John Lennon

Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time

Dalai Lama

This is my simple religion: There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness

Tony Gaskins

If you don’t build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs

Napolean Bonapart

The only one who is wiser than anyone is everyone

If you are planning on going on a long distance cycle tour, but for some sections you will put your bike on public transport (Trains, buses, coaches) here is some advice.

Buses

According the general conditions of Eurolines (more or less the only Paneuropean bus company) bicycles are not allowed:

A maximum of 2 pieces of luggage (suitcases, bags, and packages 70x80x20 cm with a total maximum of 30 kilos) per passenger will be accepted for carriage. Children and Infants are allowed to carry 1 piece of luggage. Eurolines reserves the right to refuse luggage exceeding weight, dimensions as indicated. The carriage of objects such as bicycles, sporting equipment, skis and musical instruments are strictly prohibited. It is forbidden to transport narcotics, explosives and other dangerous objects. Luggage allowances may vary by service and you should check with Eurolines for full details.

For me, one of the most surprisingly aspect of bicycle touring was how it allowed me to explore my mind as well as the physical world.

Exploring is inherent in human nature - “a search for information” and bicycle touring allows you to do this in abundance.

Accepting Invitations

I tried as best as I could to be open-minded and open to new experiences whilst bicycle touring. Part of this involved accepting invitations from people I met.

Being one with nature and sleeping under the stars can sometimes be all that we think about when planning a camping trip. Making sure that everything is packed and everyone is ready is of the upmost priority. Have you thought about what to do if the unexpected were to happen? As a camper, you and your team become exposed to dangers different from everyday life.

You become more vulnerable to the weather conditions, more susceptible to animal and insect attracts and have a higher chance of contracting foodborne illnesses. Camping can be outright dangerous. Here are 8 safety tips to keep in mind when camping to ensure your fun-filled trip isn’t ruined by something that could have been prevented or simply handled better.

Our lives are saturated with maps. We see them in cars, subways, and airplanes. We access them with our phones, computers, and GPS devices. There are maps of deep space and of the topography of the deepest ocean floors. Then there are the maps of us — of our genomes, of the cognitive landscape of our brains, of the web of neural connections that allow us to see and think and act. Our faith in the map as a true representation of reality, and a reliable metaphor for experience and the concepts of modern life, is exercised every day, largely without question.

Bike maintenance is essential knowledge for the adventure cyclist. You don’t need to be Sheldon Brown but you need to know the basics.

• Truing the wheels
• Fix a puncture
• Servicing hubs
• Servicing headset
• Removing grips
• How to service V-brakes
• Cables
• Disc Brakes
• Drivetrain
• Bottom Bracket
• Fixing a chain

The following video is the best information I found on cleat set up.

Be aware the diagrams are the wrong way round! Switch the 2 and 5 metatarsal diagrams and follow everything else.

The line drawing part in the vid still holds true to find the central cleat position.

Previous attempts at cleat setup

Cleat adjustment has, at times, been my nemesis. A good cleat position can be achieved quite easily as long as there are no other factors in play like injury, tiredness or wrong bike size. On recent purchase of a new road bike, the advice from the shop was - put them in a central position back / forth, side to side and straightforward, then adjust from there.

Before going cycle touring I did some preparation right from the reasons behind why I was going, through to the equipment I would need.

Why do I want to do a big adventure?

• Endurance
• Enlightenment
• Promote alternative existence
• Cycling
• Extreme
• Wilderness
• Charity
• Creatity
• People
• Philosophy, perception of space, time

Mindset

• Be truthful about aims.
• Show respect to locals, schools, customs, authorities.
• Clear aims, end outcomes
• Minimise environmental impact.

Fundraising

How am I going to raise funds?

UPDATE 2024: This post outlines various life skills and topics relevant to personal and professional development. It covers aspects such as critical thinking, productivity, overcoming distractions, navigating workplace dynamics, financial management, location selection, and maintaining physical and mental health. Each section delves into specific subtopics, providing insights and strategies for practical application in everyday life. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and lead a more fulfilling and balanced life.

NOTE: This post is a work in progress. Apologies if it is a bit rough around the edges.

Weather protection

Go for full length enclosed outer gear and brake cables to prevent them clogging up with mud and rust.

Frame protection

Use gaffer tape to protect chain stay and cable outer rub

Use Sugru to stop rubbing / vibrating cable

Disc brakes

Brasso to decontaminate disc rotor with oil on it.