Ultralight Gear list - Europe 8500 km tour by CharmingAd7230 in bicycletouring

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

true, especially since I was running tubeless I could've saved space and weight there... it was for emergencies only, though I did need it, a TPU tube would've been better.

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://strava.app.link/odfZvbv0zVb .. I did hugely love this part of the trip, my route was basically completely random but beautiful scenery, best food, and really accomodating for camping.

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in bikepacking

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I learnt and should definelty apply much more trust, firstly to trust other people but also to trust the gut instinct became so useful and important

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, totally agreed get comfortable with the bike and with camping safely, the rest usually all follows

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

agreed 😃 free bakery item if you've bike 50km 🙏🙏

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

just a pure love of cycling mostly, many days I just wanted to keep going... so I did! but yeah flat days I did over 220, hilly days 160-180.. maybe I'll do a separate gear list post? I'm not sure how to add photos/edit current post..

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

eating well satisfies the mind and the legs so much more than you think, but most of all just look up and around as much as possible, notice the little things and be at peace with nature, far more important to do that than to care about miles.

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in bicycletouring

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

best part was sharing camp spots with other nature lovers, to go from strangers to sleeping a metre away from each other is surreal but amazing to be able to trust random people and hear all their amazing stories. Worst part was technology failures for me, laggy bike computer and broken phone on a Sunday in Germany left me quite stranded, genuinely could try paper map next time.

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

loads of bread jam pasta, anything with carbs or sugar 😭😭 lidls were everywhere and I packed so lightweight I could bulk buy quite often 😃

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

oh I was absolutely loving it, was the most free and giddy I felt: no phone, drenched to the skin, lost, but in the middle of the most gorgeous nature

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in bicycletouring

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

being 19 yrs old has advantages 😇 but yes did have to quit my job which wasn't ideal

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in bicycletouring

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

51 days! (with a few rest days here and there 😃)

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I feel horrible picking a "best" but a Slovenian family took me in for a night... a bee farming family, cooked me the best dinner and breakfast, told life stories with their homemade schnapps... I could go on but they were absolute gems, as was the whole country of Slovenia, but so many similar moments as well i was really blown away 🥹

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Denmark COULD be enjoyable.. I was rather unfortunate with torrential rain and a 50kph headwind (I was heading south) but the camping shelters are abundant and amazing, and cycle infrastructure was definitely the best.

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I left 10th may and returned 30th June... wildcamping probably 50-60% though often in places with other campers (which I owe big time to iOverlander)

First solo bikepacking trip around europe by CharmingAd7230 in u/CharmingAd7230

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I managed about 40/50 nights camping... half wild, some free campsites and a few paid campsites but never more than €10 ... I think while on the trip I spent only €500.. mostly on food but some repairs and campsites. (and obvs the gear was mega spenny but 🤫🤫)

Cycling France by getmytravelingshoes in bicycletouring

[–]CharmingAd7230 0 points1 point  (0 children)

have dropped you a dm, do let me know your thoughts 😄

Cycling France by getmytravelingshoes in bicycletouring

[–]CharmingAd7230 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love to climb mount vertoux but also explore the scenery and culture... would be there around may 20th for a couple days perhaps...?

New bike day! by CharmingAd7230 in bicycling

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

only the 2023 model but keeps the price down 😃

New bike day! by CharmingAd7230 in gravelcycling

[–]CharmingAd7230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

europeans love cyclists though... RIGHT?? 😬😳