess / checkers set, etc. People may laugh but even on a bicycle 🚲 one can get stranded or held up by floods, etc. On a motorcycle 🏍 I carried a bit more entertainment but the rule is always have some entertainment with you for down time.
One thing is sure, you are clearly not a nerd, you rock BIG TIME, and yes, we find you very cool and surely also ''tough'', at least to keep cycling as you do, you must be, right? Thank you for all your great videos 😘
My way to bike tour is on a recumbent, the best, there is no denying this. Also, I don't go to campgrounds or motels; I "stealth camp." Once you get over the initial taboo of it, it becomes really easy. I got caught once, and this is what the cops did, "you can't be here cause its private property," and I said o.k. and moved on. That's it, no jail time or a ticket.
Wild camping opens up the whole countryside as places to camp and doesn't restrict you to campsites. In ten years I've only ever been moved on once. Be stealthy, pitch late and strike camp early. Try to avoid camping in urban areas.
@@Redbird4912Your basic rules are good for motorcycle “stealth camping”, too. Never got caught. Never leave any discernible evidence you were there. Best motorcycle for this was my 250 cc 4 stroke. Small enough to wheel into the most unlikely places, big enough to carry a fair bit of camping gear and entertainments.
I've ridden in nasty rain storms but I endured. Cold is another thing altogether. I camped in Grant Village in Yellowstone (7,800 feet above sea level) in July with inadequate gear. I saved a half pound of weight on my bike but froze for 8 hours. Never again.
Heat is worse for me than the cold. Plus 30 C goes my limit. I took the train the last leg of my trip , and spent a couple of days at the destination instead .
@@joonaskekkonen5160 Whew! -30C would be really tough for me. On the other hand, though, I find +30C totally comfortable unless it's really humid or I'm doing lots of climbing.
Nice Video, good content! There is some "backgroundmusic", like seconds at 3:50.... to my ears its quite annoying.... "Backgroundmusic" while you are talking makes your speech/voice understood less.... Greets from the Baltic, Germany ;-)
Bike touring independently is quite different to going on a tour. I completed an organised tour, and had done only independent tours prior to this. Bike tours can be "expeditions", where the goal is to get you to a destination - how you are doing is not their concern, although they can "encourage" you. You go or you quit, and they will not tell you to quit, you have to. I would research very carefully next time I chose an "expedition" or preplanned tour, to make sure the pace is what you can, and want to. do. Otherwise it just isn't that much fun.
am in greece , so is hot , and not many forest or tree , so i carry a camo net just for shade , and bike from 9-13 ,, and 17-20 ,and since i like be comfortable at camp , i may take bit more gear ,
Many people treat biketouring/bikepacking as a torture test, like who can suffer more. Forgetting the you should enjoy the journey. Of course, if riding in 45C summer days, or ascending 3000m with a 40Kg loaded bicycle in a day are your cup of tea to enjoy biketour. Then ve my guest.
You have a good handle on being a 21st century Nomad. Being outside it is important to have good enough gear for the kind of tripping you do. All you folks following this vlog, think about using your gear every day of the year. Ride casual, work casual, think casual. When not on the bike add cross country ski trips, canoe trips, Kayak trips, backpacking, hiking, llama trips, horse trips, and any other human powered trip you can. Make moving under your own power not a vacation or a weekend warrior challenge, Make it a way of living. If that trips your trigger go for it. Don't let a fall, a bad weather trip, or too many hills be an excuse for sitting in front of the TV. Shit happens but that is part of being human. This past week my 57 year old son and myself 82 where doing a variation on a four-day trip we did 25 years ago, Starting at home and returning to our homes four days later. 25 miles into the trip I took a bad Crash, Boom, Bang, Ouch! Why did I crash? Maybe 1,000 minuscule body functions crossed paths at the same microsecond. End of the four-day trip in just a few short hours. No broken bones just some bad bruises and no one lost an eye. Was this my last time I will ever get on a bike, Hell NO. Sometimes stuff just happens no matter how many times or how often or how prepared. That is why it is called an accident. Since we were prepared, we both had a First Aid kits designed for road rash, bad falls and seasonal weather extremes. Injuries were limited because of proper clothing, eye protection, a good helmet, padded gloves, equipment secured to the bike and knowing how to fall.
So glad to hear it wasn’t more serious! And well said - the proper preparation can really help you in those moments. I’m happy you’ll be back out on more adventures!
When heat exhaustion sets in your need sodium to bring you back out of extreme dehydration, this is the most misunderstood aspect of it…I had heat exhaustion on a hike once and even though I was drinking plenty of water and even eating banana at the same time (sugar and potassium) it did almost nothing to help, and it wasn’t until I had the first gulp of a sports drink that it immediately and instinctively brought tears of joy/relief to my eyes as my body just knew that what I had just gulped down was what it needed and within a minute all the sensation returned to my limbs as my heart started to get the sodium it was so extremely deficient in to starting blood to my extremities again (google hyponatremia). Too much salt bas water intake can cause dehydration, but too much water vs salt that is being pumped out through the skin with perspiration is also just as bad
When I got my wife into bikepacking I relented on all the fears that my wife’s well meaning friends and family packed into her head. It wasn’t good enough to have our utility knives accessible, or know which gear could immediately improvise as clubs, we ended up adding fire arms and bear spray. It’s an annoying inconvenience to have both. The events that those would be appropriate for are statistically insignificant compared to the actual threats we encounter - viruses! On one trip I ended up hospitalized by a virus that I mostly likely got by shaking hands instead of fist bumping a guy who had stayed the night before at a notoriously unsanitary camp. Viruses are vastly more likely to seriously attack you than a human or a critter. You can’t club, stab, or shoot a virus. Life is not a video game or Hollywood movie - it is just not realistic to be equipped for every wild imagination scenario. Get a real, fact based understanding of the weather and security risks for your trip and equip for the highest probability, real situations you will be dealing with. BTW, habits can greatly reduce your security risks. One example; whenever stopped for snacks or woodland potty breaks wife and I always face each other’s direction. Combined we then almost always have a 360 degree view of the world around us. It only seems awkward until it has become an unconscious habit.
