Recognize these ? I have now found a use for the "wonderful" Dahon Special Edition Schwalbe Stelvio tyres, a belt !
My friend Bettina of velo-re.com fame, got the tyres and turned them into belts, of which I got one. Pretty much the only use I have for these "great" tyres after only 1800'ish m...
The TravellingTwo have just written a free eBook about the basic touring.
I have just signed up for their news letter and read their first eBook. It is well written and gives you plenty food for thought even for somewhat seasoned cycle tourer. If you are a newbie to the cycling touring world thi...
Description: (From ukcampsite) Evergreen Farm is set in beautiful scenery of fields and woodland close to the medieval town of East Grinstead. Evergreen Farm has 12 pitches each with an optional fire pit (wood provided) set in 10 acres of idyllic woodland incorporating a natural pond. Natural ...
Up to two years ago I never tried merino wool and was pretty sure that it was just a gimmick. Thinking back at my old woolly jumpers I could only think about how itchy they were to wear.
Everyone who I knew who had tried out merino wool couldn't stop talking about it. So since we where putting in...
I don’t wear lycra but don’t mind some padding on my dear derriere. I wear a normal pair of shorts with some sort of padded shorts under, more like a under liner.
This is where the Kiwi company called Ground Effect comes in with their Underdogs shorts liner. They are pretty much liners for their...
My old Keen sandals needed updating. So I was looking around on Keen's website for a new pair. The Newport H2 are probably their best seller and I now know why. While looking on their site I also found a pair of cycling shoes they called the Commuter. Since my old pair was so comfy to walk in and...
My at least five years old Keen Taos (now called Arroyo II) sandals are still going strong. Though well knackered after heavy use in a all weathers and terrain. Used them for commuting, just walking about it and even a hiking up to 2400 meters in the Pyrenees.
I simply love the Keen sandals, breat...
Well not really, since I will go back to them any time. I got the Lake I/O SDL last year in May simply because I could get them where as As you can see they are well worn down from all the walking. Though last month I did feel a difference in the sandal in how they were clipped in and I was at first...
Description: (From their site) Outdoor folk will be spoiled for choice at this former Victorian rectory, set in 25 acres of relaxing riverside grounds with splendid views of the Royal Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat rock. Hire a canoe and take in the picturesque valley from the River Wye or cho...
Description: (From their site) An ideal holiday location especially for families or groups keen to visit The Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, or walk the Offa`s Dyke Path. The village has The Skirrid Mountain Inn, which is the oldest pub in Wales and was used as Judge Jeffrie`s Court. The scen...
The only reason why I ended up trying out this, was from my own stupidity, because I forgot my Exped DownMats on our last mini tour to Wales. So we had to get a mat for me for the last two nights.
We went into PSM Outdoors in Hay On Wye where we had a great service and had a look at what the...
As the reverse Newton law goes for cycling.
We had good night sleep bar one peak outside at midnight looking at the stars. The Trekmates mat, Mummy camper lite, I got yesterday did the job but I wouldn't sleep on it for more that the two nights I'm doing now.
Got up to glorious sunshine and cook...
Anne tells a lie in her book A bike ride, she doesn't cycle 12,000 miles around the world. She only cycles 11,552 miles around the world, but I too would round it to the nearest thousand if I ever managed what she did.
I only learned about this truly remarkable woman last year when she untimely...
A few years back when I decided to go clip less, I search for something that was easy to clip into and easy to learn to use. I don't like the "proper cycling" shoes as you can't just jump off your bicycle and have a walk as you please, so I was looking for MTB style cycling shoes. Out of them all st...
I was reading The Travelling Two website tonight as fell over a post there, Alastair Humphreys is planing a meet up for bike tourist, March 9th.
I thought that it may be helpful, now that I have done a few trips, to arrange an evening in a pub when I can try to help other people who are plan...
I think the Rainlegs were created for horse riders but soon found its way to cycling and other outdoor activities. The first time I saw them, I honestly thought that it was a gimmick. Yet another thing someone was trying to flog to us cyclist with no real use. After talking with a few cycling friend...
I got the dhb Wickham eVENT Waterproof Cycling Jacket a few weeks back and as sods law is, I didn't get to use it in anger before yesterday. 25 miles ride in solid drizzle with a heavy shower thrown in for good measure. What can I say it did what it said on the tin, e.g it was waterproof.
Waterpro...
I got the SuperNova E3 Pro with the handle bar mount.
The reason is that I didn't fancy having my expensive light sitting on my bicycle when parked up. When packing up the bicycle for cycle touring I didn't fancy fettling around with more bits as I'm sure I would knock or bend it while packing i...
I have never heard about Anne Mustoe until I was told about her untimely passing.
... what she termed her “new career”. When she resolved to cycle round the world, Mustoe was 54, somewhat overweight and unfit, and without any idea of how to mend a puncture. She had not ridden a bike for 30 years...
I'm not a big fan of standard drop bars. The main reason is that I don't feel I got a good grip when it comes to braking when you are riding in the hoods. I know that flat bars would not be a good thing either for touring and carrying heavy loads.
I looked at the Titec H-bar, which looks very go...
I have now used these since May and love them.
I wear them pretty much all day both cycling and walking in them. Since the cleats are set back in the shoe and the way that sole is made. I haven't worn down the cleats yet, like I did with my Shimano MT40.
They are still nice and warm, with a pa...
We got two Ajungilak air pillows and tested them out for one night and we have a winner.
Yes, you can use a t-shirt stuffed with your spare kit, but it is not the comfiest of things.
At 140g it is probably to heavy for the weight weenie's but we are looking for comfort and a few more grams would...
Description: (From their site) The CARGO has been a modern classic since 1988. As the first carrier from Tubus it remains our bestseller: The epitome of reliability, thousands have been manufactured over the years and are still in use worldwide today.
The Tubus racks are by the look and feel bui...
Description: (From their site) Our marked pitches are levelled well, drained and fully serviced with electricity, mains water supply and grey water disposal. Most are a combination of grass and hard standing. A few are all grass and all have excellent views of the Solent.
Site visited:...
I have just finished Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne, and I loved it, it is a very good read.
It is by all means not a touring book or a ride write up in the normal sense of bicycle related books. The first part is more a diary of David's visits to cities around the world, with some comments on a...
