Cycling from the UK to Romania



B

Bill-Dorset-UK

Guest
Hello,

I am thinking/planning of cycling from Dorset (United Kingdom) to
Bucharest (Romania) at some point this (2006) summer.

The route is ~1800 miles and I am planning to undertake it in three and
a half weeks, cycling from Monday to Friday and resting at the
weekends, covering 100 miles a day.

My fitness level is relatively high (I work on a farm, regularly play
squash and circuit train), but have never cycled more than about 60
miles in a day.

I have travelled (but not cycled) fairly extensively in Serbia and
Romania.

Do you have any tips on undertaking a long-distance bikeride (without
support), such as vital spare parts/ other bits I should take (am
planning on buying a GPS handheld navigator to tell me where to go -
then flogging it on ebay when I get back).

Also would you be interested in coming? I have a couple of friends that
are interested, but, critically, don't want to go alone. Dates I'm
thinking of are ~10th June to 10th July or 20th July to 20th August.

Would be trying to raise funds in the process too.

Regards,

Bill.
 
Bill-Dorset-UK wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am thinking/planning of cycling from Dorset (United Kingdom) to
> Bucharest (Romania) at some point this (2006) summer.

Sounds like a fun ride, especially if you've traveled in Romania
before. A hundred miles a day, 5 days a week is a tough schedule,
though - if not impossible through the Carpathians. You might end up
doing a few 6 day weeks.

I never did more than about 90km (55 miles) before my first tour, and
I've averaged about 140 km a day for all my tours - but they've been
short 1 week ones so far. Mind you, I'm usually back on my bike the
next day or so when I get home, so it's a bit like your schedule.
You're undoubtedly more fit than I - my favorite farm job was always
strawberry harvesting.

As for spares, bring lots of tubes plus patches and a reliable pump.
Consider a spare tire. Bring spokes if you're comfortable changing them
(and can get a Hyper Cracker or similar and know how to use it.)
Fibre-Fix kevlar spokes work very well, too. Bring spare fasteners, and
consider a rear derailer pulley kit (with bolt!) For that distance, a
spare chain or at least 6 or so full links of compatible chain and a
chain tool (and single-use pins if your chain requires them.) Bring a
full set of cables - 2 brake, 2 shifter. Maybe one pair of brake shoes
for the mountains. Bring some zip-ties, too - very handy. I like to put
a few small worm-gear hose clamps on the handles of my screwdrivers, in
case a rack strut snaps (you can clamp a piece of rod- or even a stick
- parallel to the strut as a temporary repair. Oh, and a few metres of
good duct/gaffer's tape on your seat post is handy.

Are you camping? Bring spare tent pegs and more duct tape and a
guide-book, if possible.

Cooking? A *simple* repairable stove that uses easily found fuel, and a
cosy for your pot to save fuel when 'simmering'
rice/polenta/porridge/soup.

Very important - bring drugs - anti-diarhea, anti-constipation,
headache pills, serious pain pills (Advil, T2s, whatever) and perhaps
some antihistimenes. And for Transilvania, Wolfbane :0).


> Would be trying to raise funds in the process too.

That takes a lot of time, as do 160 km days. I don't know if they're
compatible without a PR team.

Best of luck and have a fantastic trip! Oh - bring a notebook and a
camera, and consider writing it up at Crazyguyonabike.com or someplace
so we can all travel along with you.
 
In rec.travel.europe Bill-Dorset-UK <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am thinking/planning of cycling from Dorset (United Kingdom) to
> Bucharest (Romania) at some point this (2006) summer.

Sounds like a great trip!

> The route is ~1800 miles and I am planning to undertake it in three and
> a half weeks, cycling from Monday to Friday and resting at the
> weekends, covering 100 miles a day.

That's 160 km/day, which is a LOT, especially if you are hauling a lot of
heavy gear. My longest cycling trip was 42 days, covering 4100km,
averaging 97 km/day. That's comfortable for me. I'd try to take more
time if you can get it.

> Do you have any tips on undertaking a long-distance bikeride (without
> support), such as vital spare parts/ other bits I should take (am
> planning on buying a GPS handheld navigator to tell me where to go -
> then flogging it on ebay when I get back).

Forget the GPS. You need good maps. My favourite map of Romania is
Erdely/Ardeal/Siebenbuergen, published by Cartographia in Hungary. It
excludes southern Romania and Moldavia but for detail it can't be beat.
Spend some time at a quality book and map store and buy the place out. I
really, really can't stress enough the importance of having good maps when
cycle touring in unfamiliar areas, especially where you have little
command of the local language.