For me, I would just tress taking cre of your body in more detal. Research how to eat and then test it with maybe weekend trip. Every body and performance is different, but it's good to know basics of endurance sport nutrition. Other in is stretching and maybe doing some yoga/other small calistenic workout for core and arms. These can save you from quite a bit if issues.
I haven't weighed my gear in years so I'm not 100% sure. Maybe around 40lbs depending on how much food and water I need? I just carry what I need and feel comfortable with and don't worry too much about the weight :)
Touring cyclists usually take too much crap. Look at what long trail Backpackers take for hiking the PCT, or Appalachian Trail. Then, add a small repair kit for your bike. That is all you need. My experience: twice across U.S. with 18 pounds of gear, clothes, food.
I'm doing it in Iran 😁😁😁 not touring because it's kinda expensive I'm doing bike packing in Iran with my Giant Talon 0 hardtail, I couldn't afford a gravel bike or touring bike because they are even more expensive here, what ever you buy there it's twice the price here and there is no good condition second hand so for example my bike which is about 1000-1200 dollar in any other place in the world costs almost 2000 and the worst part is the wage is so minimum here that I spent 5 years of hard work to buy a mountain bike and use it as a touring bike, so if you are living in a free county you have to really really enjoy your life I'm now trying to get the hang of the bike packing and maybe one day I'll be able to leave this shit hole by just cycling 😁😁😁 although I don't even have a tent and those are extremely expensive maybe a month of work without spending a single dime and then there are lots of things that I have to buy so enjoy your free life I guess 🤐
@hellebarde1450 no where is free as the word means but I most certainly know here is the worst, it's more than 144 things here that if you do police can not only detain you but arrest you and put you in jail one which is taking video even random video of police in any situation, you don't have the right to do that, one of my friend went to jail for just hugging a tree in park in the middle of the city because apparently hugging and kissing abd any related love thing is illegal 🙄 so once again if you are living in a free county enjoy your damn life 🙄 because there are even worse places on this planet governed by fanatics, I believe all the politics are stupid but there's a huge difference between stupid and fanatic so yeah you are living in a free county whether you wanna accept it or not ✅👍😁
Probably a bit off the subject but when you mentioned your gear and yes, I understand that your video needs to be a certain time length to keep it interesting (which I found it to definitely be!) but when we ride with things like plain flat pedals and big, heavy hiking shoes (to protect the feet) we tend to get what I call 'pedalling fatigue' whereas the toes and the balls of the feet get sore because the feet are trying to constantly find a comfortable spot on the pedal(s) surface. Investing in a proper biking shoe and cleat is well worth the investment as your legs and feet will greatly appreciate you for it. I've seen 2, 4 and yes, even $800.00 shoe and cleats. This is absolutely unnecessary. The same goes for the helmet. As a mountain bike rider, I've had my share of head contact issues with both a tree as well as a jagged rock protruding out of the ground. My helmet ($60) allowed me to see another day.
Don't waste your money on ultra light backpacking gear - use moderate off the shelf light weight gear - You are going to put the gear on your bike not on your back.
Ah! The think that is taboo to talk about is money! Money is going to rule out what you can do and how you can do it! Every thing else is just gibberish!
Think of Christ vs. the Devil; God is LIGHT and good blessings/Goodness while the devil is Dark, negative and evil thoughts which brings turmoil, wars, divisions, etc.
I would love to hear your experiences! What are the most important bike touring lessons you've learned?
Having just done the NC 500.......pack lighter !
Just go!
If you're intimidated by a big trip, just start with something small.
One of my best trips was just a day trip from home with no packing, but a very full day.
Completely agree with what you mentioned. I can only add a couple of things.
1. If you’re encountering with the rain, keep pedaling until you get off the precipitation zone. It could take a while, but your body will stay hot as long as you’re pedaling. And it might be seen counterintuitive, but in case of a rain I prefer to change my boots to some open footwear. The skin is waterproof, and the water will just drop down. If you have your boots wet your body will dissipate a huge amount of heat trying to compensate the cooling.
2. Your gear is a function of where are you going and how far it from the civilization. You don’t want to stuck in the middle of nowhere with a puncher or broken chain without basic set of tools.
3. GPS navigation is awesome, but you have to understand how to read maps and do the basic orientation without compass. Don’t ask me why, you will understand it better one of these days.:)
Your advice is spot on! My husband and I have ridden across Spain, Canada to Colorado, Chile& Argentina and the EuroVelo 6 from Germany to Belgrade. I have a bombproof Surly Ogre with a Rohloff speed hub & my hubby has a Priority 600X. I, like you got a job at a bike shop to learn. Bikepacking/touring has been spectacular. We switched over from along distance backpacking, so our style is the more you carry, the more you hate yourself. LOL. I never leave my beloved puffy, rain jacket/pants. Like you said your gear is never perfect, but if you just start touring, you get dialed in pretty quick. Something we’ve found, since biking is so much faster than hiking is that you can almost always make adjustments to gear when you get to town, most places in the world. Also most people are kind and are willing to help if you are also kind and open. We’ve been on both sides, and have to say life is better when you’re out living it. Thx for your awesome, entertaining, inspiring and informative videos!
