Too ambitious?

[Liam Marshall]

vHello cyclechat forum,

Im new to cycling and have planned a very ambitious trip around Eastern Europe and was wondering if you could let me know if this is too ambitious and if i should reconsider. I living in Munich and have planned to catch a train past Austria (all those hills) and then cycle around Eastern Europe for 2 months.

I was recently given a stranded bike, its fairly heavy and bike bags. I have always rode my bike but just as transport in bike accessible cities (Amsterdam, Munich). I was thinking of starting off with easy rides and building my strength through the trip. I won't be riding every day, camping and couchsurfing along my trips. Ill be leaving in October when its starting to cool down and rain more, is it realistic for my first big ride to be so big when it will be raining 10 days in the month?

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, i searched around but i think i need to hear it straight from experienced riders since my situation is a little different.

Any advice or tips would be great! Thanks!

 

[middleagecyclist]

Never done such a long trip myself *sigh* but I'm sure if you have a base level of cycling fitness and are prepared to be flexible with your plans you will be fine. Good luck.

 

[furball]

If I were you I would try a few short trips first. You will then be able to judge yourself what you are capable of. One thing about a long journey is that you will spend along time alone. Initially this can be a good thing but the novelty can wear off. I would also strongly recommend that you learn a bit of basic bike maintenance.

 

[rich p]

Definitely don't go. Too ambitious by far.




I'm kidding, of course. Why wouldn't you give it a try? What's the worst that can happen? You might take some extra days off, you might cop a train ride, you might do less miles per day but none of those are reasons not to go. Do it, learn a bit and have a great time.

 

[Yellow7]

Don't let other people set your limits, if you have a dream go and do it. You'll surprise yourself what you can achieve and you’ll never look back with regrets of not doing.

In europe you're never too far from bike shops or someone who will help, there's more good people than bad and as rich says you can soon jump on a train if things do get messy.

Mark wallisonwheels

 

[Yellow7]

Don't let other people set your limits, if you have a dream go and do it. You'll surprise yourself what you can achieve and you’ll never look back with regrets of not doing.

In europe you're never too far from bike shops or someone who will help, there's more good people than bad and as rich says you can soon jump on a train if things do get messy.

Mark.

 

[hubbike]

there are quite a few "too ambitious" type posts like this... "I'm planning something super adventurous and extreme." (er... you're going on a cycle holiday for a couple of months) "will I shrivel up and die?"

and we all cheer "no you'll be fine, go for it" "


I sometimes wonder what the poster hopes to achieve. Validation that your trip is hardcore (it isn't but it will probably be great fun) or if you are seriously riddled with self-doubt that the encouragement of a few random strangers will miraculously turn that around.

I'm sorry, that's not helpful. Go for it, you'll be fine.

 

[TheDoctor]

Give it a go. What's the worst that can happen?
Have a great time!!!

 

[Liam Marshall]

Thanks for all the suport everyone. Does anyone have any tips about doing a big ride that they couldn't find online. Such as things that they personal found helpful (unusal but helpful things to bring)? Has anyone here rode around these areas before? If so are there any really nice areas to go through?

Im really curious about getting a quick set up tent, one of the pop up ones. I have a 2 man tent but i was thinking about getting a pop up one since ive seen some fairly cheap on the net. Are the pop up tents genrally more reliable?

 

[furball]

Pop up tents don't pack up small enough to carry around. They probably don't survive constant use either. Best bought for a festival and then abandoned at the end of it.