Taken that jump we all wish we could but few can/dare...

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

We had been planning to take off and go around the world, or at least as far as we can, for my 40th in a couple of years time - plenty of time for planning and the likes or so we thought - we had gotten as far as where we would like to starte from. After that it was open. But an opportunity of a lifetime has come our way, so over the course of a weekend we made the decision to commit. The opportunity was voluntary redundancy from a company my other half has been with for 16 years which he has taken - his last day is a week on Friday. Families have been told and all bar one mother has taken it extremely well - we are both 1 of 4 children (5 on my side if you count my recently acquired step brother!) so there was a lot of family to tell and deal with the fall out. The husband (my father in law) of the mother concerned has said not to worry - she will come round to the idea in time for the off. Everyone is really enthusiastic about it and really pleased for us, one or two even wish it was them!
I have warned my work that I am leaving - I only need 1 months notice, but have tried to help by warning of more. They need to warning - trust me.

We have started with the black books - a series of note books on questions & lists, useful hints & tips and finally one for answers & tips once it is organised by country.
My husband wants to have some 'aim' or 'purpose' to the tour. We are not city people and touring historical monuments or tourist attractions is simply not us and would be false.
I find myself waking up in the night thinking about the oddest of things (we are tenants in a partially furnished cottage). A couple of nights ago it was along the lines of having to sell the hand whisk! We have decided that most things will be sold. We can't keep them because storage is too expensive - families can take only a box or so each, so most things are going - they are just furniture or belongings that hold no sentimental value and can easily be replaced. (Currently sorting through 10,000 or so photos and not feeling quite that brave right now!)

So we have about 4.5 months before our intended off date. The aim is to cycle over to Ireland, then up Scotland's west coast (we know it well just never cycled it) to Cape Wrath, up to the Orkneys and down following the North Sea Cycle Route (or route 7 which allows us to say by to some friends) and then over to Europe - timing is going to be key, we may not be able to follow the NSC route all of the way through England and onto Netherlands/Germany. They may have to wait until autumn 2011. The aim is that we will cycle up the Norwegian coast to Nordkapp (North Cape), then down through Sweden, across to Finland (ferry part way down Sweden) and into Russia following the Baltic Coast. After that our plans have not got that far!

One or two complications include my asthma - working on that one, the fact that my camera will be going with us - the intention being that my photography (I am semi-professional) will help to support us during the trip with photo articles to magazines (not hugely productive financially in the western world's idea of money, but it will help) and the likes etc. One final complication is that we both love hiking/hill walking/mountaineering and from what I can see just about all of the equipment we need will be with us for an occasional walk - the only thing missing appears to be mountaineering boots, rucksacks and mountain waterproofs rather than cycling waterproofs staying away from the rock climbing side of life! We have talked about ditching the hiking side of life - but that seems to be a major shame for some of the areas we are going to be going through.
It is highly unlikely the trip will be sponsored.
We still can't decide of touring bikes or mountain bike kitted for touring - which is what we have previously used. We know that our existing bikes and tent will need changing but all of the rest of the kit should be fine.

So - I know that this has been asked a thousand times before...

• I am on the hunt for useful links - links to links or links to pages, or just personal experience/advise
• I am also on the hunt for links to people/companies who make custom touring bikes - though our timeline might be a bit tight. Anywhere in the UK is OK (I might even manage a city for this!), we travel a lot with our families in North England, my favourite mountains in the central highlands of Scotland.
• Also if anyone has thoughts on what we have not yet considered.
• Travel Insurance could be an issue with my asthma and another issue, but we will sort that out. How do people deal with the restrictions relating to time out of the UK on the insurance?

Many thanks

editted to correct spelling mistake

 

[srw]

Thorn (sjscycles.co.uk) are touring specialists, and at this time of the year should have no problem supplying to your timescale. We've got one of their tandems - built like the proverbial brick whatsit - and the style will feel familiar if you're used to MTBs. If you've got the cash I'd recommend the Rohloff transmission system, not least because Thorn are very good about providing repairs/replacements wherever you are in the world. If you're not CTC members, get hold of their "Cycle" magazine from a couple of months back - three round-the-world cyclists talked about their kit, and all used flat bars and Rohloff transmissions. Two out of three were absolutely delighted, while the third didn't do the maintenance recommended. It's possible to get panniers which convert into rucksacks, and there's nothing magical about cycling waterproofs - something that keeps you dry while packing up reasonably small and light is what's needed.

