Hi, I have a bike and a tent and 2 months between jobs so want to give cycle touring a go. I need a rear rack to strap to the tent plus a backpack (or panniers, but the less new gear I need to buy the better) but a bit overwhelmed with which one to go for especially because I have read that I need different type because of disc breaks? The bike is a Boardman Adv 8.8 2019. I will probs look second hand before other places, but understand this isn't something to cheap out on.

My plan is to do a practice 1-2 weeks in UK then somewhere in Europe. I hope to be self sufficient but take the bare minimum so believe I can get everything in using a backpack and the tent on top of the rack alongside frame and handlebar bags. One last question is it a big deal having most of the weight on the back wheel or is it okay for my first time and I can invest in fork panniers later.

I'm considering riding the Alpe Adria route, but from what I gather from photos and people's accounts, it's quite "family-friendly" and rather undemanding. I've read that in the area, there's Grossglocknerstrasse with Hochtor Pass, which seems to be quite extreme. Has anyone of you extended the Alpe Adria route to include Grossglocknerstrasse with Hochtor Pass and could share their impressions and, more importantly, a link to the map? I'd like to plan accommodations along the way.

I cycled from Denmark and have arrived in Ljubljana in Slovenia.

I am looking for a potential route onwards towards Turkey. I was considering the coastal route ev 8, but heard the traffic was pretty bad.

Anyone have any other suggestions, or gpx files for a route? I wouldn't mind taking some detours, I am not in a rush, and mostly looking to cycle in Natural surroundings with little Trafic. Well that would be the dream.

Hello, I'm planning to do my first bike tour this summer and I need a touring bike, but I don't know what to choose. I was looking at Riverside 520, but I read on this sub that it's not good for climbing, so I'm not sure. I also read here about Fuji, but I see that they don't sell bikes in my country. So, what recommendations do you have for under 1000 euros?

Are Canyon Pathlites good for this? Do they support a lot of weight for me (at 100 kg) and luggage?

Would be better to go for another type of bike and just add a rack for luggage on it?

Also, any other advice for my first tour is welcome :)

Thanks!

Hi guys, happy Sunday! - I'm a long time city cyclist in very flat areas (London, Berlin, Budapest) but just moved to the south of France (around Perpignan and the Pyrenees) and bought a cheap mountain bike with 9 gears. I started using it in the local area, but it's tough. A friend I cycle with rides the Ridgeback Expedition (27 gears) and I'm looking to get something to use on long bikepacking trips to carry gear.

I know that the gears on the mountain bike are on the lower end, to tackle the ascents, but I feel limited. I'm not sure if it's just BC I'm not used to the mountainous region, or just not strong enough yet, or if I just don't have the right bike with right gears. I'm doing a lot of research, but others use bikes across countries in South America for example, with 10-12 gears (surly karate monkey) so I'm a little confused and don't want to buy a bike BC it sounds good. Any advice would be great - cheers

Really having a hard time wrapping my head around the bike I need for my tour. Mind giving me a hand?

Total bike touring newbie with big ambitions… Too many options & diverging opinions on what’s good, appropriate & simply not recommended…. As of now, I’ve been to 3 LBS & read a bunch of forum posts, articles & old posts in this subreddit & I can’t seem to get a clear picture. I’ve been told more than a few times that riding loaded with 40-50lbs of equipment will be "deadly" with lower-end derailleurs. GRX 600 or 105 at least, they said, for light gravel/road bike touring, loaded with 40lbs+. Now SRAM, Microshift & Campagnolo haven’t been brought up yet & I know very little about them but basically, lower-end was a no go according to employees of the bike shops.

Furthermore they’ve told me aluminum was just fine (discussed a lot here) & that the saddle wouldn’t matter much because they’d all feel just as bad the first few weeks. I was initially recommended a Norco Search XR A2 but was/is reluctant due to the price.

For context I’m planning a 3000km+ European tour from France to Slovenia & back, passing through the Alps. Inevitably, I’ll be doing some climbing, I’ve avoided most of the Cat 1 & 2s but still, I know it’s not always gonna be a cakewalk. I estimate riding 50-100km/day. I will be doing some light gravel, but mainly asphalt.

