Preparing for a long distance bike trip

I'm preparing a set of articles regarding packing, equipment, my bike, and other things. It's still a work in progress and develops over time.

Eurovelo 4 - my Surly Disc Trucker in Dieppe, Normandie

The Surly Disc Trucker.
Quite easy.

23. January 2023 Prepare

There are people who do a lot of research when looking for bikes, considering this, considering that. I'm not like that. I do usually have a picture in my head of what I want. And it's basically impossible to convince me of anything else. Similarly with my bike. I did have already two bikes. A Canyon road bike and a beautiful city bike, custom made for me by Santucci Cycles. Both were not made for the tour, so I needed a new one.

Some time ago I lived in San Francisco. There I encountered for the first time Surly bikes. Steel frame, and slightly old-fashioned looking. Back then I thought about getting one, now was the time!

Read on

Surly Disc Trucker with Brooks bike bags. Ready to go!

Brooks Panniers and handlebar bags, and some more.

9. January 2024 Prepare

Once I got my Surly Disc Trucker, it was time to think about the bags that I would take on my bike trip. The first instinct were Ortlieb bicycle panniers, but it came differently. I got all major panniers from Brooks England, which proved to be a great choice. Durable, almost all of them are fully waterproof and great looking.

Read on

Packing clothes.
For a long bike touring trip.

17. November 2023 Prepare

What clothes to take on a long-distance bike tour is quite an essential question. And a personal one as well. Many people might be optimizing for weight, but for me, it was important that I would feel good in my clothes at any given point. Weight and volume were not my main decision factors, some things that I packed the majority of people might think that I'm a bit crazy. But especially these items were the most valuable and I do not regret that I biked them around.

Read on

Great view from the tent on the campsite in Ranchot

My new tent.
A Terra Nova Laser.

13. November 2023 Prepare

Just when I arrived in Scotland, I realized that my tent was no longer really waterproof. Going up to the Scottish North Coast and to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, I decided that I would want a tent that is rock solid in terms of being waterproof. Frankly, I didn't do too much research, but rather quickly decided on the Terra Nova Laser for one person. I liked the look and color and wanted a tent that was super light. Not necessarily only for this trip, but for hiking adventures as well. Seemed like a good choice. And it was!

Read on

My first tent.
A Sierra Designs Flashlight.

13. November 2023 Prepare

I started my trip with a tent, that I already had. A super great Sierra Designs tent. I got it some years back at an REI in San Francisco. It is no longer available in this version, but if you can get your hands on one, I would totally recommend it. Back then I wanted a tent, that looked like a tent. Neutral colors, familiar shape, no craziness. And that is exactly what I got.

Read on

Hibernating