 

[dellzeqq]

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

 

[Aperitif]

What a lovely post!* Good luck aramok and 'mr aramok'. Hopefully you'll run amok in Bangkok and ride for your lives, exploring inside as well as the out...and keep us informed with some scintillating reading...starting now!

*notwithstanding the redundancy and family emotions involved - of course.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

editted to correct spelling mistake

Love that typo

Good luck with the cycling aramok - hope it all works out for you.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Love that typo

Good luck with the cycling aramok - hope it all works out for you.

ended up copying that one into word to work it out!

 

[willem]

Good luck with it. As others have suggested, a Thorn Raven with Rohloff hub is a good benchmark (unless you want to go the custom route). It would be a mistake to think that a Rohloff hub implies that a straight bar will be inevitable. I have one on a 26 inch wheeled drop bar tourer using the Mitelmeyer shifter: http://www.mittelmeyer.de/
As for a tent for such a venture, I would suggest a Hilleberg Nammatj 3 GT (unless one of you is very tall). It is bomb proof and comfortable.
Willem

 

[andym]

You can get cycling shoes with Vibram soles (Shimano, Northwave and Pearl Izumi do them - although SFAIK only Shimano do actual boots - as opposed to shoes). However my experience of walking in cleated shoes was that, even though the cleats were well recessed, my feet were aching at the end. So that's a long-winded way of saying you may need some sort of dedicated shoe/boot. Most of the other clothing you'd use for hiking you'd also want for biking - the only exception might be a pair of waterproof trousers. A lot of people ride with a backpack/hydration pack - although obviously it's not a good idea to carry too much. Look around for a bag with a decent back ventilation system - or alternatively you could try one of the very lightweight bags that has no frame - and therefore simply folds up.

Photography could be a bit difficult - because of the bulk and weight of the equipment, not to mention process and uploading the photos - but people manage. The Lumix LX3 is well regarded - if the lens/width-focal length meets your needs (EDIT - having seen the, great, pictures on the site it might well be suit your photography). I take my hat off to people who can combine photography with touring - eg the tension between witing around for the right light and needing to get to your campsite before dark etc.

Do you really need custom bikes? Yes custom bikes are good if you find that off-the-peg bikes don't fit, but otherwise an off-the-peg bike (or building a bike yourself using an off-the-peg frame) will do the job just as well. And unless the redundancy payment was really, really, good I'd also think twice about a Rohloff hub - yes they're beautifully engineered etc etc but a decent-quality derailleur will do the job just as well. I'd keep the money in the bank or spend it on top-quality camping gear, and clothing to keep you warm and dry (looking at your route you'll need it).

As for insurance check out the BMC (British Mountaineering Council). But before you do anything else, (seriously) you must, must, get yourself an EHIC card:

http://www.fco.gov.u...-insurance/ehic

which will give you access to healthcare in most of the countries you are going to - ie the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland (OK and Lichtenstein).
(NB there's a site, which purports to be official, and charges a fee for these cards. From the official site they are free.)

 

[asterix]

Well done you! Roberts do good tourers, too. (Josie Dew, Roberts Roughstuff)

 

[willem]

I don't agree about the Rohloff hub. For ordinary holiday trips such as most of us make a derailleur bike is indeed perfectly fine. If you intend to cycle around the world, then I think the reduced maintenance and greater reliability of a Rohloff will pay for themselves with lower running costs and peace of mind. However, e.g. a Fahrradmanufaktur T400 slx would do the job as well, no doubt.
Willem

 

[andym]

I don't agree about the Rohloff hub. For ordinary holiday trips such as most of us make a derailleur bike is indeed perfectly fine. If you intend to cycle around the world, then I think the reduced maintenance and greater reliability of a Rohloff will pay for themselves with lower running costs and peace of mind. However, e.g. a Fahrradmanufaktur T400 slx would do the job as well, no doubt.
Willem

