Love you guys. Two comments: 1) along with charging cell phones and batteries when it is possible, always fill or top off water bottles when fresh water is available. 2) Never, never leave valuables your bike (phone, wallet, passport)when you go into a store or restaurant. I'm 65 and have been bike touring since the early 80's. Your advice is spot on. Love both of you
Thank you very much for the tips! I was an informant on a big bike and hike fair in the Netherlands. I translated your 10 do’s and 11 don’t for big cycle trips. A lot of people were interested and even made a picture of the sheets. I made a remark that they came from your RUclips films. I am an experienced bicycle traveler but will start next year, right after retirement, with the GDMBR. First time bikepacking…. But I am confident That I’ll make it work. Again, thank you for the (most are obvious) do’s and don’t ‘s…🚴♂️🚴♂️💪💪👍👍🇱🇺
To expand on your tip of riding your loaded bike at least once; I recommend riding it to work. Take everything you expect to need on the trip, and ride it in both directions each day. This will soon acclimatise people to how their bike feels to ride and also gives an opportunity to ponder what stuff you really need and what you don't.
My issue is biking by great places for pictures. Always feel a little bad after I go by. So now I try to stop whenever I see something cool and take a picture. Of course at 61 I can't stop to long or the old legs get stiff. Really like your videos. Take care and stay safe, Al
#8 is definitely one I need to work on.. as a fairly new cyclists I tend to get too focused on numbers.. kilometres, speed , top speed , avg speed etc.. I think if I’d relax and enjoy the scenery a bit more It would feel more like an adventure rather than an exercise session
Ladies, I love this!!! I'm embarking on my first tour in a few weeks and hearing all this was encouraging and very helpful. I'll be documenting it too!
Oh my gosh, I love this video so much I needed to comment twice 😂just subscribed and added this to my "bike touring for beginners" playlist. So many truths here and in such a relateable and doable presentation. Love it!!
Great advice! I fully agree with all of your points. I don't worry about the distance. I focus on time. Put in the time and the distance will come. If you're worried about making a certain distance every day, then why ride a bike?
DO have a dry run at putting up a new tent before taking it on the road. You really don't want to find out there are parts missing or the instructions are inadequate in a sudden thunderstorm. If you haven't got a patch of lawn to put it up on take a picnic to the park. You could even go on your bike :)
Yes, yes, yes! This falls under use gear you have tested, but it's really good to point out doing a dry run with the tent so thank you! Would also advise setting it up like it's pouring rain too (we never tried this and it was pretty comical the first time we tried while it was pissing down in Taiwan)
I love the SPOT tracker (satellite) it just means someone home knows where you are more or less and you can (extra, but a small cost) have SOS service too should you ever need it.
I think the selling point in one respect is, if you have a sudden accident where your incapacitated, the there is a Last Know Location, to start a search. Especially if there is no mobile coverage. And even in the UK and Europe which is fairly densely populated there are lots of dead spots for mobile. Plus all the other scenarios. You can of course become over confident by having the satellite backup location service and do stupid things but most people don’t I suspect treat it as such.
I love middle-of-the-night bike touring, on a trail out in the woods and peeking up at the stars as the silhouettes of the trees rush past overhead. It's also much cooler in the hottest summer months.
BIG! Fan of your channel! Having done some bike tours through Europe, the feeling of leaving your everyday life behind and just RIDE, is fantastic. I have done nothing like your epic tours, but I can say that every "do" and "don't " of the 10, was spot-on! With bike touring, you can find out the hard way, or take advice. I have done, and will continue to do both. Great video! If you are new to bike touring this is all the advice you need! Number 10 "don't" is the most important, "it's your tour" you do it your way. Enjoy! The only piece of advice I would add, is take a good first-aid kit with you. Better to have it and not need it, than.....?
Know yourself: for me the no.1 is don't underpack. Especially warm clothes. It is much better to carry around an extra kilo, than to be miserable in the cold.
That was by far the most helpful bike touring video I've ever watched. I've done a few trips now of a couple weeks at a time and identified strongly with almost all of these. My sweetie is coming with me next time. It's his first trip so I'm going to have him watch this so we'll be on the same page!!