I book as little as possible. My destination is being bike touring. I may be heading somewhere but getting there is not why I cycle.
Thank you so much for this! There's a lot of wisdom crammed into this video. I'm 72 years old, and last year I received a new hip and knee. As soon as I recovered, I hopped on my 29'er hardtail MTB, which had been sitting in a corner for 5 years, and started riding again. I haven't stopped since. Every time I went out, I extended my range until last summer I was able to do a 250 mile solo tour. I learned piece by piece, step by step, what gear I needed, and what was most comfortable for me. In a few weeks I'll be getting my other knee replaced, and I'm already planning a 320 mile trip next summer. My new mantra is: "Better late than never"! I always check the weather. I always stay nourished and hydrated. I listen to the bike and my body, and I definitely try to stay positive, no matter what. I never feel as alive as I do when I'm rolling down the trail. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Be Well and Prosper!
Aww thank you for the beautiful message! Congrats on the solo 250-miler and good luck with the next one! 🙌
Good advice! Additional tips: Never pass up a bathroom opportunity, eat before you feel hungry and drink before you feel thirsty.
@@grettastone3725 ooh yes, very good ones!!
You have a lot of great advice here. The one about respecting the weather is spot on. One thing I would add: Don't feel compelled to strictly follow the plan. It's totally OK to only go 30km in a whole day if you're not feeling too energetic. If you're having fun in a certain area, it's fine to just stop and hang out longer than you intended. Conversely, if you aren't feeling good about where you're going, it's Ok to take a temporary or permanent detour, or even just jump on a ferry or train and get out of there.
Yesssssss such a good one! Absolutely crucial. Thanks for mentioning that!
This!
Evaluate with honesty and accuracy your relationship with your riding partner(s). Traveling with someone is one thing. Competing with, or being pressured by is another.
Great video! A major thing that I've learned through bicycle touring is the need to be flexible in your thinking, plans, etc.
Yes, well said. Very true!
Always bring cold weather stuff. Did the bike ride in Wisconsin in Boulder junction Wisconsin 1992 first day of summer. In my 20 degree sleeping bag. The low temperature 22 degrees. I didn’t bring fingered gloves. My cycling sandals were chilly. It frosted on this ride for 3 days.
“…or, if in PNW - wet weather stuff! (It can get cold, too!)”
@@dennisyoung4631 been there it was 2021 it was 100 degrees wildfire smoke air quality was bad. I had rain gear cold weather stuff.
Outstanding point about weather. I'm in the desert southwest and it goes from low 70s in the days to below freezing at night. When I'm car camping it's nice thick foam pads. On the pedal bike....a different story, and I'm not in the mood to carry 20 lbs of sleep gear. Rode the Katy Trail once and that was my first with dealing with rain. Even in the summer it completely changes the situation. Yeah, weather is toughest part of living outdoors for 24/7. The modern age is very deceptive. Before cars, it was very rare to travel much more than a few miles a day. Humans aren't capable of carrying 200 lbs at 70 mph as cars routinely do. In the heat, the weight of water is fantastic. I've had three gallons on my pedal bike in 100+ degree days. Makes it very tough. Good video! Thanks for sharing.
Ooof those 100+ days can be so tough. Thanks for sharing those experiences and insights!
@@SheelaghDaly Well thank you! I hope your videos (and all the others) inspire folks to ride a bike. Bikepacking is such a humbling and fun experience. Modern life is very deceptive - with all the technology. Bikepacking puts one back in time before cars, hot water at the tap and the like - at least to some degree. An activity that is good for the soul.
Hi Shelagh. Funny. I’m in the middle of a Bikepacking trip and have just finished a rest day. You are SO spot on about listening to your body, remembering it’s fun and being flexible with plans. Your comments resonated with me strongly.
I am so glad it resonates! I hope you have a great rest of your trip 😊
I like these tips, particularly about keeping it fun and respecting the weather.
Two tips from me,
Pack light, I’ve tried both taking loads of stuff and taking minimal gear, apart from saving weight and space I find my mind is not cluttered with checking everything is in its place and packed daily, I even mailed about 3kg of stuff home from Scotland during my LEJOG tour a couple of years ago, it made the bike lighter and gave me a psychological boost.
Second tip is go with the mindset that if it’s too tough I’ll just go home / book into accommodation / take a train or similar (I know I’m lucky to have the resources to make that possible), in other words do the bit of the route that’s in front of you. You may lose some money, have to face friends when you’ve abandoned your plans or feel you’ve wasted your time, but for me it’s going out with this mindset that got me bike touring in the first place and has kept me at it for about 12 years now.
Thanks for putting your thoughts into this video Sheelagh.
Great list! And listen to your bike. Address the little ticks and squeaks before they become bigger problems.
Ooooh YESSSSS!! That is such an important one! Thanks for mentioning!
@@alex1derrvid good point, a noise, Knock or squeak is normally the first indication that something needs attention.
Great video - with important advises! Recommandation!
Those are really good tips Sheelagh. Thank for sharing them. I always try to look around and listen for sounds of nature. And yes, we get to ride our bikes!