I’ve got a limited budget being a student and all but I sure as hell wanna make the best out of it, least I’m gonna try. 1400-1500 CAD max tax included ideally.

I found this Kona Esatto D 2015 for 999$ CAD ($730~) … Practically never been used, found none used to compare with price wise, only the MSRP…. But it seems to be fine for my needs. The geometry is the only thing I’m a bit concerned with, not used to it, I tried it & I’m ambivalent… Fear my neck will go kaput from looking up 24/7. I’ve done a great deal of MTB when I was younger & so the position is really new for me.

Main specs I took notice of:

Rear D: Shimano 105

Front D: " Tiagra

Crank: 34/50

Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 12-28t 10spd

Tires: 700x30c Schwalbe CX Pro

Any suggestions, comments, advices? Any pointers would be super helpful & much appreciated!

This is why I ride

Hey guys,

I've had this dream for a while to do a big bike trip in the Southeast of Brazil. I'm Canadian and I've had the chance to travel in the region before. I fell in love with the place, especially the Serra dos Órgãos and the littoral around Ilha do Cardoso and Ilha de Superagui. It's incredible that, near some of the largest cities in Brazil, a large amount of land has been set aside to protect a super diverse ecosystem with wonderful natural landscapes.

I learned recently about the Caminho da Mata Atlântica. It is currently being developed as a mostly continuous network of trails and rural roads that link national parks and other protected areas in the region. I decided to use it as an inspiration to create a bike itinerary from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul. The route is meant to be done by mountain bike over multiple weeks staying in pousadas and camping when possible. I want to avoid pavement as much as possible and instead use mostly dirt roads and a bit of singletrack (+/- hike-a-bike). There is thus a lot of climbing and rough surfaces. The goal is to be as close as possible to nature (and as far as possible from car traffic).

I know this might sound like a crazy idea. I do have some experience. I've already done bike trips of multiple thousands of kilometers in North America. I've also traveled (without a bike) through ten different Brazilian states and have done some hiking there. And I speak enough Portuguese to get around. But I understand that there is some inherent risk, both from crime (see the story of Julieta Hernández Martínez) and from the environment (the current flooding in Rio Grande do Sul for example).

The itinerary:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46614200

I have a few questions:

1. Are there any changes you would make to pass through more interesting routes or attractions?

2. Are there any parts you would avoid because they're dangerous (I'm mostly concerned about passing near the outskirts of Rio...)? Or impassable?

3. Do you know of any local mountain biking or bike touring communities along the route I could contact for recommendations?

4. If you're familiar with biking or hiking anywhere along the route, I would be grateful if you could contact me. I have lots of specific questions.

5. I will probably explore part of the route in the next few weeks, so if anyone is interested to ride along, even for a short distance, feel free to contact me.

Thanks a lot in advance :)

Summer of 2022 I stumbled on this free touring event, where people were cycling from Amsterdam to Marseille. People were free to join and leave the event at any point, and they were cooking and camping together every night. The first part of the event was in non-mixity.

Does anyone know the name of this group/event? I would to join them if they do it again this summer.

I'm looking at building my second bike next year that would be an ATB...road/gravel/off road but be lighter and as strong as a steel bike. I want it for touring and bikepacking. I'm looking at doing the transamerica route or the GDMBR in touring/bikepacking mode...not racing the route. Must be able to hold my weight (200#) and gear wt (<50#) plus food and water. I feel Ti frames would be lighter than steel and just as strong but not cheap. Any suggestions as to a bike frame to look at? I'm currently riding a surly bridge club XL 27.5, 1x11 and have cane creek seat post and stem and a jones h 2.5 bar as well as a salsa bend and butterfly trekking bars. Mostly riding road but want to ride gravel and rail trails. A new rail trail race is starting in june from Seattle to DC using much of the great American rail trail and other trails to stay off the roads. Looks like a great route but not crazy enough to race it...I'm not a spring chicken at 70yrs old. Want to at least make it to 90 if possible and still be riding to maintain my health.

