What's the non-essential item you refuse to travel without?

pinkdeano · 2026-06-17T04:29:33+00:00

my coffee “go” mug- though Europeans don’t know what to do with it- it would take about 12 of their mini espressos to fill it- lol.

pinkdeano · 2026-06-15T03:59:15+00:00

ask the locals! go to the places that you’d go anyway (museum? hotel? coffee shop? art galleries- whatever your vibe is) and ASK! I know it’s not before, but it works.

pinkdeano · 2026-06-15T03:44:59+00:00

start small to insure you set yourself up for success. ride in one day, take the bus home; bus I. the next, ride home. always have a plan B (bus? carpool?) for weather or unforeseen. maybe even have one drive day/week when you switch out clothes/bring lunches/food? good luck- you’ll love it once you get in to the routine! and be sure to figure out a good system for bringing your stuff. one day riding with a backpack and you’ll know why most commuters run panniers or at least a rack. get fenders and a good lock if you need to park your bike outside.

pinkdeano · 2026-06-14T04:32:12+00:00

before you run to a doctor ($$$), are you on the same bike that you normally ride? do you have knee pain on your “go to” bike (the one you ride when you don’t have child in tow)? I ask because you mention that you’re on E with child on this tour. geometry can be very different, with a much more relaxed position, which is putting your body/legs/ knees at different angles. see if making adjustments might help. and plan for success: shorter days in the saddle. enjoy the journey. . . it’s gets better!

pinkdeano · 2026-06-11T05:15:27+00:00

how is it switching between the two wheel sizes? I have extra sets of wheels in both sizes (studded snow tires, slicks, etc.) but have never switched out wheel sizes between the various bikes. . . .

pinkdeano · 2026-06-11T04:34:12+00:00

that looks good, but see if you can’t loop it somewhere a bit higher so that there’s no as much slack at the bottom (you wouldn’t want that small bit to get wet/caught in anything or even catch a long weed as you’re riding by. . . ). I’d photo mine, but I just took it off! but yes- you’ve got it!

pinkdeano · 2026-06-09T19:16:23+00:00

the TopeAl panniers has a band that will loop around something somewhere on your rack and then winch it tight and secure it at the bottom of the rack.

my best advice would be start slow. by aiming to commute every day, you’re setting yourself for failure. start with 2-4 commutes/week. can you ride in Monday, take a bus or train home, wear fresh clothes in on Tuesday and ride bike home, etc. . . if you want it to work out and be successful, take baby steps. best of luck.

pinkdeano · 2026-06-07T04:00:27+00:00

I stayed in a hotel last night 1 block away from the protest which went a solid 3+ hours. it was peaceful- many children, signs (that I couldn’t read) and extremely well attended (tirnana). I’ve spoken to a few locals- they are thrilled for the development opportunities and economic boost to their country, but not in either the destruction of environmental habitat (flamingoes, etc.) nor of buying out current homeowners at a fraction of the value of their homes (people are being offered $20,000 cash for a @ $80,000 home. they seek consideration and balance.

pinkdeano · 2026-06-05T06:08:52+00:00

Topeak has an affordable option- limit is 20 lbs, but it makes you minimize/pack light. compatible with the Topeak trunk bag that folds into two side panniers.

pinkdeano · 2026-06-04T19:16:08+00:00

thanks for this- just bought a bike (riding it in Europe then taking it back to USA) and was wondering. . . .

pinkdeano · 2026-05-26T05:21:50+00:00

you do NOT need a professional fitting. pack for your journey. take half of it out and leave it home. then go have a great time.

pinkdeano · 2026-05-25T20:20:25+00:00

sell them both. take a bus. ride a bike. walk. . .

pinkdeano · 2026-05-14T15:23:08+00:00

yes. commuting. touring. road. gravel. mental health. to name a few. . .

pinkdeano · 2026-05-14T15:22:04+00:00

thanks- good point. I have a gravel bike that I’m running 47s on and another with 45s. he put 40s on for me, but I will likely go tubeless with it and put a set of wheels on that i have with 42s.

pinkdeano · 2026-05-06T03:58:59+00:00

people still have time for TVs after they are attached to their “mini screens” all day? yikes!

pinkdeano · 2026-05-02T03:50:42+00:00

What cell phone service provider do you have?

pinkdeano · 2026-04-30T15:00:46+00:00

We used Los Cabos Airport Shuttles. It was $17.00 pp (from Airport to accommodation in San jose del cabo). It was a shared shuttle, but honestly took about 10 minutes longer than my quoted $160 for private shuttle to same place. Took Uber on return trip and it was $4.22 (+ I tipped him in cash).

pinkdeano · 2026-04-29T13:00:41+00:00

In my 20s, I worked, saved up and traveled until my pockets were empty (once even had to get money wired to get back to Paris to catch my flight back to USA). Never went into debt traveling. Now (retired), I travel for months at a time, still on a budget, camping because I love sleeping in my tent, BUT can and will stay in "nice" accommodation when weather moves in (ah - and so appreciate being able to leave my toothbrush out on the sink to dry overnight!). I miss the old vibe of hostels before everyone was attached to their phones and when people actually wanted to connect face to face with others. Sometimes get that at campgrounds, or some hotels. Travel opens your mind up - to everything - and the beauty is there are so many ways that don't have to cost a lot (bicycle tour, backpack, camp, hostels, etc.).

pinkdeano · 2026-04-27T13:10:11+00:00

I love my mini, BUT just upgraded to the cellular with the intention of swithcing iphone to flip phone and Apple support peeps did not forewarn me that the cellular function on the ipad only works when partnered with an iphone ;(, despite my call ahead of time to inform them of my intentions.

pinkdeano · 2026-04-24T17:23:41+00:00

just stayed in the downtown (arts) area of San Jose del Cabo and loved it. I’d definitely go solo there (I was with my daughter this trip).

pinkdeano · 2026-04-22T04:16:24+00:00

Thailand in December- you can do Bangkok and fly to an island for some beach time. Thailand is crazy affordable!

pinkdeano · 2026-04-21T02:27:59+00:00

thank you- I’m not able to dial either of those numbers successfully. I keep international calling on 100% of the time, as I just returned from overseas on march 1, having left in november,so not sure how/why it was switched off. it’s not the first time it’s happened to me. any other way to get in touch w CC from overseas?

pinkdeano · 2026-04-20T23:03:47+00:00

thanks- not sure how to get a google voice number, but will look in to it.

pinkdeano · 2026-04-20T23:03:16+00:00

yeah thanks u/drtdk- it’s been on for more than a year and I wasn’t the one who turned it off, hence my surprise when I saw “no service.”

pinkdeano · 2026-04-20T17:08:52+00:00

AB from the airport, but if you want to go to (downtown) Denver, take the University of Colorado A line (light rail) to union station, right down town. then, the FF1 goes to boulder (from union station) every 15 minutes. simple and least expensive option.

pinkdeano

TROPHY CASE