Aww yes, one of the best parts ♥️
My self talk: "The worst days make for the best stories." "If you go looking for adventure and find it don't complain." I did my first solo tour in 1986 and my most recent one was in 2022. Hoping to do the next one in 2025 or 2026... I've been in some bad situations with the weather and people... animals not so much despite seeing from a bicycle seat most of what the U.S. has to offer (bears, coyote, fox, alligators, water moccasins, blah, blah, blah!). Tire pumps have been my nemesis! LOL I'm still here and have learned from my experiences... and those of others I've encountered in my travels. I'm still in contact with a couple people I met on the 1986 trip and stayed at one of their homes as recently as 2022... Life time friends!
Haha those challenging moments really end up being the most memorable! And whoa those are some pretty cool animal sightings! Thanks for sharing :)
The less you know the more fun you have. Been touring for 9 years & nothing can compare to my first tour.
Thank you, Sheelagh, for these tips. Truly made me refocus on my touring plans with a fresh perspective especially on the "Do not compare" part. By the way, your former road bike that I bought from you is still looking pretty!
Aww that makes me so happy that my old ride went to a happy home :) Thanks for the update! And I'm so glad you found the video helpful. Wishing you many great rides!
After doing the TransAm in 2022 (the Bicentennial route), I wrote a short paper on my lessons learned. These tips may not apply to all tours, but certainly apply to the route I took. This was my first tour, so I was learning as I went.
Things I wish someone had told me before the ride:
1. Bring a free-standing tent. I used my lightweight trekking pole tent w/ auxiliary poles (Gossamer Gear The One), but it was useless when camping under a church or park pavilion.
2. Use combination pedals. I like the SPD system, but after 50 miles my toes started going numb, and I had to unclip. I would recommend a combination pedal with a platform and SPD capabilities.
3. Leave the stove and cookware at home. I had seen this advice on blogs but didn’t believe it. Most nights were spent in motels, churches, or with a WarmShowers host. Eating cold on the nights I actually camped would have made more sense.
4. Minimize your rain rear. I used my rain jacket only a few times, but ended up sending home my rain pants, rain mittens, booties, and helmet cover. If it was raining, I hunkered down until the storm passed. Riding in the rain is no fun, so minimal rain gear is all you need.
5. Practice fixing a broken chain. Mine broke in rural Kentucky and I was unable to repair, even though I had the parts and had watched the videos. Much harder to do in the field than in the shop on a bike stand.
6. Bring two rather three pairs of bike shorts. Many blogs recommend three, but I had access to wash facilities every day or two, so the third pair was not necessary.
7. Cycling tights aren’t needed. I wore mine twice for just a few hours. I know one rider who just wore capris, but I think I would look into leg or knee warmers next time.
8. Use bike jerseys. I started out with light weight performance tee shirts, but the combination of sweat and flapping fabric resulted in a rash on my stomach. Form fitting jerseys solved the problem. And they can be unzipped for additional cooling on those steep climbs.
9. Don’t buy bear repellant. Like most other riders, I ended up buying in Wyoming. Unless you are stealth camping, the odds of needing it are pretty low as long as you are smart about cooking and food storage.
10. Consider panniers other than Ortlieb. They are expensive and heavy. I would research this purchase next time and consider using the backpacking approach of a water repellant pannier with compactor bags for weather protection.
11. One 10,000 mAh Battery Bank will suffice. I brought a 10,000 plus a 12,500. Most times I was recharging directly from an outlet and seldom needed to utilize the battery.
12. Sun Sleeves are necessary. I had a mid-weight pair of arm warmers for chilly mornings, but ended up buying some OR sun sleeves when I got to Kansas. I never actually felt as though I was overheating with them on; if anything, they kept me cooler.
13. Bike Pumps w/ integral pressure gauge are a joke. I ended up buying a Zefal Twin Bicycle Tire Gauge that you could actually read. Keeping tire pressure up is important and having a gauge to monitor is paramount.
14. Leave the puffy coat at home. Used mine once or twice in Colorado and Wyoming. A good mid-layer is all you probably need. Added bonus, it can be worn while riding on chilly mornings until you get warmed up.
Advice I received that was in fact correct:
1. Wahoo Elemnt Roam. This GPS was recommended by a former rider. I have been using Garmin equipment for backpacking but have found their logic to be clunky at times. The Wahoo was easy to use and interfaced easily with Strava.
2. EVT Safe Zone Helmet Mirror. Recommended on Treeline Review. Loved it much more than a handlebar mounted mirror which I have used in the past.
3. Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 Rear Bike Light. Another recommendation from Treeline Review. Fellow riders said they could see it from several hundred yards back. It is amazingly bright.
4. Use mountain bike shoes. Makes you feel like less of a dork when in town. Also nice for those occasions when you need to walk your bike (which happened a lot in the early parts of my trip.)
5. Kickstands are invaluable. Although my bike came with one (Bontrager Rear Mount Adjustable), I found out just how helpful they were when loading and unloading after I had to remove when a mounting hole became stripped.
6. Get a professional bike fitting. Worth the money. Mine was done by the fellow who started the program for Trek. We changed seats, handlebars (wider), and stem (less extension).
Other Advice:
1. WarmShowers. Get the app and pay for the membership. I stayed at eight different private residences. All but one were good experiences.
2. Consider Credit Card Touring. I met several folks who didn’t carry camping gear and just utilized motels/hotels, churches, and WarmShowers. My trip kind of morphed into this when I got to Missouri and experienced a week of insane heat/humidity.