Hey Hey!

A friend an me are biking from Berlin to Bangkok, our first bigger bike tour, and we are just one week in! So far we made it to Prague and it is just amazing! Even our butts don't hurt that much and the weather so far was beautiful.

Here are some photos of the first days :)

If you wanna follow our tour, you can follow us on instagram or youtube. Would love your support <3

Cheers

Max & Stephan

https://preview.redd.it/3ua39ab0suzc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0989b1afddaedf93fc600ff13b225cc89a8dac2b

https://preview.redd.it/hy037ab0suzc1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2dfc6b983d61820effe7e03e4578b10ccebddf5a

https://preview.redd.it/hny5feb0suzc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd76461694ffe1f94bb08d20f4b91d7d1fd43b61

https://preview.redd.it/0a2mugb0suzc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be35393fb3104310e78a1322f415c0280f7e9f51

https://preview.redd.it/sbbz7dd0suzc1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31d34db8d2a8c098988c617ca08473fd17a4d23b

Will the Bontrager BackRack Deluxe MIK work on a 2009 Jake The Snake that does not have disc brakes?

So there's 3 main routes to really get from Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia to SE Asia.

• Cross into China from Kyrgyzstan and ride the entire length of China down towards Laos or Vietnam. This looks very boring, but you don't have to worry about flights.

• Cross into China from Kyrgyzstan and head straight down into Pakistan, then India, then Nepal, then fly from somewhere around there to SE China/Laos/Vietnam/Thailand because Myanmar is a no-go zone at the moment. Looks the most interesting of the routes, but you've got to catch a flight which would be sad after riding all the way from Europe.

• Continue from Kyrgyzstan north into Kazahstan, then across a small corner of Russia, then down through Mongolia into China. This is another really cool route but I have no idea what the situation is with Russian visas at the moment. Especially coming from a country that they deem as 'unfriendly'.

Anyone done a PanAsian ride recently? Would love to hear what route you took.

(I'm aware the Azerbaijan land border is closed at the moment and already required a flight for some people, but I'd like to think it'll be open in a years time)

Hey all,

I’m trying to purchase maps for the western express connecting to the transamerican bicycle route for a cross country ride. I wanted to purchase virtual maps on the app, but it hasn’t been working right for me. Paper maps are still an option, but I really wanted to have them on my device. Anybody else have issues with the app? Can someone sell me on the idea of why paper maps are better? Thanks!

Hey, Here is a tale of mess of trains so that you hopefully can avoid this: I just finished Via Rhona on 11/05/24 and had planned to take the train back from Montpelier. I checked before the trip and during and there were plenty of InOui trains from Montpelier to Grenoble (home). On the website it says you need to pay 10 euros extra to take a assembled bike and I thought okay I'll do that. Only at the station i get to know well different regions have different rules and in Occitane region, bikes are not allowed on the InOui line.

Okay so what's the other option? Regional trains TER. And here comes the mess. Bike to grau de roi station -> TER to Nimes centre -> TER to Avignon. 4 hours of journey but so far so good.

Next my plan was to take the TER to Valence and then the TER to grenoble. BUT. You need to reserve a bike space in TERs in Cote d'azur region. There is a specific website for the Cote d'azur region to reserve bike places in the TER. This is also specific to the region because never I had to reserve a bike space in Auvergne Rhones Alpes region. Also this website never showed up on my Google searches or SNCF application. I was asked to scan a QR code. But ofcourse it was all reserved for the day. And then they're strict to only let people in who have reserved places. Some people had. Most were confused and angry.

I couldn't find bike spot until Valence but I could until Montelimar. I thought okay atleast that's closer and will figure out from there. So had to wait until evening for that train and made it to Montelimar where I took another train to Valence. Here no bike reservation yayyyy. And then finally another TER to grenoble.

• My pain point is all these services are under sncf so the app you use to book is centralized.

-BUT then each region has different rules which are not available in one place but on each regions website apparently.

