Budget Touring

RHJ

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Mycroft H

RHJ wrote: »

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1: Probably cheaper to convert the hybrid. Have you pannier mounts front and rear? You can get away without a front but its nice to have. If it does you will need a decent rear rack, a pannier and possibly a front one. Handlebar bags are a nice addition for keeping stuff close to hand like maps etc.

2: Depends. Where you were planning to stay? Bringing a tent with you or going from hostel to hostel? Buying raw food and cooking with a stove, or buying it in resturants, etc. It can be as dear as you want it to be.

3: Depends on how far you can go in a day and your current fitness levels. I can usually manage 100-120k a day if I'm plodding along for 7-8hours fully loaded and taking in the sights.

RHJ

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Captain Havoc

The last couple of years, I've done some cheap touring in France. I stay in cheap hotels in industrial estates for around €30 per night. I carry less than essentials, while touring in the civilized world you can pick up stuff you need when you need it as opposed to carrying crap that you've probably only ever needed once in your whole life. I tour on a road bike with skinny tyres. I should add, I am not what most people would call a normal thinking individual, I'm a bit mad anyway.

alexanderomahon

Can anybody tell me if there is a simple way to work out a route for an overnight tour. What I'm looking for is some way to avoid too many hills.

Captain Havoc

alexanderomahon wrote: »

Can anybody tell me if there is a simple way to work out a route for an overnight tour. What I'm looking for is some way to avoid too many hills.

Ride with GPS will give you gradient information so you can amend your route until you get less hills.

dave_o_brien

I did a tour down the west coast of France with a fellow boardsie on a road bike with 23mm tyres suffering only one puncture. I think people underestimate the strength of their bikes. If you are not in the need of a new bike (or simply want to get a new bike, which is fair enough!) your kelly's would be fine as long as you don't plan on bringing an enormous quantity of stuff.

For me, we brought fairly little; some clothes, sleeping bag and a book each, then he took the tent and I took the tool kit and track pump. We got the pump their after the first puncture, and I think it was worth carrying.

Mycroft H

dave_o_brien wrote: »

I did a tour down the west coast of France with a fellow boardsie on a road bike with 23mm tyres suffering only one puncture. I think people underestimate the strength of their bikes. If you are not in the need of a new bike (or simply want to get a new bike, which is fair enough!) your kelly's would be fine as long as you don't plan on bringing an enormous quantity of stuff.

For me, we brought fairly little; some clothes, sleeping bag and a book each, then he took the tent and I took the tool kit and track pump. We got the pump their after the first puncture, and I think it was worth carrying.

Depends on the weight of the rider. I'm heavy enough (13.5st) and I've pinched flatted a few tubes with 23mm tyres and panniers. I prefer 28-32 for loaded for me, though I've done day tours on 25mm tyres.

Anyways, a hybrid is going to have 32mm tyres so there is not a problem there.

dave_o_brien

BX 19 wrote: »

Depends on the weight of the rider. I'm heavy enough (13.5st) and I've pinched flatted a few tubes with 23mm tyres and panniers. I prefer 28-32 for loaded for me, though I've done day tours on 25mm tyres.

Anyways, a hybrid is going to have 32mm tyres so there is not a problem there.

Well, I'm heavier (14stone), so ha!

No seriously, I'm not saying what I did was ideal; we got great use out of the track pump. Ideally, 28mm tyres would have been my preference. What I'm saying is that bicycles (not tyres) are pretty robust machines, and can handle a fair amount more weight than is often perceived.

Also, pinch flats should be a rarity no matter what your weight, provided the tyres are kept well inflated and not knackered. The touring was done on Maxxis Hors Categoire Zenith tyres, which are fairly light and were brand new. If I was to use that bike again, it's be 28mm Grand Prix 4 seasons or Krylion Carbons.

blorg

RHJ wrote: »

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A hybrid is perfect for touring, you just need to stick on a rear rack. Most mountain bikes are less suitable.

Rear rack €20-30, panniers from around €50+.

Do what you can but you will pick up fitness once you get going. Fitness is the least important part of touring. Logistics are far more important. So if you are going touring for a year, try a three week test run, if you are going for three weeks try a long weekend test run. This way you figure out what you need and what you don't.

hardCopy

blorg wrote: »

Do what you can but you will pick up fitness once you get going. Fitness is the least important part of touring. Logistics are far more important. So if you are going touring for a year, try a three week test run, if you are going for three weeks try a long weekend test run. This way you figure out what you need and what you don't.

I'd definitely echo this. We're off to Italy in a couple of weeks for our first tour and took the bikes out for a loaded test run of 90K at the weekend. Ended up with 4 punctures on the GF's tyre. Discovered that my mini-pump doesn't work and my tube of rubber glue is completely dried up. Bought a new pump on the day, new tyres to follow!