3. Best websites for planning:
www.adventurecycling.org/
Home - Little Miss Bike Tour
Bike Touring Packing List - Treeline Review
4. Best RUclips videos:
Sarah Dickey
Sæmundur Valdimarsson
Paul Suchecki
Sheelagh Daly
Yes Sheelagh, you ARE pretty cool and tough! 😉 Wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. Our bodies are our engines and they certainly need fuel and TLC. It's our trip and we should do it our way... that's what makes us all unique. Keep on rollin' and spreading the good vibes! 😍
Awww haha thank you so much :)
Thanks for your wisdom insight and experiences. Great advice.
I look forward to seeing your channel.
Happy to have you here! 😊
Great advice, thank you!
Can confirm about the weather.
Was riding during late winter (March, I think, of this year) after bill-paying, and got wet.
Trouble is, it was raining most of the rest of the next few hours. I was getting into some serious hypothermia by the time I got home!
Hypothermia really is such a scary aspect of getting rained on! Happy to hear you made it home 💛
Gear is personal, hey. I loved your line, "There are as many ways to bike tour as there are people bike touring." That's the truth! Prep is good, adaptability is its equal, gear only needs to be good enough. That would be my advice to newbies.
Oooh "prep is good, adaptability is equal" -- I love that. Perfectly said. Thanks for sharing that!
I check the expected weather conditions (if I can access it).....the daily, hourly, and even down to the 15 minute increments at times. I look at the projected wind directions and speed. I look at air quality and humidity levels I also look at road conditions that I am planning to ride on. Essentially I look at the variables I have no control over. But, I can try and predict my response. Before a multi day trip, I like to do an overnighter to evaluate my setup. All that being said, stuff is gonna happen that is not expected. I like to think that some days may not go as planned, but it was still my day, and no one can take that away from me. And finally, look around, take in everything and have fun!
Do not pre book hotel/motel/campsite if planning long days. Stuff happens (wind, rain, mechanicals, etc). You do not want to force yourself into 16 hour days, which can stress the body and mind to ruining the remainder of your trip. Stop when your body and mind tell you to.
Oooh that's a great one!
difficult on main Saison. On some places all is booked out, especially hotels.
great list. my main takeaway from all my trips is to slow down. subbed
Love that! Yes, so important. Thanks for joining :)
went on my first 600km+ bike packing adventure this year. was incredible, thanks for ur share and tips!
(I am definitely going out again next year.). I whole heartedly agree , go for the adventure, not the destination... it's the bonus :)
Ahhh congratulations!! That is awesome. Wishing you many more! :)
Rock solid advice 💪
Worst weather for me is Wind!
Wind +heat
Wind +rain
Wind +cold/snow
Wind +wind
Cheers for the experience driven advice.
🦘☮️🚴
Very good list. Nummer 5 I had to learn. Now train lines or Bus Services are a factor in planning. Just in case a weekend in a nice city seems more interesting than cycling boring places in bad conditions. If you have never been there accept that you might need to change something before you like it.
The last one is key!! When I start to hate it, we try to take a rest day. I've learned that hating it happens because we're pushing it too hard, and giving our legs a rest for a day means they can recover enough so that we can focus on the experience and not how hard it is.
Great video!!
Totally agree!! Love those rest days :)
I'm lucky with gear. I'm an old hiker/backpacker. So true on over thinking bike gear. Weather! Respect it! Make yourself visible as much as possible.
Hydration is a +. Take breaks when needed. The road isn't going anywhere.
Thank you for sharing 😊. Ride On!
Excellent tips! Thanks for mentioning the hydration and breaks :)
Sheelah, I fully agree with your advise. Very wise, and i feel the same learning of all these things apply for everyday life. What is the real benefit of "cool and tuff" if your adventure brings you major problems instead of joy? I like what you are saying!
Most important thing for me (perhaps because I'm 65) is rest, if I don't get enough I'll get ill and it's not nice and takes a few days to recover.
Yes totally agree, rest is huge for me also 🙌
Sir you encouraged me, I'm 58, avid cyclist and planning to do a lifetime trip on the bike from The Netherlands to Santiago de Compostella in 2025. But I'm doubting about my age and comming from a very tinny island.
@@reinaldomackintosh2278 If you're in good health gust go for it! I did my longest tour (Aylesbury UK to Alicante España) aged 64, I met plenty of cyclists older than me doing similar and greater distances, some on Ebikes and many on conventional bicycles.
You can do it. @@reinaldomackintosh2278. Enjoy being in the moment. You will have bad days but learn and grow from them. They will not last and remember, it's your journey. Take care, P
@@reinaldomackintosh2278 Never doubt yourself because of your age. I turned 64 on our recent one-year bike trip in Africa! And when we checked into a guesthouse in Valparaiso in Chile many years ago, the hostess couldn't wait to tell us about her previous guest: A German cyclist who had crossed the Andes from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Santiago) at the tender age of 95!!! So, you've another good 30 or 40 years of cycling ahead of you! 😉
Currently I'm trying to decide my sleeping setup, I wild camp and love my hammock, but I also like to use camp sites occasionally (to wash relax and rest) where a tent is more appropriate. I'll probably do both and use my tarp as a tent.
Bivy bags work great, if you don’t mind tight spaces. Not so great if you are trying to dry gear. Very compact and light weight. Keeps the bugs out better than hammock.
@@becker517 whether I use a hammock or a tent I'll always take an ex military bivi, just in case.
