New to touring on a bike!

[J-Lo]

Evening folks!

Ive had the bike out a far bit now over the past few weeks, and im ready to take the plunge and start getting prepared for cycle touring. I would like to go off to france etc or belgium for a week or so, but before I think about that im going to go on a few test runs within 40 mile of home (maybe cycle round norfolk etc for a few days) just to get the hang of things and get into a routine when it comes to staying alive!

Are there any good websites with say a checklist of things you need?

Obviously I need a bike (lol), the Dawes Vantage (http://www.tredz.co....-Bike_33048.htm) looks like a good model for me at a reasonable price (£500 odd), and obviously you can attach panniers etc. One question though, on that bike would I be able to add a front pannier (i prob wont need 1 anyway though)?

I have a small one man tent (vango) which is ideal light and easy to setup. Other things I need to get; panniers, sleeping bag, them foam matresses, a small stove etc, obv you take your food and other essentials with you, toileteries, electrics, a map, little things like that.

Are there any other essentials I need that I havent thought of, such as bike repair kit, a few tools, punctures etc, a chain.. ?

I dont expect a list, a few little tips would be appreciated Ive already been reading through previous topics for ideas.

Thanks alot!

 

[willem]

Great, and enjoy. With camping gear the trick is to keep the weight and volume down. If you succeed, you will only need rear panniers (have the tent on top of the rack). That saves money on front panniers and a front rack, and it thus saves weight (2-2.5 kg for front rack and panniers).Use the money you save on rack and bags to buy lighter and less bulky sleeping gear. Bulk can be most reduced by careful slimming of the sleep system. Modern insulated air mattresses such as the Exped Synmat Basic of the various Thermarest Neoairs are not only far more comfortable than traditional self inflating mattresses, but they are also lighter and pack much smaller. The new Thermarest Neoair all season is the ruling champion, with 540 gram, a tiny package, and excellent insulation to well below freezing. Just have a look at the Thermarest and Exped websites, to see what matches your budget and insulation requirements. Down sleeping bags are the way to go for light and compact bags. PHD Design is top, but Alpkit make very good budget bags like the Pipedream 400. I like the experimental lightweight Ortlieb special edition panniers available here: http://www.outdoorworks.de/index.php?site=index.html&prod=7337&vid=86748&function=set_lang&lang=en
As for stoves, I like the Trangia 27 UL HA meth stove (get the UL and preferably also the HA version). Alternatively, there are small gas stoves like the new Primus one that can use both Lindall valve cannisters and the click type common in France. The HA UL Trangia pots are hard to beat, and are available separately for use with a gas stove.
Willem

 

[snorri]

Are there any good websites with say a checklist of things you need?
I have a small one man tent (vango) which is ideal light and easy to setup. Other things I need to get; panniers, sleeping bag, them foam matresses, a small stove etc, obv you take your food and other essentials with you, toileteries, electrics, a map, little things like that.

Are there any other essentials I need that I havent thought of, such as bike repair kit, a few tools, punctures etc, a chain.. ?

Welcome to cycletouring J-Lo

I don't think there is a website, cycle touring covers a vast field, some of us go away from home for a night or two, others for months or even years, so there can be no simple checklist. You appear to have the basics summed up, so on shorter tours around Norfolk you will soon discover what you need and what you don't need, we all have our personal preferences.
Regarding tools and repair kit, most would agree a puncture repair kit - patches , solution, tyre levers - is essential. Also, a few Allen keys are handy in case some component works loose along the way. Some of us just hope that if we break down we are not too far from a bike shop and so do not carry many tools or spares, unless touring in some more remote parts of the world where it becomes necessary to be more self sufficient.
You mention the possibility of a first tour in France or Belgium, but give some thought to The Netherlands also, there are lots of campsites there and IME more people who speak English!

 

[andym]

I was a bit puzzled by your post: you start by saying you've 'had the bike out' and the you talk about needing a bike. Don't think that you go touring you need to buy a new bike - it may be that the bike you already have will do you fine - at least until you get some more experience.

Also there's a bit of a dilemma between going out and buying the best kit or buying kit that works fine but may be a bit heavier. For example, I had a PHD bag that cost £200 but actually wasn't any warmer than my Decathlon bag that cost me £30 - the difference being that the cheaper bag weighs twice as much. Which is better for someone starting out? It's difficult to say. But please don't think you have to stump up a fortune before you get out and tour.

And while we're on the subject of making do with what you have, at least to start with - rubble bags fit nicely inside panniers and will turn a pair of cheap-and-cheerful non-waterproof panniers into something you can be confident will keep your stuff dry.

 

[hubbike]

I would very much second andym's attitude here. The best way to start out is just to start out.

Start with what you already have and if needs be get the things you are missing from ebay, army surplus etc...

One of the good things about cycle touring is that you can actually carry quite a bit of weight without it being a problem (as opposed to hiking for example). So don't get hung up on weight. Also, a week or two in france or belgium isn't going to require anything particularly exceptional in the way of kit.

a website that might interest you is
http://www.cycletourer.co.uk/

 

[hubbike]

Are there any other essentials I need that I havent thought of, such as bike repair kit, a few tools, punctures etc, a chain.. ?