As for what else to pack, This is a good place to start:
http://www.downtheroad.org/Equipment/Packing_List/Packing_List.htm

> Also would you be interested in coming? I have a couple of friends that
> are interested, but, critically, don't want to go alone. Dates I'm
> thinking of are ~10th June to 10th July or 20th July to 20th August.

My mouth is watering. But ask me again in 15-20 years when my kids are
grown, and I'll once again have the time to go on an extended bike touring
trip.

--
K.
 
100 miles a day is too much to enjoy touring. If it's just for cycling
then that's different.

My tours (I've done 47) used to average 60-70miles a day, but nowadays
I'm tending towards 50miles as I enjoy it more.

Must bring.
Suncream, vaseline for your nether regions, painkiller, antihistamines.
3 spare tubes, puncture repair kit, spare tyre, spare cable wires, a
few rear spare spokes and hypercracker, two bottles, chainbreaker and
a few spare links, spare brake blocks unless starting with brand-new
ones, plastic bags for inside panniers, unless you've got Ortliebs,
handlebar bag (essentially useful), camera, film if not digital, spare
batteries etc. Little radio or MP3 player, maps, etc. etc.
 
Brian Huntley wrote:
>
> As for spares, bring lots of tubes plus patches and a reliable pump.
> Consider a spare tire. Bring spokes if you're comfortable changing them
> (and can get a Hyper Cracker or similar and know how to use it.)
> Fibre-Fix kevlar spokes work very well, too. Bring spare fasteners, and
> consider a rear derailer pulley kit (with bolt!) For that distance, a
> spare chain or at least 6 or so full links of compatible chain and a
> chain tool (and single-use pins if your chain requires them.) Bring a
> full set of cables - 2 brake, 2 shifter. Maybe one pair of brake shoes
> for the mountains. Bring some zip-ties, too - very handy. I like to put
> a few small worm-gear hose clamps on the handles of my screwdrivers, in
> case a rack strut snaps (you can clamp a piece of rod- or even a stick
> - parallel to the strut as a temporary repair. Oh, and a few metres of
> good duct/gaffer's tape on your seat post is handy.
>

Thinking about it, take a spare bike instead ;-)


--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham
 
"Bill-Dorset-UK" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> I am thinking/planning of cycling from Dorset (United Kingdom) to
> Bucharest (Romania) at some point this (2006) summer.
>
> The route is ~1800 miles and I am planning to undertake it in three and
> a half weeks, cycling from Monday to Friday and resting at the
> weekends, covering 100 miles a day.
>
> My fitness level is relatively high (I work on a farm, regularly play
> squash and circuit train), but have never cycled more than about 60
> miles in a day.
>
> I have travelled (but not cycled) fairly extensively in Serbia and
> Romania.
>
> Do you have any tips on undertaking a long-distance bikeride (without
> support), such as vital spare parts/ other bits I should take (am
> planning on buying a GPS handheld navigator to tell me where to go -
> then flogging it on ebay when I get back).
>
> Also would you be interested in coming? I have a couple of friends that
> are interested, but, critically, don't want to go alone. Dates I'm
> thinking of are ~10th June to 10th July or 20th July to 20th August.
>
> Would be trying to raise funds in the process too.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bill.

Weekends off are not a good idea. as a set routine -- starting up again is
more difficult. You would be better to reduce your daily kilometerage and
cycle for about 10 days before having a rest day -- and the rest day should
be flexible enough so that perhaps its a "bad weather day" or a "good sight
seeing day". I must admit that when I have several days with a following
wind I make use of them to knock up some distance.

Regardless of your level of fitness you need to get some time in now "on
the saddle". Much of long distance touring isn't a matter of speed but an
ability to get on the bike every morning and pedal!

There is one more danger, IMO, --- and that is if you are travelling just
for the sake of travelling. It is just too easy to get into a mind set of
kilometres to cover and forget that you are on holiday in different
countries with different cultures.

For me, an important part of every day is to have enough time to see where I
am, meet with people - both indigenous and tourists alike. I have no need to
latch up more "been there, done that". But then I am just on old fogey and
I have travelled much of the world by faster means -- but it is much nicer
by bike doing about 80Kms a day - but totally self contained -- last years
trip was about 45 days in my tent with a youth hostel thrown in for a couple
of nights ( I couldn't sleep cos the beds were too comfy)

I met an Oz guy last year in Germany who had cycled all the way from
Shanghai and hadn't taken time to experience anything at all -- having
travelled through all that lump of Asia! The day I met him he arrived at
about 8 pm and had left the next morning by 5 am -- I was spending two days
enjoying the small city of Regensburg and also added 2 Norwegians and 2
Hollanders to my list of acquaintances ( we still correspond).

