The only thing better than a touring bike is a touring bike with a really good rack system for carrying all your snacks.
Cycle touring is 10% equipment and 90% determination. The rest is made up of looking good in Lycra!
Thief value rating - £5! When did you last see a touring/casual operative on a bike with drop-handle bars? No disc-brakes, you have to have these - its compulsory fashionable. It doesn't have a battery. Shimano gears = maintenance nightmare!
The Dawes Galaxy Advert
The Dawes Galaxy features a reliably strong, yet light 4130 chromoly frame and forks. The geometry is configured to give enhanced comfort even through those long days in the saddle. It is equipped with 27 speed Shimano STI Alivio gears, Tektro CR-510 cantilever brakes, Alex double wall alloy rims, Shimano hubs and Schwalbe tyres.
- Dump the Dawes Tour Gel saddle and get yourself a leather B21 Brooks Saddle.
- Change the pathetically thin spokes for thicker ones on the rear.
- Keep a close watch on the 'lightweight' wheel rims, they can get dangerously thin (brake-block wear?)
- Gearing - stick to the middle gearing sprokets as much as possible. This keeps the chain in a straight position and will wear-less.
- Cheaper Schwalbe tyres are pretty poor, always buy the better ones for the rear. DO NOT be tempted to get 'puncture free' tyres. The extra hard tread means you 'hop' around corners.
Cycle Kit for a UK Tour.
| BAR BAG | FRAME BAG | PANNIERS | PANNIERS | PANNIERS) | BIKE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radio with ear piece | First aid kit | Gas Stove | Sleeping Bag | Drying Line | Elastic Straps |
| Maps/cover | Plasters | Kettle/Pots | Sleeping sheet | Midge Spray | Cycle Computer |
| Glasses | Bandage | Mug | Sleeping Mat | T Shirt | Water Bottles |
| Cycle Lock & spare key | Antiseptic cream | Cutlery | Inflatable Pillow | Rohan Shirt | Pump |
| Camera | Tweezers | Tin Opener | Ear Plugs | Fleece | Bike shoes |
| Phone & Charger | Emergency Food pack | Torch | Sandals | Helmet | |
| Baby Wipes | TOOLS | Scourers | Kindle | 3 pr pants | Tent |
| Sun Block | Allen Keys | J Cloths | Bed clothes | Floppy Hat | |
| Pen/book/notes | Mulitool | lighter | |||
| Spray hand gel | Cable ties | Spatula | Cycle trousers spare | ||
| WALLET | Spare tubes | Sealable food bags | Cycle top spare | ||
| Bank Card | Puncture repair | Veg Knife | 3 prs socks | ||
| Credit Card | Tyre Levers | Gaz cylinder (CV270) | Waterproof Jacket/Trousers | ||
| Cash | Chain Oil | Salt/pepper | Wind-proof Cycle jacket | ||
| Driving Licence | Brake Blocks | Veg Oil | |||
| YH Card | Spokes (taped to frame) | Extra bar bag nibbles | TOILET | ||
| Shifter cable | Muesli | Toothpaste/brush | |||
| NIBBLES | Chain tool | Tea/Coffee | Micro flannel | ||
| Nuts/ Fruit bar etc | Microfibre towel | ||||
| Toilet paper | |||||
| Nail clippers | |||||
| Shower gel |
Odds & Ends
Tips I have picked up over the years most of which I have not tried!
1. Carry a second wallet. Make it look authentic and keep a small amount of cash and out of date bank cards in it. This is what you hand-over should you suffer a robbery
2. Discourage potential unwelcome rummaging through your panniers by keeping a soiled/ dirty underpants on top. Not real ones, obviously!!!
3. Use your Kindle to have guide books on. Kindles can also be uploaded with PDF's so it's another place to store important information (contact details).
4. Have a contact on your phone under the heading 'ICE' with 'wife' or other person. This may get your phone back if lost or give emergency services a clue about who your 'first' contact is. ICE stands for 'In Case Of Emergency'.