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Re: Bike Trips on your own
are tents like this what you should be after?
http://www.outdoorworld.co.uk/aztec-...tent-p-38.html are backpacks better or soft paniers? |
Re: Bike Trips on your own
Interesting note about no "pitch up in a field and tent" rules in France. See thats the kinda thing I was thinking about, rather than spending a few hours each day looking for campsites (could pre sort out where I guess).
Got hard luggage on the bandit, went to france with friends last year (no tent) and had loads of room on the bike. Really fancying this idea. Might join friends for their rideout, and spend a day or 2 by myself coming home again (they are going all the way down south france into italy over 3 weeks, I can only do a week max). |
Re: Bike Trips on your own
Tent looks good. It's worth checking how small it packs down or how to break it up to distribute around the bike. I have a Gelert 2-man tent that works well.
Panniers are way better than a back pack. The bike carries the load and not you, you can get off for a comfort break / food / petrol with ease. I have hard panniers on the VFR for clothes, sleeping bag, food etc. Tent, sleeping mat, gas, non-essentials go in a duffle type dry-bag strapped across the rear seat. I wrap my security chain around the dry-bag to make it easy to carry. Waterproof over suit is also under the cargo net on the rear seat. A Tank bag has essentials needed on the move, map, travel docs, phone, spares, tool kit (VFR has not room under seat) etc. This is the VFR loaded for two week trip http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ceTrip0001.jpg |
Re: Bike Trips on your own
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Re: Bike Trips on your own
Go for it.
As well as camp sites Europe has a lot cheap low star hotels, for example F1. I was able to find somewhere for under 30euros a nigh in most places I went to. Dan |
Re: Bike Trips on your own
Im personally looking at the Vango Banshee 200. Packs up really small and its very light. Inner pitches first which is the only downside but quite roomy.
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Re: Bike Trips on your own
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I cant really see the need to bring too much stuff on a biking trip when you are just going for the riding :smt017 just be smelly for a week :thumright: |
Re: Bike Trips on your own
Been riding in France, Spain and Italy by myself before and planning a trip late August. I really enjoy it. I've found that it's easier than you think. A set of good maps, a rough idea of where you want to go and be flexible so you can stop off if you spot a good place. Don't take on too much mileage in a day and leave time in the afternoon to get booked in at a camp-site or bed & breakfast. I usually set off around 9:30 and looked to stop around 3:30. Practice a few sentences in french for ordering food and drink, that usually goes down well with the locals! Use the local convenience stores if not confident as you can pick up all the food and drink you need and just look at the till indicator to see how much you have to pay.
Risks; don't get caught speeding-it'll cost you. Over 100mph and you're likely to have your bike impounded. The french are getting really serious about speeding. Have your bike serviced, the usual checks before a long journey. Take a few extra tools, set of light bulb spares. ps imo soft panniers are better if you don't intend touring often. That and a rucksack or £10 water proof bag from Hein Gericke or similar to sit over the top. |
Re: Bike Trips on your own
I reckon a pair of shoes, pair of jeans, pair of shorts, couple of tshirts and maybe a fleece/light jacket, small Towel, shower gel toothpaste and toothbrush plus enough pants & socks and thats me done.
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Re: Bike Trips on your own
Both of my big trips were by myself, quite enjoyable, ride at your own pace, go where you want to go, meet complete strangers, get ****ed with french electricians, chat to nice Swiss girls, drink wine with french mountain climbing primary teachers in a mountain hostel in Chamonix, be billy no mates some nights, crash outside french restaurants full of workers having lunch then race a Kwak up passed Val D'Isere etc.
Although I did stay in hotels/hostels/pensions(B&Bs) etc. which helps to meet people. Just go. |
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