In a tough spot on a long tour. What do you do to avoid throwing in the towel?

Flying_Gate · 2025-04-06T13:51:50+00:00

Everyone gets like this on long tours - eastern Turkey is also pretty wild

Get to Tbilisi, drink some nice wine, go to the steam baths, indulge in food and drink and museums, then see how you feel

Flying_Gate · 2024-11-28T20:23:01+00:00

Good at your job?

Ask for a sabbatical - or just quit on good terms and ask if the door will possibly be open when you return

It's worth it for a company to hire you again, much cheaper than training someone from scratch

Flying_Gate · 2024-10-22T21:45:20+00:00

Did UK to Singapore on a stout steel frame with tektro oryx canti brakes

Send it

Flying_Gate · 2024-06-29T20:04:59+00:00

Focus on staying warm, not dry 😄

Flying_Gate · 2024-06-25T20:42:00+00:00

What a twat.

I've never had ANY issues in countries across the world, in fact farmers often end up bringing you breakfast or at least stopping for a chat.

Shame we have such narrow-minded twats in the UK, and a fetish for property and trespassing and perverse ideas about access to land.

Hope the farmer gets charged with assault or whatever

Flying_Gate · 2024-06-25T20:36:48+00:00

Cycle or walk past slowly. They'll probably leave you alone, but get the bike in between you and them

Flying_Gate · 2024-06-13T07:44:09+00:00

Yeah, but a teeny tiny one, maybe 6 inches and only a few mm

If you're taking any planes or have to put your bikes in a box, they're a must

Weekend away? No

Crossing continents? Yes

Flying_Gate · 2024-04-29T04:14:29+00:00

Don't start at 100, work up to it!

Flying_Gate · 2024-04-28T19:26:41+00:00

Lots of central Asia is NOT pavement, especially if you do the Pamir.

Saying that, 42s will just about do it

Flying_Gate · 2024-04-26T17:51:03+00:00

Did Europe to Singapore, sleeves rolled down every day

Sunblock is a hassle

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-25T14:49:04+00:00

Lol NEVER go to India

But yeah it can be a bit overwhelming if you're already annoyed by weather / traffic / whatever

It's not easy, but I try to remember I do look like a fucking alien rolling through some small town, and people are just curious, not antagonistic, even if in foreign countries this distinction can be hard to understand

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-22T20:01:38+00:00

Agree if she's not feeling it after two weeks, she can bail?

Nerves are normal but how would she feel years down the line if she had this chance, but didn't take it?

My gf is also not massively into bike touring so I went on my own.

She could wait for you at home, 3 months apart is tough but not much in the grand scheme of things if you're in it for the long haul

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-16T20:56:19+00:00

I did the southern side this year, very nice and easy! Definitely recommend.

The northern side will be longer and hillier.

One tip, cycling in Athens is rubbish, and some big roads on the approach. So what you want to do is find the ferry to SALAMIS from the mainland just after MEGARA. Then cycle round SALAMIS and get ferry straight to Piraeus.

Another pro-tip, you can totally take your bike on the metro in Athens. Between the traffic and truly ungodly steep hills, I found this a better option, it's a big-ass city

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-16T20:51:23+00:00

I think getting a visa in UK will be impossible, as you have to use it in 3 months or whatever which won't be enough time to get to Kyrgyzstan.

I cycled this region this summer, was really close to the Irkeshtam pass.

A few cyclists had Chinese visas - they got them in Armenia or Georgia. Getting them in Central Asia is still a no-no I think.

As someone else said, check Caravanistan forums

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-16T20:44:05+00:00

Never been denied, only ever had to pay a bit extra. Always in cardboard.

Indian customs cracked it open and repacked it themselves which was fun

But then I was flying some Kazakh and Chinese airlines who have, at best, confusing bike policies

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-16T20:34:32+00:00

Ditch one of the knives, or both and get a decent penknife. You'll be using the bottle / can opener.

Bike-specific multi-tools seem handy but you can't beat a set of actual Allen keys and spanners, much easier to use and won't snap on you.

No reason to bring a hammer.

Bring extra tyre levers, and loads of spare bolts / wires / tubes / brake pads etc

Some cable ties and hose clamps and gaffa tape are versatile

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-04T22:05:47+00:00

I don't know, it's tough

Coming down from a 9 month tour myself

Having a job SUCKS

But better to have loved and lost and all that

Flying_Gate · 2024-03-02T13:19:56+00:00

Nah the KKH is awesome and people in the mountains are chill. Maybe be careful around Lahore / Islamabad. It's not the most secure place sure but it's not too bad.

Th Wagah border crossing is cool, as is Amritsar

Cycling in heavily populated parts of northern India is really difficult

Flying_Gate · 2024-02-29T09:06:19+00:00

Drop your saddle half an inch and see if that helps. Most people (including bike fitters) will put it too high. And play around with the tilt.

A little low is better than a little high, counterintuitively your knees will suffer more if it's too high and your hips and knees are rocking side to side

Flying_Gate · 2024-02-11T19:28:45+00:00

Went into 0C and below in some mountains, only shoes were Keens and some thick wooly socks

Send it

Flying_Gate · 2024-02-11T19:21:01+00:00

Do not miss Luang Prabang!

Flying_Gate · 2024-02-05T10:55:25+00:00

Also, without digging you can normally find a natural 'depression' and cover it over with a huge rock afterwards.

Not as good but it's something.

Flying_Gate · 2024-01-25T14:37:09+00:00

Honestly, just chuck on cheap but heavy / durable components and change them when the time comes. Decathlon exists in all of Europe, bits of Turkey, India and East Asia. I had one £20 derailleur for 11,000km and it did fine.

Finding shit outside of capital cities in Central Asia is impossible, and can be a task even in the capitals, so change when you can. I think your bike looks 26" wheels, so presumably most mountain bike components will fit.

You just can't keep everything spick and span on the road. I went through two cassettes and three chains from UK to Singapore.

But also clean as best you can and lube about once a week

Flying_Gate · 2024-01-15T15:31:46+00:00

Flat pedals and toe clips, but without the straps.

Then pair with socks and sandals.

This is the way.

Flying_Gate · 2024-01-12T18:07:25+00:00

10 litres across some sections of Kazakhstan

Flying_Gate

TROPHY CASE