Amazing Fasnacht Costumes From Luzern Switzerland
October 31, 2009 by Darren Alff · 4 Comments
Every year, on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, the city of Luzern, Switzerland comes to life with a literal bang. The Carnival celebration, which the locals call Fasnacht, breaks out in the streets, alleyways and squares of old town Luzern and continues for days on end as the normally stiff people of Switzerland roam the [...]
Learn About Bicycling By Getting A Motorcycle Permit
October 28, 2009 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
Last Friday I took (and passed) the test that allows me to legally drive a motorcycle in the state of Utah. But before I took the test, I stayed up all night long reading the DMV’s Motorcycle Operator Manual – and in the process realized that riding a bicycle has taught me a lot about [...]
Bicycle Touring Pro Is Two Years Old
October 27, 2009 by Darren Alff · 4 Comments
Today, Bicycle Touring Pro turns two! On October 27th, 2007 I wrote my first post for BicycleTouringPro.com with the intention of helping my friend Brandon plan, prepare for, and execute his first long distance bicycle adventure. Since that time I have published “The Bicycle Traveler’s Blueprint,” created “The Ultimate Guide To Free Lodging,” and written [...]
One Day In Africa – Now On DVD
October 23, 2009 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
Long time readers of Bicycle Touring Pro may recall my praises for a documentary film titled, A Map For Saturday. If you haven’t seen the film yet, I highly encourage you to check it out. If you are unfamiliar with the film, A Map For Saturday is the story of those who backpack around the [...]
Graffiti From Athens, Greece
October 21, 2009 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
Here are nearly 40 different photos of graffiti and street art from the city of Athens, Greece.
Why My Clothing Choices Have Changed Over The Years
October 19, 2009 by Darren Alff · 4 Comments
If you read my previous article on The Evolution Of Bicycle Touring Clothes you will have seen that my bike touring clothes have changed a lot over the past nine years. I started my bicycling career with dark, neutral colors and clothes designed for life off the bike. But as the years progressed, I got [...]
Lightload Towels: Product Review
October 16, 2009 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
I was recently sent a 3-Pack of Lightload Towels and asked to review the product here on the site. To find out what I think of Lightload Towels and how I would use them on my own travels, you can watch the video above or read the quick summary below. Product Features Each towel comes [...]
An Extensive Guide To Bike Tour Planning
October 14, 2009 by Darren Alff · 4 Comments
In the summer of 2008 I traveled with my new Bike Friday folding bicycle and spent 8 days on the island of Aruba. Around this time I produced the following article (which is the first part of a three part series on my trip to Aruba, which I never published… until now) about how I [...]
Today Is My 26th Birthday And I Have A Gift For You!
October 14, 2009 by Darren Alff · 20 Comments
Today is my birthday. It’s hard to believe, but I’m 26 years old. As you may or may not know, I started traveling with my bike at age 17, immediately after graduating from high school, and since that time I’ve conducted nine long distance bicycle tours over the last nine years in various locations around [...]
The Evolution Of Bicycle Touring Clothes
October 12, 2009 by Darren Alff · 5 Comments
Bicycle travelers are a strange bunch. We are cyclists, and yet we aren’t racers. We are travelers, and yet we have bicycle-specific needs. And because of all this, finding the right clothes for a long-distance bike tour can be a bit difficult. In most cases we are forced to wear clothes that were originally designed [...]
Winter Bike Touring Clothes
October 9, 2009 by Darren Alff · 8 Comments
Cycling in the cold and snow is not impossible. This past winter I spent two months cycling in and around the mountains of Switzerland and these are the clothes I wore while out on my bike. Not only did these items help to keep me warm and dry when cycling my way through ice, snow, [...]
Summer Cycle Touring Clothes
October 7, 2009 by Darren Alff · 4 Comments
You have a lot of options when it comes to bicycle clothing. My riding lately, however, has taken a sharp turn from the spandex and neon colors most often times associated with the professional cyclist. Instead of following the pack and donning the tight and bright bike gear cyclists are usually known for, I’ve drifted [...]


