I've done that, used the tarp as a tent or a 'lean to'. I also have a hammock with a sewn in mosquito net (DD Hammocks), which you can use as a bivvy when the mosquitos are out in force.
Great tips!! Thanks!!
All very good points.
Every one is vital for a successful enjoyable safe cycling tour.
Combined all together makes a difference in these parameters.
Leave out or forsake one or two and it could take a toll on your overall tour.
I was going to pick one that was the most important, but after really thinking about all the topics that you mentioned.
If one is left out and forsaken. You will probably suffer because of this.
Weather is so unpredictable, even from day to day and even in a couple of hours.
So... it's best to have all types of clothing for various weather conditions: rain, cold, hot weather - (plenty of water, which is HEAVY, but needed. So a balance is needed for a ratio of either the amount of water or the distance traveled to compensate for its weight.
The good news is as you drink it your overall weight will decrease).
Traveling LIGHTWEIGHT is soooooooo overlooked too.
Im not a weight-weenie, but too many items becomes a heavy burden day after day, and you begin to BURN OUT physically and mentally.
This stems from fear, thinking we need every possible gear item while out on the road.
Not so, less is better.
Learn to do without all the comforts of home; and IF you really need something and don't have it, you can always buy it in a big city at a bicycle shop or camping store. Most of the time we really don't need what we think we need.
Its really a mental issue that needs to be retrained for touring.
I will say that top quality gear is much better than any Ol' gear. It is much lighter and packs down much smaller to fit in your panniers.
Cheap gear is much more bulkier and heavier.
A biggie that you mentioned is... Distance.
As long as you have the extra time allotted, mileage per day is not important. Don't force yourself to be pushed to make it to the next town. This creates more problems.
As long as you have enough water and food in between resupply stops, you can stealth camp in between long distances to shorten your daily milage.
Wind, weather can cause you to not be able to cover the presumed mileage.
ENJOY EVERY MILE!
Don't make your tour a miserable daily experience.
Incorporate all your points and embrace every mile and day with enjoyment.
Take breaks from riding...
Even walking with your bicycle, to relax and take a break from pedaling long continuous mileage.
Thanks for your points. 👍
Totally agree about the weather -- some of my scariest situations have been weather-related.
Here's another one: don't feel bad about using other forms of transportation (train, bus, boat, car, etc) if necessary. I've gotten to places where bikes were just not allowed on certain sections of road, or I could bypass some sections I wasn't really motivated for by taking a boat ride, for example (or boat was the only possible access). Unless you really have some special reason to ride every inch of the way, judicious use of other forms of transportation can potentially make your trip a lot more enjoyable or practical. In some places it's really easy to integrate train travel into your bike tour, and that can be a great benefit.
Totally agree! Thanks for mentioning that!
What I learned on my first tour is my physical and mental limits. Pushing past those limits put you in danger of injury, accident and a bad day. Remember it's not a race, it's an experience.
Great video. Funny how people seem to worry about what others are caring on their bike adventure. Those that carry less peddle less weight and those that carry more are seriously tough in many ways. Less is not more cool and everyone bring what makes you comfortable on your bike adventure.
So true! Everyone has their own unique way that works for them and that’s to be celebrated ♥️
Sounds like great advice 😄
Nice video. One other thing is that you don't need to spend a fortune on all the latest and greatest equipment that people like to flash about on youtube videos. I am still riding the same steel frame touring bike with 9 speed drivetrain and rim brakes from 20 years ago (obviously have had to replace some parts over the years as they wear), and it still does everything I need. Same with some of my other equipment like tent etc. Some people go touring on Walmart bikes.
Most important thing for me is a comfortable saddle. Currently, it's a LATA seat from, yes, good ol' Walmart. Loco Joe, likes them as well. Thin gell and heavy but, the most comfort I've used riding for years.
The last point, "staying positive" is so important, especially when things get tough, as they will from time to time (on cycle or bike packing tours and in life in general). For example, if the weather takes a turn for the worse (strong headwinds and rain being the worst) or in the latter part of the day, when you're particularly tired. There are two great Stoic quotes that state "We have no control over external events, only our response/reaction to those events" (Epictetus, Stoic philosopher). Also "The quality of your experience of life is determined by the colour of your thoughts" (Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher). Remember, you ALWAYS have a choice to experience life in a positive or a negative frame of mind, in any situation. Don't let negative thoughts take control of your emotions and control how you feel. Choose to not engage with negative thoughts and to always approach life with a positive frame of mind. Hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing those quotes! I hadn't heard that one by Marcus Aurelius :)
You'd be ok in the UK, we don't get weather, only samples!
😂😂
There's a saying in Scotland "If you don't like the weather, just wait fifteen minutes"😂
One lesson I learned from experience was the balance between calories used in cycling and calories eaten. Which also ties in with rest days. You can easily burn more calories than you eat, using up your body's fat reserves to compensate, rest days can help with catching up on the eating!.
Always take some entertainment. Obviously on a bicycle you’re limited but even in the 1980s I carried a little radio, handheld computer game, small portable chess / checkers set, etc. People may laugh but even on a bicycle 🚲 one can get stranded or held up by floods, etc.
On a motorcycle 🏍 I carried a bit more entertainment but the rule is always have some entertainment with you for down time.
