Tag: No Stupid Questions
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No Stupid Questions: Any Tips For Staying Motivated On A Longer Tour?
A reader writes: Have you got any tips for maintaining motivation on a longer tour? I’m just past halfway through a Spain to Ireland tour, and I’ve just been feeling a bit burnt out. Been on the road since April with a bit of time off in July. Thanks so much for the question! This is a really interesting one. Because you’ve touched on something not often mentioned about long-term bicycle travel, which is that it can sometimes be a draining, rather than a replenishing, experience. Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Is E‑bike Touring Possible? (If So, How?)
Several readers have written in with some version of the following question: I want to go cycle touring on an e‑bike, but there are obstacles. Firstly, nobody makes electric touring bikes. Secondly, other types of e‑bikes are too heavy to fly with, and airlines won’t carry e‑bike batteries. And finally, how can I possibly keep an e‑bike charged on a cycle tour? Help! Thanks for all the questions! Straight up: I have never toured on an e‑bike, and I don’t own an e‑bike, so the following advice is theoretical. That said, I’ve received enough similar-sounding questions to make it worth looking… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Brake Lever & Shifter Options For Drop Bar Touring Bikes
A reader writes: I can understand ‘brifters’ (brake/shifter) for racers (or audax), but not for tourers. The only time I ‘drop down’ is to adopt a streamlined tuck position for >50kph descents. I do not need to change gear in this position, but I definitely need my brakes available. At all other times, I am on the top of my handlebars (enjoying the scenery), where I need secondary brakes, and gear shifters for optimising cadence on flattish parts, and moving to lower gears upon ascents. It seems this tourer usage of drop handlebars has been forgotten about. It is increasingly… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Bike Touring For The Older Generation
A reader writes: Hey Tom, I’ve got a nice one for you: ‘Longer bike trips for the older generation, how to go about? How to train?’ Everywhere we get slapped around our ears with bike trips, bikepacking and more on social media. Not only the bikes look new, the gear high-tech, but the riders all so young? I’m mid 50’s (only), and wanting to take a bike trip, but was wondering about training schedules on my my (t)rusty old steel frame… Thanks for the question! It sounds like you’re concerned that the images you’re seeing of cycle touring on social media don’t resonate with you. … Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How To Deal With Racial Prejudice While Cycle Touring?
A reader writes: I’m sorry to be awkward but my question is about race. I’m planning to embark on a cross-Europe cycle tour this spring. I’ve read a lot of people’s blogs on similar journeys but I’ve noticed that they tend to be white travellers. As a North Indian looking guy with a very Southern English accent, I wondered if Islamophobia / anti immigrant sentiment was something I should worry about in Eastern Europe? I’d love some pointers to blogs I might have missed, as well — I understand if this might not be a topic you feel totally comfortable explaining.… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: What’s The Future Of Cycle Touring Electronics?
A reader writes: [What is] the future of cycle electrics? Dynamos vs power banks. Lights are becoming much more efficient, but there’s more and more requirements for charging eg: mobile phones and navigation. Any thoughts? Thanks for the question! I’ve had a fair few questions about tech and cycle touring, specifically about getting the best out of smartphones on bike trips – but none about what the future might hold in terms of electronics and their ever-increasing demands for power. It’s an interesting one! Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How Can I Use My Smartphone As A Bike GPS?
A reader writes: I would like up to date information on integrating my iPhone to my bikes as a GPS. Everything from safe phone mounting through power supply (I have built a usb feed into my elekky bike’s battery shoes) and route planning and following on the phone. I was raised on 1” OS and Bartholomew’s half inch maps. The half inch are unusable nowadays and the OS 1: 50,000 are too large but when folded into a map clip not big enough. I can read OS maps and like to see the Historical and Landscape information that may make a… Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How To Plan Cycle Tours In Unusual Places (Like Jamaica)?
A reader writes: I am a new subscriber to your mailing list as I hope to get into travelling by bike. I was wondering if you have any insights about biking in Jamaica? While being there I will able to do both short and very long rides. So my questions are: Is it safe? Is Jamaica friendly to cyclists? I have a gravel bike and wondering what kind of wheels I may need in that country. Any route suggestions? Anything that you can provide I will greatly appreciate it. This is an interesting question for a couple of reasons. First,… Continue reading →