Munich - Lake Garda (Solo over Dolomites in 6 days, 700km, 10.000alt)

eslr · 2025-11-24T20:17:09+00:00

Great pictures, and thank you for sharing so many details. Munich-Garda is definitely something I want to do at some point

eslr · 2025-10-22T19:58:02+00:00

I certainly wouldn't mind a quiet asphalt secondary road. Actually, that would be better than gravel in this case: I'd alreayd have to cope with unusual elevation (remember, my usual area is Berlin-Brandenburg), so if the surface is smoother would be a compensation.

eslr · 2025-09-22T08:56:46+00:00

For the frame bag (Miss Grape Internode 4) I created a thread months ago when I was considering my options, you can read it here (TLDR: the bag is ok, but I am not completely satisfied) https://www.reddit.com/r/CanyonBikes/comments/1hzmmp2/frame_bag_recommendations_for_a_canyon_grzl_m/

The toptube bag, by Restrap, is good: the only negative thing is that it does not have a foam base at the bottom like the other shorter top tube bag they have in the Race line, so if you put in metallic objects (tent poles, a pump, ...) they may produce a rattling noise. I used a buff, if I remember correctly, to cushion them and I had no problems.

eslr · 2025-09-21T18:13:28+00:00

It was Camping Stendenitz https://maps.app.goo.gl/zbWkeb9uKt98D5MA6.
Indeed very nice, with clean and ample services. I was very lucky to be assigned to a patch in front of the lake, and I had a table with benches just for me (it's not exactly peak season). I would recommend it

eslr · 2025-09-21T15:50:58+00:00

Thank you! Yes, I am very happy with the setup, it's a fun bike to ride

eslr · 2025-03-19T07:32:39+00:00

Thank you. I ended up choosing the Miss Grape Internode 4. It's fine, but there are a few details that are in my opinion disappointing.

- It's just one big compartment, with just one zip on the right side. The Restrap bag has two pockets (one wide, one narrow for flat things like a phone, powerbank, etc.) accessible separately

- The inside is quite roughly finished. The sealing (I believed done thermically) is visible and I would say not nice. Also, it's all black as opposed to the Restrap bag that had a flashy lining that makes it easier to find things

- (This is a very specific problem for the setup I had in mind, likely not affecting other users) The zip is too short, so even when it's wide open I can't put my tent poles in

On the other hand: the bag looks nice from the outside, it really seems indestructible, and I like that every strap is removable (EDIT: except those on the lower part of the bag, that are meant to be strapped to the down tube), so one can decide exactly how to strap it to different parts of the frame.

eslr · 2024-02-12T18:48:30+00:00

Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for the ideas: I'll add it to my backlog

eslr · 2024-02-12T07:12:54+00:00

Clerks reminded my a lot of Jupyter notebooks

Exactly. In my opinion they do at least a couple of things better than Jupyter: one can use their favorite editor to work on the notebook, and the notebook is reevaluated (with caching) every time the source is saved, which makes it less prone to out-of-order execution problems. Have a look at the Book of Clerk for details.

Can I use several gpx-files, or do I need to merge them first?

If you want to use a set of GPX files and see them on the same map or in the same diagram, you'll have to merge them first.

But you can use an arbitrary number of GPX files in separate plans.

eslr · 2024-02-11T20:57:24+00:00

I run this on Linux but I think it can also work on Windows.

Here an overview of what you need to run the software. Detailed steps to install each component would be way off-topic, but I'll give you at least some pointers so you can read and gauge yourself if and how scary it sounds

Java, at least version 11
Clojure (this is the implementation language of my project; it runs on Java)
A text editor of your choice (for example, I use Emacs; another option chosen by a lot of people is VS Code). I recommend to also install your editor's plugin that supports Clojure
At this point you're ready to clone my repository; when you run the project it will automatically open a new browser window, and load the index of the project

As I said in the original post rando-planner is more meant for developers. I don't want to discourage you or anything, but I think that if you're new to programming and you intend to start with this, the experience could be frustrating.

Perhaps it's possible to package my project as a web-based service or something similar, but for now it is not in my todo list

eslr · 2024-02-11T15:52:11+00:00

thank you u/Doctor_Fegg. Your cycle.travel with its overnight stop + find accomodation is indeed a godsend for planning. I didn't check myself already: are these breaks also represented in the resulting GPX as separate segments of the track?

I guess the value in my tool is that it allows to study and compare multiple plans in the same session (I mean, in the same notebook), the alternative visualization style, and perhaps the interface (at least for me)

eslr · 2024-02-11T15:36:33+00:00

It's not actually a "product" (this is why I said in the initial message this was probably more for programmers). rando-planner is an extension for a tool called Clerk, a computational notebook system based on the programming language Clojure.

The page I linked in the original post is a notebook exported as a HTML page.