22:50 Toured for a year in Mexico and Central America and paid for sleeping twice. Slept at fire stations, hospital parking lots, red crosses, homes of WS/couchsurfing hosts, members of my church, Catholic churches, schools, park benches, wild camped, worked for accommodation at hostels, and any people I met in the street that would just offer me a place to stay. I didn't set out with that goal it just kinda went that way. Helped me get a lot farther on my meager budget.
How do I take my Kitty on Tour with me? And is there a difference between touring and being a full timer? What gun would you recommend on bicycle tour. Do you freezer bag cook...can I just live on my Bicycle full time as a lifestyle . . .how much ice cream is to much? And what has happened to the Surly Troll and where is the 2021 model?
My panniers have a zip-release pouch. I keep any items that are valuable/critical in it. Easy to ensure that you have those items with you when you leave the bike for any reason.
11:02 Don't #3 I find this depends. Some areas you'll meet people or the riding will be scenic and fewer miles should be had. Some places you'll just dislike for whatever reason so lay down more miles at those times. People seem to do the opposite for some reason. When cyclists find somewhere they like they should slow down, always hear they regret how fast they went through an area they liked and then spent way too much time somewhere they didn't. Could be the terrain though, rolling hills are quick to get through where rainy mountains takes a while. . .
Your attitude is great! Taking time is soooo important. It's about the journey not a race. The (rat-)race is exactly what I like to get away from. Not about the numbers but experience! Let life happen...Ty for also this video, Jan
You guys should actually have a series when something goes wrong on the road. You should be fixing it while you’re on the road and that is your real life series doesn’t get any more real than something broken on the road different when it breaks in your garage are you fixing it in your garage and it is on the road
Haaahahaha! You guys are hilarious! Ryan...all that hair! Gorgeous! ...and a redhead! My kryptonite! When did you cut it all off? I know your more recent vids you're rocking the short hair and still gorgeous! :D Hope you're feeling better!! Hope your partner's pampering you! Another GREAT video! Great tips and great outlook! How do you guys feel about dynamos? I was thinking hub power but then found 'PedalCell!' Stay safe!
Loved the video, what has been interesting going back to your climbing in Switzerland and then the way you in proved later in the trip. Lots of respect.
I’m trying to prep for my first by car camping going more minimal trip by trip. I still don’t quite know what is really needed yet or not. Making progress though! Went from a fully loaded 8’ long bed truck to a fully loaded Camry within one season 😂
Great tips! I like to get through big cities and congested areas in the early morning hours. A challenging route full of traffic risks can be a tranquil ride through town at 4 a.m. Most of the drunks, punks, and gangbangers are done for the night as well.
Hi guys love your stories. Still have your sticker on my bike I did the trans am in 2019. Just thought also one tip is have your finances sorted to fund your trip. God bless take care Marshall Innes newcastle nsw australia
Thank you!!!! The 10th do is so true and must be known by all-new riders out there. Always follow your gut, I ended up in a thunderstorm right in the country on me on with my bike here in Aus and it was the scariest thing. Always follow your gut and don't continue the ride if you know something going to be wrong. For me, the tipping point should have been the kangaroos going crazy and running everywhere and the darker clouds but I was so keen to make it to the destination and back! Thanks, guys for putting this up
Yes I agree, if storm clouds have a greenish tinge to them...get under cover because Hailstones Hurt in storms that produce those solid ice rocks and in Australia there's very few places to take cover. Also in Australia, never camp under a Gum Tree (eucalyptus) the branches fall of them without warning and is why we call these trees "Widow makers"
@@davidjohnston1374 Yes and can be quite flat in most parts of AU so it can spell disaster. If going on a ride I always have a contingency plan now just in case if I need to divert to shelter.
Good advice! We also have a lot of eucalyptus in california and we are very wary of spending much time under them. people have been killed driving when branches have broken, or an entire tree has fallen over. Shallow roots!
@@radbikeadventure It's probably why you have huge wildfires in Cali like we do in Australia as the Eucalyptus trees can create massive fireballs due to the oils that are extracted from them. We just had one of the worst bushfire season in our history here last December January due to mismanagement of our forestry by State Governments.....
OMG it's so ironic that we're talking about this now while there's presently wild fires burning in California, brings back the horrors we face 8 Months ago in Australia and those areas that weren't affect by actual fires had very bad air quality for Months.....stay strong folks!!
