Cycling from London to Shangahi

[MickeyFinns]

You don't look as physically fit as I was expecting.

Lol I'm not that fit at all. You don't need to be to do this sort of thing, just build up the pace as you get fitter. Currently doing 30-60 mile days based on how I'm feeling. Will ramp this up to 50-80 when fitter.

edit: to top it off, weight myself last night and lost 7 pounds in a week which is a bit worrying actually!

 

[madtoady]

Sounds like you need to be eating quite a lot more than your currently are :O

 

[DJMK4]

Yeah getting some food down you, you cant underestimate how much toll this is going to take on things like this so make sure your eating enough and not loosing too much.

Keep going and have fun

 

[Mik3]

Wow incredible, best of luck to you pal.

 

[MickeyFinns]

Sounds like you need to be eating quite a lot more than your currently are :O

Yeah getting some food down you, you cant underestimate how much toll this is going to take on things like this so make sure your eating enough and not loosing too much.

Keep going and have fun

Yeah I need to eat about 5000 a day at my current pace but I am trying to lose some of my excess weight at the moment, partly because I need to anyway, but also because it's about an extra 10kg's to haul over hills!

Wow incredible, best of luck to you pal.

Cheers!

 

[Freefaller]

you're not that far from my French family's roots! Amazing how far you've travelled already!

 

[MickeyFinns]

you're not that far from my French family's roots! Amazing how far you've travelled already!

I'm near Phalsbourg tonight, Strasbourg tomorrow. Going fast to start as everything costs a lot! Will slow down a bit after Vienna .

 

[Freefaller]

Yes Europe isn't the cheapest of places - glad you're able to keep updating your blog it's a good read. you've been to some fascinating places!

 

[MickeyFinns]

Yes Europe isn't the cheapest of places - glad you're able to keep updating your blog it's a good read. you've been to some fascinating places!

Going to try and do a blog for each leg, so will write one in Strasbourg for the last couple days I think. It's getting more enjoyable now, my body seems to be getting used to it all! Also camping is a lot easier now I have a routine.

 

[Gambisk]

This is an incredible trip, best of luck to you, I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread and your blog for sure.

 

[platypus]

Did you sort all your visas in advance? Or are you paying cash as you go?

 

[platypus]

Hmm, I was looking at a Roux Etape this weekend. Would you recommend it?

 

[MickeyFinns]

Did you sort all your visas in advance? Or are you paying cash as you go?

Cash as I go as most Central Asian ones have fixed dates and I won't reach China before it expires. The visa plan is as follows;

Iran: Applied for authorization, if I get it I will collect visa in Trabzon, Turkey.

I'll be flying home for 3 weeks in Jan/Feb and will get my CHinese visa in London, they are no really difficult to get east of Istanbul to stop Westerners visiting Xinjian (which is what I'll be doing).

Once in Tehran I will extend my Iranina visa 30days and use them to get Uzbek invite and visa and then use this to get a 5 day Turkmenistan transit visa. If i have time in Tehran then also get Tajik visa (with add-on GBAO permit), if I don't I will get this in Uzbekistan.

I will extend my one month Chinese visa twice once in China (Once in Golmud and then again in probably Xian).

 

[Mr Jones]

My question is: Will you be growing your beard throughout your whole journey?

 

[MickeyFinns]

Hmm, I was looking at a Roux Etape this weekend. Would you recommend it?

Here's my review, they cut a few corners but it's all replaceable;

Stock cassette isn't low enough for touring, replaced with a Shimano that goes down to 34.
Stock pedals are awful, I replaced mine.
Stock saddle is awful, replaced with a brooks.
Frame is good, very stable at high speed downhill and with corsswinds, as long as front panniers are balanced (made that mistake this morning).
Stock tubes are awful (stem is ruubber, broke off after 3 pump ups).
Brakes are top notch.
Brifters are very nice.
Stock tyres very good (strange when they put awful tubes on it)
Stock rack is very good.

All in all very good for the money but if I'd had an extra £400 I would've got a Surly Disc Trucker.

 

[MickeyFinns]

My question is: Will you be growing your beard throughout your whole journey?

Current plan is too But I will have it trimmed and tidied as well as getting haircuts, not a fan of the "travelling bum" look.

 

[Mr Jones]

Current plan is too But I will have it trimmed and tidied as well as getting haircuts, not a fan of the "travelling bum" look.

The bum look would be awesome, especially when cycling and all

Good luck and will keep an eye on your blog, looking good thus far!

 

[platypus]

Here's my review, they cut a few corners but it's all replaceable;

Stock cassette isn't low enough for touring, replaced with a Shimano that goes down to 34.
Stock pedals are awful, I replaced mine.
Stock saddle is awful, replaced with a brooks.
Frame is good, very stable at high speed downhill and with corsswinds, as long as front panniers are balanced (made that mistake this morning).
Stock tubes are awful (stem is ruubber, broke off after 3 pump ups).
Brakes are top notch.
Brifters are very nice.
Stock tyres very good (strange when they put awful tubes on it)
Stock rack is very good.

All in all very good for the money but if I'd had an extra £400 I would've got a Surly Disc Trucker.

All sounds good to me, most of the parts you've listed I'd look at replacing/upgrading anyway. Interesting, cheers.

 

[platypus]

Are you camping every night or mixing it up with hostels/b&bs?

 

[platypus]

I guess one thing that would stop me doing this (other than the wife...) would be the paranoia about having my bike/belongings stolen.