This is a guest post.

John Muir allegedly once famously said, “Of all the paths you take, make sure at least one is dirt.” Runners have the luxury of taking any number of paths on their runs, since we can run on a rubberized, all-weather track; on the sidewalks near our homes; on a cement, indoor track; or on the dirt, through the woods at our favorite forest preserve. Precious few, if any, other sports afford their athletes the same latitude that running gives us.

This is the last in the four part series. Please check out part 1,2,3 if you haven’t already. This one is about the luggage set up.

I find that using a trailer is preferable because it takes weight off the frame and the bike is more manoeuvrable. I would recommend the Extrawheel Voyager trailer.The design is now extremely simple with the panniers attaching onto a lightweight rack-type frame. It is good on rougher terrain (its the best option for mountain biking) and the attachment has been very reliable.

Wheel choice for expedition biking is a personal one. I used Sunn Rhynolyte rims because they lasted well and are still going strong. I’ve recently head about other rims. For example, Emily Chappell is riding Rigida Sputnik 26″ rims.

My first set of touring wheels used Mavic XM721 rims, which cracked after a few months. They don’t have a good reputation for touring therefore avoid.

On rough ground then the Sunn rims I sued are one of the best options because they are so strong. If you are sticking to the roads then go for a lighter weight rim.

A saddle can make or break riding a bike The convention view that a big gel saddle is the most comfortable is wrong.

There are many different types of saddles in many materials, shapes and sizes.

Here are some tips for choosing the right saddle:

• Its largely down to taste
• You need to buy the saddle before you can give it a decent test
• Narrower saddles generally lend themselves to more forward-leaning aggressive riding styles
• Wider cushier “tractor seats” are better for upright riding
• Harder saddles are okay if you’ll be wearing cycling shorts or bibs which provide their own padding, but you’ll want a little cushion if you’re riding in jeans
• Softer saddles for shorter rides, harder ones for longer rides
• Get your sit bones measured at your bike shop and ask which saddles will suit you.

Thanks to PeteHMar on bikes stackexchange for extra input.

In the first installation of the series I wrote the frame and suspension. In this one I will talk about the drivetrain:

Bicycle drivetrain systems are used to transmit power (Wikipedia). If you are choosing components or checking out a bike for touring you need to have a reliably functioning drivetrain because it is what propels the bike.

Shimano components are widely available and reliable. The mountain bike component range of Deore, XT and XTR are built to withstand abuse whereas road components may compromise strength to reduce weight.

So you want to go on an expedition by bike. You might be asking yourself “What kit do I need?” You’ll find plenty of information out there. Cycle touring is something you can do without expensive or complicated kit but it can help to invest in equipment that has been well road tested.

For most of the cycle touring I have done, I’ve ridden a mountain bike frame because I wanted something which would take plenty of abuse. I planned to be away for multiple years which meant the bike needed to be able to carry heavy luggage.

From The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Be Present

I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.

Self-purification

The alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves

I use a Brooks Champion Flyer saddle for my cycle touring. It had the reputation of being the most comfortable saddle. After the initial break-in period of about three months the saddle moulds to your backside and it is very comfortable indeed.

Problems with the Saddle

Early on in the journey the bracket which supports the nose of the saddle widened and became dislodged. This caused the saddle to tilt slightly to one side and over time the problem got worse.

Health tips

• Staying Healthy On A Bike Tour
• Tour Tips & tricks: Health
• 10 ways to stay healthy on a bike tour
• Boots Vaccination Advice
• NHS Scotland Travel Health Advice

General Travel Information Sites

• Foreign office travel advice
• Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum
• Travel Stack Exchange

Visa information

• A Comprehensive Guide to Visa Requirements the World Over Border-crossings
• Land border crossings checklist
• Border crossings tips from many sources

Routes

• [European Bike Routes](http://travellingtwo.com/13345 & http://travellingtwo.com/resources/3-great-bike-paths)
• A network of high-quality cycling routes that connect the whole continent
• An ad-hoc route through the Americas
• A comprehensive resource of routes
• The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route

Cycle Touring Websites:

• travellingtwo.com A well designed informative site
• bicycletouringpro.com Long running and diverse site
• biketouringtips.com Multi-contributor site
• crazyguyonabike.com Hundreds of stories of trips to get inspired
• goingslowly.com Great design and plenty of photos
• cycletourer.co.uk Accessible equipment advice
• sheldonbrown.com Specialist information
• cyclingabout.com An excellent resource of further links

Books

• Pedalling to Hawaii: A Human Powered Adventure Across the Western Hemisphere - Stevie Smith
• SAS Survival Guide - John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman
• Moods of Future Joys - Alastair Humphreys
• Sponsorship Seeker’s Toolkit - Anne-Marie Grey and Kim Skildum-Reid
• The Beckoning Silence - Joe Simpson
• Off the Rails: Moscow to Beijing on Recumbent Bikes - Tim Cope and Chris Hatherly
• Long Way Round - Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman
• The Hungry Cyclist Pedalling Americas In Search Of Perfect Meal - Tom Kevill-Davies

Sizing is a really important aspect of choosing a bike that will provide a good cycling experience. A poorly sized bike can cause health problems and can make cycling an unpleasant drag.

There does not seem to be a universal standard for bike sizing due to the variety of designs and geometry. Size varies between manufacturers and intended use; touring, racing and commuting bikes and needs are all slightly different.