Bike Trips on your own

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by ranathari

How do you keep your luggage safe if you're using soft panniers? I'm thinking about things like leaving it in a car park when stopping for a drink or on the ferry.

If you are genuinely concerned about this, take a look at pac-safe

http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php

But in my experience, folks abroad tend to respect bikes and leave them alone. Big towns / cities may be different, but they tend not to have any exciting roads, so I avoid them.

The other handy thing to do with tailpacks and panniers is to keep the waterproof covers on them and then, certainly with the tailpack, a cargo net over the top of that.

It means another few minutes of faffing when you're loading / unloading; but I do think it makes the whole lot look less instantly-nickable to any opportunistic bods.

I got and smalltop box and bolted it through a rear seat. It was then locked to the bike and I used the carrier for my camping stuff.

Originally Posted by Stu

Bike mag this month - Loop of Scotland in a weekend - Very tempting

I saw this too, want to give it a bash lol??

So the idea is to go off and find a field somewhere and sleep in it.

You go by yourself? You take a tent and camp overnight and go someplace new? Sounds like a great idea. Another thing to add to my list of things to do.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

If you are genuinely concerned about this, take a look at pac-safe

http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php

But in my experience, folks abroad tend to respect bikes and leave them alone. Big towns / cities may be different, but they tend not to have any exciting roads, so I avoid them.

I'm not that paranoid about it but thanks for the link. Think Cazza's waterproof covers and cargo net suggestion's a reasonable bodge when the bike's on the ferry and while I'm refuelling en route to my destination.

Originally Posted by ranathari

Think Cazza's... suggestion's a reasonable bodge...

Good. I have a reputation to maintain!

As Spiderman has already mentioned, we did the whole 'get on the bike and just ride' idea last year. This was huuuugely different from my natural desire to organise and plan everything in advance. At times it worked better than others, but that was all part of the adventure, and I'd certainly do it again - either with a friend or two, or on my own.

This sounds awesome. My friend is insisting me, him and 3 other ppl go off to Holland and around Europe in 2 weeks. Lots of driving and lots of nights on towns. I follow on bike i love the idea but i don't know about planning it... riding Europe is a must do for me.

[BanannaMan]

Originally Posted by Jamiebridges123

So the idea is to go off and find a field somewhere and sleep in it.

Sorry.....No.
Not my idea.... Hotel is the word.
AC/heat, TV, phone, etc.
Yes Sir, hotel is the word.

But each to his own...

I usually go for a bit more modest fare but this weekend...
I'm off to a old resort originaly built in the 1940's and located high atop a mountain, absolutely as deep as one can get into the forests of western North Carolina. (USA) (pics forthcoming)
Breakfast and dinner at the restaurant on site are included with the room.
Great mountain top roads during the day and a bit of relaxing and chatting with the other guests in the evening.
I can't wait!!
(but hoping the weather forecast improves)

Sorry for the derail...I just can't help myself.
Is it Saturday yet?????

Originally Posted by BanannaMan

Sorry.....No.
Not my idea.... Hotel is the word.
AC/heat, TV, phone, etc.
Yes Sir, hotel is the word.

But each to his own...

I usually go for a bit more modest fare but this weekend...
I'm off to a old resort originaly built in the 1940's and located high atop a mountain, absolutely as deep as one can get into the forests of western North Carolina. (USA) (pics forthcoming)
Breakfast and dinner at the restaurant on site are included with the room.
Great mountain top roads during the day and a bit of relaxing and chatting with the other guests in the evening.
I can't wait!!
(but hoping the weather forecast improves)

Sorry for the derail...I just can't help myself.
Is it Saturday yet?????

It alawys makes me laugh when Americans say that things from the 1940s (or there abouts) are old. lol. that isnt old. lol