Oh my gosh, a portable chess/checkers set... I love it! Totally agree, some entertainment is a great idea :)
One thing is sure, you are clearly not a nerd, you rock BIG TIME, and yes, we find you very cool and surely also ''tough'', at least to keep cycling as you do, you must be, right? Thank you for all your great videos 😘
Aww thank you so much!! That means a lot 😊
My way to bike tour is on a recumbent, the best, there is no denying this. Also, I don't go to campgrounds or motels; I "stealth camp." Once you get over the initial taboo of it, it becomes really easy. I got caught once, and this is what the cops did, "you can't be here cause its private property," and I said o.k. and moved on. That's it, no jail time or a ticket.
Wild camping opens up the whole countryside as places to camp and doesn't restrict you to campsites. In ten years I've only ever been moved on once. Be stealthy, pitch late and strike camp early. Try to avoid camping in urban areas.
@@Redbird4912Your basic rules are good for motorcycle “stealth camping”, too. Never got caught. Never leave any discernible evidence you were there. Best motorcycle for this was my 250 cc 4 stroke. Small enough to wheel into the most unlikely places, big enough to carry a fair bit of camping gear and entertainments.
Great tips. 👍
Lovely tipps
I've ridden in nasty rain storms but I endured. Cold is another thing altogether. I camped in Grant Village in Yellowstone (7,800 feet above sea level) in July with inadequate gear. I saved a half pound of weight on my bike but froze for 8 hours. Never again.
Ooof that sounds brutal. Yeah the cold at altitude can be so tough. Happy to hear you made it through that!
Heat is worse for me than the cold. Plus 30 C goes my limit. I took the train the last leg of my trip , and spent a couple of days at the destination instead .
Heat can really do us in for sure! Glad you changed course and found a solution that worked :)
Having ridden semi-long distances both in -30C and +30C I would prefer the warmth. But we all have our own preferences and risk calculations.
@@joonaskekkonen5160 Whew! -30C would be really tough for me. On the other hand, though, I find +30C totally comfortable unless it's really humid or I'm doing lots of climbing.
That's very valuable tips. A lot of people think they need be a hero everyday. 😂😂😂😂
Your cool. Thanks for the info.
Nice Video, good content! There is some "backgroundmusic", like seconds at 3:50.... to my ears its quite annoying.... "Backgroundmusic" while you are talking makes your speech/voice understood less....
Greets from the Baltic, Germany ;-)
Bike touring independently is quite different to going on a tour. I completed an organised tour, and had done only independent tours prior to this. Bike tours can be "expeditions", where the goal is to get you to a destination - how you are doing is not their concern, although they can "encourage" you. You go or you quit, and they will not tell you to quit, you have to. I would research very carefully next time I chose an "expedition" or preplanned tour, to make sure the pace is what you can, and want to. do. Otherwise it just isn't that much fun.
Good advise ... Much Love ❤
am in greece , so is hot , and not many forest or tree , so i carry a camo net just for shade , and bike from 9-13 ,, and 17-20 ,and since i like be comfortable at camp , i may take bit more gear ,
Many people treat biketouring/bikepacking as a torture test, like who can suffer more. Forgetting the you should enjoy the journey.
Of course, if riding in 45C summer days, or ascending 3000m with a 40Kg loaded bicycle in a day are your cup of tea to enjoy biketour. Then ve my guest.
You have a good handle on being a 21st century Nomad. Being outside it is important to have good enough gear for the kind of tripping you do. All you folks following this vlog, think about using your gear every day of the year. Ride casual, work casual, think casual. When not on the bike add cross country ski trips, canoe trips, Kayak trips, backpacking, hiking, llama trips, horse trips, and any other human powered trip you can. Make moving under your own power not a vacation or a weekend warrior challenge, Make it a way of living. If that trips your trigger go for it. Don't let a fall, a bad weather trip, or too many hills be an excuse for sitting in front of the TV. Shit happens but that is part of being human. This past week my 57 year old son and myself 82 where doing a variation on a four-day trip we did 25 years ago, Starting at home and returning to our homes four days later. 25 miles into the trip I took a bad Crash, Boom, Bang, Ouch! Why did I crash? Maybe 1,000 minuscule body functions crossed paths at the same microsecond. End of the four-day trip in just a few short hours. No broken bones just some bad bruises and no one lost an eye. Was this my last time I will ever get on a bike, Hell NO. Sometimes stuff just happens no matter how many times or how often or how prepared. That is why it is called an accident. Since we were prepared, we both had a First Aid kits designed for road rash, bad falls and seasonal weather extremes. Injuries were limited because of proper clothing, eye protection, a good helmet, padded gloves, equipment secured to the bike and knowing how to fall.
So glad to hear it wasn’t more serious! And well said - the proper preparation can really help you in those moments. I’m happy you’ll be back out on more adventures!
One mantra I repeat to myself when bike touring especially climbing a long hill is "each moment is finite in nature with a beginning and an end"
Oooh that’s a good one!
When heat exhaustion sets in your need sodium to bring you back out of extreme dehydration, this is the most misunderstood aspect of it…I had heat exhaustion on a hike once and even though I was drinking plenty of water and even eating banana at the same time (sugar and potassium) it did almost nothing to help, and it wasn’t until I had the first gulp of a sports drink that it immediately and instinctively brought tears of joy/relief to my eyes as my body just knew that what I had just gulped down was what it needed and within a minute all the sensation returned to my limbs as my heart started to get the sodium it was so extremely deficient in to starting blood to my extremities again (google hyponatremia). Too much salt bas water intake can cause dehydration, but too much water vs salt that is being pumped out through the skin with perspiration is also just as bad
My beginning teacher: Bicycle Touring Pro (Darren Alff), but unfortunately is no longer touring.
