Could I do it?

[hackbike 666]

I really enjoyed myself last November @ Karon Beach Thailand when I managed to hire an Electric Bike and I cycled to Patong from Karon Beach and also other places and also got lost which was a lot of fun...

Went back last March and unfortunately the Hire shop was shut...which was sad as I couldn't find a bike to hire...I knew of one other place but couldn't find it...even in a cab...I have bought bikes out there for use more than once...so I thought this time I wold take my own...I have nothing to lose...A workmate ha a fold up for sale @ £200 squids and although I don't know what model it is I know he has used it to commute regular...

I may go for buying that and using it on my commute for practice and familiarisation as I don't really know a lot about folders...Will help me learn before the big one.

Think I could scrape up 500 squid as the old fruit machine has some money in it.

 

[andym]

You need to justify it?

I got the feeling Hackbike was thinking of being able to get in in cabs and so on while on holiday.

There's also a security pay off - a folder is a bit easier to keep with you in a hotel room or whatever.

Well £500 is £500.


I've never yet come across a hotel that didn't have somewhere to store a bike.

And buying a folder so you can ride in a taxi???

 

[Arch]

Well £500 is £500.


I've never yet come across a hotel that didn't have somewhere to store a bike.

And buying a folder so you can ride in a taxi???

Ok, you don't see the need. But Hackers obviously thinks it's an idea worth considering.

 

[andym]

Ok, you don't see the need. But Hackers obviously thinks it's an idea worth considering.

I think it's an idea worth considering and I have considered buying a folder for travelling/touring. My questions about the advantages of a tourer for this type of trip were genuine. I had hoped someone might come up with some advantages but so far no one has.

I should have realised that this was a 'give-me-an excuse-to-buy-a-bike' thread rather than a genuine discussion.

 

[hackbike 666]

Well the last holiday was a bit of a flop in the cycling department...after hiring an electric bike on the previous visit....I don't want a moped and am not qualified anyway...Yes I had fun travelling in Tuk Tuks and Taxis but seriously I could do the same trip on a bike and have more fun and adventure of the variety of what happened to me in Thailand....The best one though was when I got lost in Tokyo on the hotel hired bike.

May splash out for my workmates folder and ride it...at least I can see what it's all about.

I think it's an idea worth considering and I have considered buying a folder for travelling/touring. My questions about the advantages of a tourer for this type of trip were genuine. I had hoped someone might come up with some advantages but so far no one has.

I should have realised that this was a 'give-me-an excuse-to-buy-a-bike' thread rather than a genuine discussion.

No this is not an excuse to buy a folder...because quite personally im saving like mad for the holiday so I don't need additional expenses.It's a genuine question for advice needed as I know nothing about folders and the travelling on planes with the same.

 

[hackbike 666]

Im looking at a Spiceroads bike tour for October 2011....


Chiang Mai to Bangkok 980 kilometres....and I have the time off to do it I swapped my holidays for those weeks today...It's a long wait to do what would be one of the biggest rides of my life.Wonder if I should put a deposit down now or perhaps wait after this November.

Anybody here dealt with Spiceroads?

 

[stephenjubb]

I think it's an idea worth considering and I have considered buying a folder for travelling/touring. My questions about the advantages of a tourer for this type of trip were genuine. I had hoped someone might come up with some advantages but so far no one has.

I should have realised that this was a 'give-me-an excuse-to-buy-a-bike' thread rather than a genuine discussion.

advantages of bike friday new world tourist with trailer

don't need to prebook trains, goes on as luggage
easy to take taxis/buses
bike folds and goes in bag and into any hotel/b and b etc and they can't complain
on airplanes bike goes in suitcase so is protected from bike handlers, suitcase becomes trailer at other end
when camping easier to put bike in tent at night with you for security
you look a bit weird but this invites conversation from other people
uses standard components like any normal bike apart from wheel size

disadvantages

cost
takes a while to pack into suitcase

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

there are some bromptons on sale at evans, but are £675 iirc. well worth it, an excellent quality folder. in its standard arrangement, it's fine for city riding. it's only when you get onto the hills that it needs money spending on the gearing.

 

[Crankarm]

Im looking at a Spiceroads bike tour for October 2011....


Chiang Mai to Bangkok 980 kilometres....and I have the time off to do it I swapped my holidays for those weeks today...It's a long wait to do what would be one of the biggest rides of my life.Wonder if I should put a deposit down now or perhaps wait after this November.

Anybody here dealt with Spiceroads?

HB - I did the Cols of the Pyrenees in 2004 on my Brompton with touring pannier and a rear beam rack for odds and sods. It coped admirably with the HC climbs. I camped in the valleys either side and rode up taking with me only with what I needed for the day's ride.

Or why not take your road bike or commuter? Others have taken bikes on planes even with the need to pack them in bike boxes.

Your trip sounds like it will be a great trip. Is it a fully supported?

The heat will take a lot of getting used to especially if getting off a plane and cycling. By the time you have begun to aclimatise you'll probably be heading home. But none the less the a ride of a life time.

Chang Mai can be considerably cooler than Bangkok being higher up. The north of of Thailand is very hilly mountainous even.

I would love to cycle in the region say from Chang Mai down to Penang, Cameron Highlands, KL and onto Singapore.