After many years of cycle touring in all terrains and temperatures I have wittled down my essential criteria for a good touring bike to two obvious things: comfort and reliability. (Being of a candy pink colour is a bonus, but not strictly essential) On a tour you’re going to be spending many hours with your…
With just two weeks before Terry and I head off to start the TransAmerica, the training isn’t going too well. We both had plans to rack up the miles on our new bikes, but with so much preparation still to do, kit to order and family and friends to see before we depart, the bikes…
Paul: D’ya fancy a bike ride Terry? Terry: Sounds good. Short? Long? Paul: Quite long. Terry: When? Paul: Soonish. Well, that appeared to be all the details sorted then. The rest was just kit …. new bike (none of the other five quite fitted the bill), four panniers and a barbag full of stuff ……..
It’s a strange phenomenon that riding a bike laden with panniers seems to earn you more respect on the road than even the most expensive carbon fibre machine. I’ve noticed it before, cars give you more space, pedestrians smile at you and small children look on in wonder. I guess people assume you are some…