@@radbikeadventure Hi Ryan and Daryl... i’m sorry if i incorrectly spelled your name, girls... please let me know if you plan to do bike touring in south east asia, especially INDONESIA...we have a lot of interesting places to see... Sumatera rain forest, orangutan, marvelous temples, amazing beaches, Yogyakarta, BALI, Lombok, Komodo Dragon, Raja Ampat, etc ... i don’t mind to accompany and guide you... for free !! 👍👍👍
Great videos! I’ll be interested how you find places to camp that may not be a designated camp site when touring? I’m afraid of doing something that may get me in trouble.. Maybe a future video? :-)
Great stuff - I think some folk are boggled by the question of FITNESS - "can" I do it - how fit do I need to be? Curious about your perspective on this!
Preventative: I use the Blue Locktite on all my bolts: rack, accessories, axle.. Blue is the temporary one.. That way, bolts and nuts don't loosen on the road..
@@radbikeadventure Just loosen the bolt and put one drop of liquid locktite on the threads. Then tighten down the bolt again.. This drop of liquid dries without air . (can't think of that word) It is a liquid plastic that hardens as it dries to lock the nut on the bolt.. (Or you could just use the vinyl nuts to lock them in place).. Any hardware store can help.. Much cheaper to buy locktite ($5)
A bid DON'T even if you put it as a do: DO NOT learn how to change a flat, learn to fix it. The simple algoritm is as follow: 1 - find what cause the flat 2 - if you did not find the cause, keep looking 3 - still not found: get back to step 1 Without knowing the cause of a flat tire, you are to change the inner tube just to do another flat.
Love you guys. Two comments: 1) along with charging cell phones and batteries when it is possible, always fill or top off water bottles when fresh water is available. 2) Never, never leave valuables your bike (phone, wallet, passport)when you go into a store or restaurant. I'm 65 and have been bike touring since the early 80's. Your advice is spot on. Love both of you
Yes, yes and yes! Thanks for sharing Kevin
+1 for cycling caps
🤘🤘🤘
Thank you very much for the tips! I was an informant on a big bike and hike fair in the Netherlands. I translated your 10 do’s and 11 don’t for big cycle trips. A lot of people were interested and even made a picture of the sheets. I made a remark that they came from your RUclips films. I am an experienced bicycle traveler but will start next year, right after retirement, with the GDMBR. First time bikepacking…. But I am confident That I’ll make it work. Again, thank you for the (most are obvious) do’s and don’t ‘s…🚴♂️🚴♂️💪💪👍👍🇱🇺
To expand on your tip of riding your loaded bike at least once; I recommend riding it to work. Take everything you expect to need on the trip, and ride it in both directions each day.
This will soon acclimatise people to how their bike feels to ride and also gives an opportunity to ponder what stuff you really need and what you don't.
My issue is biking by great places for pictures. Always feel a little bad after I go by. So now I try to stop whenever I see something cool and take a picture. Of course at 61 I can't stop to long or the old legs get stiff. Really like your videos. Take care and stay safe, Al
Yes, so true!
You guys and your videos are pure gold for this 57 yrs young newbie….👌👌🌅⛺️ cheers from Australia 🍎
#8 is definitely one I need to work on.. as a fairly new cyclists I tend to get too focused on numbers.. kilometres, speed , top speed , avg speed etc.. I think if I’d relax and enjoy the scenery a bit more It would feel more like an adventure rather than an exercise session
Take only memories, leave only footprints/tyre tracks. Love your stuff. Just watched the start of the Tazmania vid. Keep on pedalling and posting.
Ladies, I love this!!! I'm embarking on my first tour in a few weeks and hearing all this was encouraging and very helpful. I'll be documenting it too!
Ah awesome and glad it was helpful! : D
Oh my gosh, I love this video so much I needed to comment twice 😂just subscribed and added this to my "bike touring for beginners" playlist. So many truths here and in such a relateable and doable presentation. Love it!!
Great advice! I fully agree with all of your points. I don't worry about the distance. I focus on time. Put in the time and the distance will come. If you're worried about making a certain distance every day, then why ride a bike?
DO have a dry run at putting up a new tent before taking it on the road. You really don't want to find out there are parts missing or the instructions are inadequate in a sudden thunderstorm.
