Advice How to plan and find a touring partner

[StevenH]

After getting back into cycling, being inspired by the efforts of Mark Beaumont and realising how much I hate my job I've decided to take up touring. I plan to start with a few 50 mile efforts then work my way up to a C2C and eventually plan to complete a cycle from Manchester my home to the south of France.

How do I go about finding a riding partner, are there sites set up for these sorts of things? All my friends are lazy layabouts.

CAn anyone recommend a good book that I can buy on the subject of planning a trip?

Cheers

 

[psmiffy]

No idea about partners

or books - do not bother with a book - just try out a few weekend tours to determine what sort of tourist you are (probably best to work this out before you find a partner)

ie light, heavily loaded, b & b, camping, mixture of all 73 sorts

planning is just a matter of deciding where you want to go, how to get to/from/start/finish and if it is doable - ie miles/time

plenty of conflicting advice on here - try reading a few crazy guy on a bike journals

good luck

 

[snorri]

Why do you feel the need for a riding partner? Most cycle tourists away for more than a weeks cycle solo, a solo cyclist is more approachable making it easier to speak with locals and find out about local attractions etc.
I found the book The Wind in my Wheels by Josie Dew gave me inspiration. If a young lady of quite small stature could do what she has done on her own, then I had no excuses not to attempt tours a little less taxing!
Regarding planning, it just depends, if time is not limited then you just make it up as you go along, I don't think you need a book for it.

 

[MarkF]

Hi Steven, I got back into cycling very late a few years back, I've just turned 48 and now light tour. I was in a similar situation, I could not pursuade anybody to ride with me, it's ok for others but when you are unfit and starting out, well, it's nice to have somebody not only to talk to, but to suffer alongside you.

Now some of my friends do ride (they saw how much my body changed) but for a max of 10/15 mile canal rides, touring would be beyond them. So, I went solo and TBH, loved it! I would not tour in the UK with another, I don't need anybody.

Abroad is a different matter, late spring/early summer I intend to cycle to Barcelona, I can speak speak Spanish but not a word of French, then a partner would be nice.

 

[Crankarm]

I would suggest joining your local cycling club. There are sure to be people in similar circumstances to you or dare I mention the CTC who may have activities or rides in your local area.

Many touring cyclists go touring because they DON'T want company. I don't mean that in a mean way, but simply because touring on your own you are so free, free to meet or ride with who ever you want, for a short or longer time or not at all. I would suggest that many cycle tourers are happy dealing with their own company and prefer it that way. Not to say they aren't gregarious as some clearly are. I think single minded is more the word and two single minded people or one single minded one and another inexperienced one is a relationship based on dependency. Where cycling is involved I guess few are prepared to make compromises if they are serious or very focussed on a particular tour or goal. If one is a very fit cyclist constantly waiting for a much slower companion who perhaps is not confident enough to be self sufficient can be a real source of contention. I hope I have struck about the right note.

 

[Arch]

I agree that you'll find out about touring by doing it and finding out what suits you. I've toured alone and in company, and like both.

There are lots of touring journals published (some more interesting than others), and they often include a list of the kit taken - but again, you'll find out what matters to you. One I read, an account of a tour in the 60's, the guy took shoe polish and an eggcup!

Join the CTC for two reasons. You'll get their magazine, with lots of ideas and tour accounts in it, and if you seek out your local group, you'll most likely meet people who can advise you, and who knows, make a friend who wants to come along. I'd recommend trying out any potential partner on a shorter tour before committing yourself for weeks together....

 

[hubbike]

if you can't find anyone go alone. you're bound to hook up with someone on your europe tour anyway. otherwise "fitness singles" dating website could be worth a try !!

better to read heaps of travelouges, not necessarily cycle ones. look at adventure-cycling-guide.co.uk and possibly read http://www.adventurecycle-touringhandbook.com/

if you don't have one open a savings account and put aside money each month. decide on a date when you want to go and when it comes around... go!!! or better yet go NOW!!!!

 

[stephenjubb]

sent you a pm via email

 

[Tedx]

I did five countries in Europe all on my own and I loved it! I met a few cycle tourists on the way and cycled with them for a couple of days and also met family in the south of Spain before cycling all the way through the middle to the north.

The advantages are you can stop for lunch where you like. Do as many miles as you like and have as many days of as you want.

You have to ask yourself why you want a ride partner in the first place. If it's because you want company then fair enough, but if it's because you are a little scared (as we all are before a long tour if we all tell the truth) then I assure you your fears will dissipate after a couple of days and you'll love it.

 

[Brains]

Join the CTC

They run a number of cycle touring holidays (on a not for profit basis)

 

[andym]

Most touring cyclists are 'Billy-No-Mates'. (I'm not exempting myself from that description). But this site would be as good a place to advertise for a partner as any I can think of.

The Adventure Cycling Guide (or something like that) has got lots of helpful advice. When it comes to route planning my advice would be make a list of the places you'd like to visit and then join up the dots.

 

[jay clock]

I would suggest joining your local cycling club.

---most will laugh at you if you have touring aspirations. The CTC are an exception, but then you have to run the possible concern of "beard + sandals = bike" ....if that matters to you.

Agreed, read CGOAB - my offerings are here
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/julian

I have done my last 2 tours alone and in fact quite liked it, but company is nice

 

[onlineamiga]

The good thing about this hobby, whether for touring or just going for a day out on the bike, is that I dont have to rely on anyone. Ive lost count of the amount of times, I've tried to organise evenings out, or stuff to do, and friends have let me down by cancelling. At least with the bike. I can take myself off, get on the open road, get off the road and go and have my own personal experience. Its all my choice. I can push myself harder, or take a leisurly one. I'm in the open road, or off road and see things that those who would rather be sat vegging out infront of the Xbox wouldnt.

The only problem for me, and its something I'm going to have to learn to get over when I start touring, is that I feel very self conscious when I'm on my own. I have never been able to sit in a pub by myself or go to a restaurant by myself. I really feel like the loner. But this will be a barrier I hope to break through. If anyone has any advice or expereince on that, i'd be happy to hear about it.

 

[HelenD123]

---most will laugh at you if you have touring aspirations. The CTC are an exception, but then you have to run the possible concern of "beard + sandals = bike" ....if that matters to you.

I've recently joined my local CTC and have been made very welcome, despite being female and half the age of most of them!

 

[HelenD123]

The only problem for me, and its something I'm going to have to learn to get over when I start touring, is that I feel very self conscious when I'm on my own. I have never been able to sit in a pub by myself or go to a restaurant by myself. I really feel like the loner. But this will be a barrier I hope to break through. If anyone has any advice or expereince on that, i'd be happy to hear about it.

I think being on tour and having the bike with you automatically gives you something to to talk about so makes going to places alone easier.