Travelling by bicycle.

Digital X

Digital X

Digital X

Soldato
Joined
25 May 2013
Posts
10,157
Location
Kent.
Recently I have had the idea of getting a bicycyle, equipment etc and just travelling and see where I end up. I know due to corona at the moment would be a no go, but I was inspired by this guy who travelled across Australia, and since I haven't ridden since I was 16 I thought would be a fun, but risky idea.

Some parts may be planned via map or GPS, I've yet to decide or get any equipment but it's just a thought that popped into my head, and while I'm saving money and still young-ish (30) I may as well travel and explore while I can.

I realise this may come as a bit of "uhhh yeah might not work" kinda post, but I'm going to try, eventually.

Has anyone here got a bicycle and just decided to travel away from where you live, unplanned or not? What was the experience like?

Sorry if this is poorly worded I struggle with words.
 
Was watching a cycle travel thing on netflix, the guys loaded weight was 60kg, no way I could enjoy that,
I cycle to Padstow sometimes on camel trail (almost on doorstep) but that's far enough for me) 35 miles return) , and rough TOR (rough pronounced row as in argument) on route 3 now and again
 
As you've not cycled for 14 years it might be worth just getting a bike and riding rather than making some massive plans and basing any kind of purchase against it... With that kind of ambition you'll end up with an endurance/gravel or enduro off road type bike. Not a bad place to start, but until you've actually done some riding you really won't know what you prefer or want to do (and possibly end up with a wasted expensive purchase). It would be quite easy to spec you a £3500 audax monster setup, but within a few hours of riding you may not want to bother again, or want to sell it and buy a bmx/road bike/downhill...
 
A few years ago I rode from London to Shanghai, China. Took a year. As long as you don't have any injuries that might preclude you from this, it's way more achievable than most people imagine. I didn't have a route planned but did have places along the way I wanted to visit, then just planned each weeks route as it came and went.

I did it with a more traditional bike touring setup, but, I'm now looking to do another tour of about 4-6 weeks with a bike packing setup. From first hand experience I can tell you that a lighter bike is much more fun.

As above, gravel/cyclocross bikes are a popular choice for bike-packing. I use a GT Grade and have done days up to 210km on it.

If you want to dabble in the idea, just get a cheap second bike (that fits) and just start riding it. You'll find out fairly quickly if you love or hate cycling. Go at a comfy pace and just keep going for longer and longer rides. When deciding to cycle to China I was at a point were I was cycling 60-80km a week as part of my commute to work and had done two back to back 50km half-days with a camp in the middle. If you go on a long tour, the first month on the road will be your training. If you go on a shorter trip, then yeah you'll want to prepare more thoroughly before hand.
 
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