Anyway we all do our own thing -- have an enjoyable trip!

Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
 
"Brian Huntley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> As for spares, bring lots of tubes plus patches and a reliable pump.
> Consider a spare tire. Bring spokes if you're comfortable changing them
> (and can get a Hyper Cracker or similar and know how to use it.)
> Fibre-Fix kevlar spokes work very well, too. Bring spare fasteners, and
> consider a rear derailer pulley kit (with bolt!) For that distance, a
> spare chain or at least 6 or so full links of compatible chain and a
> chain tool (and single-use pins if your chain requires them.) Bring a
> full set of cables - 2 brake, 2 shifter. Maybe one pair of brake shoes
> for the mountains. Bring some zip-ties, too - very handy. I like to put
> a few small worm-gear hose clamps on the handles of my screwdrivers, in
> case a rack strut snaps (you can clamp a piece of rod- or even a stick
> - parallel to the strut as a temporary repair. Oh, and a few metres of
> good duct/gaffer's tape on your seat post is handy.

I think you will find that bike shoppes exist in most of continental Europe,
staffed by friendly bike shoppe type people who will be able to supply (and
fit) replacement parts in the case of failure.

Most large towns will have at least one.

Some ty-wraps and bodger tape are always good to have.
 
On 12 Apr 2006 14:33:35 -0700, "Bill-Dorset-UK"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I am thinking/planning of cycling from Dorset (United Kingdom) to
>Bucharest (Romania) at some point this (2006) summer.
>
>The route is ~1800 miles and I am planning to undertake it in three and
>a half weeks, cycling from Monday to Friday and resting at the
>weekends, covering 100 miles a day.
>
>My fitness level is relatively high (I work on a farm, regularly play
>squash and circuit train), but have never cycled more than about 60
>miles in a day.
>
>I have travelled (but not cycled) fairly extensively in Serbia and
>Romania.
>
>Do you have any tips on undertaking a long-distance bikeride (without
>support), such as vital spare parts/ other bits I should take (am
>planning on buying a GPS handheld navigator to tell me where to go -
>then flogging it on ebay when I get back).
>
>Also would you be interested in coming? I have a couple of friends that
>are interested, but, critically, don't want to go alone. Dates I'm
>thinking of are ~10th June to 10th July or 20th July to 20th August.
>
>Would be trying to raise funds in the process too.
>
>Regards,
>
>Bill.

If I were considering an adventure like this (which I'm not), I think
my first port of call would be a bookshop and/or library. The only
book I have at home on long-distance cycle journeys is an old one:
"Two-Wheel Trek - Manchester to the Cape of Good Hope by Bicycle" by
Neil Clough: Arrow Books 1983. ISBN 0 09 930820 7

His route for the European section was Hook of Holland - Prague -
Budapest - Bucharest - Sofia - Istanbul: his experiences may be of
use.

I've had other books from Bristol Public Library from time to time.
The name Devla Murphy springs to mind - she travelled around
Transylvania by bike - link to the book via Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/08...7379-1482512?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Anyway, it sounds a worthwhile mission and good luck!




>

Keith, Bristol, UK

Email: usenet[dot]20[dot]keefy[at]spamgourmet[dot]com

This is a sp*mtrap, but I will get your mail!
 
On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:05:38 +0100, "Tony W"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I think you will find that bike shoppes exist in most of continental Europe,
>staffed by friendly bike shoppe type people who will be able to supply (and
>fit) replacement parts in the case of failure.

Yes, but if you're 2 hours and 3 valleys from that town, it'll be
quite a long and difficult walk...

Jim.
 
"Jim Ley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:05:38 +0100, "Tony W"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I think you will find that bike shoppes exist in most of continental
>>Europe,
>>staffed by friendly bike shoppe type people who will be able to supply
>>(and
>>fit) replacement parts in the case of failure.
>
> Yes, but if you're 2 hours and 3 valleys from that town, it'll be
> quite a long and difficult walk...

Its a risk assessment. What are the chances of a tyre being totally
shredded or of the transmission failing catastrophically compared with the
weight and hassle of carrying a replacement and a workshop?

