Buy a bike and cycle it home?

[All uphill]

I'm interested in buying an older bike from a recycling project and then cycling it 50 miles home.

I could just jump in a car, drive 100 miles and be done, but where's the fun in that?

I'm thinking of taking the usual tools, inner tubes, patches and credit card.

Anyone done this? Anything else I should consider? Take a chain?

 

[T4tomo]

It depends on whether its been refurbished and made roadworthy, in which case just take your usual tool / puncture kit.

If its been plucked out of a skip and given a wipe with an oily rag and left with 40 yrs old brake blocks then I wouldn't

How are you getting there?

 

[Moodyman]

I know someone who caught a ferry to the Netherlands, bought a Dutch bike and cycled back to the ferry port and from there, to home. The cycling exceeded 50 miles by some margin.

 

[cougie uk]

Maybe on the long side for a strange bike ?
Some people are very fussy about saddles and their position.

 

[DCLane]

I've done it a few times. Mostly it worked.

 

[fatjel]

A few years ago I toyed with the idea of buying a bike in Cambridge (A spesh roubaix) and riding it home to wales. The train fare from Carmarthen to Cambridge were eyewateringlly expensive so i didn’t bother in the end.

 

[I like Skol]

In 1988 my dad bought me and my brother matching mountain bikes from a shop in Stockport. On collection day I opted to ride mine the 10 miles home, mostly along canal towpath.
The left-hand crank fell off about halfway home!

You take your chances, but do reasonable pre-ride checks and will probably be ok.

 

[Cycleops]

They do it all the time on YouTube with cars so why not a bike? Take a camera with you or record it on your phone and post it, you may become a YT star.

 

[winjim]

Could you make sure your route home passes a bike shop along the way just in case?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

If you are nervous about it you could arrange to pick it up early in the day and also arrange for a LBS to look it over and make sure it is basically OK the same day
Maybe

 

[MichaelW2]

Maybe on the long side for a strange bike ?
Some people are very fussy about saddles and their position.

Take your own saddle ( and pedals)

 

[I like Skol]

It's only 50 miles. Any bike will do, providing it is mostly mechanically sound.

 

[classic33]

Bought my Bros off Rob Brock, when he lived over Irlam way. The forty mile transpennine cycle home was easy enough.

 

[bikingdad90]

I can’t remember the cyclist but I’m sure there is a YouTube guy who bought a bike in China and then cycled it home to the UK. 😂.

 

[All uphill]

Thanks for all the useful thoughts and experiences- they help.

I'd get there by train, buying a return so that I have a plan B.

Taking a known saddle is a good idea and water bottle and cage.

Once this heat has moderated I'll make a trip to look at it and decide on the spot.

I'll give being a youtube star a miss.