Bicycle Touring Shoes
March 15, 2010 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
When you travel by bike, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the saddle. But there comes a time at the end of each day when you will step off your bike and want to walk around. Which brings up the question, “What kind of shoes should you be using on your [...]
181 Free Articles About Bicycle Touring, World Travel And Lifestyle Design
January 1, 2010 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
2009 was one hell of a year!
At this time last year I was emerging from my apartment in downtown Luzern, Switzerland and celebrating the first of what would become 254 days of bike travel in 16 different European countries.
Since that time, I have covered thousands of miles on my bicycle (and on foot); written nearly [...]
How To Stand Out And Still Blend In
December 24, 2009 by Darren Alff · 2 Comments
Cyclists need to stand out when sharing the road with motorized vehicles. The brighter you are, the more likely it is that a passing car will see you and move out of your way. But just because you are riding a bicycle doesn’t necessarily mean you have to dress in neon colors and plaster reflective [...]
Road I.D. – 15% Off Coupon Code
November 21, 2009 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
I received the following email from Road I.D.. Because it contains a 15% off coupon code, I thought I would take a moment and share it with you now. (Coupon Code: pcHelpElves9) But be warned – the code is only good until November 30th, 2009.
Useless Gear: Coming Home With What You Really Need
November 4, 2009 by Darren Alff · 6 Comments
How you start a trip and how you finish are two completely different things.
At the beginning of a long distance bike tour, you have the urge to pack as much on your bike as you possibly can. But as time goes by and the miles/kilometers become more difficult, you quickly realize that some items you [...]
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 sucked [...]
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 [...]
The Evolution Of Bicycle Touring Clothes
October 12, 2009 by Darren Alff · 4 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 [...]
Travel Clothing Breakdown: Exploring On Foot
October 5, 2009 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
Over the past nine months I’ve walked hundreds and hundreds of miles on foot. Traveling by bike is great, but walking is surely second best.
When I’m not on my bicycle, I do my best to dress like a “normal person” and blend in with the people around me. The image below shows what I typically [...]
An Ode To My Clothes At The End Of A Long Trip
September 24, 2009 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
I made the following video to document the way I look after traveling through Europe for 254 days.
As many travelers know, the clothes you wear while traveling can become extremely worn after days and days of heavy use. Because they are with you for each and every part of your adventure, the clothes you wear [...]