If you haven't got a patch of lawn to put it up on take a picnic to the park. You could even go on your bike :)
Yes, yes, yes! This falls under use gear you have tested, but it's really good to point out doing a dry run with the tent so thank you! Would also advise setting it up like it's pouring rain too (we never tried this and it was pretty comical the first time we tried while it was pissing down in Taiwan)
#9 that 100% how I ride in the summer here in AZ. Starting my next tour at 2am to get out of the valley. T-1 day.
I love the SPOT tracker (satellite) it just means someone home knows where you are more or less and you can (extra, but a small cost) have SOS service too should you ever need it.
Ah yes, we've heard of cyclists and hikers using those. Not really something we're interested in using, but I definitely get the appeal.
I think the selling point in one respect is, if you have a sudden accident where your incapacitated, the there is a Last Know Location, to start a search. Especially if there is no mobile coverage. And even in the UK and Europe which is fairly densely populated there are lots of dead spots for mobile. Plus all the other scenarios. You can of course become over confident by having the satellite backup location service and do stupid things but most people don’t I suspect treat it as such.
I love middle-of-the-night bike touring, on a trail out in the woods and peeking up at the stars as the silhouettes of the trees rush past overhead. It's also much cooler in the hottest summer months.
Middle of the night touring. That sounds like something i'd be into. I love night time
Can't believe I only just found your channel! Great stuff!
Awesome tips for bicycle touring.
Thanks so much for sharing, very informative. I’m actually about to strap my kayaking dry bags to my bike and give an overnighter a go. Thanks again.
BIG! Fan of your channel!
Having done some bike tours through Europe, the feeling of leaving your everyday life behind and just RIDE, is fantastic.
I have done nothing like your epic tours, but I can say that every "do" and "don't " of the 10, was spot-on!
With bike touring, you can find out the hard way, or take advice. I have done, and will continue to do both.
Great video! If you are new to bike touring this is all the advice you need!
Number 10 "don't" is the most important, "it's your tour" you do it your way. Enjoy!
The only piece of advice I would add, is take a good first-aid kit with you. Better to have it and not need it, than.....?
Know yourself: for me the no.1 is don't underpack. Especially warm clothes. It is much better to carry around an extra kilo, than to be miserable in the cold.
I always say be an ambassador, great advice(even for life in general)!
Great Advice thanks
Glad it was helpful!
I liked the tips pertaining to navigation, bike maintenance, and diet / hydration. Keep on biking (*trucking*) on. 🌟
Well presented! Agree with all the points you mention.
That was by far the most helpful bike touring video I've ever watched. I've done a few trips now of a couple weeks at a time and identified strongly with almost all of these. My sweetie is coming with me next time. It's his first trip so I'm going to have him watch this so we'll be on the same page!!
⏹ Super interesting experience! thank you so much for sharing! have a nice weekend ✌😉
22:50 Toured for a year in Mexico and Central America and paid for sleeping twice. Slept at fire stations, hospital parking lots, red crosses, homes of WS/couchsurfing hosts, members of my church, Catholic churches, schools, park benches, wild camped, worked for accommodation at hostels, and any people I met in the street that would just offer me a place to stay. I didn't set out with that goal it just kinda went that way. Helped me get a lot farther on my meager budget.
It's a great thing in life to do what you love with whom you love ,, greetings from Iraq 👋
I love a tips videos. I have made many mistakes on my travels. And learning from the mistakes will help to make the next trip better.
Glad it helped you!
Perfect. You are always prepaired and present wonderfully well. Thanks again.....
Really great advice. 6th sense (it’s really experience) is invaluable. I’ve noticed when abroad I can slip into being too casual so yeh take care!
How do I take my Kitty on Tour with me? And is there a difference between touring and being a full timer? What gun would you recommend on bicycle tour. Do you freezer bag cook...can I just live on my Bicycle full time as a lifestyle . . .how much ice cream is to much? And what has happened to the Surly Troll and where is the 2021 model?
What a wonderful service you two are providing 👍
My panniers have a zip-release pouch. I keep any items that are valuable/critical in it. Easy to ensure that you have those items with you when you leave the bike for any reason.
As far as LNT, we have only biodegradable soap & toothpaste- the brands we use are dr. Bronners and earth paste.