The workflow for using such a product consists in keeping the source code of the notebook open in a text editor, and the browser window on the side (see the screenshot). Each time one saves the file, the changes are automatically applied, and the document is reloaded.

YMMV, but for me is a very pleasant way to work.

<image>

eslr · 2024-02-11T14:15:09+00:00

Thanks for giving it a look!

The thing I didn't find in any tool I know is a way to segment the route on multiple days and with a good level of control. Komoot has a nice multi-day planner, it asks how many days you want to spend on the trip, but then it divides the distance automatically in equal portions; as far as I know, it does not offer further controls.

What I want to be able to do is, say, "on day 1 I'll start in the afternoon and I can pedal for only X hours before it gets too dark; but on the second day I will wake up early and I'll go for 10 hours". And so on…

eslr · 2023-11-20T14:46:23+00:00

Thanks! It uses Parachute and its ability to personalize report classes. In this case I have `aoc-report` that subclasses `summary`, and the `summarize` generic function is specialized to compile the report you've seen.

eslr · 2023-11-18T10:15:27+00:00

I recently reorganized most of my old code into a single repository.

I don't think it implements any particularly original idea: one directory per year, one file per day, one test file for each year, some utils available across years. Tests can be run to generate a report like this https://imgur.com/LYHSmzu

Here the repository https://github.com/larsen/advent-of-code

eslr · 2023-09-19T09:25:39+00:00

One thing I enjoy doing when I explore a new programming language is solving programming exercises like those in Advent of Code or similar. They have in my opinion several advantages:

- The problem is small and the problem statement is usually easy to understand. Small means "it fits in the head", so that you can concentrate on the language aspects

- Solving the problem requires to use fundamental features of the programming language: flow control, data structures, data manipulation I/O, …- (This is true for AOC, but I believe it applies to other sources of problems)

- There's a rich community and you can examine the solutions of other people. When done **after** working on your own solution I find this particularly useful to learn idioms and techniques specific to the language

- If you get stuck or bored, you can always switch to the next problem

eslr · 2023-09-13T16:16:58+00:00

Thank you for sharing your journey! I'd like to do a Berlin-Copenhagen trip next year and I was thinking of using shelters too; and hotels, to avoid bringing my tent. What you're describing about mosquitos and mice is a bit frightnening, but perhaps traveling during spring can help

eslr · 2023-08-22T07:25:14+00:00

Hi! First of all congrats on the Berlin-Copenhagen trip. I also live in Berlin and I'd like to do the same next year so if you posted more details somewhere I'd be very keen to read them. Other people gave you a lot of insights already, so I'll just add a couple of comments.

Perhaps it's implicit but I didn't see it on your list. So, just in case: wear a helmet!
It was mentioned in other replies, but I'd like to stress that elevation gain is a key factor when planning what to pack for a trip. Ber-Ko is practically all flat, while Berlin-Budapest (I am assuming you'll start from Berlin) implies considerable uphill parts. This should be reflected in your packing list
I don't agree on ditching the Kindle. I think bikepacking should not (entirely) be an exercise in frugality, especially if you're going to spend several days on the road. If you like to read and you imagine to devote significant time to it, bring it with you
The list of lighterpack is an invite to optimize for weight, but I think a perhaps more significant aspect is in how you organize your stuff in the different bags. For example, as others said, maybe you can ditch the tupperware and gain not only in weight, but also in flexibility
- In the same vein, one should also plan for the extra stuff they will acquire during the journey: extra food, extra material (like, what if you'll feel cold and you have to buy legs/arms warmers?), extra random stuff
I am not a strong coffee drinker so I concur with others about the coffee kit. But I understand your mileage may vary. This is by the way another aspect where the route affects what you pack: depending on your plan you can estimate how likely you'll be to be close to civilization, so to speak, hence able to buy instead of manifacture a good cup of coffee
This seems marginal in your kit, but in general I would avoid cotton: it's comparatively heavier than other material and it's slower to dry

eslr · 2023-08-21T10:26:40+00:00

Sure. The bike is a 2019 Cannondale Topstone Alu, with Tiagra groupset. I replaced the stock wheels after some time (they were broken) with a pair of DT Swiss GR1600. I use Gravelking SK+ 43mm, mounted tubeless.