-And finally the bike reservation system is broken because an individual can book multiple places in multiple trains on same day (they should cancel on a good will basis). This probably makes the reservation info in system full but which might not be the case. Mainly bikers are very accommodating stuffing their bikes in using all last inch of the place while being respectful. This is what I always see in TERs in Auvergne Rhones Alpes. But reserving bikes and then making it strict doesn't take the full potential of space into account but rather the hanging space.

So keep all this in mind. Maybe if you did this route too all of this was obvious to you. Maybe not. Curious to read your experiences. This might sound like venting and i am a bit but the trip itself makes all the pain points worth it. Just with bit of heads up couldve been better. Cheers.

I found an older cinelli with rim brakes fully kitted. Will this work for long touring for a 125kg person plus his gear? Any downsides?

I’m thinking 1 or 2 person.

How to pack…

I really like the Camp Dome 2 from REI, I’ve borrowed from my friend a couple times, but never for bike trips…

I like that it’s easy to assemble, feels pretty good and spacious but also somehow lean, had two side opening doors with a nice shape to them…

And idk… any suggestions on other tents or where to find this one, comparisons/suggestions for packing/loading or mounting on to the bike?

I’m currently on a bike trip for a month with my two kids (13, 10) and husband from Germany to Switzerland on the Euro Velo 15. I am feeling very discourage at my pace / endurance lately. When I choose the pace, I feel like everyone is right behind me, coasting. When my husband leads, it’s him and the kids in front about 50 feet and I’m struggling to survive. Here’s the stats on the bikes : my husband and I are both on Riverside touring 520, and we’re both carrying equal weight (with the bike, we’re at 60-70lbs). The kids barely have any weight but they are inexperienced and have barely ridden in their life. Whereas, I am an avid cross country (mountain biker) rider and can do 14-20 km days 3-4/time a week. I also run 10 km 2 times a week and weight lift…my health and activities levels are not the problem. I am 40, 130 lbs, and am very active…so why? Why am I struggling during this trip? My quads are burning all day, and when I take the pressure off them, my calves start blowing up. Am I just really out of shape?????

***update: we have pumped my tires as much as they can hold and reduced the load 5 lbs. It’s already made a massive difference as I’m coasting more and pedalling less overall. We had pumped up my tires full when we started but I guess we should have keeped an eye on that every 50 km or so. Thank you for the help!

Just going through my seat tube spares while moving from but to tpu tubes. Looks like the but tube wouldn't have been too reliable.

Has anyone camped with this bag?

Any packing/loading bike-mounting suggestions?

If not this bag, why and have any alternate suggestions?

If anyone wants to suggest a sleeping bag or have any suggestions on how to pack/mount…

Hey everyone, in the early stages of just planning a short tour for this winter, my pal and I were thinking we could meet up with some other groups of friends as we head south as they will be going down to Central America for hollidays. Any visa requirements or anything strange about crossing boarders through the countries in between? Do we have to have return flights booked out of Panama for entry into any countries there(I’ve heard of this) . We weren’t going to have a schedule so perhaps wouldn’t have return flights yet so that could be annoying.

In the very elementary stages of planning, in fact we don’t really plan much, usually just figure it out as we go. But I would appreciate any logistical advice or experiences!

Cheers

We are taking bikes to Holland via Harwich for some touring.

Any tips for the ferry journey with bikes?

Any horrors that await us?

Hey dear bikepacking enthusiasts,

I have a trip planned in 2 months going 1.700km from Lyon - Rome. I'll have around 5 weeks of time for everything, which would come down to 50km/day if i'd be riding every day. I aim to do 80+km/day, meaning i could have 10-12 days of rest and enjoy some cities/beatiful spots. A really rough first draft of the Route is attached down below, i will try to follow the Eurovelos (8+7.. or 5?!) in each country.

If you guys have some recommendations and tips about the Route, special places to make sure to visit and cities where it's especially worth it to stay a might - please tell me :) I will be (wild) camping if that matters.

I'm a little afraid of the 12.000 metres of climbing. I should have enough training and experiences with long distance bikepacking tho. Appreciate if anyone wants to share his or her experiences!

https://ibb.co/BKBggNR