He was such a help when I was starting out too!
wise!! thanks
When I got my wife into bikepacking I relented on all the fears that my wife’s well meaning friends and family packed into her head. It wasn’t good enough to have our utility knives accessible, or know which gear could immediately improvise as clubs, we ended up adding fire arms and bear spray. It’s an annoying inconvenience to have both. The events that those would be appropriate for are statistically insignificant compared to the actual threats we encounter - viruses! On one trip I ended up hospitalized by a virus that I mostly likely got by shaking hands instead of fist bumping a guy who had stayed the night before at a notoriously unsanitary camp. Viruses are vastly more likely to seriously attack you than a human or a critter. You can’t club, stab, or shoot a virus. Life is not a video game or Hollywood movie - it is just not realistic to be equipped for every wild imagination scenario. Get a real, fact based understanding of the weather and security risks for your trip and equip for the highest probability, real situations you will be dealing with.
BTW, habits can greatly reduce your security risks. One example; whenever stopped for snacks or woodland potty breaks wife and I always face each other’s direction. Combined we then almost always have a 360 degree view of the world around us. It only seems awkward until it has become an unconscious habit.
For me, I would just tress taking cre of your body in more detal. Research how to eat and then test it with maybe weekend trip. Every body and performance is different, but it's good to know basics of endurance sport nutrition. Other in is stretching and maybe doing some yoga/other small calistenic workout for core and arms. These can save you from quite a bit if issues.
Cycling alone is a different ball game!
How much do you carry when doing bike touring
I haven't weighed my gear in years so I'm not 100% sure. Maybe around 40lbs depending on how much food and water I need? I just carry what I need and feel comfortable with and don't worry too much about the weight :)
@SheelaghDaly ahh okey,,,im planning a bike tour here in the philippines, around 2000km,,, my gear is around 40lbs and its heavey,,,hehe
@@AbnerACantigaJr Oh cool! I'd love to bike tour in the Philippines one day :) Happy riding!
True words!
Thanks.
Touring cyclists usually take too much crap. Look at what long trail Backpackers take for hiking the PCT, or Appalachian Trail. Then, add a small repair kit for your bike. That is all you need. My experience: twice across U.S. with 18 pounds of gear, clothes, food.
I'm doing it in Iran 😁😁😁 not touring because it's kinda expensive I'm doing bike packing in Iran with my Giant Talon 0 hardtail, I couldn't afford a gravel bike or touring bike because they are even more expensive here, what ever you buy there it's twice the price here and there is no good condition second hand so for example my bike which is about 1000-1200 dollar in any other place in the world costs almost 2000 and the worst part is the wage is so minimum here that I spent 5 years of hard work to buy a mountain bike and use it as a touring bike, so if you are living in a free county you have to really really enjoy your life I'm now trying to get the hang of the bike packing and maybe one day I'll be able to leave this shit hole by just cycling 😁😁😁 although I don't even have a tent and those are extremely expensive maybe a month of work without spending a single dime and then there are lots of things that I have to buy so enjoy your free life I guess 🤐
@hellebarde1450Sounds like you support freedumb.
@hellebarde1450 no where is free as the word means but I most certainly know here is the worst, it's more than 144 things here that if you do police can not only detain you but arrest you and put you in jail one which is taking video even random video of police in any situation, you don't have the right to do that, one of my friend went to jail for just hugging a tree in park in the middle of the city because apparently hugging and kissing abd any related love thing is illegal 🙄 so once again if you are living in a free county enjoy your damn life 🙄 because there are even worse places on this planet governed by fanatics, I believe all the politics are stupid but there's a huge difference between stupid and fanatic so yeah you are living in a free county whether you wanna accept it or not ✅👍😁
It is easier to have an accudent under the full load. Stay ficused and use the laws of physics to your advantage.
Probably a bit off the subject but when you mentioned your gear and yes, I understand that your video needs to be a certain time length to keep it interesting (which I found it to definitely be!) but when we ride with things like plain flat pedals and big, heavy hiking shoes (to protect the feet) we tend to get what I call 'pedalling fatigue' whereas the toes and the balls of the feet get sore because the feet are trying to constantly find a comfortable spot on the pedal(s) surface.
Investing in a proper biking shoe and cleat is well worth the investment as your legs and feet will greatly appreciate you for it.
I've seen 2, 4 and yes, even $800.00 shoe and cleats. This is absolutely unnecessary.
The same goes for the helmet. As a mountain bike rider, I've had my share of head contact issues with both a tree as well as a jagged rock protruding out of the ground. My helmet ($60) allowed me to see another day.
Have ever toured Washington State
Don't waste your money on ultra light backpacking gear - use moderate off the shelf light weight gear - You are going to put the gear on your bike not on your back.
Yea i brought a 30 kg dog with me 😂
And one more - ride your own plan - do not try to race someone else on the road. It can destroy your plan :D
@@pyrana_kole7241 yep, there will always be someone stronger, fitter and faster.
Bring lots of nuts and dried fruit.
👌👌👌
Ah! The think that is taboo to talk about is money!
Money is going to rule out what you can do and how you can do it!
Every thing else is just gibberish!
Why torturing oneself?
Les gens on fait trois voyage à velo veulent donner des conseils mdr
Boboland
Think of Christ vs. the Devil; God is LIGHT and good blessings/Goodness while the devil is Dark, negative and evil thoughts which brings turmoil, wars, divisions, etc.