I would argue (and I have toured fairly extensively) that you need enough
stuff to fix a normal roadside incident -- i.e. puncture stuff, a speedy
link or three, a couple of spare spokes, assorted nuts, bolts and fasteners,
ty-wraps, bodger tape, some strong twine (useful for lashing stuff. Fixed a
broken rack with some years ago using best boy scout lashing techniques
(that is tying the thing up, not some sado-masochistic fetish involving
young boys in woggles))

If the frame breaks, or the transmission fails big time you are, to use the
technical term, buggered. You will need a long walk or a taxi. However,
these things happen rarely so don't panic about it just because you are in
some foreign field.

If your transmission or frame fails on a weekend ride you are buggered. You
swear, curse and phone for a cab/friend or find a pub. Why is the situation
different when abroad?

Between Britain and Romania you are travelling through developed countries
with all the facilities of home (though you may have to find someone who
speaks English to help -- never a problem).

T

T
 
On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 12:02:25 +0100, "Tony W"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>I would argue (and I have toured fairly extensively) that you need enough
>stuff to fix a normal roadside incident -- i.e. puncture stuff, a speedy
>link or three, a couple of spare spokes, assorted nuts, bolts and fasteners,
>ty-wraps, bodger tape, some strong twine (useful for lashing stuff. Fixed a
>broken rack with some years ago using best boy scout lashing techniques
>(that is tying the thing up, not some sado-masochistic fetish involving
>young boys in woggles))

This looks pretty much the same list that Brian originally listed!
and something I'm sure everyone here's agreeing with actually - I just
thought you were arguing against it. I probably would take a spare
tyre is not a lot of weight, and no extra tools are needed.

>If your transmission or frame fails on a weekend ride you are buggered. You
>swear, curse and phone for a cab/friend or find a pub. Why is the situation
>different when abroad?

Oh I would never suggest trying to cope with either of those, I just
thought you were arguing against the odd spoke, or a chain link or...

Jim.
 
Jim Ley wrote:
> On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:05:38 +0100, "Tony W"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I think you will find that bike shoppes exist in most of continental Europe,
>> staffed by friendly bike shoppe type people who will be able to supply (and
>> fit) replacement parts in the case of failure.
>
> Yes, but if you're 2 hours and 3 valleys from that town, it'll be
> quite a long and difficult walk...
>

People are pretty friendly to cyclists I've found and will help you to
the local bike shop if totally stuck. You can't cover every eventuality
(I've had a chain ring fold and wrap itself round the frame and a
cassette shatter a sprocket for example) so might as well accept it may
happen and travel lighter. I carry my Alien multitool, some zip ties, a
powerlink, an Australian dollar bill (as tyre boot) a spare tube and
puncture kit. If it can't be fixed/temp repaired with that its the bike
shop hunt.


--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham
 
Brian Huntley wrote:

> As for spares, bring lots of tubes plus patches and a reliable pump.
> Consider a spare tire. Bring spokes if you're comfortable changing
> them (and can get a Hyper Cracker or similar and know how to use it.)
> Fibre-Fix kevlar spokes work very well, too.

I tried a FiberFix the other day to see what it's like. I could a helpful
amount of tension from it but not enough to save loosening other spokes to
compenate. With a highly tensioned wheel and minimal clearance in the
frame, I think you'd have to loosen *all* the other spokes to make the
FiberFix tight enough, relatively. Carry one of these things but don't
expect a miracle, is my advice.

> Bring spare fasteners,
> and consider a rear derailer pulley kit (with bolt!) For that
> distance, a spare chain or at least 6 or so full links of compatible
> chain and a chain tool (and single-use pins if your chain requires
> them.) Bring a full set of cables - 2 brake, 2 shifter. Maybe one
> pair of brake shoes for the mountains. Bring some zip-ties, too -
> very handy. I like to put a few small worm-gear hose clamps on the
> handles of my screwdrivers, in case a rack strut snaps (you can clamp
> a piece of rod- or even a stick
> - parallel to the strut as a temporary repair. Oh, and a few metres of
> good duct/gaffer's tape on your seat post is handy.

The chance of needing more than one spare chain link or brake/gear cable
is what, considering it's possible to carry on quite well with a shortened
chain or just one brake? (Rear cable could be transfered to front).

~PB
 
Pete Biggs wrote:
> The chance of needing more than one spare chain link or brake/gear
> cable is what, considering it's possible to carry on quite well with
> a shortened chain or just one brake? (Rear cable could be transfered
> to front).

