cycling holiday

fits

Im thinking of going to åland this summer for a week or so and cycling around. It wouldn't be majorly taxing, mostly flat etc but I would try to carry all my own gear. http://www.archipelagoroute.com/option,com_content/task,view/id,52/Itemid,65/area,1/

I could bring my own bike (trek fx) on the train, or rent down there. If I do bring my own, what would I need to be looking at in terms of gear? I don't even have panniers but my bike is set up for them. any tips?

petethedrummer

Things I learned today.

The Åland Islands or Åland is an autonomous, demilitarised, monolingually Swedish-speaking region of Finland that consists of an archipelago lying at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85land_Islands

fits

Yeah this part of the world is very much off the beaten track for Irish. But has very nice summers, is very safe and great for cycling.

Chips Lovell

Definitely get a rack and panniers. If you're touring, you want to be carrying everything on the bike. Will you be camping or staying in a hostel or hotel?

Get a decent map. Relying on your phone for navigation can be haphazard because you can lose coverage.

fits

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Definitely get a rack and panniers. If you're touring, you want to be carrying everything on the bike. Will you be camping or staying in a hostel or hotel?

Get a decent map. Relying on your phone for navigation can be haphazard because you can lose coverage.

Hostels would probably suit best. I have a lightweight sleeping bag but not sure id want to carry around tents, stove, mats etc. there is a rack on the bike already. A good one I think. What pannier would be good? would I get away with rear only? I have hiked a good bit with packs so can travel light enough.

Chips Lovell

If you're staying in hostels, then only rear panniers may work, since you're only lugging clothing, wash gear and a few bits and pieces. I use Carradice Super C rear panniers and found them great.

I've tried camping with only rear panniers and found that I was travelling too light.

I camp, but I don't bring any cooking gear or stuff like that. I'd just eat out or buy disposable barbecues or use facilities at campsites, stuff like that.

Bring two sets of cycling gear. You'll be washing it every evening and sometimes it doesn't dry overnight.

Bring tools and spares. That's one of the things I got caught out by the first time I went touring.

Ole Rodrigo

Not camping or cooking for yourself will save a lot of faffing around and weight, but you might miss out on one of the pleasures of bike touring.

Draw up a plan for each day. If its long, say over 80Km between hostels, concentrate on bringing as little as possible. Personally I'd bring feck all ( 5 kilos or less ), try to get as much distance in during the day and get all my meals locally.

Looks like a lovely spot.

fits

I don't think the distances from stop to stop would be anything like 80km tbh. I agree about the camping and I do enjoy it and have a lot of good gear already... would need to get me a thermarest though.

I'm a novice cyclist so I don't even have shorts (but will buy) should I be looking at pedals and shoes and all that fancy stuff? I'm thinking I don't need them. ��

Yeah Ive heard its lovely there and the climate and setup are near enough to perfect for this type of holiday. Last summer here in Finland was lovely and settled and about 25degrees every long day.

Ole Rodrigo

Between 18 and 25 degrees is about perfect. Add in some nice roads and you can't go wrong .

A pair of runners should be ok and maybe flip flops for the evening to give your feet a break. SPD shoes and pedals will possibly be more comfortable over time, personally I'm unconvinced of their advantage on shorter distances. If it were me I wouldn't bother with them.

I'd get a pair of padded shorts and wear them under a pair of cargo shorts. That way you can easily stop off for food or coffee without feeling wrongly dressed.

I'd give your bike a good once over before going too.

Planet X

I'll probably get a smack here but..............you don't need padded shorts as long as you have a decent saddle (Brooks etc.).
Did a fair few decent spins last year in Endura Shorts / Rapha Touring shorts without plastering my tackle with grease either. Brooks saddle. Underarmour kacks.
80 to 100 miles a day, no probs.

cdaly_

ror_74 wrote: »

Between 18 and 25 degrees is about perfect. Add in some nice roads and you can't go wrong .

A pair of runners should be ok and maybe flip flops for the evening to give your feet a break. SPD shoes and pedals will possibly be more comfortable over time, personally I'm unconvinced of their advantage on shorter distances. If it were me I wouldn't bother with them.

I'm the opposite. I hate it on the odd occasion when I have to use ordinary shoes on my 14km commute. Shoes/runners tend to bend over the pedal so only a part of your foot is doing the work. I'd much rather have the SPDs. If it's going to be (guaranteed) nice and warm a pair of SPD sandals is just the thing. No sweaty feet but proper foot support.

Chips Lovell

fits wrote: »

I don't think the distances from stop to stop would be anything like 80km tbh. I agree about the camping and I do enjoy it and have a lot of good gear already... would need to get me a thermarest though.

I'm a novice cyclist so I don't even have shorts (but will buy) should I be looking at pedals and shoes and all that fancy stuff? I'm thinking I don't need them.

Yeah, do get a thermarest. First year I went, I thought that France in July would be fine and I'd barely need a sleeping bag. Mainly it was, but there's a two hour or three hour period in the early hours of the morning when you do get cold in a tent.

I'd definitely use cycling shorts myself. Planet X disagrees. I'd say it's worth experimenting with them at least before you go.

fits

Nah my saddle sucks. On the list for a change. Just using the bike for a 4km commute right now so will probably look into better when the snow melts and evenings get longer. still not sure about the shoes and pedals though. Will see if I put in more miles first. Bike is only four months old.

Ole Rodrigo

cdaly_ wrote: »

I'm the opposite. I hate it on the odd occasion when I have to use ordinary shoes on my 14km commute. Shoes/runners tend to bend over the pedal so only a part of your foot is doing the work. I'd much rather have the SPDs. If it's going to be (guaranteed) nice and warm a pair of SPD sandals is just the thing. No sweaty feet but proper foot support.

Yeah I suppose it a bit like saddles, experiences can vary quite a lot. My commute is 40km round trip and am OK doing it in work shoes & MKS pedals.

I've done light tours in both runners and SPD SLs, and each had it's advantages and disadvantages I guess.

Merino wool socks are the business for sweaty feet.

darkvalley

One thing to consider is the handlebars. I have a trek fx. Great bike and well fit for the job. I, however, find the handlebars very uncomfortable after about 30-40km. Hands go numb, only one position to hold bars. Consider getting some extensions for them. (Im not sure what the right name for them is)