There's bike repair kit, a few tools....oh wait, you did think of those after all

 

[HelenD123]

For lots of advice on touring I'd recommend http://travellingtwo.com . Friedel from the site is an occasional poster on here.

If you can manage with your current bike for your first few short tours that's definitely the way to go. You'll learn what sort of touring you want to do i.e. stick to tarmac all the time or head off down every rough track you see. Any other kit you buy will be transferrable to a new bike eventually. Personally my first purchase would be the best sleeping bag I could afford. This is where you'll save volume and weight but get one warm enough to ensure a good nights sleep, and it sounds like you already camp so you'll get use out of it even if you don't like cycle touring.

 

[corshamjim]

Traditionally the CTC was/is a good resource for cycle tourists. I don't think you have to be a member to use the forum. http://forum.ctc.org.uk/ In fact I'm no longer a member and still use it (shh! don't tell anyone).

 

[J-Lo]

Glad I posted on this site, didn't expect this many replies and helpful info So thanks EVERYONE that posted

The reason im after a new bike is that mine is a racer, you can't fit any racks on it for the panniers, there are no low gears what-so-ever - and to be honest I just want a new bike (lol!).

Also thanks for the site suggestions, lots of reading to be done now

 

[HelenD123]

Ah, you definitely need a new bike then. The Edinburgh Bike Co-op tourers are good value.

 

[willem]

I will not stop you buying a new touring bike, but your road bike might just do. It depends how fragile it is. Road bikes of maybe twenty or thirty years ago will happily serve as decent fast tourers, provided you do not take too much. Think of a large bar bag and a Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag. This will work if you can keep your luggage weight below about 12 kg, and if your road bike is not an ultra modern fragile thing with fantasy wheels and the like. So if those two conditions can be met, you can save your money to spend it on superb camping gear.

Willem

 

[Crackle]

Great, and enjoy. With camping gear the trick is to keep the weight and volume down. If you succeed, you will only need rear panniers (have the tent on top of the rack). That saves money on front panniers and a front rack, and it thus saves weight (2-2.5 kg for front rack and panniers).Use the money you save on rack and bags to buy lighter and less bulky sleeping gear. Bulk can be most reduced by careful slimming of the sleep system. Modern insulated air mattresses such as the Exped Synmat Basic of the various Thermarest Neoairs are not only far more comfortable than traditional self inflating mattresses, but they are also lighter and pack much smaller. The new Thermarest Neoair all season is the ruling champion, with 540 gram, a tiny package, and excellent insulation to well below freezing. Just have a look at the Thermarest and Exped websites, to see what matches your budget and insulation requirements. Down sleeping bags are the way to go for light and compact bags. PHD Design is top, but Alpkit make very good budget bags like the Pipedream 400. I like the experimental lightweight Ortlieb special edition panniers available here: http://www.outdoorwo...et_lang&lang=en
As for stoves, I like the Trangia 27 UL HA meth stove (get the UL and preferably also the HA version). Alternatively, there are small gas stoves like the new Primus one that can use both Lindall valve cannisters and the click type common in France. The HA UL Trangia pots are hard to beat, and are available separately for use with a gas stove.
Willem

I had a look at one of them the other day. Impressive size but there are lots of reports on the internal walls debonding and the mat going sausage shaped. Lots of people advise you definetly need a repair kit as well as they puncture so easily. I don't know if they've improved them since those reports were written.

 

[J-Lo]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I do reckon I'll just get a new bike, and I am really keen on the dawes vantage mentioned above.

I had a look at the thermorest matress things - I dont think I can justify spending that much on one! Ive used them basic foam matresses before (£10 etc if that) when camping and slept like a log, which should be great providing I can get a relatively small & light one.

 

[andym]

The reason im after a new bike is that mine is a racer, you can't fit any racks on it for the panniers, there are no low gears what-so-ever - and to be honest I just want a new bike (lol!).

Yep sometimes adapting an existing bike can cost a hefty chunk of change and it may make most sense to get a new one. But it might be worth considering short tetm solutions - eg go to Norfolk, travel light, and stay in hostels.

But when someone has their heart set on a new bike I there's no point arguing even if I wanted to.

I had a look at one of them the other day. Impressive size but there are lots of reports on the internal walls debonding and the mat going sausage shaped. Lots of people advise you definetly need a repair kit as well as they puncture so easily. I don't know if they've improved them since those reports were written.

It's possible that early designs had problems - this does seem to be an area where the technology is developing quickly. But also remember the golden rules of the interweb: the people with a beef shout louder than the contented punters, and no mater how good the product someone will claim to have broken one.

I would always carry glue and repair patches just as I did for a self-inflating mat. That said my Synmat Basic seems made of pretty tough and durable material - I think it would be quick difficult to puncture in normal use - although I'm sure someone on the Interweb will have managed it.

 

[willem]

I really don't think that there have been that many problems with the Neoair. The new Neoair Trekker and All Season are a bit tougher as well. But of course, if you do not need more than some closed cell foam, that is great, and does save weight. I still remember the days that I thought this was luxury compared to just sleeping on the tent floor. If I now try to do either, I will be unable to even walk the next day. At my age, even self inflatables are painfully uncomfortable.