UK-Spain with no experience

[scraggymess]

Hi, totally new to biking and the biking forum

Basically I want to buy a road bike and cycle from bournemouth to spain in june. It'll be a one-way trip because I intend to stay in spain for a couple of months.

I have almost no cycling experience and haven't even sat on a bike in a couple of years. However, I have rowed at an international level.

I'd like to know if anyone has any advice on:

*what type of bike to buy
*what sort of problems I may encounter
*gear I'll need (clothes, lights etc)
*rough cost estimates
*ANY other advice/suggestions/warnings

Thanks

 

[vandatubes]

Hi Scraggy having done that ride some years ago with various daily mileage between 40miles - 120 miles per day its things like your neck,shoulders and backside ache.

If you are saddle slack get out on the bike and get riding, there's no other way.

Your general fitness maybe great but as I say its those other bits that may cause you some concern.

Good luck and go for it

 

[betty swollocks]

if this is not an April Fool:- questions.
* Will you be camping or credit carding in hotels? This determines how much luggage you'll need
* What time scale do you have in mind?
* your rough intended route?

Your questions will be a little easier to answer once we have your answers.

 

[just4fun]

firstly good luck. This might get more attention as a thread in the touring section of the website. my suggestion for the moment is to buy a brooks saddle and do over 200miles in it before your trip so it breaks in. you will also need a good pair of cycling shorts. other than that i need more info.

 

[spiro]

Older members may shout me down but I was told people were starting to ride recumbents more as a result of using recumbents exercise machines etc. As scraggymess is a rower would he not benefit from using a recumbent rather than standard road bike?

 

[scraggymess]

Thanks for the advice so far, much appreciated. Not an April fools, just great timing!
Still have to work out what type of bike to buy and what size frame to buy, (6ft 1 and 90kgs if tha gives a guideline) have a fairly small budget for the actual bike. Around £600. Most of my friends have trek 1000s but I don't particularly like the feel. Tried a Bianchi (not too sure what type) and felt a little flimsy, like it wouldn't last the trip.

Hi Scraggy having done that ride some years ago with various daily mileage between 40miles - 120 miles per day its things like your neck,shoulders and backside ache.

If you are saddle slack get out on the bike and get riding, there's no other way.

Your general fitness maybe great but as I say its those other bits that may cause you some concern.

Good luck and go for it

Just the answer I was looking for! where did you sleep those nights? and did you use mountain/road/hybrid bike for that?



No timescale in mind because I don't have a job and am in no rush for anything.
No intended route, just south. No joke, i'm buying a compass to do most of my navigation
I want to travel light so might bring a couple sleeping bags and a few changes of clothes. Cash won't take up much room but credit card as back up.

I know I'll need a hell of a lot of vaseline but that's about it so far

 

[Gary D]

...................................................................................
I know I'll need a hell of a lot of vaseline but that's about it so far

You planning on earning some money on the trip down then?

Good luck!!

Gary.

 

[jay clock]

First things first, get out on a bike and do 2-3 miles day for a few days. Then up to 4-5 miles for a few. Etc till you can do 20-30. Maybe do at least one 40-50 mile ride

In terms of bike it depends on budget. You say "road bike" but to most on here that will mean what you would know as a racing bike. A classic touring bike looks the same but is more suited in allowing the fitting of a rack and heel clearance for panniers

I would start with a look at crazyguyonabike - my own offerings start here www.crazyguyonabike.com/julian and my most recent (Nice to Perpignan) has some discussion about lightweight kit.

Lots of other people will have lots more to add.....

 

[betty swollocks]

Hi.
This is the type of bike you need - a touring bike. Built to be stable and comfortable over long distances and have the capability to carry luggage.
Looks like this actual one is your size........so get bidding!
Problems: none hopefully! But, take your time to get used to the bike you're taking. Other problems could be getting lost, mechanical breakdown or inclement weather, running out of energy or hostile natives.
Doubt whether you'll need lights, as the days as the time of year you have in mind will be plenty long enough.
Take spare tools/inner tubes, at least two water bottles, which you must keep topped up at every opportunity, suntan cream, sudocreme to anoint your arse, cycling specific shorts (at least two pairs) and wear a clean pair every day and keep some space in your panniers for some spare food.
Budget for accommodation, food.
Other hints:-
Don't think too much: on tour, life becomes wonderfully simple - sleep, eat, drink, cycle, admire scenery, drink, eat, cycle, sleep etc.
Drink plenty, and before you feel thirsty and eat before hunger sets in.
Don't know about budget.
Have a fantastic time!!
Ps: you may want to consider using clipless pedals, as they making pedalling far more efficient.

 

[arallsopp]

I prefer comfort over speed, although a decent balance of both is what will make this trip most enjoyable.

The worst riding days of my life have been on a racing geometry bike, leant forward onto aching palms, back hurting, saddle sore, battling a headwind, following a map, trying to get to B&B.

The best days were sat back in the sunshine, ambling 'Left' because the road looked attractive, 40 odd km from where I was aiming for, and only 60km from where I actually thought I was.

I did London to Paris as a 'just head south' route a few summers back, and absolutely loved it. Admittedly ended up approaching Paris from the South, chasing 747s for clues, but was a wondrous experience.

The ultimate defence against getting lost is to have no idea of where you are, or should be. As Douglas Adams would have it, rather than end up where you wanted to go, you often find yourself in an unknown place where you needed to be.