Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Bicycles > Overland Bicycle Travel
New to cycle touring New to cycle touring
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Overland Bicycle Travel Overlanding questions for two wheels, no motor!
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By dubber68
  • 2 Post By Scrabblebiker

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Jun 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 39
New to cycle touring
For many years I have toured on both 2 and 4 wheels but always with a motor. I have decided to give pedal power a go and am off on my first trip in a couple of weeks. It is only a short 10 day tour but it is a good many years since I traveled any distance under my own steam. The plan is to do the trans pennine trail which luckily has a spur staring close to my home and pedal coast to coast and then back home. I already have lightweight backpacking gear so should be OK on that front but any other advice would be welcomed.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Jun 2017
Scrabblebiker's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
Pace yourself

Don't overpack

Pace yourself

Take the time to set up the bike properly for ergonomics

Pace yourself

Check out www.warmshowers.org

Pace yourself

Be prepared to enjoy a peaceful ride where you actually hear the birds chirping

Pace yourself

Have fun

...Michelle
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Jun 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Local info is usually good so go join https://forum.cyclinguk.org/

Pace yourself -
First day make it short in both time and distance and elevation gain.
Second day - make it a little longer
Third day longer again

You get the idea. Build up, don't start out thinking you can do an 'average day' but rather start very easy .. say 40 miles or less depending on the hills. Use a cycle tour planer to find your elevation gains before you get there.

Put a tour route together and post it over on cyclinguk and see what the local experts say.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jul 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 39
Well the first trip was a big learning curve for me. The bike set up was a little off and I had to purchase a handlebar stem riser after 3 days and 200 miles due to some chronic neck pain. The difference it made was massive and the more upright position made the riding infinitely more comfortable. As most will appreciate as well there was some equipment that I could have left behind to reduce weigh(cooker and fuel, coffee etc). I also think a gel saddle cover would be preferable to cycling shorts as after washing them they were still damp in the mornings when I had to put them back on which was far from ideal. Unfortunately the trip came to a premature end after 370ish miles due to a number of infected bites on my knee which caused it to swell up significantly. Required antibiotics upon my return.

On the positive side the bike performed brilliantly once my body position was correct. There were some truly memorable wildlife moments actually on the ride, particularly towards evenings and early mornings.

Now I need to plan the next one a little better and apply the learnings.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Jul 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Sorry to hear it ended prematurely but it sounds like you found it a good experience and are up for another trip. Yes you can have some great encounters with wildlife on a bicycle and see a lot that is missed on a motorcycle.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jul 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 39
Cheers Mark. Yeah along with the sheer torture moments (neck pain) there were moments that will stay with me for a long time. I had a dragonfly slip streaming my handlebar mounted sleeping bag just in front of my chest for what felt like an eternity but in reality was probably only a few moments but to have one flying so close was magical. If you have any other advice to offer feel free as you have been a great help so far and I recalled you telling me about preferring an upright riding position and had to smile as I was handing over the cash for the new stem.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Jul 2017
Scrabblebiker's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
Welcome to the world of bicycle touring. It may not have gone entirely as planned but at least you went out and gave it a shot. After about 25 years of bicycle touring I still take way too much junk on each trip. I guess some of us are slower learners than others.

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Mar 2023
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 6
I also had thoughts about traveling by bicycle Tomasso. But the fact is that the road is never smooth, and going back on the road that goes up is just torture ... A few years ago there was such an experience. I had to wait for a car that picked me up and took the bike to the right place
Last edited by Addryn; 2 Apr 2023 at 15:38.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
UK event dedicated to cycle touring kateandwill Overland Bicycle Travel 0 13 Sep 2014 12:11
MTB upgrades for touring jim lovell Overland Bicycle Travel 12 5 Feb 2014 22:29
Small capacity touring, anyone north England ? Paul2129 Travellers Seeking Travellers 21 9 Aug 2013 19:39
Cycle Dresden and Cycle Storage in Europe graham3693 Trip Transport 1 13 Jun 2013 22:22
Rev'it Touring Jacket & Trousers- Lima, PERU vagabondrob TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 4 Feb 2012 18:34

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:21.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top