OTOH, it's not much to carry a brake cable, and it's easier to just put a
new one in than have to find a bike shop.

I used to break chains all the time, but I don't now (and didn't on my last
derailleured bike, either). I think that a decent chain would last the
journey, but it's a toss up.

What I'd do is set a maximum weight for toolkit, order the items by how
necessary they are (i.e. likelihood of breaking/needing the tool X
inconvenience of breaking/not having tool), and then go down that list until
you've made up that weight.

I don't know whether I'd carry consumables such as spare brake pads or not.
It may be easier than finding a bike shop for them somewhere unfamiliar.
--
Ambrose
 
Last year I did a trip of 2100 at over 160 km a day, and can offer a
little advice.

I had never done more than 20 km or so at a time, other than a 100 km
Audax the month before. I was doing the 20km twice a day for a few
months though, so can say I was reasonably fit.

By the sound of it, fitness will not be your problem, but this will not
be enough: you need hours in the saddle to condition the parts of your
body that will suffer: if not you will get a sore back side, sore
knees, ankles (tendonitis), hands, back, shoulders. After the first
week I had to take a rest day where I only did 100km, and was then
dependent on double shorts and ibuprofen gel for nearly a week.

If you get up early enough, and are fast enough, you CAN enjoy touring
at 160 km a day. I like the mornings and was normally up at dawn and on
the road by about 6:00/6:30 so up to 120 km by lunchtime left for quite
a leisurely afternoon. Cut down a little in the mountains (set a time
not a distance to ride each day)

Pack very lightly. Don't take anything "just in case" - you're not
crossing the Sahara, buy what you need when you need it. Obviously it
would be foolhardy to go without a tube and pump, and a minimal
toolkit/first aid kit. You will never be more than a few hours walk
from a town.

Yes, I would LOVE to come with you, but would not get clearance two
years running. Prepare well and enjoy!
 
Bill-Dorset-UK wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am thinking/planning of cycling from Dorset (United Kingdom) to
> Bucharest (Romania) at some point this (2006) summer.
>
> The route is ~1800 miles and I am planning to undertake it in three
> and a half weeks, cycling from Monday to Friday and resting at the
> weekends, covering 100 miles a day.
>
> My fitness level is relatively high (I work on a farm, regularly play
> squash and circuit train), but have never cycled more than about 60
> miles in a day.

60 to 100 is a big difference. 66 miles was my max until the last couple
of years or so. More recently I've done 70 to 80 in a day a few times and
a 95 once, but I'm fit for nothing the next day. But hopefully you are
stronger than me!

~PB
 
Ambrose Nankivell wrote:
> Pete Biggs wrote:
>> The chance of needing more than one spare chain link or brake/gear
>> cable is what, considering it's possible to carry on quite well with
>> a shortened chain or just one brake? (Rear cable could be transfered
>> to front).
>
> OTOH, it's not much to carry a brake cable, and it's easier to just
> put a new one in than have to find a bike shop.

But would you carry *two* spare brake cables? (And two gear cables and
six chain links)?

~PB
 
Pete Biggs wrote:
> Ambrose Nankivell wrote:
>> Pete Biggs wrote:
>>> The chance of needing more than one spare chain link or brake/gear
>>> cable is what, considering it's possible to carry on quite well with
>>> a shortened chain or just one brake? (Rear cable could be
>>> transfered to front).
>>
>> OTOH, it's not much to carry a brake cable, and it's easier to just
>> put a new one in than have to find a bike shop.
>
> But would you carry *two* spare brake cables? (And two gear cables
> and six chain links)?

No.

Just like I wouldn't read the great grandparent post in depth. Sorry.
--
Ambrose
 
On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 12:02:25 +0100, "Tony W"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I would argue (and I have toured fairly extensively) that you need enough
>stuff to fix a normal roadside incident -- i.e. puncture stuff,

I have fixed a pucture once with some chewing gum over a fair sized
hole. I could go about 5 km before it needed to be re-pumped up. The
chewing gum solution works, but make a hell of the mess!

>a speedy
>link or three,

You can usually afford to lose a link or two, so you really only need
the tool. Long enough to get to the next bike shop.

>a couple of spare spokes,

You can even lost quite a number of spokes before the bike becomes
unrideable. Replacing them requires a number of tools, and I would
prefer to leave it until the bike shop.

>assorted nuts, bolts

Do they usually give much trouble?
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
 
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