Yes I accept that you don't need to replace cassettes, and chains and chainrings should last longer, but I'm not sure about peace of mind. I think there are two philosphies here:

- one is 'fit and forget' where you buy something that is extremely well engineered, with low-maintenance costs, but if it does go wrong then you can't service it yourself and it's probably going to be difficult if not impossible to get it serviced or replaced locally - so you're dependent on the customer service department of a firm a very long way away (or perhaps more importantly, the courier they use);

- the other is assuming that if it can go wrong then it's worth spreading the risk and minimising the aggro if it does. Derailleurs are no doubt higher maintenance, less reliable, have higher running costs, but if one component goes wrong you can probably limp along and the chances are you can fix it yourself or find someone who can or buy spares locally.

My personal philosophy is the second but i'm not saying the first is wrong.

 

[willem]

I agree those are the two alternatives, and I also agree Rohloff hubs do go wrong sometimes. However, this does not happen often, and when it does, Rohloff is very quick to help you. They have a sterling reputation like few others in this business. And like with derailleurs, you can still use the bike as a singlespeed. There is also the related problem that Shimano is increasingly positioning its top lines as lighter but more fragile competion mtb gear. The new xt hubs are a case in point, It is now LX for an affordable quality rear hub, or a Phil Wood for bomb proof budget busting quality. By the time you have specced a Phil hub and a few other top quality parts, you have spent about as much as on a Rohloff hub. Anyway, we are fortunate that there are still good derailleur bikes around as well - I am in fact planning on getting a light one to supplement my heavier duty Rohloff bike. But on a trip to Tibet I would take the Rohloff bike.
Willem

 

[HelenD123]

That's fantastic Aramok! I certainly haven't regretted quitting my job yet and taking off on the bike. I suspect the hard part is when we have to get back to a 'normal' life after the trip though. Have fun!

 

[hubbike]

+1 for Roberts Roughstuff. Chas Roberts can be a little difficult to get hold of, especially by email. Best bet is to pester him by phone and arrange to turn up in the shop in Croyden. IMO Roughstuff is the best expedition tourer frame being build in the UK.

You might find my links page useful: http://peterhubbard.blogspot.com/p/map-and-photos.html

Don't give up on trekking. You will undoubtably want to go hiking...On my trip in South America I have made several hiking/mountaineering trips. here are my tips.

For proper climbing: crampons, axes, big boots can be hired locally. Far too heavy for the bike.

Hike in trail shoes rather than hiking boots. Carry a 35ltr fold-up lightweight rucksack, with lots of straps on the outside. I have hiked with tent, stove and 10 days food with one of these. Choose multipurpose clothing that will do for the bike and the hiking. in fact for the trip you intend to do mountaineering equipment will be far superior to biking gear anyway. for example a good pair of mountineering mittens will out class any cycling gloves you can buy.

 

[jay clock]

Fantastic opportunity!

With regards kit you will get plenty of "advice" here. Take some of it with a pinch of salt, and select the bits you want.

My advice (feel free to ignore!)

1 CrazyGuy..... YES - great place to look
2 I have a Koga Miyata World Traveller. MTB based, so rugged an easy to find spares to fit in Lithuanian supermarket (well inner tubes, brakeblocks etc are easier than 700c wheels). I also think the British fetish for drop handlebars is over-rated. My straight bars wih ergo bar ends works well
3 test camping kit and make sure you are comfy. I had a Thermarest and HATED it. Now I have an Exped Downmat and love it. But others have no problem whatsoever with the Thermarest - personal preference
4 PHD sleeping bags are pricey but very nice quality.
5 Weigh everything and be really really picky. The hiking boots may be a good idea but will weigh a ton. For you to judge the benefit. At the other extreme I got slated by a former CC member for listing dental floss on my kit list. Going light does not mean abandoning any vestige of personal hygiene. Just remembered he also advised biting nails instead of cutting!
6 My kit musings are here http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=104184&v=4B and the next couple of pages once you open it

Bon Voyage!