• Loz Gazquez

    November 10, 2013

    I went to visit an art retreat in Southern Spain. Stunning farmhouse conversion in traditional Andalusian style. Agile planning for the organisation. They also do food retreats. Sierra Los Velez National Park, beautiful light and peaceful. I’m going back next year.

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  • How to Build the Perfect Expedition Bike for a Hassle-free Bike Tour

    October 30, 2013

    I wrote a series of popular articles about preparing for a short, medium or long term adventure cycling tour; about the equipment I needed, getting sponsorship, building an expedition bike and maintaining the bike on the road. I decided to compile all of these blog posts into a 100 page guide which covers the whole spectrum hoping helping you have an incredible adventure. It covers the philosophy of life on the road and how to make the most of the experience.

    Tags: EquipmentTouringExpeditionAdventure cyclingExpedition bikeKitGear

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  • Why is Bicycle Touring the Best Way to Travel Through Europe?

    October 30, 2013

    Benefits Cheaper than public transport Getting fit whilst travelling Hugely diverse area, geographically and politically. The geography in Europe is variable from the flat lands of the Netherlands to the mountains of the Alps. You can put in good distance in the former and get really fit and go slow for the latter. Camping is widely available If you speak English then often many people in Europe will speak the language.

    Tags: AdviceTipsCycle touringeurope

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  • Tips For Preparing a Cycle Tour to Ensure an Amazing Trip

    October 28, 2013

    PrepareI spent a considerable chunk of time preparing for our bike trip, Ride Earth. We read about previous expeditions on websites such as 'Crazy Guy on a Bike' ( http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ ), and blogs like Alastair Humphreys' blog ( http://www.alastairhumphreys.com ) and Janne Corax ( http://www3.utsidan.se/corax-e/ ). We started a collaborative 'Wiki' website and started to write down all sorts of stuff on it from the philosophy of why we were going to kit lists, visa information for each country we planned to visit, medical advice, etc.

    Tags: TipsAdviceExpeditionCycle touringGearTravelCycling

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  • Tips for Your Gap Year

    October 28, 2013

    Hello! You have probably got here searching for that exact question. That’s great, because I have some good information for you to help with your quest to find the ideal gap year. Are you sick of the lack of original ideas for your gap year? Do you wish that you could guarantee yourself a really authentic travel experience? Is the blue branding of STA travel in your university travel agent starting to get kind of sickening?

    Tags: UniversityStudyYoung peopleHolidayGap yearBike tour

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  • Tips for Travelling With Your Bike By Bus in Europe Stress Free

    October 28, 2013

    I did the overland journey Georgia - England, there and back, two and a half times; about 15000km in total. Overland travel in Europe has it’s ups and downs but is generally efficient and reliable. The trains in Eastern Europe are generally well priced and run on time but some of the the older routes, like the Balkan Express are quite slow. Trains in Western Europe are generally faster, have less character (think curvaceous lumps of grey plastic and retro-futuristic design) and are more expensive.

    Tags: TravellingBusTravelBikeBicycle

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  • What Kit Do You Need To Go Adventure Cycling?

    October 28, 2013

    This post is one of a series about Adventure Cycle Touring that formed part of the foundation for my ebook Prepare Pack Pedal. It is ideal if your bicycle touring equipment kit list contains only what is needed so that you don’t even need to think about your gear on your cycle trip. A good kit selection will allows you to concentrate on the experiences of traveling by bike without your equipment being a distraction or frustration.

    Tags: Bike touringEquipmentKitCycle touringGearTravelAdventure

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  • What Should I Do For My Gap Year?

    October 26, 2013

    Hello! You have probably got here searching for that exact question. That’s great, because I have some good information for you to help with your quest to find the ideal gap year. Are you sick of the lack of original ideas for your gap year? Do you wish that you could guarantee yourself a really authentic travel experience? Is the blue branding of STA travel in your university travel agent starting to get kind of sickening?

    Tags: Gap yearTouringCycling

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  • How are Magura Louise Disk Brakes (2007 model) For Stopping a Loaded Touring Bike?

    October 26, 2013

    The Magura Louse disc brakes were a high end disc brake that came out around 2007. Brakes are what the German company’s speciality with a good reputation for performance and reliability. Magura’s five-year no-leak guarantee was at the time unique showing confidence in the product. Based in Bad Urach, Germany, Magura has been a leader in hydraulics engineering and technology for over 100 years [Magura was established in 1893]. Magura innovations have included the first ever hydraulic mountain bike brake [1987] and the first “adjust-on-the-fly” motorcycle clutch lever for off-road racing legend Malcom Smith [1968].

    Tags: Hydraulic brakeDisc brakeMaguraMagura odur

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  • Extrawheel Single Wheel Trailer to Carry Your Gear Safely and Conveniently

    October 26, 2013

    The Extrawheel single wheel trailer (Voyager Model - in the shot below) is a bicycle trailer from polish manufacturer Extrawheel. It features a welded steel tubing frame with steel racks to fit panniers. It attaches to the bike via a sprung steel fork which clips onto the trailer and a custom real wheel axle. Pros: The design is simple. It is relatively light (particularly compared to a competitor such as ‘BOB’).

    Tags: Bicycle trailerBike trailer26 inchSingle-wheelTrailerExtrawheel

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  • Chris King Headset Long Term Adventure Cycling Kit Review

    October 26, 2013

    The Chris King Headset is well-regarded as one of the best on the market. I bought a Chris King Headset because of the rave reviews and general consensus that it was the best headset on the market. It has worked without a hint of reduction in it’s silky smoothness for the duration of the journey. In the past each headset I owned has shown signs of wear over the period of a year, but the King headset is as new, and I expect it to stay like that for a long time with a 10 year guarantee!

    Tags: Bicycle componentsHeadsetChris kingbike-components

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  • Carradice Super C Bicycle Touring Panniers to Keep Your Kit Safe and Dry

    October 26, 2013

    The Carradice Super C panniers are well-regarded as being long lasting and reliable and are a common choice for the long distance cyclist. Features: Weight (grams): 1150 Capacity: 54 litre capacity per pair Dimensions: 33cm wide x 40cm high x 22cm deep Fixing system: Carradice Quick-clip pannier hooks will fit racks up to 13mm in diameter No of Pockets: Large external pocket on rear Materials: Cotton Duck Other features: Two panniers can be fastened together for easy off-the-bike carrying

    Tags: PanniersCarradicepannier-rack

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