Great video, thank you!
For fun I would bring a crystal and a red indian flute, nice fam
#6 Adapt! "So if you're tired of the same old story
, Oh, turn some pages! -REO Speedwagon "Roll with the Changes"
11:02 Don't #3 I find this depends. Some areas you'll meet people or the riding will be scenic and fewer miles should be had. Some places you'll just dislike for whatever reason so lay down more miles at those times. People seem to do the opposite for some reason. When cyclists find somewhere they like they should slow down, always hear they regret how fast they went through an area they liked and then spent way too much time somewhere they didn't. Could be the terrain though, rolling hills are quick to get through where rainy mountains takes a while. . .
Your attitude is great! Taking time is soooo important. It's about the journey not a race. The (rat-)race is exactly what I like to get away from. Not about the numbers but experience! Let life happen...Ty for also this video, Jan
Super Video thanks
You guys are hillarious! Great rad advice.
You guys should actually have a series when something goes wrong on the road. You should be fixing it while you’re on the road and that is your real life series doesn’t get any more real than something broken on the road different when it breaks in your garage are you fixing it in your garage and it is on the road
I do wish i'd filmed more of that stuff but usually the added stress of a camera was not welcome by my other half lol. In the future i will share tho!
Haaahahaha! You guys are hilarious! Ryan...all that hair! Gorgeous! ...and a redhead! My kryptonite! When did you cut it all off? I know your more recent vids you're rocking the short hair and still gorgeous! :D Hope you're feeling better!! Hope your partner's pampering you!
Another GREAT video! Great tips and great outlook!
How do you guys feel about dynamos? I was thinking hub power but then found 'PedalCell!'
Stay safe!
Always good to check the gears , nothing more agravating than worn gears so hard on legs, look bike over good before tour
Excellent, excellent Do's and Dont's they are very important, congratulations. You guys are great advisors
Thanks Carlos, glad you found it helpful 😃
Excellent video ladies,
I really enjoyed watching this video. It touched on just about everything. Thanks for posting.
Cheers! Glad you found it helpful 😊
Test every thing tent ect for 2 days before tour , and charge all battery,
The mascot trick works sounds dumb but have a mascot works wonders
That's a load of really helpful advice, thanks so much!
Loved the video, what has been interesting going back to your climbing in Switzerland and then the way you in proved later in the trip. Lots of respect.
great video, entertaining and informative thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Your the best .I really enjoyed your vid especially with the chain maintenance fantastic. CHEERS.
Glad it was helpful Josef!
My light also doubles as a charger, that I can connect to my cell phone.
I’m trying to prep for my first by car camping going more minimal trip by trip. I still don’t quite know what is really needed yet or not. Making progress though! Went from a fully loaded 8’ long bed truck to a fully loaded Camry within one season 😂
Great tips! I like to get through big cities and congested areas in the early morning hours. A challenging route full of traffic risks can be a tranquil ride through town at 4 a.m. Most of the drunks, punks, and gangbangers are done for the night as well.
Good tip to leave cities early in the morning. We've also done that and it's a really cool time to experience a city.
Great advice.
Love your tips! Thank you!
Hi guys love your stories. Still have your sticker on my bike I did the trans am in 2019. Just thought also one tip is have your finances sorted to fund your trip. God bless take care Marshall Innes newcastle nsw australia
you guys are the raddest, best vibe, keep up the good shit! I'm going to go ride around taiwan, thanks for the inspiration
That savouring the moment looked like Silence of the lambs lol
Always close Gates, people have livestock on their land , just passing through they normally don't get mad but trash the area or leave a gate open
Thank you!!!! The 10th do is so true and must be known by all-new riders out there. Always follow your gut, I ended up in a thunderstorm right in the country on me on with my bike here in Aus and it was the scariest thing. Always follow your gut and don't continue the ride if you know something going to be wrong. For me, the tipping point should have been the kangaroos going crazy and running everywhere and the darker clouds but I was so keen to make it to the destination and back! Thanks, guys for putting this up
Yes I agree, if storm clouds have a greenish tinge to them...get under cover because Hailstones Hurt in storms that produce those solid ice rocks and in Australia there's very few places to take cover. Also in Australia, never camp under a Gum Tree (eucalyptus) the branches fall of them without warning and is why we call these trees "Widow makers"
@@davidjohnston1374 Yes and can be quite flat in most parts of AU so it can spell disaster. If going on a ride I always have a contingency plan now just in case if I need to divert to shelter.
