How To Make Your Own Working Camp Stove
July 31, 2008 by Darren Alff · 2 Comments
Finding the right stove for your bicycle tour can be difficult. There are dozens of different stoves to choose from and it seems as though each one requires a different type of fuel. That’s why, years ago, when I came across the designs for a working camp stove made out of two ordinary soda cans, I knew I had stumbled upon something special.
Today, I have a short video for you where I am going to show you how to make your own working camp stove – perfect for your upcoming bicycle adventure. The best part about this stove is that its lightweight, easy to use, and runs off denatured alcohol (which can be found just about anywhere in the world). Read more
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Showers Pass Elite Rain Jacket
July 28, 2008 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
Choosing the right jacket for your bicycle tour can be a difficult process. There are a number of jackets to choose from and selecting the one that’s right for you can be a bit tricky.
Luckily, there is a company that makes rain jackets specifically for cyclists. The company is called “Showers Pass” and they specialize in rain related products for people who like to bike. The company makes rain jackets, vests, pants, and shoe covers.
Today, we are going to take a detailed look at the Showers Pass Elite – a jacket that the company claims to be “the ultimate rain jacket that also works well in cool dry weather.” Read more
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Ultralite Cooking For The Traveling Cyclist
July 26, 2008 by Darren Alff · 6 Comments
It’s Finally Here! The Bicycle Cooking Information You’ve Been Looking For!
If you are planning a bicycle tour and have been wondering to yourself…
Do I need to bring a stove with me to cook my food?
What is the difference between base camp and ultralite cooking?
What kind of cooking gear and utensils will I need?
What foods and recipes work best for traveling cyclists? Read more
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Bicycle Touring At Night: A Guide To Riding In The Dark
July 23, 2008 by Darren Alff · 2 Comments
Riding in the dark is not something many bicycle tourists consider. When night falls, most traveling cyclists are fast asleep, recuperating from a long day of riding. But there are times when riding in the dark is not only possible, but also a good idea!
Today, I want to talk about three reasons for traveling at night and follow that up with a short and simple guide to staying safe when riding in the dark.
It was on my second long distance bicycle tour that I was first introduced to the idea of bicycle touring at night. I was in western Kansas, traveling on the Transamerica bicycle route, and never in my life had I experienced so much wind. Each and every day seemed like a struggle against an impossible breeze… and frankly, I didn’t think I could take much more of it. Read more
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Interview With The Authors Of “Ultralite Bicycle Camping”
July 20, 2008 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
Dr. Bernd Fischel and Barbara (Barbie) Garrett are the authors of the book, “Ultralite Bicycle Camping: The Cyclists Guide to Ultralite Camping and Touring in Europe.”
This 349 page book covers numerous aspects of bicycle touring, but centers around how you can travel in Europe on an ultralite bike… and on an ultralite budget.
This 41-minute interview is packed with tips for traveling light, saving money, and navigating your way through Europe. Whether you are an experienced bicycle tourist or a complete novice, you’ll find a number of useful nuggets in this interview with Bernd and Barbie. Read more
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How To Pack Your Bicycle For A Long Distance Tour
July 16, 2008 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
As part of my three part series on how to pack your bicycle for a long distance touring adventure, today I am going to be discussing how to actually pack your bike with your panniers and other belongings.
In part 1 we discussed how to pack your handlebar bag. In part 2 I gave you some tips on how to pack your panniers. Today we will be discussing how to actually go about packing your bike with its panniers and all the other gear needed for life on the road. Read more
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Bicycle Touring Business Cards – How To Use Them
July 12, 2008 by Darren Alff · 2 Comments
When traveling by bike there are bound to be times when you will run into a person and decide that you want to keep in touch with them after you go your separate ways. This person may be another cyclist, someone you met in the supermarket, or a kind stranger who let you sleep in their yard. Whatever the case, carrying a bicycle touring business card is a great way to ensure that you stay in touch with this person once you go your separate ways.
I first saw the idea of bicycle touring business cards on my second long distance bicycle tour along the TransAmerica bicycle route. I was in a small town in Western Kansas when I stopped to use a large wooden outhouse on the side of the road. Read more
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Bicycle Touring With An Extra Tire? Is It A Good Idea?
July 10, 2008 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
If you are going to be out on the road for an extended period of time (i.e. a month or more), you are likely wondering whether or not it is a good idea to bring an extra tire with you. Bringing an extra tube or two is obvious, but bringing an extra tire? Is it really necessary?
In my opinion, no, bringing an extra tire is not something you normally need to do. As long as you are starting your tour with a new or fairly new set of tires, you should be able to get some pretty good distance out of those tires before they need replacing. Read more
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How Many Spare Tubes Should You Carry?
July 8, 2008 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
If you’re planning a bicycle tour, you are going to want to make sure you pack some extra tubes. The question is, how many spare tubes should you bring with you?
Like many aspects of bicycle touring, the answer to this question depends on a number of different things.
On most of my long distance bicycle tours (where I was on the road for a month or more), I was carrying three spare tubes with me at any one time. When I got a flat tire, I didn’t have to bother with trying to patch the flat. Instead, I just pulled out one of my spare tubes, threw it in the tire, pumped it up, and was off and riding in just a few minutes. Read more
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What To Do When You Can’t Find A Riding Partner
July 6, 2008 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
For many wanna-be bicycle travelers, the only thing holding them back from actually taking the leap and exploring the world by bike is the fact that they can’t find anyone to go with them. Most people don’t want to be alone for months on end as they cycle across cities, states, and countries… so finding a riding partner is an important part of making many people’s bicycle touring dreams come true. Unfortunately, finding a riding partner is not always easy!
As far as I can tell, there are four main reasons finding a riding partner can be quite difficult. Read more
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