Hello
I am planning on cycling around the world and I have a lot of questions.
First, some background. I love cycling and I love cycle touring. I cycled around New Zealand earlier this year and I have just cycled from the UK to Kiel in north Germany. I have also done a few small tours in the UK, southern France and Spain. All of this has been enough to convince me that I want to make a BIG trip, around the whole wide world. I am only 25, have no commitments and think this is something I really want to do.
I probably won't start until late next year or 2011 because I want to get some funds together and theres also one or two other projects I might want to think about first, so nothings urgent. But I have been thinking a lot about the trip and particularly the bike and so I wanted to ask some questions now. You will have to forgive my naivety a little. I love cycling, but I hate bikes. Well, when things go wrong anyway.
My idea for a route at the moment is as follows:
UK and Ireland
Northern Europe, east Germany to Russia then back west through Scandanavia.
Iceland
Canada. (work here 6 months or a year)
USA
Central America or Carribean or a bit of both (or all of both)
South America
New Zealand (work 1 or 2 years)
Oz (maybe work)
Asia
Middle East
Africa - down the east coast and back up the west
Southern Europe
Ok so its a little ambitious, but I did say I wanted to go everwhere! I'm planning it'll take me somewhere between 5 and 10 years so its certainly a big trip.
SO, I am going to need a decent bit of kit for this I guess. I know I need a damn good bike, but what suggestions do people have? I guess the most important thing will be a strong frame? What wheels should I get? Mountain bike wheels? I think 26" will be better right? easier to get parts? What bikes are best for getting parts worldwide?
And what about tyres? I won´t be hitting Africa for a long while, and Europe and N america are going to be first and so maybe I should start with slicks, but maybe I should have the option to go off road. And should I get some puncture resistant tyres? Kevlar? What do people think about that.
Ok, big question about wheels would be spokes. I´m gonna have a lot of gear, so I should get extra strong spokes / wheels right? Do some bikes come with these, what bikes?
What about gears?
I have Ortlieb panniers and will take front and rear panniers, although i have never used front panniers before I think I will need the extra space.
Ok, maybe thats enough questions for now. As for budget, I don't mind spending as much as I need to, I just want a bike which isn't going to need too much maintenance en route, but then again not so expensive that its going to be a target for theives or that I would lose too much if it was written off or whatever.
Thanks for ny help
Chris
I am planning on cycling around the world and I have a lot of questions.
First, some background. I love cycling and I love cycle touring. I cycled around New Zealand earlier this year and I have just cycled from the UK to Kiel in north Germany. I have also done a few small tours in the UK, southern France and Spain. All of this has been enough to convince me that I want to make a BIG trip, around the whole wide world. I am only 25, have no commitments and think this is something I really want to do.
I probably won't start until late next year or 2011 because I want to get some funds together and theres also one or two other projects I might want to think about first, so nothings urgent. But I have been thinking a lot about the trip and particularly the bike and so I wanted to ask some questions now. You will have to forgive my naivety a little. I love cycling, but I hate bikes. Well, when things go wrong anyway.
My idea for a route at the moment is as follows:
UK and Ireland
Northern Europe, east Germany to Russia then back west through Scandanavia.
Iceland
Canada. (work here 6 months or a year)
USA
Central America or Carribean or a bit of both (or all of both)
South America
New Zealand (work 1 or 2 years)
Oz (maybe work)
Asia
Middle East
Africa - down the east coast and back up the west
Southern Europe
Ok so its a little ambitious, but I did say I wanted to go everwhere! I'm planning it'll take me somewhere between 5 and 10 years so its certainly a big trip.
SO, I am going to need a decent bit of kit for this I guess. I know I need a damn good bike, but what suggestions do people have? I guess the most important thing will be a strong frame? What wheels should I get? Mountain bike wheels? I think 26" will be better right? easier to get parts? What bikes are best for getting parts worldwide?
And what about tyres? I won´t be hitting Africa for a long while, and Europe and N america are going to be first and so maybe I should start with slicks, but maybe I should have the option to go off road. And should I get some puncture resistant tyres? Kevlar? What do people think about that.
Ok, big question about wheels would be spokes. I´m gonna have a lot of gear, so I should get extra strong spokes / wheels right? Do some bikes come with these, what bikes?
What about gears?
I have Ortlieb panniers and will take front and rear panniers, although i have never used front panniers before I think I will need the extra space.
Ok, maybe thats enough questions for now. As for budget, I don't mind spending as much as I need to, I just want a bike which isn't going to need too much maintenance en route, but then again not so expensive that its going to be a target for theives or that I would lose too much if it was written off or whatever.
Thanks for ny help
Chris