Good advice! We also have a lot of eucalyptus in california and we are very wary of spending much time under them. people have been killed driving when branches have broken, or an entire tree has fallen over. Shallow roots!
@@radbikeadventure It's probably why you have huge wildfires in Cali like we do in Australia as the Eucalyptus trees can create massive fireballs due to the oils that are extracted from them. We just had one of the worst bushfire season in our history here last December January due to mismanagement of our forestry by State Governments.....
OMG it's so ironic that we're talking about this now while there's presently wild fires burning in California, brings back the horrors we face 8 Months ago in Australia and those areas that weren't affect by actual fires had very bad air quality for Months.....stay strong folks!!
Ryan you look astoundingly baked out of ur mind
Maybe it's just the so-cal.
Greetings from around the corner in (oh so sunny) Norco, Ca
🤣 In the tile?! Kinda do bahaha...I think it was just a long day ;)
I love your energy
Know your bike,if it does not feel right, but can't see problem, find it or get bike to shop, better to fix now than 120 miles to next town
Yes good advice!
and... the last do and dont are: Do those do’s but dont do the don’ts... what a funny joke... i like it... Thanks girls... 👍👍👍
Ha! That would have been a great ending!
@@radbikeadventure Hi Ryan and Daryl... i’m sorry if i incorrectly spelled your name, girls... please let me know if you plan to do bike touring in south east asia, especially INDONESIA...we have a lot of interesting places to see... Sumatera rain forest, orangutan, marvelous temples, amazing beaches, Yogyakarta, BALI, Lombok, Komodo Dragon, Raja Ampat, etc ... i don’t mind to accompany and guide you... for free !! 👍👍👍
Did you do some amazing ride and get covered by GCN or something? You look so familiar, I don't know why. Either way thank you for the help.
Have you ever had a broken (irrepairable?) rack and how did you handle that?
Great tips!!
Great videos! I’ll be interested how you find places to camp that may not be a designated camp site when touring? I’m afraid of doing something that may get me in trouble.. Maybe a future video? :-)
Si helpful !! Thx 🤝 RAD
I love you guys badass
Great stuff - I think some folk are boggled by the question of FITNESS - "can" I do it - how fit do I need to be? Curious about your perspective on this!
Love you ladies!
Preventative: I use the Blue Locktite on all my bolts: rack, accessories, axle.. Blue is the temporary one.. That way, bolts and nuts don't loosen on the road..
I have heard of doing this. Great tip Rob!
@@radbikeadventure Just loosen the bolt and put one drop of liquid locktite on the threads. Then tighten down the bolt again.. This drop of liquid dries without air . (can't think of that word) It is a liquid plastic that hardens as it dries to lock the nut on the bolt.. (Or you could just use the vinyl nuts to lock them in place).. Any hardware store can help.. Much cheaper to buy locktite ($5)
Could you tell me please how heavy is all your gear without bike food water. Thanks
Dymos have come way down in price these days & wheel build is a great skill to learn
True! It's definitely on our radar
Grate,
Still scared to spend a night under the open sky... howww....
Add any Do or Dont we missed here ! 👇
A bid DON'T even if you put it as a do:
DO NOT learn how to change a flat, learn to fix it. The simple algoritm is as follow:
1 - find what cause the flat
2 - if you did not find the cause, keep looking
3 - still not found: get back to step 1
Without knowing the cause of a flat tire, you are to change the inner tube just to do another flat.
YES! Completely agree! I guess "successfully" change a flat...as in, you diagnosed it, and then fixed it. Thanks Sylvain!
Do either one of you on a automobile or do you drive an automobile? I know you probably got your license, but are you 100% cyclist
We both own cars and drive. But I have had periods of my life where I didn't own a car and only cycled. It was great.
11. Do always Smile :)
11. Don't let your frustration on strangers when things go wrong in the way :\ :(
Agreed, things might go wrong but if we can put focus on what is going right or appreciate what we have, it makes even tho tough moments handleable ;)
yeey :D
The coolest chicks I know are gay. Where are the cool-ass straight chicks, GD??! WTF!