On June 9th, 2015, I conducted an hour-and-a-half long webinar from my location at the time (Brasov, Romania) and during this live bicycle touring event I answered a plethora of questions that were sent to me by both you and other Bicycle Touring Pro readers. Questions about how to start bicycle touring, such as…
- Do I have to wear Lycra or spandex clothing to participate in a bike tour?
- Which is best? A one-wheeled or two-wheeled bicycle cargo trailer?
- Where is the best/safest/most enjoyable place to go bicycle touring?
- How do you find inexpensive places to stay during your bike tours?
- What do you need to know when flying with your bicycle on an airplane?
- What’s the best way to build up your muscles for a bike tour?
- What happens if you get sick during the middle of a bike tour?
- What do you do with your bicycle when you want to go inside a store or building?
- How do you handle barking dogs that chase you down the road?
- How do you deal with traveling to countries where they don’t speak your language?
- What do you lock your bicycle to when you’re camping at night?
- Are 26 inch or 700c wheels best for bicycle touring?
- Where do you find safe water to drink during a bike tour?
- Is it safe to cycle across Eastern Europe?
- How do you keep your butt/crotch from hurting when you ride your bike?
- What is the best combination of gear and clothing for cycling in the rain?
- What is a pant leg protector and how is it used when riding a bike?
- What are the staple foods you carry on a bike tour?
- How do you handle being alone for long periods of time?
- What are some of the best ways to meet and interact with other people?
- What kind of tent and sleeping bag do you recommend?
- How do you keep your clothing clean when you’re traveling by bike?
- How do bicycle touring tactics change as you begin to age?
- Can a folding bicycle be used for long-distance bike touring?
- What kind of pedals and shoes are best for cycle touring?
- What is the best approach to cycling in extreme heat?
- What’s the best way to find bicycle-friendly routes and accommodations?
- Plus… a whole lot more!
How to start bicycle touring: Watch the video at the top of this page, or visit the Bicycle Touring Pro YouTube channel to watch the video replay of this live event and hear the answers to each of these important cycle touring questions.
Hhi, I have to tell you that; without even knowing; you are “constructing” or even teaching” my touring bike learning degree. What do I mean? Like a student that likes the idea of being a doctor in medicine one day and goes to class…? I read a lot about touring bike and live somehow, the riding experience through your site and Youtube channel. Meanwhile, not only in theory but also in practice, I am building my performance capability week after week for the last 9 month.
As you could read, my name is Roni and I am 52 years old. I am originally from Argentina but live in Jerusalem, Israel.
After looking your last video (Q&As), I would like to ask you also a few questions:
1. How do you decide (a head?) the routes you will take. I plan to ride from Jerusalem to London and I am very confused about the best way or better direction to follow.
2. How do you manage the monetary issue. You carry credit cards? travel cheques (protected)? take money of automatic cashiers? In Europe and in the USA it supposed to be easy (the same currency and so) but, what about other countries like is South America, with different currencies? do you go to an “exchange point” in every border you plan to cross? how does it work and what do yo recommend?
3. Aaaahhhh… Regarding dog attacks… I live close to the Jordan Valley and the Judea Desert. The area is full of Bedouins (yeah, like in the movies but a little bit much modern). Most of them are Shepherds I am not going to describe how do I bark back during pedaling (I do it not bad at all). But some time dogs can even jump to your bike as well. I does not happens every day but it happened to me 3-4 times in the last few years. I do not know but some times they are keeping save their territories; who knows. Anyway; the best way to defend yourself is by pedaling as fast as you can and if your are going up, just turn back and go down. If there are 2 or more and you are in trouble, just take your bottle (I use “Camelbak” ones) and just splash them a few time straight to their face. It is incredible but they just freeze and go back.
Anyway, congratulations for your site, best regards and see you in the future.
Roni
All of this and more is answered inside The Bicycle Touring Blueprint. Check it out!