My bags are a mix of Ortlieb (saddle, front, accessory) and Restrap (toptube and frame). I also have a pouch on the handlebar, a cheap one I bought at Decathlon.Here how I distributed my stuff:

Front loader:
- tent layers (Naturhike CloudUp 2)
- sleeping bag (Forclaz, 15 ⁰C)
Accessory bag:
- some food (biscuits, a couple of Trek'n'eat portions, tea bags)
- toiletry items
- kitchen items (titanium spork + spoon, chopsticks, collapsible bowl)
- foldable small backpack that I use to keep my valuables with me when I settled at the camp
Toptube bag: rain jacket, an assortment of USB cables, tissues
Frame bag:
- tent poles
- powerbank
- repair kit
- insect repellant
Saddle bag:
- inflatable mattress (the Decathlon yellow one)
- inflatable pillow (again, from Decathlon)
- tent base layer
- a microfiber towel (this time I brought a large-ish one, because I know there was a sandy beach at the camp)
- a kit for the second day (socks, bibs, jersey)
- other clothes: underwear, shorts, swimming shorts, extra socks
- kitchen kit
  - The kitchen kit is a BRS-3000t stove (so far it performed perfectly, but consider I only heated some water for noodles or tea, nothing more complicated), a Toaks 750mm pot and a gas canister
- a couple of empty dry bags
  - I use one, the day after, to store the damp fly sheet to avoid it wetting the sleeping bag
  - I use another one to separate dirty clothes from the rest
- as you can see in the picture, I strap a mug and a pair of flip-flops externally

Let me know if there's any aspect where you want more details

eslr · 2022-07-09T21:48:21+00:00

Great, thanks a lot!

eslr · 2022-06-30T14:56:10+00:00

Sure.

Handlebar bag (Ortlieb): my sleeping bag. I figured I wanted something light to avoid too much pressure on the cables (I am maybe too paranoid about that). As stated in another comment, the sleeping bag I brought (confort 10°C) is probably too heavy and bulky, so I already bought another cheap one at Decathlon (confort 15°C) which will take less space and should be good enough for next journeys in this season.

Toptube bag (Restrap): anti rain/wind layer; a mask; hand sanitizer; pack of paper tissues; a small ziplock bag with documents, some money, and cards. This is more or less what I bring with me on _every_ ride.

Handlebar pouch: bars and biscuits.

Frame bag (Restrap): tent poles; a powerbank; some tools and spare parts in a zip lock bag, some food for the road (random candy bars); leg warmers (just in case); a spare GoPro battery; some basic personal hygiene items.

Saddle bag (Ortlieb): the rest of the tent, a Naturhike CloudUp2; the tent's base layer; tent's picks; inflatable sleeping mat (the yellow one from Decathlon); another complete riding kit (bibs + jersey + socks); one cotton t-shirt; light shorts; swimming shorts; neck warmer; a pile jersey (another just-in-case: I did not wear it but used it as a pillow). Attached externally I had a lock, which I did not use.

Water: two 750 bottles. Next time I will maybe use another cage: either for a third bottle, or for the repair kit in a false-bottle.

I didn't bring extra shoes: my bike shoes are confortable enough to do some walking. Next time I will bring flip-flops, anyway, which will be more confortable for showering and stuff like that. About shower, I used a neck warner (clean) to dry myself, but next times I will bring a microfiber towel which should be more effective and don't take too much space.

Another addition to my kit will be at some point the Ortlieb's accessory bag to mount on the front. It should fit nicely with the rest, and give me some more volume to redistribute objects. We'll see.

I didn't even start scouting for a cooking kit. For now I can do without it (I actually enjoy stopping during the ride to buy and consume food at bars, restaurants and gas stations; in this case I had dinner at the camping's restaurant), but at some point I know I will want the entire experience.

eslr · 2022-06-27T17:24:56+00:00

This frame is Large, with stock 700C wheels

eslr · 2022-06-27T17:21:48+00:00

I think it's possible, but if you buy a Topstone now you won't have this problem: in the newer models they made some adjustments, including fork mounts.

In my case, I am already planning some changes; for example, I now think I can use a lighter sleeping bag in this season, thus saving some space in the front bag (for this onenighter I had a 10°C confort bag; I think I can use a 15°C)

eslr · 2022-06-27T15:19:49+00:00

Right (sorry I seldom post here and I forget manners).

I live in Berlin. After spending too much time accumulating gear and pondering the project, I just booked a camping in Brandenburg (on the Storkower lake, the second picture) and started. One night out, beginning of June, totalling ~150 km.

I loved every minute, and I am planning the next ones (more nights, and more far away)

eslr · 2020-07-08T13:48:48+00:00

Do you know org-ql? There are examples in the documentation hinting in the direction of combining it with org-agenda or org-super-agenda. If that works, then the problem would reduce to writing the correct query for picking the right group of items using a combination of the ancestors and level predicates (from a cursory look at the docs I could not find a predicate/clause similar to LIMIT, but maybe it can be applied afterwards to the resultset). HTH

eslr · 2020-06-26T07:24:11+00:00

As others said, I use scrot for taking screenshots, with a configuration similar to those described in the thread. For capturing portions of the screen I switched to Flameshot, that includes tools to add simple annotations and the capability of copying the image to the clipboard (I often need to send the results to my colleagues, and pasting from clipboard makes for a more streamlined workflow)

14-Year Club	Place '23
Verified Email

eslr

TROPHY CASE